ENS Event | |
|---|---|
07:00 Jun 24, 2008 | |
| Title | Washington Agreement State Report - Leaking Cs-137 Sealed Source |
| Event Description | The following information was provided via email from the State of Washington:
On June 26th, WSU reported that a Cesium-137 sealed source used to test operation of radiation detection instrumentation was found, by WSU staff, to be leaking. The source had recently been used at a WSU research facility. The staff noticed that two of the detectors were indicating higher than expected radiation readings after the source had been returned to storage. Subsequently, WSU staff found the radiation detection instrumentation they had been testing had become contaminated. The source appears to have been abraded during use. The source, an Isotope Products Lab, model not yet known, Serial Number 687-87-7 and its wooden storage box were taken out of service when the leak was discovered. The source and box are scheduled for disposal as radioactive waste. WSU staff are looking into the specific cause of the abrasion. WSU will then determine if additional corrective actions will be made to keep this from reoccurring. The licensee reported that surveys were performed in all areas where the source had been used and stored. Three WSU staff were found to have between 200 to 300 counts per minute of contamination on their fingers. WSU staff also found contamination levels of up to 300 counts per minute on a hand-rail and other associated equipment in the facility. Decontamination of the staff, areas and equipment was successfully performed. Notification Reporting Criteria: WAC 246-221-265, leaking source. Isotope and Activity involved: Cs-137 check source, 0.37 MBq (10 microcuries) as of February 1, 2000. Finger contamination was noted, but no overexposures should be realized. Washington State Report WA-08-046. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Washington State University Pullman, Washington (NRC Region 4) | |
| License number: | WN-C003-1 |
| Organization: | Wa Division Of Radiation Protection |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+200 h8.333 days <br />1.19 weeks <br />0.274 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Arden Scroggs 15:00 Jul 2, 2008 |
| NRC Officer: | Jeff Rotton |
| Last Updated: | Jul 2, 2008 |
| 44332 - NRC Website
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Washington State University with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 532522018-02-14T08:00:00014 February 2018 08:00:00
[Table view]Agreement State Agreement State Report - Leaking Source ENS 517182016-02-04T08:00:0004 February 2016 08:00:00 Agreement State Agreement State Report - Leaking Ni-63 Sealed Source ENS 443322008-06-24T07:00:00024 June 2008 07:00:00 Agreement State Washington Agreement State Report - Leaking Cs-137 Sealed Source 2018-02-14T08:00:00 | |