The following report was received from the
Illinois Emergency Management Agency (Agency) via email:
During Agency efforts to pursue an annual self-inspection report from a general licensee (Weber Packaging Solutions, aka Weber Marking Systems), it was discovered (3) NDC model 103 fixed gauges, containing 150 mCi of Am-241 each could not be accounted for. The company provided a sales order, dated 3/9/17, showing the sale of the gauges (incorporated into machinery) to Margot Machinery in Scotia, New York. On July 11, 2019, the Agency determined through communications with State of New York program staff and Margot Machinery that the transfer of the devices out of Illinois was not to a licensed broker or another general licensee. Margot Machinery was unaware the machinery contained any radioactive sources. Weber indicated on the sale bill (NDC Model 5400 TC gauge) but did not verify the transfer was to another general licensee or someone specifically licensed and authorized to receive the sources. Margot Machinery states they were unaware sources were present and had never taken possession of the machinery. Margot Machinery had contracted a broker (Buckeye Business in Ohio) to rig and remove the equipment. Agency efforts are ongoing to contact Buckeye Business and determine the fate of the machinery and sources. Correspondence is ongoing with State of Ohio officials. This matter remains open and the report will be updated as details become available.
Illinois Item Number: IL190021
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