ENS 46580
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
06:00 Feb 1, 2011 | |
| Title | Stolen Logging Tool with Cesium-137 Source |
| Event Description | On February 1, 2011, the Agency [Texas Department of State Health] was notified by the licensee operating with reciprocity in the State of Texas, that a well logging tool containing a 125 millicurie (original activity) Cesium (Cs) - 137 source was stolen from their vehicle. The source was manufactured by Gulf Nuclear. The tool was removed from its storage location without the shielding for the source. The tool is about ten feet in length and is less than four inches in diameter. The licensee stated that the dose from the source is collimated. The local sheriff was notified of the event. The licensee's representative was in Tyler, Texas and was driving to the location to search for the device. The Radiation Safety Officer stated that the source was approximately 30 years old and the current activity would be about 65 millicuries. The location where the source was stolen is rather remote and heavily wooded. The licensee does not believe that there is a health risk to members of the general public from the source. The source housing is marked with the trefoil symbol and has the words "Radioactive Materials" engraved in it. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300.
The following information was provided by the state in an email: On February 1, 2011, at 1400 hours0.0162 days <br />0.389 hours <br />0.00231 weeks <br />5.327e-4 months <br />, the licensee reported that they had completed a visual search and radiological survey in the area the source had been stored and did not find it. He [licensee] stated that he was going to search the roads in the area and stated that he would notify the Agency [State of Texas] if the source was found. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300. Notified R4DO (Linda Howell), FSME (Jack Foster), ILTAB (Daryl Johnson), Mexico (Fax)
The following information was provided by the state in an email: On February 2, 2011 an Agency inspector [the State of Texas] contacted a scrap yard in Longview, Texas who [scrap yard employee] stated that he had received the source on February 1, 2011. The licensee was contacted and at 1515, confirmed the source was the one that was stolen and had not been damaged. The licensee has taken control of the source. Additional information will be provided as it is received. Notified R4DO (Howell), FSME (Foster), ILTAB (via email) and Mexico (via fax). Texas Incident # I-8816 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 Although IAEA categorization of this event is typically based on device type, the staff has been made aware of the actual activity of the source, and after calculation determines that it is a Less than Cat 3 event. Note: the value assigned by device type "Category 3" is different than the calculated value "Less than Cat 3 |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Century Geophysical Corporation Henderson, Texas (NRC Region 4) | |
| License number: | 35-04017-04 |
| Organization: | Texas Department Of Health |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+8.25 h0.344 days <br />0.0491 weeks <br />0.0113 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Art Tucker 14:15 Feb 1, 2011 |
| NRC Officer: | John Shoemaker |
| Last Updated: | Feb 2, 2011 |
| 46580 - NRC Website | |
Century Geophysical Corporation with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 465802011-02-01T06:00:0001 February 2011 06:00:00
[Table view]Agreement State Stolen Logging Tool with Cesium-137 Source 2011-02-01T06:00:00 | |