"Sloppy" Chemist Arrested for Possession of Radioactive Material

Santa Ana, Calif.-- An Egyptian chemist, Riad Mohamad Ahmed, 62, was charged with illegal possession of radioactive material after investigators seized items contaminated with radioactive carbon 14 at his home. The radiation exceeded allowable levels outside a laboratory, but did not pose any danger, authorities said.

"I have great concerns because Dr. Ahmed has repeatedly demonstrated a matter of utter disregard for the health and safety of the public and his employees, and for the appropriate handling of radioactive material," said Orange County Deputy District Attorney Nick Thompson.

"He was sloppy. He had a fire and an explosion at one (lab)... and a problem at another one," said Dan Suter, a field specialist with the Environmental Protection Agency.

Ahmed has a record of run-ins with regulators dating back to the 1980's, according to officials. He could also face charges of violating probation stemming from a 1997 explosion at a private laboratory in Gardena, said Daniel Walker, Los Angles County Deputy District Attorney. In that incident, the building was contaminated and the federal government later labeled it a Superfund cleanup site.

"It was so contaminated, he had to take the building down to the studs," said Walker, who prosecuted Ahmed in that case.

Dr. Ahmed was also charged in 1986 with mishandling radioactive, flammable and explosives materials at another lab. He pleaded no contest, served 60 days in jail and was ordered to pay a $15,000 fine.

This time, Ahmed was arrested after a routine probation check at his Westminster home when evidence of carbon 14 was found. Carbon 14 is used to tag and trace chemicals. The chemical has been linked to cancer.

Dr. Ahmed was released on $50,000 bail.