PNO-I-99-013, on 990311,RSO for Gai Consultants,Inc Contacted NRC Safety Hotline to Rept Theft of Troxler Electronics Lab,Inc.Gauge Contains 8 Mci Sealed Source of Cs-137 & 40 Mci Sealed Source of Am-241.Licensee Contacted Local Police
| ML20207L673 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 03006199 |
| Issue date: | 03/11/1999 |
| From: | Henderson P, Joustra J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-I-99-013, PNO-I-99-13, NUDOCS 9903180220 | |
| Download: ML20207L673 (2) | |
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a j ,,- March 11, 1999 PR LIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-I-99-013 l l
-This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially received without verification or evaluation. and is basically all that is known by Region I staff in King of Prussia Pennsylvania on this date Epcility Licensee Emeraency Classification ,
Gai Consultants, Inc. Notification of Unusual Event Gai Consultants, Inc. Alert.
570,Beatty Road Site Area Emergency Monroeville Pennsylvania 15146 General Emergency Dockets: 03006199 License No: 37-09180-01 X Not Applicable
Subject:
STOLEN PORTABLE DENSITY GAUGE FROM LICENSEE'S TRUCK On March 11,1999, about 7:15 a.m , the Radiation Safety Officer (RS0) for.GAI Consultants. Inc. contacted the NRC Safety Hotline to report the theft of a Troxler Electronics Laboratory Inc. (Troxler) Model 3440 surface moisture / density gauge. Serial Number 29575. The individual authorized to use the gauge noticed at 6:30 a.m. on March 11, 1999 that the truck in which the gauge was stored had been broken into and that the gauge was missing. The truck had been parked in a parking lot of a Comfort Inn located in Martinsburg, West Virginia on March 10, 1999 at i
approximately 7:00 p.m. The gauge contains an_8 millicurie sealed source of cesium-137, and a 40 millicurie sealed source of americium-241.
NRC Region I personnel contacted the RSO for further information on March
- 11. 1999, at about 8:20 a.m. The RS0 indicated that the truck, gauge.
trans)ortation case containing the gauge, and gauge were locked when last ;
seen )y licensee personnel on the evening of March 10, and that the ;
transportationcasewaschainedtothetruckbed. The RSO stated that !
the cnain which attached the gauge to the truck bed had been cut. '
I ~ The transportation case containing the gauge is yellow in color and measures approximately 1 foot wide, 2 feet long, and 15 inches high. A label affixed to the case identifies the contents as radioactive and provides other descrf;;tive information. The radiation exposure levels at the surface of the transportation case with the sources in the shielded position do not exceed 14 mR/hr. Radiation exposure levels at the surface of the gauge itself with the sources in the shielded position do not exceed 20 mR/hr, and 3.5 mR/hr at a foot, according to the marufacturer's information sheets. Based on the above information, radiation ex)osure to the public is expected to be minimal if the sealed sources are (ept in the shielded position.
The. licensee has contacted the local police concerning the theft and will cor: tact the gauge manufacturer. The licensee is coordinating issuance of a press release with the local police in West Virginia.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of West Virginia have been notified.
Recion II has 'been notified.
990318022o 990311 b E I N -o13 PDR {k 1gongo \b O{
L
,flCI,99-013 P The Region I Office of Public Affairs is available to respond to media inquires.
All ;inforroation is current as of 9:30 a.m. on March 11. 1999.
Contact:
Judy Joustra Pamela Henderson (610)337-5355 (610)337-6952 L