Semantic search
Start date | Reporting criterion | Title | Event description | System | LER | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ENS 57226 | 15 July 2024 12:59:00 | Agreement State | Suspected Radioactive Material Found | The following information was provided by the Maryland Department of the Environment Radiological Health Program (MDE/RHP) via email: On July 15, 2024, at about 0859 (EDT), the MDE/RHP was contacted by the Maryland Emergency Response Division (ERD) that a bolted container (marked with) Russian (text) and red paint (located on) the middle part of the container with a trefoil symbol that was suspected of containing (radioactive material) was found dropped off at (a salvage) site in Joppatowne, MD. The scrap yard does not know the source(s) of these items and who (deposited) them. (Personnel at the scrap yard) did not detect radiation with available instruments. MDE/RHP will follow up and investigate the case today. The following additional information was obtained from the licensee in accordance with Headquarters Operations Officers Report Guidance: Two MDE/RHP inspectors were enroute to the scrap yard to investigate at the time the notification of this event to the NRC was made.
The following information was provided by the Maryland Department of the Environment Radiological Health Program (MDE/RHP) via email: RHP inspectors responded to the site on the same day (7/15/2024) and investigated the case. RHP inspectors surveyed the area and took wipe samples of the outside of the containers. The survey results and wipe analysis report indicated no elevated radiation other than natural background. On July 17, 2024, the containers were rejected by Joppa Salvage as suspect of containing hazardous material (RAM), and returned back to Aberdeen Proving Ground, a federal site, by the hauler that dropped them. There are no health or safety concerns related to this event. MDE/RHP closed this event. Maryland Event ID Number: 56594. Notified R1DO (Lilliendahl), NMSS Events (email), ILTAB (email), NMSS Day (Brenneman) | ||
ENS 56148 | 5 October 2022 04:00:00 | Agreement State | Two Abandoned Sources | The following information was provided by the MA Department of Public Health (the Agency) via email: On 10/05/2022, at 1230 (EDT) , a telephone report was received by the Agency that two discs, each measuring 1.5 inches in diameter and each determined to be containing 0.024 mCi Ra-226 (0.048 mCi total), were found within a load of residential trash picked up in Milton, MA. Each disc measured 6 mR per hour at 3 inches from surface. The discs reportedly did not have any identifying information or markings (no manufacturer name, no date, no serial number) other than 'poison inside'. The discs were placed in secure storage until proper disposal is arranged and completed. The discs are currently presumed to have been inadvertently and unknowingly abandoned by owner. Investigations by the Agency and by Covanta Braintree Transfer Station are ongoing. The Agency considers this matter still open. MA Event Number: to be announced (TBA) 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 | ||
ENS 55697 | 7 January 2022 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Found Moisture Density Guage | The following is a synopsis of an email received from the State of Florida: The State of Florida received a call today around 1530 EST from a business to report they found a Humboldt Soil Moisture Density Gauge (Model 5001P, Serial number 547, 1988) in the gravel parking lot of their place of business. There was only a gauge without it's case. The gauge was found in an upright position, with the source rod appearing to be in the retracted position. The gauge did not appear to damaged, but does look to be very used and worn. The Tampa Bureau of Radiation Control Inspector was notified and is in route to investigate, secure the gauge, and transport it to the Tampa storage unit until it can be transported to the ERCE office in Orlando. The Tampa Police Department was also notified. Humboldt literature from the internet shows the sources to be Cesium-137 less than 11 millicuries and Americium-241/Be less than 44 millicuries. Florida Incident Number: FL22-001 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 | ||
ENS 54426 | 6 December 2019 06:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Density Gauge Found at Scrap Yard | The following was received from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Radiation Protection Section (the Department) via email: On December 6, 2019, the Department was notified by a local scrap facility that they had refused a load of material on December 4 after setting off portal monitors at their site. No reports were made at that time. On December 6, safety staff from the scrap facility assisted in characterization of the material at the originating location. The device was identified as a Seaman Nuclear Density Gauge (Model R-75, SN: 3032). These are manufactured with a maximum activity of 5 mCi Radium-226. No residual contamination was identified in any areas the gauge had been. The Department has dispatched inspectors to perform their own investigation and characterization of the material, and will provide updates as they become available.
