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| Start date | Reporting criterion | Title | Event description | System | LER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENS 50564 | 3 October 2014 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Lost Portable Fluorescence Analyzer | During a routine request for an annual inventory audit by the Agency (Illinois Emergency Management Agency), the generally licensed registrant was unable to locate their hand held thin metal alloy analyzer. The unit was a 'triple head' unit containing 3 sources. It was replaced by a newer x-ray producing unit a few years ago but was retained as a back up. Current and past employees were questioned during the investigation and the registrant will continue its search although they believe it unlikely to be fruitful. When it went unused, it was believed to be discarded with other equipment and junked. At this time, the radioactive iron and cadmium sources are decayed to less than milliCurie quantities and have a negligible radiation profile associated with them and they pose no threat to public health and safety were they some how removed from the device. The americium source however remains and if disposed as described, the device would show no elevated radiation levels from its surface. Based on similar equipment information in the sealed source device registry, if the internal shutter mechanism were somehow to be rotated open with the Am-241 source in the analyze position, the only measurable radiation would be found at the front of the device and would be less than 2 millirem/h at a foot. Pending additional developments, the Agency is considering this matter closed. Device Name: FLUORESCENCE ANALYZER. Model Number: XL 309-831S. Manufacturer: NITON. Serial Number: U3052 6125LY. Containing the following sources; Sealed Source: .014 Ci, AM-241. Manufacturer: AMERSHAM. Model Number: AMC.P4. Serial Number: 1076CW Sealed Source: .0007 Ci, CD-109. Manufacturer: AMERSHAM Model Number: IEC.A1. Serial Number: 8819LG. Sealed Source: .000007 Ci, CD-109. Manufacturer: AMERSHAM. Model Number: CUCP.1. Serial Number: 6125LY. Cause: Human Error. Illinois Item Number: IL14020. THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf |