It is a Troxler, most likely model 3430/3440 nuclear density gauge. They are used to check the compaction status of soil and asphalt, usually during construction and are used at MOST commercial construction sites, but not usually for single family homes. They contain 8 mCi of CS-137 that is in a tiny metal capsule, that is put into another tiny metal capsule and then put into the tip of a 12" rod and welded on. They also have a capsule of Am-241:Be inside the base of the unit under the keypad. This amount of radioactive material in the double encapsulated form only requires a Yellow Radioactive II sticker on the transport case. It DOES NOT require any sort of placarding on the vehicle. When the gauge rod is fully up and locked in the safe position, it is relatively harmless. Even when lowered into the ground, you get less dose than from an x-ray. These are very safe devices. Requirements for transport is that it must be kept in the yellow (or green or orange, depending on manufacturer) transport case that is only allowed to be kept in the cargo compartment or at the far end of a pickup truck bed, away from the driver. It should be blocked and braced to prevent movement and for security, a two lock system needs to be in place. In this instance, the car locks count as one lock and having a bike cable or chain or wire with a pad lock securing the case to a fixed point in the car counts as the second lock to prevent the gauge and case from being stolen. In addition, both of those metal hasps for the lid should also each have a pad lock to prevent someone from leaving the case, but trying to open it and steal just the gauge. They are missing in the video, but could have just been removed by the FD. There also seems to be a cable going from the case handle to the car on the right side. The gauge itself also should have a smaller padlock on the handle to prevent someone from accidentally lowering the rod out of the protected shielded area and exposing them to radiation. Shipping papers with emergency contact numbers should always be on the front passenger seat facing up so it can be easily located, or in the drivers side door of larger trucks, where bills of laden are kept. The Transportation Index is around 0.3 for these gauges meaning your radiation detector should read around 0.3 mRems per hour when the detector is one meter (3.3 ft) away. I think you see that near the end of the video where a FD member is holding up a tape measure to the case. Basically, you just need to open the case up and visually inspect the gauge to make sure the housing / shielding is intact and verify the transportation index values with the detector and you are good to go. It is amazing how many of these gauges are out there and yet 90% of FD's have no idea what they are or how to handle them. As for operation, when you want to build a road or building, you need the proper soil and for that soil to be properly compacted before you build on it. Failure to do so results in cracks in your floor slab and walls from settling. You run a proctor test on the soil in a lab to finds the max dry density. Then a tech goes to a job site with a nuke gauge and the proctor info. Contractors place the good soil in ~1 ft thick lifts and then use a roller compactor the compact the material. After a few passes, the tech takes the gauge, uses a tool to make a hole in the ground 12" deep that is slightly bigger that the gauge rod. Then he places the gauge over the hole and lowers the rod containing the Cs-137 in the hole. Hit start test, step back 12-15 ft for 15 seconds while it runs and then secure the rod in the safe position and read the results. You want 95% or higher compaction related to the max dry density from the lab test to be ok and move on to the next lift. This is called a direct transmission test. The gauge reads the direct transmission of radiation from the tip of the rod, through the soil to the detectors in the base of the unit. At the same time, it also reads the Am-241 radiation in backscatter mode to get the moisture content of the soil. Meaning the Am-241 source stays fixed in bottom of the gauge, emits radiation, some of which reacts to the hydrogen atoms in water and reflect back up the gauge which is read and translated into a moisture content reading. You can also read the Cs-137 source this way (backscatter mode) for checking density of hard materials like when they pave with asphalt. You don't want to try and punch a hole in such hard material for a direct transmission test.

Really makes you wonder… how many cars do you pass each day that have a slightly radioactive box containing construction equipment within their trunk

Hazmat knew exactly what it was right away. Anyone who’s been on a construction site has seen these compaction gauges.

I work for an engineering firm as a construction materials technician. We use these every day! We are required to wear a dosimeter that tells you your radiation exposure and they’re renewed every 3 months. But either way unless the machine is damaged, you receive more radiation from the sun in a day than you receive from these machines!

I am a firefighter and I have worked in the construction materials testing field. This is simply a soils density gauge. Both forms of radiation (one measures density, the other measures moisture) are low level. You get more radiation exposure from an x-ray. As long as the unit is in it's case and the case is not damaged there is no danger of exposure. Even if the guage is out of the case but not being used it is safe.

