PNO-III-97-019, on 970303,personnel Using Shovels & Equipped W/Survey Instruments,Found Kay-Ray Model 7062BP Density Gauge Containing Nominal 50 Mci Cs-137 Source.Idns Called & Responded Same Day

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PNO-III-97-019:on 970303,personnel Using Shovels & Equipped W/Survey Instruments,Found Kay-Ray Model 7062BP Density Gauge Containing Nominal 50 Mci Cs-137 Source.Idns Called & Responded Same Day
ML20138F267
Person / Time
Issue date: 03/07/1997
From: Lickus R, Jeffery Lynch
NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:
References
PNO-III-97-019, PNO-III-97-19, NUDOCS 9705050319
Download: ML20138F267 (1)


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M rch 7,1997

, l l PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-Ill-97-019 i

, This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE cafety or public interest significance. The information is as initially received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is i known by Region ill staff (Lisle, l';inois)

. on this date.  ;

Facility Licensee Emergency Classification l 3 NORTHWESTERN STEEL AND WIRE Notification of Unusual Event .

Northwestern Steel And Wire Alert I Sterling, Illinois Site Area Emergency d License No: NON-LICENSEE General Emergency I

. X Not Applicable

Subject:

GENERALLY LICENSED GAUGE FOUND IN SCRAP METAL SHIPMENT

)

l On March 3,1997, Northwestern Steel and Wire (non-licensee), Sterling, IL, had a radiation monitor trip on a load of scrap metal from Des Moines, IA, l

ca  %

qaers8inel using shovels and equipped with survey instruments, found a l

C dKlay%ay Model 7062BP density gauge containing a nominal 50 millicurie  !

{ psi @1-137 source. The shutter was bolted in an open position. Warning l J

ere legible on the gauge.

tu ggn ._.

O cThe Onois Department of Nuclear Safety (IDNS) was called and responded l'-} YEie @e day. An IDNS radiation specialist removed the bolt holding the 1 fihuttgr, and forced the shutter into a closed position. IDNS performed a hiak test on the source with negative results.

The gauge was sold under a general license in 1982. IDNS is tracing the gauge history to determine where the gauge came from.

IDNS's dose calculations for Northwestern Steel personnel involved in searching for the radiation source, indicated a maximum radiation dose of l 36 millirem (0.36 mSv) whole body. It does not appear that personnel had extremities in the radiation beam for any significant time.

The State of Iowa will be notified by IDNS that the gauge was received from the state. The Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards and the Office of State Programs will be notified.

Region 111 (Chicago) was notified of this incident by IDNS at 10
15 a.m.

I CST on March 7,1997. This information is current as of that time.

Contact:

JAMES LYNCH ROLAND LICKUS i (630)829-9661 (630)829 9660 9705050319 970307

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PDR I&E PNO-III-97-019 PDR

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