| The head of the Peruvian Institute of Nuclear Energy said Monday that two stolen nuclear measuring devices used by miners do not contain enough radioactive material to produce a "dirty bomb." Institute president Modesto Montoya told The Associated Press that the missing 44-pound industrial measurers each contain about 3.5 ounces of removable, encapsulated cesium 137. They were stolen on July 31, most likely for sale to a scrap collector, he said. Although the amount of cesium 137 would not be enough to make a radioactive bomb, it could cause serious burns if carried around in a pocket for several days, Montoya said. The radioactive material could also contaminate a scrap yard if accidentally melted down, he said after holding a news conference to warn Lima residents. Montoya said the measuring devices were stolen from a Lima warehouse. Shaped like two cylinders separated by a u-clamp, the 14 inch by 8 inch contraptions can be attached to tubes and small tanks. The devices are used to measure density flows of slurry being pumped from mines to determine how much of the liquefied ore is being processed and ensure pumps are not overloaded. |