County : Vials of Radioactive Material Found in Park
Two vials containing an unknown, low-level radioactive material were found in a box full of empty containers Saturday at Caspers Regional Park, located on Ortega Highway near the southwestern edge of Orange County.
The box containing 50 unmarked vials was discovered in a trash can by a maintenance worker. The vials were turned over to the county Health Care Agency, which will analyze the material.
Park Ranger Darrell Bennett said he could not recall any similar incidents, and added that the material did not appear to present a health threat.
Bill Gevedon, captain at the El Cariso National Forest Service station east of the park, said illegal dumping of hazardous material isn’t unusual in the area, but he knew of no prior incidents involving radioactive items. “We’ve found as much as a few barrels (of toxic substances), always in areas close by the highway,” he said.
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