ENS 53503
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
04:00 Jun 4, 2018 | |
| Title | Stolen Radioactive Calibration Check Sources |
| Event Description | The following is a synopsis of information received:
This event notification is being made in reference to seven radioactive calibration check sources that were stolen from the Tetra Tech EC, Inc. (TtEC) temporary job site at the former Naval Air Station Brunswick (NASB) in Brunswick, Maine. TtEC currently is performing work at NASB for the U.S. Department of the Navy, Naval Facilities Engineering Command On the morning of June 4, 2018, Sites 1 and 3 were inspected as part of the follow-up to a May 25, 2018 break-in of the TtEC field trailer. It was observed and reported to the TtEC Project Manager at approximately 0825 EDT that the Navy-owned, locked bunkers (three total), the abandoned Navy warehouse, and TtEC conex box had been broken into sometime after May 25, 2018. The TtEC Project Manager was informed that they were likely broken into during the weekend of June 2 and 3, 2018. Missing from one bunker was a locked safe that contained seven low-level radioactive check sources (five leased from subcontractor RSRS, and two owned by TtEC). The safe had a label bearing the radiation symbol and the words 'CAUTION, RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL,' as was each of the source holders. At the time of the theft, the sources were locked inside a secure safe, and the safe was, in turn, locked inside a former munitions bunker. The entire safe was stolen from the munitions bunker. The bunker was locked with a heavy-duty keyed padlock issued by the Navy. The following is a listing of the stolen sources: ID No. 109402, Sr-90, 0.00065 microCuries ID No. A2-575, Sr-90, 0.00563 microCuries ID No. 019-456, Cs-137, 2.72463 microCuries ID No. 079-705, Cs-137, 5.80465 microCuries ID No. 129-6119, Cs-137, 2.74557 microCuries ID No. H7-605, Th-230, 0.01060 microCuries ID No. 119-706, Th-230, 0.00957 microCuries. The exposure rate, at 30 centimeters from the safe, is 15 to 16 microroentgens per hour and is not distinguishable from background. If the thieves are successful at opening the safe, they might handle the sources. Of the seven radioactive sources, the cesium-137 source (Identification No. 079-705) would result in the maximum dose to a member of public. An individual would receive a dose of approximately 6 millirem (mrem)/hour if this source was left in a backpack or jacket pocket. The dose rate to an individual 1 foot from this source is 0.041 mrem/hour, and the dose rate to an individual 1 yard from this source is 0.0046 mrem/hour. A thorough search of the TtEC temporary job site at NASB, including all buildings, bins, and grounds, has been performed in an attempt to recover the sources, but none of the sources were found. The local police have been notified of the theft, and a formal police report was filed. As of today, the sources have not been recovered. 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 | |
|---|---|
| Tetra Tech Ec, Inc. Brunswick, Maine (NRC Region 1) | |
| License number: | 29-31396-01 |
| Organization: | Tetra Tech Ec, Inc. |
| Reporting | |
| 10 CFR 20.2201(a)(1)(ii) | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+921.5 h38.396 days <br />5.485 weeks <br />1.262 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Steven Adams 13:30 Jul 12, 2018 |
| NRC Officer: | Donald Norwood |
| Last Updated: | Jul 12, 2018 |
| 53503 - NRC Website | |
Tetra Tech Ec, Inc. with 10 CFR 20.2201(a)(1)(ii) | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 535032018-06-04T04:00:0004 June 2018 04:00:00
[Table view]10 CFR 20.2201(a)(1)(ii) Stolen Radioactive Calibration Check Sources 2018-06-04T04:00:00 | |