ENS 44690
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
19:00 Nov 22, 2008 | |
| Title | Agreement State Report - Radium Vials Discovered in Home |
| Event Description | The Bureau of Radiation Protection (BRP) received a call through our 24-hour answering service, at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 22, 2008. The caller, from Harrison, Ohio indicated that she purchased birth stones from an internet auction house a couple of weeks ago. However, it wasn't until Friday evening, November 21, 2008 that she opened a plastic drawer (part of what was purchase) and found 3 vials indicating radium. The caller then proceeded to do some research of radium on the internet and decided to call ODH the next day. She indicated the vials have been isolated and will not be touched until BRP staff can assess the radiological hazard (if any.) BRP indicated that we would like to send a health physicist to her house in the next couple of hours to survey the vials, her home, and assess her exposure.
Health Physicist 3, Eric Denison was contacted. He picked up the response vehicle and survey equipment. He arrived at the caller's home ([Deleted], Harrison, Ohio 45030) at approximately 7:00 PM. Survey results showed no radioactive contamination on the caller and none found on her clothes, in her bathroom, and none found in other areas where there would have been the possibility/expectation of radioactive contamination. The HP3 indicated that the 1" reading on the side of the vials located in the garage indicates 15mR/hr. It appears from the surveys there is not a spread of radioactive contamination that had us concerned from the onset of the first phone call. The impact appears to be minimal and limited to the radium vials. The 3 radium vials are to be isolated, locked in a tool box in the garage, until an appropriate disposal can be arranged. The HP 3 finished remaining surveys and provided the caller a summary of what he has found, including bureau contact information. Attached are two pictures from our response to the radium discovery. The first gives an idea of the size of the vials as compared to the metal case and the nitrile glove under the case. The second gives a closer view of the third vial. The case is approximately 7 inches long and perhaps 2.5 inches wide. I apologize for not getting a ruler or coin into the pictures for size comparison. The label on the first vial is almost completely gone, and the label on the second is partially gone. The label on the third is almost intact. I did not notice any writings or markings other than the printing, but did not take time to examine them closely. The labels read: 'Radium - Chimie', 'Teufen - App.', 'Qual. No.', 'Nuance'. When presented by the owner, the vials were contained in the metal watch case shown in the photos. Dose rate as measured with a Bicron MicroRem was approximately 15 mRem/hr at a distance of 1 inch from the top center of the case. Smear wipes showed no removable contamination on the exterior of the case. On opening the case, HP3 found the vials wrapped loosely in a plastic zipper bag (but not inside the bag). HP3 removed the vials and arranged them for the photographs. HP3 did not smear the vials or the inside of the case. [Individual] told BRP she has no way of paying for the appropriate disposal of the radium vials. BRP told [Individual] at the time we would try to get USEPA to take possession at no cost to her. ODH BRP contacted USEPA orphan sources program to see if they would be willing to dispose of the radium vials. USEPA confirmed that they will take possession and dispose of the radium vials found at a residence in Harrison, Ohio. ODH informed the resident, [Individual], and indicated that she could expect a call from USEPA. ODH-BRP contacted Jim Mitchell at USEPA (orphan sources unit) Chicago, to follow-up on our email we sent them on Monday. We indicated to Jim that ODH will need to be involved in this as they move forward. USEPA agreed and looks forward to the cooperation. USEPA has contacted [Individual] and arranged for USEPA to take possession on Thursday 12/4/08 at 10:00 AM. ODH is currently still investigating where the radium came from. USEPA response will also include their investigation unit as they want to pursue how and where the radium was obtained. ODH indicated to USEPA we have the same concern and will need to be included when they meet the resident on Thursday. USEPA currently believes their team to include: Gene Jablonowski - Health Physicist Chicago Office, Bill Ryzek - USEPA investigator Chicago Office, Steve Renninger - Cincinnati Office, John Sherod - Cincinnati Office. ODH will meet USEPA at the residence: Eric Denison - HP 3, Stephen Helmer. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Unknown Harrison, Ohio (NRC Region 3) | |
| Organization: | Ohio Bureau Of Radiation Protection |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+209.3 h8.721 days <br />1.246 weeks <br />0.287 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Steve Helmer 12:18 Dec 1, 2008 |
| NRC Officer: | Donald Norwood |
| Last Updated: | Dec 1, 2008 |
| 44690 - NRC Website | |
Unknown with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 572262024-07-15T12:59:00015 July 2024 12:59:00
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