ENS 44619
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
15:45 Oct 30, 2008 | |
| Title | Agreement State Report - Accidential Exposure to I-131 |
| Event Description | A veterinarian was exposed to Iodine-131 after administering a dose to a cat. The incident occurred on Thursday, October 30, at about 10:45 AM. The (19 millicuries of I-131) dose had been given to the cat, and the user accidentally poked his left index finger with the syringe which contained a residue of I-131. The user's protective glove was penetrated by the needle, but the needle did not appear to have penetrated the skin. The user contacted the RSO a few minutes after the incident. Efforts were made to remove or displace the radioactive Iodine with partial success, reducing the beta measurements about 50%. The licensee estimated that about 20 nanocuries of I-131 were remaining after efforts to decontaminate. Finger swabs show a very small amount 0.5 nanocuries or less) of removable contamination. The contamination is concentrated on an area less than 1 mm square on the user's left index finger near the tip. The user's fingertip is being kept bandaged to prevent spread of contamination.
The licensee contacted DEQ promptly after the initial response. The exposed individual was taken to the University Medical Center where the physician is giving treatment based on NCRP 65. Nonradioactive iodine is being administered in an attempt to block absorption by the thyroid. Since the skin did not appear to be penetrated, the licensee believed that there would be no internal dose, but the exposed individual was directed to collect his urine for analysis. This report to NRC was held up in anticipation of the results. Analysis of the exposed individual's urine (about 2 liters collected overnight) shows a distinct I-131 peak that the licensee preliminarily estimated at about 90 picocuries/liter. A longer count with more precision is being made. The exposed individual will continue to collect all urine for analysis for at least five days. The situation has been complicated by the death of an immediate relative of the RSO. A Certified Health Physicist who is on the University Radiation Safety Committee is now acting for the RSO.
The following was provided by the licensee via e-mail: The licensee has conducted an extensive follow-up investigation, including collection an analysis of urine for five days, and bioassay of the individual's thyroid. The licensee calculated a thyroid dose of 2.1 mrem for the incident, not enough to have measurable health effects. It is not clear whether the Iodine was absorbed through an undetected skin puncture or through direct skin absorption. The licensee is working with DEQ to analyze their process to minimize the chances of a similar future incident. Notified R4DO (Whitten), and FSME (Burgess). |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma State University Stillwater, Oklahoma (NRC Region 4) | |
| License number: | OK-00237-03 |
| Organization: | Ok Deq Rad Management |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+25.12 h1.047 days <br />0.15 weeks <br />0.0344 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Mike Broderick 16:52 Oct 31, 2008 |
| NRC Officer: | John Knoke |
| Last Updated: | Nov 12, 2008 |
| 44619 - NRC Website | |
Oklahoma State University with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 539482019-03-20T05:00:00020 March 2019 05:00:00
[Table view]Agreement State Agreement State Report - Contaminated Radiation Worker ENS 451922009-07-08T05:00:0008 July 2009 05:00:00 Agreement State Agreement State Report Involving Unplanned Contamination ENS 446192008-10-30T15:45:00030 October 2008 15:45:00 Agreement State Agreement State Report - Accidential Exposure to I-131 2019-03-20T05:00:00 | |