ENS 57760
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
20:50 Jun 3, 2025 | |
| Title | Found Source |
| Event Description | The following information was received from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) via email:
On June 3, 2025, at approximately 1450 MDT, Western Metals Recycling, a non-licensee, reported a radiation alarm to the CDPHE. The alarm occurred on a truck loaded with scrap steel. Western Metals facility staff performed surveys using a handheld instrument and observed a net radiation reading of approximately 15 microrem/hour in the area of the load behind the cab of the truck. CDPHE issued a DOT special permit to allow return of the shipment to the non-licensee Denver Scrap Metal Recycle Center. Denver Scrap Metal does not have a vehicle radiation monitoring system. CDPHE on-call staff responded to the Denver Scrap Metal facility at approximately 1645 on June 3, 2025. CDPHE staff performed radiation surveys of the truck driver, and no readings above background were noted. CDPHE staff performed radiation surveys of the accessible areas of the load, which had been unloaded onto the ground, focusing on the front of the truck. Radiation surveys eventually located and identified two radium-226 radio luminescent military personnel markers (each approximately 1.5 inches in diameter) as confirmed using a Flir Identifier survey instrument. Dose rate measurements of approximately 1.7 to 2.5 mrem/hour on contact with the Ra-226 markers were observed. Wipe surveys of the markers did not indicate the presence of gross contamination using the handheld instrument for analysis. The sources (markers) were placed in a small bag and then placed inside a metal container. The metal container was surrounded by lead found on site to provide interim shielding and reduce radiation. Facility staff were requested to label, secure, and isolate the Ra-226 sources in an area away from staff, pending final disposition. The facility has contacted a licensed waste broker/service provider to prepare and dispose of the sources. Based on Oak Ridge Associated Universities historical information (https://www.orau.org/health-physics-museum/), each marker may contain up to 7 microcuries of Ra-226. These items are considered to be generally licensed in accordance with Colorado Part 3, Section 3.6.8.1(4) / 10 CFR 31.12(a)(4). This event is reported, consistent with Section 8.3 (found source) of NRC Handbook SA-300 and Colorado Part 4, Section 4.51.1/10 CFR 20.2201(a)(ii). CO Event Number: CO250016 |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Non-Licensee Englewood, Colorado (NRC Region 4) | |
| Organization: | Colorado Dept Of Health |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+232 h9.667 days <br />1.381 weeks <br />0.318 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | James Jarvis 12:50 Jun 13, 2025 |
| NRC Officer: | Adam Koziol |
| Last Updated: | Jun 13, 2025 |
| 57760 - NRC Website | |
Non-Licensee with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 577602025-06-03T20:50:0003 June 2025 20:50:00
[Table view]Agreement State Found Source ENS 566812023-08-15T04:00:00015 August 2023 04:00:00 Agreement State Contamination Event ENS 507412015-01-15T20:00:00015 January 2015 20:00:00 Agreement State Agreement State Report - Small Quantities of Uo2 and U-235 Found in the Public Domain ENS 481842012-08-11T04:00:00011 August 2012 04:00:00 Agreement State Agreement State Report - Indium-111 Vial Damaged in Shipment 2025-06-03T20:50:00 | |