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| Start date | Reporting criterion | Title | Event description | System | LER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENS 52151 | 2 August 2016 13:40:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Fixed Gauge with Sealed Radioactive Source Recovered at a Scrapyard | The following information was received from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) via email: A load of scrap metal set off the radiation detectors at a scrapyard in Cleveland, Ohio at approximately 0940 EDT on 8/2/16. A Department of Transportation exemption was issued and the scrap was returned to the supplier, Cleveland Wire, also located in Cleveland. The load was sorted by Cleveland Wire staff and a 'C-arm' fixed gauge was discovered. ODH investigators arrived at the Cleveland Wire site on 8/3/16 and surveyed the gauge. Highest readings were determined to be 4 mR/hour on contact at the point where the source would be located inside the device, indicating that a source was present and the shutter was closed. Smear wipes taken indicated no removable contamination present. Further investigation showed that a tag was still affixed to the device, indicating the isotope (Sr-90), activity (70 mCi) and assay date (June, 1976). The radiation readings and identifying information are in keeping with what would be expected upon review of the Sealed Source & Device (SS&D) registration for the device. The device is currently in secure storage on site at Cleveland Wire, awaiting plans for transfer or disposal. The ODH investigators at Cleveland Wire also learned that the device had been received from an industrial equipment reseller, HDR Industrial Surplus, located in Euclid, Ohio. Another ODH inspector was dispatched to that location on 8/3/16 to survey the facility, check for additional items that might contain radioactive materials, and to determine if the original owner/consignor could be located. No radiation levels were detected above background at the Euclid location, and no other items containing radioactive materials appeared to be present. Research and investigation is ongoing to attempt to determine the owner of the device. Source/Radioactive Material: SEALED SOURCE GAUGE Manufacturer: AMERSHAM Model Number: S-18 Serial Number: S-1078-7 Radionuclide: SR-90, 0.070 Ci IAEA Category: 5 Device/Associated Equipment: Device Name: FIXED GAUGE Manufacturer: SANGAMO-WESTON-SCHLUMBERGER Model Number: M-3. Ohio Item Number: OH160008 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 |