ENS 51361
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
07:00 Aug 11, 2015 | |
| Title | Agreement State Report - Radioactive Source Sent to a Waste Recycling Facility and Returned |
| Event Description | The following report was received via e-mail:
On August 18, 2015, Mitsubishi Rayon Carbon Fiber and Composites (Mitsubishi) contacted the California Office of Emergency Services to report a missing source. The source, a Honeywell Measurex (now Vega Americas Corporation) BAL-55 source holder , S/N K0-003 with a Generally Licensed Kr-85 source (300 milliCuries as of 10/20/97). The source was determined to be missing on August 11, 2015. Upon learning that the machinery that the source holder was attached was sent to SA Recycling, Anaheim, [Mitsubishi] went to the facility and was informed that the unit had already been shredded and that there was no source found. [Mitsubishi] then contacted the manufacturer, who also provides services for their fixed gauges. When [Mitsubishi] finally was in contact with a service technician for Vega Americas, they were informed that the missing source was to be reported to RHB [California Radiologic Health Branch]. When [Mitsubishi] could not get in touch with RHB personnel after contacting the RHB Brea and Los Angeles County Radiation Management offices, he contacted the Office of Emergency Management. After the OES [Office of Emergency Services] report was forwarded to the ICE RAM [Inspection, Compliance, and Enforcement Radioactive Materials] South office, [Mitsubishi] was contacted by an RHB Inspector and informed that the source had been found by SA Recycling safety personnel and was currently being stored at their secure radioactive material storage area. [Mitsubishi] was informed that a written report was required to be submitted to RHB within 30 days. On August 19, 2015, an RHB Inspector arrived at SA Recycling to determine integrity of the device to ensure that the source was not damaged. Using a Ludlum 19, the dose rate was greater than 5 mR/hr on contact, 5 mR/hr at one inch, and 0.8 mR/hr at one foot (background was 7 microR/hr), which was consistent with the dose rate found by SA Recycling personnel (greater than 5 mR/hr on contact, 5mR/hr at 3.5 inches, 1.5 mR/hr at one foot and 0.21 mR/hr at three foot with a background of 9 microR/hr. The meter was a Ludlum 3 with a sodium iodide probe). Since the source is a noble gas, a significant amount would likely have released to the atmosphere within a weeks time if the source had been damaged. The consistent dose rate indicated that the source was most likely intact and not leaking. Since the source was most likely to be intact, the [RHB] inspector took possession of the source and returned it to Mitsubishi for storage in an isolated and secure area until disposal can be arranged with the manufacturer. Mitsubishi had been in the process of securing proper disposal when the source was improperly disposed as scrap metal. Upon arriving at the Mitsubishi facility, the [RHB] inspector was informed that the funds for the fees associated with the disposal were approved on August 19, 2015 and the disposal will be scheduled after the proper shipping package arrives at the Mitsubishi facility. California Event: 081815 |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Rayon Carbon Fiber And Composites Anaheim, California (NRC Region 4) | |
| License number: | GL |
| Organization: | California Radiation Control Prgm |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+510.27 h21.261 days <br />3.037 weeks <br />0.699 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Doanald Oesterle 13:16 Sep 1, 2015 |
| NRC Officer: | Mark Abramovitz |
| Last Updated: | Sep 1, 2015 |
| 51361 - NRC Website | |
Mitsubishi Rayon Carbon Fiber And Composites with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 513612015-08-11T07:00:00011 August 2015 07:00:00
[Table view]Agreement State Agreement State Report - Radioactive Source Sent to a Waste Recycling Facility and Returned 2015-08-11T07:00:00 | |