The following information was obtained from the State of
California via email:
On June 8, 2010, [the licensee] contacted RHB-Brea [Radiation Health Branch] about a moisture density gauge (CPN MC-3 M39099120, 10 mCi Cs-137, 50 mCi Am:Be-241) that was missing from their facility since approximately June 3, 2010. The facility was searched with no sign of the missing gauge and all operators were questioned and were instructed to search their residences for the gauge. None of the individuals could find the gauge, none of them could recall using the gauge recently and could not recall if they may have used or misplaced the gauge. A review of the gauge log indicated that gauge had been logged incorrectly and that two individuals were logging in the same gauge at the same day and times, preventing a proper accounting of the whereabouts of their gauge. [The licensee] was notified that a police report must be filed, a reward offered, and a written report must be provided to RHB within 30 days.
At this time, the incorrect use of the gauge in/out log is the only root cause identified though it appears that other factors are likely to also be a potential root cause of this incident. While the investigation is ongoing, the licensee will be cited for failing to maintain control of the gauge and failing to properly log the use of their gauges. Further citations will be deferred until the 30-day report has been received or further infractions have been identified by RHB during our investigation. Also, corrective actions will be verified from the 30-day report or from our investigation.
California Report: 5010-060810
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. For additional information go to
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf