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| Start date | Reporting criterion | Title | Event description | System | LER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENS 51042 | 5 May 2015 11:15:00 | 10 CFR 20.1906(d)(2) | Surface Contamination on Outside of Package Exceeding Reporting Limits | Per 10 CFR 20.1906(d)(1), (the Veterans Health Administration (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 (May 5, 2015) and surveyed for contamination around 0615 CDT by Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, North Chicago, Illinois. The health care center holds permit number 12-10057-04 issued by VHA per the MML (Master Materials License). Wipe tests performed on the external surface of the package indicated a removable contamination level of 690 dpm/cm2 as compared to the regulatory reporting limit of 240 dpm/cm2 for beta-gamma emitters. The package contained five unit dosages of Technetium-99m (about 144 millicuries total) and was shipped and delivered by Triad Isotopes in Elk Grove, Illinois. The nuclear medicine technologist who surveyed the package immediately notified, by telephone, the Pharmacy Manager at Triad Isotopes about the contaminated package. The exterior of the package was able to be decontaminated by the nuclear medicine technologist to levels below reporting limits by performing successive wipes on the surface. The inner packaging materials and dosage containers were surveyed and no contamination was identified such that the dosages were not impacted. There was no spread of contamination at the health care center from the package. The contaminated materials have been isolated in a restricted area at the health care center and will be held for decay. Veterans Health Administration (T. Huston) has also notified NRC Region III (K. Null) by telephone of this event. |