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| Start date | Reporting criterion | Title | Event description | System | LER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENS 57192 | 26 June 2024 10:50:00 | 10 CFR 20.1906(d)(1) | Removable Contamination Limits Exceeded | The following information was provided by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) National Health Physics Program via phone and email: Per 10 CFR 20.1906(d), VHA National Health Physics Program is reporting receipt of a package of radioactive material with removable surface contamination on the outside of the package greater than NRC reporting limits. The package was received Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at about 0650 EDT, at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center, 1826 Veterans Blvd, Dublin, Georgia. This facility operates under VHA permit number 10-09569-01 issued in accordance with master materials license number 03-23853-01VA. The package was checked in and surveyed upon receipt around 0650 EDT. A wipe performed on the external surface of the package indicated a removable contamination level that exceeded the regulatory limit of 240 dpm/cm^2 for beta-gamma emitters. The measured contamination was 26,679 dpm/100cm^2. After adjusting for a 10 percent wipe efficiency and converting units, this equals 2668 dpm/cm^2 or about 10 times the reporting limit. The contamination was isolated primarily to the package handle. The package contained four dosages of Tc-99m with a total activity of about 90 mCi (nominal). Analysis of the wipe test confirmed a gamma peak consistent with Tc-99m. Wipe tests of the interior of the delivery package resulted in levels below the exterior level of around 2800 dpm. The dosages themselves appeared to be unimpacted and able to be used. The container was isolated and is being stored in a designated, shielded area for decay. The facility Nuclear Medicine Technologist (NMT) notified the delivery carrier by phone about the contaminated package at around 0910 EDT. VHA National Health Physics Program, who manages the master materials license, was alerted to the incident around 0710 CT (0810 ET). The following additional information was obtained from the licensee in accordance with Headquarters Operations Officers Report Guidance: HOO follow up calls with the licensee and the radiopharmaceutical delivery company confirmed no spread of contamination. The receipt area at the licensee indicated no spread of contamination. The delivery driver clothes and hands were surveyed clean. There is no indication of spread of contamination to the public. | ||
| ENS 48759 | 15 February 2013 12:00:00 | 10 CFR 20.1906(d)(1) | Package Received at Va Medical Center with Outside Contamination Exceeding Limits | (The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) National Health Physics Programs) has a master materials license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. License number is 03-23853-01VA. Per 10 CFR 20.1906(d), (the VA) is reporting receipt of a package of radioactive material with removable surface contamination on the outside of the package greater than NRC reporting limits. The package was received today (February 15, 2013) at around 7 AM ET by Carl Vinson VA Medical Center, Dublin, Georgia. The package was checked-in and surveyed around 8:30 AM ET. This medical center holds permit number 10-09569-01 under the VHA master materials license. Wipe tests performed on the external surface of the package indicated a removable contamination level of 4190 dpm/cm2 as compared to the regulatory limit of 220 dpm/cm2 for beta-gamma emitters. The package contained eight unit dosages of radiopharmaceuticals ranging between 6 and 40 millicuries each of Technetium-99m and was shipped from Cardinal Health in Augusta, Georgia. The inner packaging materials were also found to be contaminated. The VA facility Nuclear Medicine Technologist who surveyed the packages immediately notified the vendor/shipper, who serves as the final delivery carrier, about the contaminated package at about 9 AM ET. (The VA National Programs) office was not notified until about 4 PM ET. As corrective actions: the packaging materials were bagged and set aside in a restricted area at the VA Medical Center and were reclaimed later in the day by the radiopharmacy. (The VA has also) notified NRC Region III Project Manager (K. Null) ... HOO Note: A similar incident at the same facility was reported on 02/11/13 - see EN #48742. | ||
| ENS 48742 | 11 February 2013 19:00:00 | 10 CFR 20.1906(d)(1) | Package Received at Va Medical Center with Outside Contamination Exceeding Limits | (The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) National Health Physics Programs) has a master materials license from Nuclear Regulatory Commission. License number is 03-23853-01VA. Per 10 CFR 20.1906(d), (the VHA) is reporting receipt of a package of radioactive material with removable surface contamination on the outside of the package greater than NRC reporting limits. The package was received today (February 11, 2013) at around 2:00 PM ET by Carl Vinson VA Medical Center, Dublin, Georgia. This medical center holds permit number 10-09569-01 under the VHA master materials license. Wipe tests performed on the external surface of the package indicated a removable contamination level of 561 dpm/cm2 as compared to the regulatory limit of 220 dpm/cm2 for beta-gamma emitters. The package contained two radiopharmaceuticals dosages of Technetium-99m and two doses of Thallium-201 and was shipped from Cardinal Health in Augusta, Georgia. The inner packaging materials were not contaminated, and the four dosages were able to be used. The VA facility Nuclear Medicine Technologist immediately notified the vendor/shipper, who serves as the final delivery carrier, about the contaminated package at about 2:30 PM ET. As corrective actions: the packaging materials were set aside in a restricted area at the VA Medical Center for decay; staff with access to the area were notified about the contaminated packaging materials; and surveys were performed to ensure that contamination did not spread beyond the immediate area where the package was received and checked in. (The VHA has also) notified NRC Region III (P. Pelke) of this event. |