I can imagine the call "911 whats your emergency" "THERE'S A BOX WITH THE RADIOACTIVE SYMBOL AT insert place here SEND HAZMAT!"

FDNY, "Sir do you have any valuables in the automobile." Patient, "No, just some plutonium in the trunk." FDNY, "Again with the plutonium."

At 1:52 that SUV did a great job trying to get out of the way as soon as he realized the trucks wanted to go in his direction. All the pedestrians and bicycles didn't give an F though.

Its used in ground construction to measure ground compackting and density its a really tiny nuclear thing inside the machine itself normaly there has to be stickers or signs outside the car but the box is safe hope i translate it good im not english

I saw theese on a daily basis growing up. My dad worked for contech. Whats in the yellow box is known to some as a "nukegauge" used to determine density of the ground and a multitude of other surfaces. Useually core sampiles or "cylinders" are collected and taken to their lad and placed in basicly a gaint press to see the capabilitys of the sample in question. Dispute the bright case the gauge is relatively safe to use. However I do remember my dad having to renew a certain permit allowing him to use it and transport the gauge in his truck. He also kept what I assume was a Geiger counter type device in the truck in the event of an accident

I used to be a materials technician and that’s looks like the case to a nuclear density gauge for testing compaction, moisture and other factors for ground work

9:28 Respect for the Germany flag on the fire truck

Hello! An actual radioactive material transporter AND a radiological and hazmat incident first responder and instructor here, I want to say a few things about this! A material requiring a number 7 placard is a level 3 radioactive material. It means it poses the most hazard to the public. Those containers are designed to withstand a tremendous amount of force and impact. More than likely, it would not be transported in a regular car like this. (I say more then likely because there are people that will still do this to try and save a buck, rather then hire someone like me who knows what they are doing and how to properly transport this.) The second thing is that the radiologic detection device they are using comes with a very tiny, radioactive test container that you use to make sure the device is reading properly. After setting it up and using this device on the test sample, it is then used to take samples from certain distances away from the container to see how much, if any, radioactive material has spread. Getting a zero reading at the closest point is a good thing; however, you need to make sure you get a zero reading everywhere around the container to make sure it doesn't have a small leak. If the driver was properly hauling the radioactive material, then he would have a bill with the amount and kind of radioactive material that is in the container. Knowing this information, the fire fighters can choose their level of PPE they need to successfully handle the situation with minimal risk to them selves. If the material is a low enough level not to pose a significant risk but is high enough to warrant a radioactive label, then the turnout gear could be sufficient enough to work as a barrier. There is radioactive material that emits the kind of radiation that can be blocked by the skin. Another thing about radiation is that it's the amount of exposure time and kind of radiation that matters, not necessarily the amount emitted. Now, there is a difference between something that is a radioactive material and radiation. You can receive a radioactive dose and not be worried about contamination as long as no radioactive material has been spread. It's the material that is what gives off the radiation. You yourself can't become radioactive unless you are covered in radioactive material. So, this is probably why they didn't go through decontamination after dealing with this issue. The common misconception of radioactive material is that it is immediately dangerous to you. There are so many factors that go into determining if radioactive material is dangerous or not. The real stuff that could hurt you and everything around it is not going to be transported in the back of a car through a major city. That stuff is all route controlled and monitored along the way. For what this stuff most likely is, they are very cautious and are doing a great job. Even though YOU might not think so. Some of them, I'm sure, have NEVER come across this outside of a training capacity. The takeaway from this is that they are trained professionals. Please don't assume things if you have no idea how it works. Not only that, but we live in the 21st century. Educate yourself on radioactive material and what radiation actually is. It's not as scary as everyone thinks I promise you. Yes, the stuff can hurt you. So you need to be careful with it. But know there are many people who are trained to do so. Including these guys.

How many people can you get around a box containing radioactive material ?

I have actually seen that before on our paving jobs there’s a company out of New York that uses equipment for compaction and density yes it’s radioactive but it isn’t that bad it’s a very expensive piece of equipment!!

Just a Density gauge, usually used on construction sites to test for compaction of soil or asphalt.

Equipment to screen radioactive chemicals= $10k, not having batteries in said equipment= priceless...

