The following information was provided by the state via e-mail:
On December 18, 2008, the Arkansas Department of Health, Radioactive Materials Program received a written report of a potentially leaking source at Georgia Pacific Corporation in Crossett, Arkansas, General License Number GL-0074.
The Source is a Generally Licensed Device, Honeywell, Model 4201 Series Thickness Gauge, Serial Number OV522.
On November 8, 2008 a Field Services Specialist noted abnormal readings from the device and a hole in the kapton window.
Although it appears that upon arrival at the Honeywell facility in Duluth, Georgia the source is potentially leaking it is unknown exactly when the source began to leak. According to Honeywell, no contamination was found at the licensee's facility in Crossett, Arkansas.
There is possible personnel contamination (Field Services Specialist) and the Department is continuing to investigate this event and will provide a follow up when more information is confirmed.
A subsequent conversation with the State of Arkansas revealed that the source is Promethium (Pm-147) with an activity level of approximately 18.5 GBq (500 milliCuries) and the State of Georgia was notified by Honeywell of the potentially leaking source.
- * * UPDATE FROM STEVE MACK TO DONALD NORWOOD VIA E-MAIL ON APRIL 27, 2009 AT 1552 HOURS * * *
The kapton window was found to be torn. The Field Services Specialist appears to have damaged the source capsule window when attempting to remove a piece of kapton window, using an unapproved procedure.
The root cause of this event appears to be a failure to follow procedures. The Field Services Specialist exceeded his procedures and appears to have damaged the source capsule. Corrective actions included re-training the Field Services Specialist and a Safety Alert was sent to all personnel.
The analysis of the potentially leaking sealed source appeared to be less than 0.005 microcuries (185 Bq). It is believed that there was no personnel contamination. The initial reports of contamination were believed to have been caused by misinterpretation of survey results.
The department considers this event closed.
Notified R1DO (Miller), R4DO (Walker), and
FSME EO (White).