ROY — A trailer containing radioactive thorium was found behind a Roy strip mall and the incident is under investigation.

Hazardous materials crews responded to the site, at 4874 S. 1900 West, at 2:11 p.m. Wednesday, said Jake Rast, a Roy Fire Department battalion chief.

“The thorium is dangerous at a moderate level,” Rast said.

Hazardous materials workers secured the materials and trailer, and state radiation control officials were alerted to the incident, Rast said. The trailer was left at the site pending arrival of state authorities. “It shouldn’t cause any issues,” he said.

Emergency crews were on the scene for about three hours.

Further details were not available pending the outcome of the investigation, Rast said.

Efforts to learn more from the state Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control were not immediately successful.

According to the World Nuclear Association, thorium can be used in nuclear energy production and the medical industry and it can be a component in nuclear weapons. In Utah, the San Rafael Energy Research Center is studying the uses and benefits of thorium as a power source.

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