The following report was received from the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania via facsimile:
On December 22, 2015, the Department [PA Department of Radiation Protection] was notified by Troxler Electronic Laboratories Inc. that a nuclear density gauge was found at a facility in York, Pennsylvania. [The gauge] was initially reportable per 10 CFR 20.2201 (a)(1)(ii) [EN #34669 - dated 8/27/1998].
On August 21, 1998, McMinn's Asphalt Co., Inc., NRC License No. 37-19659-01, reported that a Troxler density gauge was stolen from their storage area in Petersburg, PA. Local law enforcement was notified, as well as the NRC (NMED Item Number 980902). Seventeen years later, on December 22, 2015, Zech's Towing from York, Pennsylvania called Troxler informing them that while cleaning out a storage shed a gauge was found. Troxler's RSO [Radiation Safety Officer] called the Department and a follow-up call was made to NRC Region 1. It was learned that McMinn's license was purchased by Pennsy Supply, Inc. (NRC License No. 23-2729496) on March 11, 2008. Pennsy Supply currently has an active Pennsylvania license, PA-1252.
Gauge information:
Radionuclide: Cs-137
Manufacturer: Troxler
Model: 4640-B
Serial Number: 1112
Activity: 8.0 mCi (measure date 10/10/1991)
Two PA [Department] inspectors performed a reactive inspection on December 23, 2015, verifying the details of the gauge. All indications are that the gauge has been isolated in storage since close to the time it was reported stolen. Pennsy Supply took possession of the gauge and will add it to their Pennsylvania license.
Pennsylvania Event Report ID No: PA 150038
Previous NRC EN#34669, dated 8/27/1998.
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