The following was received by fax from the
New York State Department of Health (
NYSDOH):
NYSDOH received a written report by mail of a leaking source. Suffolk Co. Public and Environmental Health Laboratory, [redacted], 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY (NYSDOH Radioactive Materials License No. 1801) conducted routine leak testing on their two Agilent Technologies 8890 (03540A) GC [Gas Chromatograph] System (S/N US2106A027) ECO containing a 15 mCi (approx.) [Ni-63 source] G2397A (S/N U34601). Leak test samples were taken by the RSO on November 5th and sent to Agilent Technologies for analysis. The sample was processed on November 9th and preliminarily reported by Agilent to the Licensee on November 10th indicating that one of the ECO sources was leaking above the 0.005 uCi threshold. The Licensee RSO immediately obtained information from Agilent on the leaking source and copies of the preliminary reports. The Licensee provided NYSDOH with a written notification and report on November 10th by mail (received November 15th). The leaking quantity assessed at 45660 +/- 214 pCi. The GC unit was shut down and isolated. Agilent was notified (Radiation Safety Officer - RSO) to follow up on the leaking source and determine next steps. The system is less than one year old and still under service contract with Agilent.
NYSDOH spoke with RSO upon receipt of this letter and GC/ECD was new as of March 2021. The defective detector (entire unit) has been isolated from service and Agilent is scheduled to arrive on 11/23/2021 to package and prepare unit for shipment. A radiological survey (contamination survey) was completed upon the isolation of the device showing radiation levels were consistent with background levels, indicating no fixed or removable contamination present.
No further information on device or incident is available.
NY State Event Report ID No. NY-21-04