ENS 52545
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
22:31 Feb 8, 2017 | |
| Title | Agreement State - Radioactive Device Found in Scrap Yard |
| Event Description | The following report was received from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Radiation Protection Section via email:
We [Wisconsin Department of Health] have an immediately reportable event under DHS 157.32(1)(a)1 regarding stolen, lost or missing material that is equal to or greater than 1,000 times the quantity specified in Appendix F. A phone message was left with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services at 1631 [CST] on February 8, 2017 [concerning] found radioactive material. The message was returned this morning, February 9, 2017 and the following information has been gathered. An NDC System 101 thickness gauge (SSD CA0471D102B), containing 150 mCi of Am-241 was recovered at a scrap yard in Wisconsin. The device was received in a load of scrap originating from Bemis Corporation in Neenah Wisconsin. The device, with serial number 11125, with 150 mCi of Am-241 assayed on 12/28/2009 is generally licensed to Bemis Corporation. The device was separated out of a load at Alter Trading in Green Bay Wisconsin. The State is currently in contact with both Alter Trading and Bemis Corporation to coordinate a response. An individual at Alter measured up to 3000 microR/h with their survey meter. The department will verify this measurement and determine if there is any contamination or personnel exposure. The department has dispatched staff to the site for response and to help facilitate transfer of the device to the owner. Wisconsin Event ID No.: WI-170001
The following update was received via email: Inspectors investigated on February 9 at Alter Trading in Green Bay, where the device was being stored. It was determined that the device had unintentionally been removed from a machine during maintenance work at Bemis Company, Inc. and that it was then grouped with scrap metal before being transported to Alter Trading. While the shutter was open, the time spent around the device by any employees or members of the public, or employees of either Bemis or Alter, is believed to be minimal. The shutter has been closed, and wipe tests confirm that there is no removable contamination. There are no known or suspected overexposures resulting from this incident. Bemis is working with a service provider to arrange for packaging and transportation of the gauge back to their facility. Inspectors will perform an inspection of Bemis on February 10 to gather more information. Notified the R3DO (Kunowski) and NMSS Events (via email). 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 |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Bemis Corporation Neenah, Wisconsin (NRC Region 3) | |
| License number: | GL |
| Organization: | Wisconsin Radiation Protection |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+13.43 h0.56 days <br />0.0799 weeks <br />0.0184 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Kyle Walton 11:57 Feb 9, 2017 |
| NRC Officer: | Jeff Herrera |
| Last Updated: | Feb 9, 2017 |
| 52545 - NRC Website | |
Bemis Corporation with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 525452017-02-08T22:31:0008 February 2017 22:31:00
[Table view]Agreement State Agreement State - Radioactive Device Found in Scrap Yard 2017-02-08T22:31:00 | |