That looks like the box that hold a ground density tester. That's used to put a rod of radioactive rod that's pushed into the ground. The the test unit is set on top of a compacted 1' square area to test.

What a very odd situation for the good people of your FDNY there 🙏

thanks for the description since i also was wondering about PPE

Dr. Emmett Brown called: He wants his plutonium back

Just started watching and I know this is gonna be a good video with T13 waving at you!

Me, a totally random dude with only anecdotal knowledge: "Central, the box says Troxler. That is a company that makes radiation-based sensors for pipelines and welding and stuff. Strongly suspect this is an industrial radiography source." Central: EVACUATE THE ISLAND OF MANHATTAN

Awesome catch!!!!!!

I responded to a call involving one of these. It was dumped in a parking lot. Made for an interesting afternoon.

I have never seen that particular kind of HAZMAT resonse in my entire career

_'Since there seem to be many comments criticizing the lack of protective gear and / or the over sized response: the package was not emitting any radiation'_ You always have to wear protective gear when a container like this is involved in an accident. The container could have been damaged.

Great camera work. Glad there was no 🍄 ☁️.

I like how after they tested the first time and it was questionable the guy in the light blue walks up and pokes it

Helpful hint.......... DON'T go to the airport right after getting a MRI with radioactive contrast. It can cause quite a commotion.

I used to have a roomate that would bring in a box like that into the house. He said its used to xray concrete. He said he would freek out if it was stolen because it would radiate gama rays and destroy the dna in some one body over time.

Box wasn't even touched, what a stupid response. Whoever had the troxler shouldn't have a troxler. Unless that box is open or damaged there is no reason to respond like this

And that’s really how Spider-Man came about.

everyone explaining in paragraphs: me: yellow cooler sweet

As a radiation technician myself this is Interesting to me, something I handle everyday like it's nothing 😆

What is the least called out unit? The rarest type of emergency . Thanks for the video.

That's a lot of resources to do not a lot of work. We have a DIM Units in the UK (Detection, Monitoring and Identification Unit) which are crewed by two firefighters for this kind of thing. You'd get a DIM Unit, an officer or two and an 'Engine' responding.

9:30 I love to see our flag on the back of the truck =D Greetings from the mighty beer and bratwurstland ^^

Great video

awesomt catch of the fdny for a car crash great job on the video

Your description is correct. That type of container usually contains medical radiological material in the form of time sensitive ions for mainly oncology purpose. They are generated at Brookhaven National lab and ferried out to various medical units in the vicinity. These are radiological ions that have a very short ( hours) half life. If it was transportation of more highly radiological strength, it would have required more stringent containment and a security escort. This was a very low level incident that did not require major protection beyond dose meters to confirm the dosage at the proximity.

In the beginning of the video the box was unlocked. Did the the FDNY lock it after the initial readings?

The friendly neighborhood Wendell, what a sweetheart 🤣

Nice work FDNY!!!!

We can't say it enough Radiation proof suits NOW!

Can't be that bad. First, car doesn't have any warning labels/stickers showing it's transporting hazardous materials. Second, no one is wearing protective gear I.e.; masks, gloves, coats, etc. Lastly, they are allowing a camera person to be within feet of so called radioactive device. Don't make stuff more than it is. Harmless is all!

Thought they would have a clue with their past experience with the Ecto-1's equipment in NY

In Florida it would just be a turd in a box When asked why the owner had a turd in the box he replied there was no bathroom available

" Sir what's in the trunk?", " Just a cooler with Subway sandwich meat"

Man 1 ...I'm getting 0? Man 29 ...yeah me too ,let's call another unit... 76 tests later .. Jup...looks safe

Effin people in NY just don't pull over like we do in PA...geeze

That’s what a soil tech uses I work in pipeline and they have to check the compaction level with that.

No one moves for first responders in this city or what? Lmfao

Very Neat! Such awesome footage! I feel like I’m right there! 😁👍👍🇺🇸

My friend works in nuclear medicine and he got rear ended with a trunk full of radioactive dye. Same thing happened, entire hazmat team came in for bottles you need to take a 2 hour class to handle lol

Wow. Guess they don't have construction inspection in NY

Wow, radiation is so serious! I heard that there is no way of containing it just like in Chernobyl still radioactive.

