The following information was received from
Illinois Emergency Management Agency (Agency) via E-mail:
The Agency was notified at 12:46 CDT on November 2, 2021 by the University of Illinois at Chicago to advise of a lost/missing 2.5 mCi I-125 eye plaque brachytherapy seed. The amount and form of radioactivity contained in the seed would not be useful for illicit intent and there is no indication of intentional theft or diversion. The quantity, however, is reportable and will be transmitted to the US NRC electronically today.
The Radiation Safety Officer, RSO, for the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) contacted the Agency to advise that a shipment of 21 eye plaque brachytherapy seeds from Theragenics Corporation received on September 27, 2021 was found to contain only 20 seeds upon opening of the package. The RSO reported that no damage to the package was observed and that the container holding the seeds was appropriately sealed. Surveys were performed of packing materials and the package receipt area to locate the potentially lost 2.5 mCi I-125 brachytherapy seed. The licensee's surveys and investigation did not result in locating the seed. Theragenics was notified on September 27, 2021 and initiated an investigation. A letter received by UIC from Theragenics on November 1, 2021 stated that no discrepancies were identified and the manufacturer/shipper maintained 21 seeds were shipped as ordered. An additional seed was ordered and received on September 28, 2021 from Theragenics and the patient treatment was successfully completed on September 30, 2021 to October 4, 2021.
The incident is immediately reportable per 32 Ill. Adm. Code 340.1210(a). The matter was not reported timely by the licensee, which the Agency will address under separate correspondence. Additional information is being sought from the licensee at this time.
Illinois Item Number: IL210035