The following was received from the State of
Massachusetts via e-mail:
On December 18, 2018, the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program (MARCP) was informed by Schnitzer Steel Metal Recycling Facility that a scrap metal load shipment from Minichiello Brothers Scrap It (431 Second Street, Everett, MA 02149) set off the radiation monitor alarms. The vehicle returned back to Minichiello Brothers Scrap It for radiation consultant follow-up survey via MARCP Department of Transportation Special Scrap Permit MA-MA-18-4. On December 20, 2018, this material was identified, removed and segregated from this scrap load by the radiation consultant. The radioactive material found is an abandoned metal disc (three inch in diameter) containing Radium-226. The radiation consultant's direct radiation dose rate reading was 1.2 mR/hour at 30 cm from the metal disc. The Radium-226 activity was estimated to be approximately 5.55 MBq (150 uCi) based on the dose rate taken. This material is being held in a secured location at the Minichiello Brothers Scrap It Facility awaiting appropriate disposal.
This activity meets the immediate event report requirements where report of lost or abandoned RAM [Radioactive Material] is found to be greater than 1,000 times the quantities specified in 10 CFR 20 Appendix C or MA equivalent 105 CMR 120.297 Appendix C. (The 1000 times reportable quantity for Radium-226 is 100 uCi.)
The MARCP considers this event to be open until proper disposal of this metal disc is confirmed.
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