The following update was received from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (the Department) via email: Inspectors arrived at the originating location. The material is currently secured in a cargo container away from members of the public. Surveys and swipes do not indicate a leaking source or removable contamination. Surface readings of up to 13 mR/h were observed. The manufacturer has been contacted to identify the last known owner of the gauge. Event Report ID No.: WI190016 Notified R3DO (Daley) and NMSS Events Notification via email. 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 | ||
ENS 52971 | 8 September 2017 18:53:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Orphan Source Discovery | The following information was received by the State of Illinois by email: IEMA (Illinois Emergency Management Agency) was notified at (1353 CDT) on 9/8/17 that a load of ferrous metal was being rejected from a scrap metal recycling facility (Omnisource in Indiana) back to Gaby Iron in Chicago Heights. The max exposure rate was reported at 20 microR/hour (4 microR/hour background). The load is being returned under DOT SP IN-IL-17-010. The suspect load was inspected Monday, September 11th. An Alnor dew pointer device with an intact 7 microCurie Ra-226 source was recovered. No removable contamination was identified. The device was impounded by IEMA and is pending return to an appropriate entity. No additional radiation sources were discovered and the remainder of the load was released without further restriction. Pending appropriate disposal or return to the manufacturer, this matter is being considered closed. The device was an Alnor Instrument portable gauge; Model 7350; Serial Number 230667. The Amersham sealed source was a model RAM.X452; Ra-226; 7 microCurie activity. NMED Report: IL177030 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 | ||
ENS 52929 | 24 August 2017 04:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Damaged Packaging - Source Intact | The following was received from the State of Illinois via email: The corporate RSO (Radiation Safety Officer) for (common carrier) contacted the agency (Illinois Emergency Management Agency) at approximately 1300 (CDT) on August 25, 2017 to notify that last night (August 24, 2017) a Type A package containing 140 GBq of high dose rate brachytherapy lr-192 seeds had suffered physical damage at a (common carrier) facility in South Holland, IL. The package was en route from Community Hospital in Munster, IN to an out of state site for Alpha Omega and shifted during transit. The impact resulted in a cracked rim of the Type A package; however, there was no loss of contents, contamination, or exposure to personnel. Exposure rate surveys verified package contents but no contamination surveys were completed. The incident is being reported to the National Response Center concurrently. Item number: IL177027 National Response Center Incident Report # 1188386
This update is to correct the title of the original event report from "Damaged Source" to "Damaged Packaging - Source Intact" to better reflect the source integrity status. Notified R1DO (Dentel), R3DO (Stone), and NMSS Event Notification (by email). | ||
ENS 52832 | 28 June 2017 04:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Orphaned Cs-137 Source Recovered | The following information was received from the State of New Jersey via email: Received a preliminary report today that a metal recycling center (Sims Metal Management) has isolated a Cs-137 source estimated to be about 30 mCi. Exposure readings on contact are 5 R/hr. Source is isolated and secure. The owner of Sims Metal Management contacted Ecology Services who arrived today, identified the nuclide, took the contact readings, conducted wipe tests and will package it and properly and dispose of it in the near future. Ecology Services received reciprocity from NJ for this work. There are no reported markings on the source. DEP (NJ Department of Environmental Protection) personnel will investigate further. More to follow. 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 | ||
ENS 52559 | 16 February 2017 21:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Cpn Instrotek Notified California of Missing Cpn Nuclear Gauge Location | The following information was received from the State of CA via email: (The) President of CPN InstroTek in North Carolina called Thomas G. Miko of Los Angeles County Radiation Management, the LEA for Radiologic Health Branch (RHB), on February 16, 2017, from his office in North Carolina. (The CPN President) received a phone call from an anonymous caller in California who found a nuclear gauge from CPN InstroTek. The anonymous caller told (the CPN President) that the gauge is in a shed on a ranch in Southern California. (The CPN President) provided the anonymous caller's cell phone number. Thomas G. Miko spoke with the anonymous caller at 4:30 p.m. on February 16, 2017. The anonymous caller stated that he is in Palm Springs, and that the gauge is in a storage shed of items removed from a pawn shop in Temecula, California, after it went out of business. He said that this shed is in Desert Hot Springs, California, outside of Los Angeles County's jurisdiction. Arrangements were made with the anonymous caller for him to drop off the gauge in its original case at the Riverside County Fire Station, where he would contact (a designated) Firefighter. (The CPN President) requested that Radiologic Health Branch provide him with the serial number of the gauge for his own reference, once Radiologic Health Branch employees take possession of the gauge from Riverside County Fire Department. Arrangements were made for (a) Radiologic Health Branch employee to drive from the Brea, Orange County, California office to take possession of the device from Riverside County Fire Department on Friday, February 17, 2017. RHB Brea will follow up to see if they can match the gauge's serial number with that of any previously reported lost or stolen gauges. CA 5010 Number: 021617
The missing gauge was not in the case. Law Enforcement is conducting an investigation. Notified R4DO (Gepford), NMSS (McIntosh) and ILTAB (Pearson).
