ENS 43248
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
04:00 Mar 16, 2007 | |
| Title | Orphan Source Found in State of Pennsylvania During Scrap Metal Recycling |
| Event Description | A truck carrying a load of scrap metal set off a rad alarm at a metal recycling facility. The truck returned to its origin (Kampner Iron and Steel) where the source of the radioactivity was found to be a TN Technologies gauge Model 5191 (Serial number B927) containing a 200 millicurie source of Cs-137. TN Technologies was contacted and it was determined that the gauge was purchase under a general license by Rapco Inc of Tennessee in 1977. It is believed that the gauge was used for process measurements of fluidized coal flow.
A health physics contractor for Kampner Iron and Steel (Applied Health Physics) and a representative for the State of Pennsylvania were present when the gauge was recovered. Field testing indicated that the source was intact and no contamination present. The gauge was place in a drum and locked in a secured location at Kampner Iron and Steel and posted per regulations. Based on radiation measurements, the health physics contractor does not believe that the source resulted in any personnel exposures. Kampner Steel has been in contact with TN Technologies on options for retrieval of the gauge. Investigation into the status of Rapco Inc and how the gauge wound up as scrap are also in progress. The NRC Region 1 Office (Lodhi) has been notified. THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. Although IAEA categorization of this event is typically based on device type, the staff has been made aware of the actual activity of the source, and after calculation determines that it is a Less than Cat 3 event. Note: the value assigned by device type "Category 3" is different than the calculated value "Less than Cat 3 |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Unknown Hooversville, Pennsylvania (NRC Region 1) | |
| License number: | UNKNOWN |
| Organization: | Kampner Iron And Steel |
| Reporting | |
| Information Only | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+80.52 h3.355 days <br />0.479 weeks <br />0.11 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Anthony Hull 12:31 Mar 19, 2007 |
| NRC Officer: | Bill Huffman |
| Last Updated: | Mar 19, 2007 |
| 43248 - NRC Website | |
Unknown with Information Only | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 432482007-03-16T04:00:00016 March 2007 04:00:00
[Table view]Information Only Orphan Source Found in State of Pennsylvania During Scrap Metal Recycling ENS 432052007-03-01T05:00:0001 March 2007 05:00:00 Information Only Orphan General License Source Discovered at Scrap Metal Dealer ENS 405272004-02-17T15:27:00017 February 2004 15:27:00 Information Only Radioactive Material Discovered at Landfill ENS 402742003-10-01T05:00:0001 October 2003 05:00:00 Information Only Radioactive Source Discovered in Surplus Vehicle 2007-03-16T04:00:00 | |