PNO-IV-96-055, on 961010,licensee Reported Loss of 130 Uci Am-241 Source.Determined Packard Scintillation Counter Was Transferred to Scrap Dealer in Feb 1996.Licensee Contacted Scrap Dealer for Info Re Final Disposition
| ML20128M250 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 03003255 |
| Issue date: | 10/11/1996 |
| From: | Cain C, Linda Howell NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-IV-96-055, PNO-IV-96-55, NUDOCS 9610160037 | |
| Download: ML20128M250 (1) | |
i
-1 October 11,1996
'. PREll,MINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-IV-96-055 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significana. Tne information is as initially received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by Region IV staff in Arlington, Texas on this date.
Facility Licensee Emeroency Classification VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas Notification of Unusual Event i VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas Alert 2002 Holcombe Blvd. Site Area Emergency l Houston, Texas 77030 General Emergency Dockets: 03003255 License No: 42-00084-06 X Not Applicable i
Subject:
LOST AMERICIUM-241 SOURCE On October 10,1996, the licensee reported the loss of a 130 microcurie americium-241 source to the NRC Operations Center. The licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) reported that while performing a special inventory on October 8,1996, he became aware that a Packard scintillation counter was missing from the medical center's research building. The counter had not been used for some period of time and had been stored in the basement of the research building. The counter contained two sources, a radium-226 source of approximately 20 microcuries and the americium-241 source. Through discussions with the research staff and review of records maintained at the medical center, the RSO determined that the counter was transferred, with the sources in place, to a scrap dealer in February 1996. Although the RSO did not know the name of the scrap dealer at the time of the initial report, documents relating to the sale of the unit indicate that the scrap dealer is located in Austin, Texas. The licensee has contacted the manufacturer to obtain a description of the sources and their location within the counter. A Packard representative stated that the sources are sphericalin shape, approximately 0.25 inch in diameter, and colored red or green.
The model number of the counter and sources are not currently known by the RSO.
Licensee representatives have contacted the scrap dealer and have requested information regarding the final disposition of the counter. Further information from the scrap dealer is expected by October 14,1996. The licensee has agreed to contact Region IV once the final disposition of the sources is known, and Region IV will review this incident during an onsite inspection.
The state of Texas will be informed.
Region IV received notification of this occurrence by telephone from the NRC Operations Center at 7:28 p.m. (CT) on October 10,1991 The information was confirmed with licensee ,
l representatives at 8:15 a.m. on October 11. Region IV has informed NMSS.
This information herein has been discussed with the licensee and is current as of 12 p.m. (CT)
October 11,1996.
Contact:
LINDA HOWELL CHARLES CAIN (817)860-8213 (816)860-8186 l
9610160037 961011 PDR I&E %,b(L l PiJ0-IV-96-055 PDR i ,
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