ENS 52094
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
04:00 Jun 17, 2016 | |
| Title | Agreement State Report - Radioactive Needle Found |
| Event Description | The following was received via email:
On June 17, 2016, RSO, Inc., contacted Virginia Radioactive Material Program (RMP) to arrange an investigation on a lead pig found at Hollins University, Roanoke, Virginia. On June 22, 2016, two inspectors from the RMP went to the University to observe the investigation performed by Health Physicist from the RSO, Inc. The lead pig was found inside the drawer in Dana Science Building Chemistry Lab. A radiation level of 12 mR/hr was measured at about one foot from the pig. The Health Physicist used a hand-held gamma spectrometer (Bicron Identifier) to identify the radionuclide as Ra-226. The health physicist performed calculation and also opened the pig carefully to identify the type of Ra-226. He developed and followed safety procedures to open the pig. Leak tests were performed and no removable contamination was detected. Based on the Health Physicist's investigation and activity calculation, the pig contains a one millicurie (1 mCi) Ra-226 needle. RSO, Inc., is currently working with the University to arrange for the disposal of the source. This report will be updated when the RMP received the final disposal report. Event Report ID: VA-16-11
The following was received from the Commonwealth of Virginia via email: The source in the lead pig was found in a desk drawer of a fume hood located in a small room (10' x 10') of the main chemistry lab. The door to the room is only accessed through the chemistry lab. Based on discussions with Hollins University, the professor who used the source left the university 15 years ago. The room and source have not been used since his departure. The pig was kept inside the drawer shielded with lead brick. The drawer and room were labeled 'Caution Radioactive Material' and the room remained locked. The hired consultant performed radiation surveys while the pig was shielded by the lead brick as found, and confirmed it was less than the unrestricted area limit of 2 mrem in any 1 hour1.157407e-5 days <br />2.777778e-4 hours <br />1.653439e-6 weeks <br />3.805e-7 months <br />, and would not result in a dose to member of the public of 100 mrem per year. Exposure rates taken by the consultant with the source unshielded indicated a reading of 8.5 mR/hr at 30 cm, and 0.8 mR/hr at 1 m. This corresponds to an activity of approximately 1 millicurie (mCi) using a gamma ray constant of 0.825 (mR m2)/(mCi hr). Other non-licensable material was found in the desk. On 07/27/2016, the hired consultant packaged all of the radioactive materials and transferred them for disposal. This case is considered closed by the [Virginia Radioactive Material Program] VRMP. Notified R1DO (Burritt) and NMSS Events Notification via email. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Hollins University Roanoke, Virginia (NRC Region 1) | |
| Organization: | Virginia Rad Materials Program |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+682.4 h28.433 days <br />4.062 weeks <br />0.935 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Asfaw Fenta 14:24 Jul 15, 2016 |
| NRC Officer: | Dong Park |
| Last Updated: | Aug 8, 2016 |
| 52094 - NRC Website | |
Hollins University with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 520942016-06-17T04:00:00017 June 2016 04:00:00
[Table view]Agreement State Agreement State Report - Radioactive Needle Found 2016-06-17T04:00:00 | |