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| Start date | Reporting criterion | Title | Event description | System | LER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENS 54363 | 31 October 2019 05:00:00 | 10 CFR 20.2201(a)(1)(i) | General Licensee Lost Three Portable Devices Containing Am-241 | The following was received from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (the Agency) via phone and email: During Agency (Illinois Emergency Management Agency) efforts to pursue an annual self-inspection report from a general licensee (First America Metal Corp), it was discovered that three Niton XLp-818 XRF (x-ray fluorescence analyzer) devices containing 30 milliCuries of Am-241 each could not be accounted for. The facility is located in Morris, IL. On October 28, 2019, the Agency asked for physical verification of the devices. The devices were initially shipped from the manufacturer in 2005 and 2006. Agency staff confirmed with the manufacturer that these devices had not been received or returned (confirmation received 10/31/19). The Agency again contacted the licensee on October 31, 2019. At that point, the licensee confirmed that search activities have ceased and they were officially declaring the devices as lost. Correspondence from the US Dept. of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, dated February 16, 2010, indicates there may have been export of Niton XRF devices by this general licensee; however, it does not appear to be related to the devices missing at this time. There is no indication of theft or intentional diversion. The quantity of material present, while not presenting an immediate exposure concern to any individuals requires immediate reporting to IEMA/NRC. By design, electronic opening of the shutter requires that the operator power on the unit and enter a password. As a precaution, the instrument will only operate for a six year period before an inspection by the manufacturer is required. Due to the fact the unit has not been serviced, the software in the instrument will not allow the instrument to be operated. In the shielded position, the radiation levels surrounding the device are indistinguishable from background. Should the tungsten source holder be manually opened, exposure rates may be up to 122 mR/hour at 5 cm. Illinois Item Number: IL190034 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 |