The following information was received via fax:
351 microcuries of P-32 was lost (on 11/9/07). The isotope was checked in, delivered and signed for at the research lab on 11/9/07. When lab personnel went to use the isotope, they could not locate it. Radiation safety staff searched dumpsters, garbage cans, and the lab, but could not locate the vial of P-32. It is possible it was put out as garbage by mistake. The RSO contacted the garbage removal contractor.
Written report received on 11/16/07. Although the licensee could not determine the precise circumstances that caused the source to be lost, the corrective action appears to be adequate. No press release was issued. No reward offered. The incident will be reviewed during the next routine inspection. Incident closed.
New York Event: NY-11-17
New York Incident: 575
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
This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the
IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source