The following information was received from the State of
Mississippi by email:
Location of Incident: Brandon, Mississippi, I-20 exit ramp 56 construction.
Description of Incident: July 3, 2015 at approximately [1630 CDT], a Humboldt Model 5001 portable nuclear moisture density gauge, Serial Number 3339, was run over by a heavy equipment truck while on a jobsite. The gauge was severely damaged, but the sources remained intact and in shielded position. DRH [Mississippi Division of Radiological Health] was notified and provided with a survey measurement of 8mR/hr at the surface of the damaged gauge. The RSO was able to safely load the fragmented gauge back into its approved transport case and return it to the MDOT [Mississippi Department of Transportation] storage facility. DRH personnel visited the MDOT storage facility and observed an 8mR/hr surface survey reading with an NDS ND-2000 survey meter, serial number 24562, calibration date 7-1-2015. Leak test wipes were taken from both sources and sent for analysis by the licensee. The measured activity was well below the regulatory upper limit of .005 microcuries. Wipe analysis was received 7-7-2015. Gauge is being returned to the manufacturer for disposal.
Radioisotopes: Cs-137(11 mCi); Am-241/Be(44 mCi). Radiation measurements taken by the Mississippi Division of Radiological Health: 8 mR/hr at surface; Less than 1 mR/hr at 1 meter.
Mississippi Event: MS-15001