The following report was received via email from the State of Illinois:
The Agency [Bureau of Radiation Safety Illinois Emergency Management Agency] was notified after hours on 7/11/19 by Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, IL that a patient had self-reported to the emergency room for a potential exposure to an 88 Ci Ir-192 radiography source. Reportedly, the exposure happened earlier in the afternoon (approximately 15:30 CDT). The assistant radiographer stated he had been working in the subject area for approximately 2 minutes when a coworker arrived with radiation detection equipment and told him that he needed to self-report to the nearest ER to determine if he had received an overexposure (15:30 CDT). The assistant radiographer arrived at the hospital around 17:00 CDT. Notification to the Agency was only received from the hospital.
Agency staff contacted the local RSO [Radiation Safety Officer], at approximately 19:00 CDT on 7/11/19 and confirmed that the assistant radiographer did in fact walk out to exchange film between shots thinking the source was retracted when in fact it was not. Shortly thereafter, the Corporate RSO, called and had additional information. The assistant radiographer worked for 2 minutes at 1 foot away from an 88 Ci Ir-192 source. This equates to about a 15 rem whole body dose. He reportedly did not grab anything with his hands that would generate blistering or erythema, but everyone will be monitoring over the next week.
The Corporate RSO was still investigating and trying to determine the exact location of the event. The assistant radiographer is at home after his hospital visit with no ill effects, and the camera is secure in Mokena, IL. Agency staff called the hospital and made sure that they were analyzing the blood for white cell count abnormalities specifically drops in lymphocyte counts. They were not sure what to check for or how often so they were put in contact with REACTS Oak Ridge for analysis SOP at approximately 20:30 CDT on 7/11/19. The NRC region 3 liaison was notified shortly thereafter.
The Corporate RSO will submit a final report and TLD results by 7/12/19. Agency staff are in route to the facility to perform a reactionary inspection and perform an onsite reenactment. This report will be updated as additional information becomes available. This investigation is ongoing.
Illinois report number: IL190022