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The State of Oklahoma reported that contamination from a leaking Ba-137 generator was discovered in a 'shed' at the University of Tulsa. It is estimated that approximately 1 milliCurie of Cs-137, used in the generator, was leaked. The licensee, Tracerco, licensed by the State of Texas, was using the generator for tracer studies on University of Tulsa equipment under a reciprocity agreement with the State of Oklahoma. The contamination occurred between October and November of 2014. Tracerco discovered the generator leakage at their Texas facility in May, 2015 but only recently informed the University of Tulsa. The Radiation Safety Officer at the University of Tulsa surveyed the area on 8/25/15 and obtained count rates as high as 100,000 cpm inside the shed. Contamination was also found outside of the shed's location. According to Tracerco, it is estimated that approximately 1 milliCurie of Cs-137 was leaked at the University of Tulsa. The University of Tulsa reported that approximately eight individuals work in the area at least some of the time, however, the University is working on obtaining occupancy information at the contaminated location. The shed has been quarantined. The Ba-137 generator, which contained 50 milliCuries of Cs-137, was manufactured by the China Institute of Atomic Energy. The State of Oklahoma will be investigating the event and will be determining the amount of exposure to the individuals. Tracerco is continuing evaluating the event. The State of Texas reported the leaking generator under NRC EN #51102

• * * UPDATE FROM KEVIN SAMPSON TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1640 EDT ON 8/28/2015 * * *

The following information was received via facsimile: On August 27, 2015 the Oklahoma Environmental Agency Radiation Management Section performed a reactive inspection of this facility. The facility consists of a closed flow-loop pipeline which water or petroleum was pumped through. A port was used to inject radioactive tracers into the material to study its behavior in the flow-loop. Normally the crew from Tracerco would set up the generator at the injection port which was located on a platform about 12 feet above grade. However for some reason, possibly bad weather, the crew that performed the work last year decided to set up in an enclosed pump house immediately adjacent to the pipeline. At some point during the procedure an estimated 0.1 mCi of Cs-137 (not 1 mCi as previously reported) was released in the interior of the structure. The material was in the form of small resin spheres, about the size of a poppy seed, with the Cesium coating the surface. Sometime around May of this year, after Tracerco discovered that the generator was leaking and their own facility was contaminated, they sent staff back to the University to survey for contamination. However, they were unaware that the previous crew had used the pump house, and only surveyed around the injection port where they found no contamination. No further action was taken until August 24 when Tracerco employees again visited the site and surveyed the pump house. After finding the contamination they decontaminated the area using adhesive tape to pick up the material. Two office chairs and a floor mat were also found to be contaminated and removed to an area the university uses for radioactive storage. None of the University employees who worked at the facility were badged. During our inspection we noted that the background radiation level was elevated in the vicinity of the pump house and flow-loop (approx. 100 microR/hr as measured with a Victoreen 450P, this was about 10 X background off the facility). It should be noted the University has it's own license and uses or stores about 25 fixed gauges, with a total possession limit of 15 Ci., either on or near the flow-loop. Surveys inside the pump house showed isolated areas of contamination with radiation levels as high as 500 micro-R/hr. Multiple areas (usually concrete joints or gravel at the edge of the concrete) around the exterior of the pump house were also found to be contaminated with dose rates around 200 microR/hr. One trailer adjacent to the pump house was found to have a small spot of contamination in the carpet just inside the door. This was surveyed at 260 micro-R/hr. This trailer was used for office space for two persons, one of whom is a member of the public. 14 samples were collected at various points and will be counted next week. The University has restricted access to the contaminated areas but has continued to allow essential radiation workers to enter when necessary to operate the flow-loop. They were instructed to require anyone entering to wear disposable gloves and shoe covers. Tracerco has arranged for Chase Environmental to characterize and remediate the facility. This will begin on August 31 and is expected to take 5 to 7 days. Tracerco has also arranged for any university staff who desire to be scanned at a full-body counter in Houston. Notified R4DO (Campbell) and via E-mail the NMSS Events Notification group.