Virtually everything labeled hazardous material creates quite the circus whenever it's involved In any collision. Not sure of the specifics but the person driving the vehicle should of at least mentioned the Nuke Gauge. However folks that may encounter such a Civil Engineering Tool , don't be alarmed especially when it's properly secured within its case & undamaged. The tool itself is 99.9% encasement of a super tiny little bead which is used to test density. Even to expose the bead one must know how to engage the machine anyways. And you would need numerous Nuke gages & a nuclear facility in order to weaponize such a tool. So no fear as these tools are used daily on countless projects from Highway,Bridge construction , Schools, multi story buildings, refineries etc ,all done ,performed & transported WITHOUT INCIDENT. & just incase any thieves are watching & are interested . Do Not Even Think About unless your interested in doing Federal Time minimum 25 to life. Then beyond that nobody in there right mind would purchase such an item as it's so highly regulated, Well documented & the licensing involved makes it virtually impossible to sell. Along with its superior GPS technology, you will not get far at all . Lol . Meanwhile For the rest of us ,I've handled several of these tools without incident nor any physical issues.

Where’s Imagine Dragons when u need dem! Lol

bro is practically FDNY PIO at this point

I bet they opened the trunk and were like oh WTF lol

Bizarre.

Love how no one stops for the fire truck..what a bunch of goons..🙉

Love the "cargo aricraft ONLY" 1:16

Radioactive box: chilling being radioactive releasing deadly radiation or whatever FD: yeah let's stand two inches from it 🤣💀

The transport vehicle is not placarded in accordance with the 49 CFR 😆

I love how they just spend a sold hour or two looking at it wondering what to do with it.

Was it a contractor who deals with radiotherapy (like chemotherapy) units who collects and inspects them. (Edit: saw the other comments about the compactor)

seen those when they were laying asphalt, I had to walk up to the guy and ask him how his fancy tool worked.

You want to see an even bigger shit show, watch cops and fire fighters around an airplane!

They were boutta refill their delorean

They need so many Firefighters because of 1 Box with an low dose of radiation?

Ah yess bringing the ladder to a car crash

"What's in the box!" - Det. Mills. No, seriously, what is in the box?

They were on a GTA mission and crashed🤣🤣🤣

An awful lot of curious people standing awfully close to an unknown unspecified radioactive source material, not healthy.

hahahaha. these things give off less radiation than your cellphone HAHAHAHAHA

Their driveing that s-it through the town my god???????? No No No

what a cool toolbox ;-)

Okay, i gotta know. Why so many trucks to same location ? I dont get it, they last 4 arriving all seem to be hazmat. But by then they all know it is just one box. Wouldn one be enough ? Just in case ? Please be so kind to tell me, i really wanna know. Thanks

Hopefully I get to see some of this action when I go up to NY in a few weeks.

hey this box says "radioactive" let´s all gather around as close as we can :D

Oh no. How dare that guy test soil

How many fire fighters does it take to deal woth a hot yellow box.. All of them. xD

they wouldnt have known it was safe until they examined it, therefore should have been suited up

1.21 gigawatts? what was I thinking?

That's a soil compaction gauge It uses radiation to measure the compaction and water content in the soil that's being compacted at job sites to determine weather it meets the specifications..I used to be an inspector..I hated carrying these things around their outdated af now I wish they'd find a way to make a handheld device that did that..also whenever we had these with us we had to have the paperwork for it sitting in the passenger seat with us incase of situations like these

I have a question. That yellow box is the boxing question?? If it is, why are you so close??

Does FDNY not use wheel chucks at all?

How many fire stations/houses are in NY?

All for a popcorn kernel of material...I'm so glad I don't work with those stupid gauges anymore.

It’s a nuclear density gauge for testing soil compaction and moisture…. The source is very small

E22 with a German flag? Does anyone know why?

Lol. Everyone wanted to get out the cool tools they never get to use because of a scary piece of construction equipment.

I didn't read the comments first and thought it's a normal tool box with a decal sticker

Jeez. Wait till these guys find out what they put in old smoke detectors…

Great vid hats off to the fdny.

What the hell?! How did that radioactive box get in there?! I'm so confused

in south Texas we have NDT trucks running around with CS-137 sources for xraying oil pipes you see them all over the roads and when they crash the black helicopters come in to investigate

Looks like the beginning of outbreak apocalypse movie