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| Start date | Reporting criterion | Title | Event description | System | LER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENS 54406 | 18 November 2019 16:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Aircraft Instrument with Radium-226 Painted Dial Found | The following information was received via E-mail: On 11/18/2019, Massachusetts Radiation Control Program (MARCP) was informed by Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc., that a scrap metal shipment from Devens Recycling in Danvers, MA set off the radiation monitor alarm. The vehicle was redirected back to Devens Recycling for follow-up survey and mitigation in accordance with MA RCP DOT Special Permit MA-MA-19-10. On 11/19/2019, the material was identified and segregated from the scrap metal load by an independent radiation consultant. The radioactive material discovered was radium-226 painted on the dial of an abandoned (lost), old Aircraft Turn/Slip Coordinator instrument. The dose rate at 6 inches from the instrument was 200 microR/hr. The background dose rate was 20 microR/hour. The radiation survey instrument used to locate the source was a Ludlum Model 193-6. A Ludlum Model 9DP-1 ion chamber was used for direct measurements on the instrument. A Ludlum Model 702 Multi Channel Analyzer was used to identify the radioisotope. The radium-226 activity was estimated to be approximately 6.31 microCuries based on the dose rate measured. This material is being stored in a sealed polyethylene bag placed in a sealed 55 gallon drum and labeled as radioactive material held for disposal. This activity meets the 30-day event report requirement for lost or abandoned radioactive material greater than 10 times the quantities specified in 10 CFR 20 Appendix C, or the Massachusetts equivalent, 105 CMR 120.297 Appendix C, which is ten times reportable quantity for Radium-226 (1 microCurie). The Agency (MARCP) considers this event to be open until proper disposal of this instrument is confirmed. Massachusetts Docket No.: 23-3968 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 |