PNO-II-86-071, between 860930-1006,Troxler Model 3322 Moisture gauge,w/11.2-mCi americium-beryllium Source,Stolen from Usda Warehouse in Fulton,Ms.State of Ms & NRC Attempting to Find Gauge

From kanterella
Jump to navigation Jump to search
PNO-II-86-071:between 860930-1006,Troxler Model 3322 Moisture gauge,w/11.2-mCi americium-beryllium Source,Stolen from Usda Warehouse in Fulton,Ms.State of Ms & NRC Attempting to Find Gauge
ML20214H484
Person / Time
Issue date: 10/08/1986
From: Potter J, Trojanowski R
NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II)
To:
References
PNO-II-86-071, PNO-II-86-71, NUDOCS 8611260423
Download: ML20214H484 (1)


m October 8, 1986 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PN0-II-86-71 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSISLE safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially received without verifi-cation or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by the Region II staff on this date.

FACILITY: Licensee Emergency Classification:

U. S. Department of Agriculture Notification of Unusual Event Soil Conservation Service Alert Fulton, Mississippi Site Area Emergency General Emergency X Not Applicable

SUBJECT:

STOLEN TR0XLER M0ISTURE GAUGE The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) informed the State of Mississippi yesterday that a Soil Conservation Service warehouse in Fulton, Mississippi, was broken into during the period of September 30- October 6. Among items taken was a Troxler moisture gauge Model 3222, bearing serial number 45-6090, and containing an 11.2-millicurie americium-beryllium source. The source is locked and is riot easily accessible. In the event the source is extricated by force, the radiation level from the unshielded source at 100 centimeters would be only 0.1 mr/hr., which does not pose a significant health hazard.

Mississippi authorities, who informed Region II of the theft, have agreed to assist the NRC in attempts to locate the gauge. The state already has notified the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency as well as local law enforcement agencies. It also has agreed to alert the operator of a nearby landfill and area scrap dealers (about eight) in a 30-mile radius concerning the missing gauge.

The State of Mississippi plans to issue a press release concerning the theft of the gauge.

Region II also has informed the states of Alabama and Tennessee of the missing gauge.

Alabama will notify appropriate law enforcement agencies and is considering issuance of a press release. Tennessee plans no action at this time, but has offered to assist the NRC if necessary.

Region II has coordinated NRC response to this occurrence with Region I, which administers a broad materials license which covers this USDA facility.

This information is curre.nt as of 8:00 a.m. (EDT) today.

Cnntact: R. E. Trojanowski, 242-5597 John Potter, 242-5571 DISTRIBUTION:

H. Street MNBB Phillips E/W Willste MAIL:

Chairman Zech ED6~

D NRR TF hMSS ADM:DMB Comm. Roberts. PA OIA RES D0T: Trans Only Comm. Asselstine MPA AE00 Applicable State Comm. Bernthal ELD Comm. Carr Air Rights INP0 - M SECY SP NSAC ACRS CA -'sp PDR Regions: 32-7f/,7dI-9t/h M N 7e ,

$12g23861oos i I' PNO-tz-gb'071 PDR