ENS 52784
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
05:00 Apr 3, 2017 | |
| Title | Agreement State Report - Elevated Radiation Levels at a Radiopharmacy |
| Event Description | The following information was obtained from the State of Illinois via email:
On May 10, 2017, PETNET Solutions, Inc., a radiopharmacy with a cyclotron, reported high area dosimetry readings inside their facility with the highest reading being 12,276 mrem for the month of April. Readings were also elevated for the first 10 days of May. There were no neutron readings present which indicates that the readings were likely not from the cyclotron itself but from the radiopharmaceutical production process. PETNET was advised to cease cyclotron operations until their team of engineers and health physicists could determine a cause. Agency Inspectors arrived the next day, May 11, 2017, along with engineers and health physicists from PETNET to conduct an investigation at the property. Interviews with PETNET staff and an inspection of the cyclotron/hot cell did not identify any immediate problems. It was determined during the investigation that non-radiation workers opposite the adjoining wall potentially received a radiation dose during this event. The non-radiation worker involved was informed of the event, and PETNET requested permission to place TLDs and do surveys along their common wall over the next week to assess the situation. This was agreed to. In the interim the licensee estimated that the dose to the workstation in this adjoining office was 154.7 mrem. This exceeds the dose limit in regulation 32 IAC 340.310(a)(3) (10 CFR 20.1301(a)(1) equivalent). However, this dose would not represent any health effects to the individual and would be equivalent to approximately two pelvic X-rays at a doctor's office. Currently, PETNET engineers believe the root cause was related to problems in the targetry and delivery systems resulting in multiple instances of F-18 escaping from a v-vial vent. This material then accumulated in the ventilation ducts leading to the filter banks near the area dosimeters on the wall. PETNET has committed to a corrective action plan including additional maintenance on the unit, an alarming radiation detector in the cyclotron vault connected to the operator's panel and additional area dosimeters on the opposite side of the adjoining wall. IEMA [Illinois Emergency Management Agency] has committed to routine site visits until further notice. Item number: IL177005 |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Petnet Solutions, Inc. Des Plaines, Illinois (NRC Region 3) | |
| License number: | IL-01906-01 |
| Organization: | Illinois Emergency Mgmt. Agency |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+1451.82 h60.493 days <br />8.642 weeks <br />1.989 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Gibb Vinson 16:49 Jun 2, 2017 |
| NRC Officer: | Dong Park |
| Last Updated: | Jun 2, 2017 |
| 52784 - NRC Website | |
Petnet Solutions, Inc. with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 532572018-03-12T04:00:00012 March 2018 04:00:00
[Table view]Agreement State Florida Agreement State Report - Potential Overexposure to an Extremity ENS 527842017-04-03T05:00:0003 April 2017 05:00:00 Agreement State Agreement State Report - Elevated Radiation Levels at a Radiopharmacy ENS 523502016-10-19T07:00:00019 October 2016 07:00:00 Agreement State Agreement State Report - Nuclear Pharmacist Receives Greater than 50 Rem Effective Dose Equivalent 2018-03-12T04:00:00 | |