PNO-II-87-039, on 870612,Troxler Soil Density Gauge Containing 8 Mci Cs-137 & 40 Mci Am-241/Be Discovered Missing & Presumed Stolen.Caused by Gauge Left Unattended Beside Vehicle Overnight.Search Performed
| ML20215K424 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 03020169 |
| Issue date: | 06/16/1987 |
| From: | Potter J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-II-87-039, PNO-II-87-39, NUDOCS 8706250320 | |
| Download: ML20215K424 (1) | |
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7 June 16, 1987;
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. PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF. EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PN0-II-87-39 This preliminary. notification constitutes EARLY notice. of events _of POSSIBLE. 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: ATEC Associates.of Virginia Licensee Emergency Classification: !
-License No 45-16546-02 Notification of Unusual Event j Alexandria, VA . Alert 4 Site Area Emergency General Emergency X Not Applicable i
SUBJECT:
-LOST OR STOLEN TROXLER GAUGE The~ licensee notified. Region I! that a Troxler soil density gauge is missing and presumed
' stolen af ter being left ' unattended beside a vehicle overnight the evening of June 12, 1987. The instrument disappeared at a job site near Oakton, Virginia, where Highway 123 intersects I-66.
.The source rod was not locked'in place because the gauge operator had locked her vehicle keys.with .the gauge case and rod padlock inside her vehicle. The missing gauge was leter thought to have been placed ins _ide a site trailer, but a weekend search was unsuccessful !
in finding the gauge. '
The dose rate. to an individual moving the source rod from its gauge housing would be approximately 25 rem per hour at one centimeter from the tip of the extended source rod.
Shielded, the maximum; dose rate is about 15 millirm per hour. The gauge contains eight miilicuries of cesium-137, 40 millicuries of americium-241 and beryllium.
The gauge itself measures about 9 inches wide, and 18 inches long with a source rod handle sticMng up some 24 inches above the top.
The licensee has notified the Fairfax County, Virginia, sheriff.
Region II has . issued a news release asking local media outlets to publish precautions for anyone finding the device. Area media interest is expected.
The licensee delayed notifying the NRC because it was thought the gauge was in the possession of another contractor.
The' Commonwealth of Virginia has been informed.
The NRC '(Region II) received initial notification of this event by telephone from the licensee at 2:15 p.m. (EDT) on June 16. __
B706250320 870616 CONTACT: John Potter, FTS: 242-5571 PDR I&E PNO-II-87-039 PDR DISTRIBUTION:
H. Street MNBB Phillips E/W Willste Mail:
Chairman Zech EDO NRR IE NMSS ADM:DMB i Comm. Roberts PA OIA RES DOT: Trans Only i Comm. Asselstine MPA AEOD Applicable State Comm. Bernthal ELD '
Comm. Carr Air Rights INP0 " '
J y,/y R gions: / / !
CA Licensee: "
PDR (Reactor Licensees) s Applicable Resident Site ' s
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