The following is a summary of the information received from the
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (the Department) via email:
On November 4, 2022, at approximately 0200 EDT, the Department received a call from Mitsubishi Polyester Films regarding a fixed gauge whose mylar film had torn on the source side. The Thermo ECS Gauging Systems model TFC-185 gauge contains 1250 millicuries of Kr-85. The gauge is used to measure film thickness and as film was moving through the unit, the edge folded over making it too thick to go through the gap cleanly and, in turn, tore the mylar film on the source side of the unit. The licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) was notified regarding the situation.
At approximately 0900 EDT, the RSO submitted a picture of the damaged mylar to the Department and stated that the gauge's mylar had already been replaced by the onsite field service engineer and that a full report will be submitted within thirty days.
SC Event: 56208
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