ENS Event | |
|---|---|
13:30 Dec 7, 2006 | |
| Title | External Contamination on Package Exceeding Shipping Limits |
| Event Description | The RSO for St. Johns Mercy Medical Center reported that a package was received at the facility with external and internal contamination. The package originated from a radiopharmaceutical company, GE- Healthcare, St. Louis and contained 400 microCi of I-123 and 5 milliCi of Tc-99. The package was surveyed upon receipt and found to have contamination levels of approximately 3100 dpm per square centimeter on both external and internal surfaces. This contamination is greater than the limits permitted in 49 CFR 173.443 and are therefore reportable. The contamination was analyzed in a multichannel analyzer and is believed to be Tc-99. The radiopharmaceuticals in the package were not damaged or leaking and the contamination does not appear to be from the contents of the shipment.
The GE-Healthcare, St. Louis facility was contacted and informed of the contamination. The driver and the vehicle used to transport the package have been surveyed and no contamination found. No other contamination has been found at the St. Johns Mercy Medical Center. The hospital plans to hold onto the shipping package until the Tc-99 decays before it is returned to GE- St. Louis.
Upon further investigation, the RSO for St. Johns has determined that the package was likely contaminated by the technician that performed the receipt inspection at the St. Johns Mercy Medical Center. The gloves of the technician performing the initial survey swipes were apparently contaminated by activities at the facility prior to receiving the package. Therefore, the licensee is retracting this event. NRC Region III (Piskura) was notified by the licensee. R3DO (Lipa) and NMSS EO (Morell) have been notified. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| St. Johns Mercy Medical Center St. Louis, Missouri (NRC Region 3) | |
| License number: | 24-00794-03 |
| Organization: | St. Johns Mercy Medical Center |
| Reporting | |
| 10 CFR 20.1906(d)(1) | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+-2.08 h-0.0867 days <br />-0.0124 weeks <br />-0.00285 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Robert Turco 11:25 Dec 7, 2006 |
| NRC Officer: | Bill Huffman |
| Last Updated: | Dec 8, 2006 |
| 43037 - NRC Website | |
St. Johns Mercy Medical Center with 10 CFR 20.1906(d)(1) | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 430372006-12-07T13:30:0007 December 2006 13:30:00
[Table view]10 CFR 20.1906(d)(1) External Contamination on Package Exceeding Shipping Limits 2006-12-07T13:30:00 | |