A potentially dangerous radioactive x-ray lamp stolen from a Markham laboratory on Monday, October 10, 2011.
When a burglar made off with some computer equipment during a break-and-enter at a Markham laboratory earlier this week, they also stole a potentially dangerous radioactive x-ray lamp, police said Friday.
The overnight break-in happened after 11 p.m. on Monday at a business on Esna Park Drive, in an industrial park near Woodbine and Steeles avenues. The thief or thieves got in by smashing the glass at the front door.
Among the items stolen was a diffractometer lamp, which is used in x-ray scanning. On its own, the equipment is not dangerous, as it becomes radioactive only if it is powered.
But it contains Beryllium 7, a corrosive and toxic radioactive substance that could be harmful if the bulb inside is broken and it is released.
Police think the culprit or culprits may not realize how dangerous the equipment is, and they are asking anyone who finds the lamp to call police for help.