ENS 57356
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
05:00 Sep 26, 2024 | |
| Title | Leaking Sealed Sources |
| Event Description | The following information was provided by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (the Agency) via email:
On September 26, 2024, the radiation safety officer at Bard Brachytherapy, Inc. (the licensee) notified the Agency of a contamination event within a restricted area presumably resulting from the receipt of leaking Pd-103 brachytherapy seed or seeds. Seventy-one (71) Pd-103 seeds (solid/sealed sources, Theragenics Corp. Model 200 TheraSeed), each with an approximate activity of 1.6 mCi, were received on September 26, 2024, from Theragenics Corporation for loading into a Mick applicator. No contamination was noted on the incoming package and the [transportation information] on the package label was verified. As a result, no exposures to the carrier or members of the public are anticipated. However, upon working with the Pd-103 seeds within the restricted area, personnel surveys evidenced contamination on PPE. At the time of notification, the process of assessing the extent of contamination and decontaminating had begun. Personnel surveys had been performed and indicated contamination on clothing/shoes, with no skin contamination reported. Agency staff performed a reactive inspection on September 27, 2024. Inspectors verified that contamination was limited to the restricted area (loading room) and that no contamination to the skin was identified. The licensee is working to quantify the contamination and assess any potential skin dose to workers. At this time, Agency staff do not anticipate any occupational exposures in excess of regulatory limits as a result of this incident. No public exposures resulted from this incident and all contamination was limited to restricted areas. All 71 seeds had been placed in secured storage and radiation safety staff had successfully cleaned contaminated areas (floor, bench top, equipment, chairs) and had placed contaminated clothing (shoes, lab coats, gloves, a shirt, a pair of jeans) for decay-in-storage. Regarding reportability, the licensee committed [to Illinois] to performing leak tests of the sources once assembled. Therefore, [Illinois-specific] reporting requirements apply. There may not be an equivalent NRC requirement. There was no limit on contamination within the restricted area exceeded by the licensee. It is unlikely the potential for uptake of more than one annual limit on intake (greater than 3 seeds) would have been feasible within 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br />. Therefore, unless there is a reportable occupational exposure, this matter may not be NRC reportable. Regardless, the incident will be shared with Georgia program staff as well. This report will be updated with the information obtained from the licensee's written report. Illinois item number: IL240022 |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Bard Brachytherapy, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois (NRC Region 3) | |
| License number: | IL-02062-01 |
| Organization: | Illinois Emergency Mgmt. Agency |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+128.32 h5.347 days <br />0.764 weeks <br />0.176 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Gary Forsee 13:19 Oct 1, 2024 |
| NRC Officer: | Robert A. Thompson |
| Last Updated: | Oct 1, 2024 |
| 57356 - NRC Website | |
Bard Brachytherapy, Inc. with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 573562024-09-26T05:00:00026 September 2024 05:00:00
[Table view]Agreement State Leaking Sealed Sources 2024-09-26T05:00:00 | |