PNO-III-96-071, on 961204,two Sealed Radiation Sources Missing During Shipment from Columbus,Oh to Beijing,China. Both Sources Used in Thickness Gauges.Region III Monitoring Licensee Efforts to Locate Packages
| ML20135C413 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 03005610 |
| Issue date: | 12/06/1996 |
| From: | Madera J, Wiedeman D NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-III-96-071, PNO-III-96-71, NUDOCS 9612060298 | |
| Download: ML20135C413 (2) | |
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l' December 6, 1996 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PN0-III-96-071 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 III staff (Lisle, Illinois) on this date.
Facility Licensee Emergency Classification ABB INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS. INC Natification of Unusual Event Abb Industrial Systems. Inc. Alert Columbus.0hio Site Area Emergency License No: 34-00255-03 General Emergency X Not Applicable
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Subject:
WO SEALED SOURCES MISSING IN INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENT l
I On December 4.1996, the licensee notified NRC Region III (Chicago) that i
two sealed radiation sources were missing during shipment from Columbus, Ohio to Beijing, China. Both sources are used-in thickness gauges.
One source. 70 millicuries of strontium-90, is packed in a 4 1/2 gallon steel drum (type A package). The second source contains 25 millicuries of krypton- 85 (gaseous) and is packaged in a type A container.
i The first package was initially handled by a shipper based in Los
! Angeles, but it was unable to complete the shipping arrangement. A second shipper then acceated the package and also handled arrangements for the second package. Tie two packages were then transferred to AC Express on November 1 for shipment on an Air China flight on November 24. AC Express found that the shipping papers were missing for the shipments. The l licensee was informed and sent replacement documents on November 7. The shipper received the documents on November 21.
On November 25 AC Express notified the shipping company that the two packages were missing. The packages were last accounted for by AC Express at J.F. Kennedy Airport, New York City. New York on November 1.'The licensee's shipping department was informed of the missing packages on November 26 or 27. The licensee's Radiological Operations Manager, !
however, did not learn of the missing Jackages until December 2. AC Express began a trace on the packages )ut they have not been located.
l The licensee believes the packages may have been shipped as scheduled on November 24 but have not yet arrived at its intended recipient in China.
l According to the licensee, the sources do not represent a health and safety hazard unless removed from their shielded containers. Neither source has a locking device to prevent tampering. [The radiation dose to an unshielded source on contact would be in the range of 10.000 rads per hour (beta).]
- Region III is monitoring the licensee's efforts to locate the packages.
. Region I, the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, and the Office of International Programs have been notified.
The State of Ohio, the State of New York, and the City of New York have been notified of the missing sources. The information in this preliminary 9612060298 961206 NO-I 96-071 PDR ;gL-0601J0 ch
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l PNO-III-96-071 .. .
( notification has been reviewed with licensee management.
The licensee notified Region III of the missing sources at 4:05 p.m. on December 4,1996. This information is current as of 3 p.m. on December 5, 1996.
Contact:
DARREL WIEDEMAN JOHN MADERA (630)829-9808 (630)829-9834 l