ENS 41862
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
05:00 Jul 20, 2005 | |
| Title | Agreement State Report Involving Potentially Abandoned Sources |
| Event Description | The following information was received from the State of Mississippi via email:
Description of Incident: Received notification 7-20-05 from Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) that another State Agency (DEQ) had discovered the abandonment of a AEA Model 680 Cobalt-60 exposure device and a SPEC Model 150 exposure device containing Iridium-192. Division of Rad Health (DRH) personnel responded to location and determined that no devices were missing from the licensed storage facility. It had been assumed from other emergency responders that a overpack (Model 680-OP) for the Cobalt device may have contained radioactive material and was missing from the container. The event generated television and newspaper media attention. DRH personnel explained that the overpack was only used when the device was transported on public roads. All radioactive material was accounted for and secured in the storage area. Also, DRH and DEQ personnel went to Struthers Industries location at the 34th Street facility located in Gulfport, MS, where all radioactive material ( a Model 680 Cobalt 60 exposure device and a Model 660 Iridium 192 device) was accounted for and still secured in the locked storage vault. There was security concerns due to the companies being in bankruptcy and the new owners not knowing about the radioactive devices. DRH had investigated the security of the sources on 6-28-05 and found the sources safe, but met with the president of company who assured DRH he would properly dispose of the devices. On 7-21-05 AEA Technology was contacted to remove the sources. The sources were put in approved overpacks. Leak tests had been performed on the sources and determined that the sources were not leaking. AEA personnel also removed all radiation signs and associated equipment at the 2 locations. DRH personnel did closeout surveys along with AEA personnel to ensure no radioactive sources were left behind. All radioactive material that was licensed by the 2 licenses (MS-750-01 and MS-259-01) were accounted for and removed by AEA personnel. It has not been determined by DRH personnel if devices were abandoned and the investigation is ongoing by DRH personnel. Isotope(s)/Activity: Cobalt 60 (2 devices/sources) @ 23 curies in each device, Iridium 192 (2 devices/sources) @ 5 curies in each device Date of Incident: 7-20-05 Date Reported To DRH: 7-20-05 Describe clean-up actions taken by DRH: After determining all radioactive devices were accounted for, DRH contacted AEA Technology about the removal of the devices. DRH personnel stayed at location until all sources and devices were removed and caution signs and associated radiography equipment was removed. List radiation measurements taken by DRH: Highest readings were @ 30 mR/hr at surface of the Co-60 exposure devices. The readings on the Iridium-192 devices were less than 5 mR/hr. List any other actions required of DRH: Event is under investigation by DRH, EPA, MS DEQ, and FBI. List any actions taken to notify NRC, other Agreement States: NRC Ops Center notified by E-mail 7-22-05; NMED notified 7-22-05 by E-mail. Event was reported to EPA due to other hazardous materials that were discovered at the site. Also investigated by FBI and inquiries made from Homeland Security. Enforcement action taken: Investigation ongoing as to if devices were abandoned or if the owner was still in process of disposing of the devices. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Irby Steel, Div Of Struthers Industries Gulfport, Mississippi (NRC Region 1) | |
| License number: | MS-750-01 |
| Organization: | Mississippi Div Of Rad Health |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+55.78 h2.324 days <br />0.332 weeks <br />0.0764 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Bobby Smith 12:47 Jul 22, 2005 |
| NRC Officer: | Steve Sandin |
| Last Updated: | Jul 22, 2005 |
| 41862 - NRC Website | |
Irby Steel, Div Of Struthers Industries with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 418622005-07-20T05:00:00020 July 2005 05:00:00
[Table view]Agreement State Agreement State Report Involving Potentially Abandoned Sources 2005-07-20T05:00:00 | |