The following was received from the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania via email:
The licensee discovered the event on November 23, 2015 and notified the Department [Commonwealth of Pennsylvania] on November 25, 2015. It is reportable as per 10 CFR 20.2201(a)(1)(ii).
An iodine-125 (I-125) seed was used for radioactive seed localization of a breast lesion. After surgical excision of the breast tissue at an outpatient surgical center, the specimen was placed in a plastic bag and imaged radiographically to confirm the presence of the seed. The seed was noted to be at the edge of the specimen. The specimen was then transferred to a plastic container for transport to the main hospital pathology department. When the specimen was received at pathology, a survey indicated that there was no seed present.
Radionuclide: I-125 Seed
Manufacturer: Best Medical
Model No.: 2301
Activity: 113 microCi
The licensee assumes the seed became separated from the specimen and remained in the plastic bag which was disposed as biohazardous waste. A survey of the surgical center was performed, but the seed was not able to be located.
A reactive inspection is planned by the Department. More information will be provided upon receipt.
Event Report ID No: PA150030
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