The State of
California Radiologic Health Branch forwarded the following report via e-mail:
(1) A description of the event, including the probable cause and the manufacturer and model number (if applicable) of any equipment that failed or malfunctioned;
A small alpha spectroscopy style source was damaged by a researcher who placed adhesive tape on the active source area. The source appears similar to an Isotope Products A-2 type.
Removal of the tape lifted the active material and transferred it to the tape.
Records of the source manufacturer were not available.
(2) The exact location of the event;
Room 369 GLAST Laboratory, Natural Sciences II Building, UC Santa Cruz campus.
(3) The isotopes, quantities, and chemical and physical form of the licensed material involved;
Am-241 solid, ~1 micro curie total, plated metal
(4) Dale and time of the event;
Occurrence on 11-13-2012 about 1:00 pm
(5) Corrective actions taken or planned and the results of any evaluation or assessment;
a. Suspend individual involved and laboratory supervisor until re-qualified by radiation safety on proper techniques for source handling. (Completed)
b. Laboratory supervisor to retrain all users in specific laboratory on proper source handling. (Scheduled to be completed by 3-15-2013)
c. Update online training materials to include information about fragility of certain types of sources. (Scheduled for 2-1-2013)
d. Include information on the event in the next radiation safety newsletter. (Scheduled for 3-1-2013)
e. Remove obviously damaged source from service. (Completed)
f. Re-inspect similar sources and remove any damaged or suspect sources from service. (Scheduled for 2-15-2013)
(6) The extent of exposure of individuals to radiation or to radioactive materials without identification of individuals by name.
No exposure or contamination was identified in surveys conducted the day of the event.