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| Start date | Reporting criterion | Title | Event description | System | LER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENS 44447 | 28 August 2008 07:00:00 | Information Only | Contamination Event Due to Broken Tc-99M Vial | The licensee was incubating six vials of Tc-99m (Cardiolite brand 1500 millicuries each) in the iodine room. At the end of the incubation period the technician removed the first five vials without incident. The sixth vial was attempted to be removed. When the tongs touched the vial the technician heard a sound that indicated that the vial had broken. The technician called the pharmacist over to verify the break. A cleanup was initiated. The pharmacist's lab coat was contaminated, the technician's lab coat, shirt, and dosimeter were contaminated, and an additional technicians' lab coat was contaminated. All contaminated items were removed and stored. The contamination was contained in the iodine room. Removable surface contamination was cleaned up. The RSO did a survey of the personnel and the technician directly involved in the incident had a small amount of contamination on her hands and her hair was reading 10 mr/hr on contact. The RSO instructed the technician to return to home, shower to remove the remaining contamination and bag her clothes and return to work. Upon returning the employee was cleared of contamination, but her clothes were reading above background. The licensee cleanup strategy for the iodine room is to allow it to decay as the half-life of Tc-99m is 6 hours. The licensee notified Region 2 (David Collins, Rebecca Nease) and was directed to Region 1 (Powell). |