ENS Event | |
|---|---|
05:00 Jun 28, 2023 | |
| Title | Gas Chromatograph Contaminated |
| Event Description | The following information was provided by the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) via email:
The Vermont Department of Health laboratory conducted a leak test of an electron capture detector (ECD) number U27936 on June 28, 2023. Results from the swipe test of the inlet to the detector were calculated on June 29, 2023, and showed 2.3E-2 microcuries of removable Ni-63 contamination. The gas chromatograph was immediately placed out-of-service and the gas flow was terminated. The ECD detector contained 13.2 millicuries Ni-63 total activity. A Thermo Scientific RadEye B20-ER survey meter (calibrated November 15, 2022) was used to assess the level of risk, and there was no measurable radiation above background, including with the column oven door open. The VDH received notification of the incident June 29, 2023. The area around the ECD detector was re-surveyed for removable contamination on June 29, 2023, including the inlet, which showed 5.1E-5 microcuries (50 picocuries) of contamination. Results of the second swipe surveys were calculated on June 30, 2023, and all other swipes were 5 picocuries or less. The area was decontaminated, and the source was removed, capped, bagged, boxed, and stored securely on June 30, 2023. Agilent's repair facility requested the source be returned for an assessment to Agilent's repair facility. The following additional information was obtained from the licensee in accordance with Headquarters Operations Officers Report Guidance: The event was entered into NMED in 2023 but was not reported to the Headquarters Operations Center until now. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Vermont Dept Of Health Lab Burlington, Vermont (NRC Region 1) | |
| License number: | 44-11382-01 |
| Organization: | Vermont Dept Of Health |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+22304.82 h929.368 days <br />132.767 weeks <br />30.553 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | William Irwin 14:49 Jan 12, 2026 |
| NRC Officer: | Robert A. Thompson |
| Last Updated: | Jan 12, 2026 |
| 58113 - NRC Website | |
Vermont Dept Of Health Lab with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 581132023-06-28T05:00:00028 June 2023 05:00:00
[Table view]Agreement State Gas Chromatograph Contaminated 2023-06-28T05:00:00 | |