ENS 48859
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
04:00 Jan 16, 2013 | |
| Title | Discovery of Two Radioactive Gauges in Locked Storage |
| Event Description | The following information was obtained from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts via email:
[On approximately] 1/16/13, two surface gauges [manufactured in 1961 were] found in locked storage within [a] remote airfield facilities building at Worcester Regional Airport, Worcester, MA. Third-party waste brokers [were] contacted to bid on proper removal. Wipe tests by a third-party waste broker indicate no leakage of radioactive contamination from [the] gauge sources. [The Massachusetts Radiation Control Program (the Agency) received the information via email] on 3/19/13. The Agency conducted a site visit to confirm device identifications on 3/26/13. A waste brokers' bid [was] accepted [and] packaging and removal [is] scheduled for 4/17/13. Gauges [are being] held in locked storage until removal by [the] waste broker. [The] items [are] described as one Nuclear-Chicago Corporation Model P21 Surface Moisture Probe, SN 136, containing 5 mCi Ra-Be, date stamped 5/2/61; and one Nuclear-Chicago Corporation Model P22A Surface Density Probe, SN 139, containing 3 mCi Cs-137, date stamped 5/23/61. The Agency considers this matter to be open until [the] items [are] confirmed removed on 4/17/13.
4/19/13 UPDATE - The Agency [Massachusetts Radiation Control Program] considers this matter to be OPEN until items confirmed removed for disposal. Agency [Massachusetts Radiation Control Program] regulation 105 CMR 120.281 (A)(1) and USNRC regulation 20.2201 (a)(1)(i) requires 'immediate' telephone reporting of stolen, lost or missing licensed radioactive material in specified quantities under circumstances that it appears an exposure could result to individuals in unrestricted areas. The situation in this case involved 'found' radioactive material, devices already wipe tested to confirm no leakage of radioactive contamination and stored in a 'secure' location to prevent exposure to individuals until such time that scheduled packaging and removal by a waste broker is completed, and therefore, did not warrant immediate notification. This case was determined to be included in the 30-day notification category. The written report to NMED was issued one day after the Agency [Massachusetts Radiation Control Program] confirmatory site visit of 3/26/13. NMED Report #: 130149 Notified R1DO (Cook) and FSME Event Resource via email.
The gauges were removed and shipped for disposal on 4/24/13. The Agency (Massachusetts Radiation Control Program) considers this matter to be closed. Notified the R1DO (Hunegs) and FSME Event Resource via email. 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 |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts Port Authority Worchester, Massachusetts (NRC Region 1) | |
| License number: | N/A |
| Organization: | Ma Radiation Control Program |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+1694.03 h70.585 days <br />10.084 weeks <br />2.32 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Tony Carpentino 17:02 Mar 27, 2013 |
| NRC Officer: | Howie Crouch |
| Last Updated: | Apr 29, 2013 |
| 48859 - NRC Website | |
Massachusetts Port Authority with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 488592013-01-16T04:00:00016 January 2013 04:00:00
[Table view]Agreement State Discovery of Two Radioactive Gauges in Locked Storage 2013-01-16T04:00:00 | |