The State of California is retracting this report since no gauge was identified or recovered. Notified R4DO (Gepford), NMSS (McIntosh) and ILTAB (Pearson).
The missing radiological source was returned tonight (2/21/17) and is currently at a fire station in Riverside County. The gauge will remain at the station overnight and will be picked up by California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch tomorrow (2/22/17). Notified R4DO (Pick), ILTAB (Whitney) and NMSS (McIntosh). 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 | ||
ENS 52467 | 29 December 2016 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Apparent Uncontained Radiation Source Detected | The following information was received via facsimile: On December 29, 2016, the Office of Radiological Health (ORH) was notified that radiation had been detected on a local law enforcement officer's personal radiation detector at the intersection of Route 123 and the I-95 southbound exit ramp in Woodbridge, Virginia. The Prince William County HazMat unit responded and identified the source as cesium-137 using a radioisotope identifier. The source was present in the grassy knoll in the median of the interchange. ORH and other agencies, including the Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Emergency Management and FBI, participated in the initial investigation. The Virginia Department of Transportation, which had representatives at the location, has responsibility for this area and has been requested to arrange for mitigation of the source through the services of a radiation consulting company. Radiation levels were measured at about 10 mR/hr at 1.5 feet above the apparent location of the source and between 30 mR/hr and 50 mR/hr at ground level. Based on the radiation levels and the source location, no radiation exposure occurred to members of the public. The source is apparently below ground and will remain isolated and undisturbed until the Virginia Department of Transportation can arrange for the consultant to remove the item, analyze it, and arrange for its disposal. The consultant is enroute and expected to begin mitigation and disposal efforts late this afternoon. ORH is continuing its investigation and will update this notification when additional information is obtained. Virginia Event Report ID No.: VA-16-015
The following update was received from the Virginia Radioactive Materials Program via facsimile: On December 29, 2016, the Office of Radiological Health (ORR) was notified that radiation had been detected at the intersection of Route 123 and the I-95 southbound exit ramp near Woodbridge, Virginia. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) took mitigation action. VDOT contacted a radiation safety consulting firm which arrived at the scene that evening. A metallic pellet was found after removal of about one inch of soil. The pellet was confirmed to be a cesium-137 source with an activity of about 8 millicuries and a contact exposure rate of 900 milliRoentgen per hour. It was approximately 7 millimeters in diameter and approximately 15 millimeters long. A field leak test of the source and surveys of the area after removal of the source indicated no contamination. The source was placed in a lead shield inside a DOT 7A Type A steel drum overpack. It was sent to the consulting firm's facility for temporary storage pending disposition. This notification will be updated if additional information becomes available. Notified the R1DO (Lilliendahl), NMSS (Henderson), ILTAB (Tucker) and NMSS Events (email). | ||
ENS 52089 | 12 July 2016 04:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Fixed Gauge Found at Metal Recycling Faculty | The following report was received from the Commonwealth of Virginia via facsimile: On July 12, 2016, Sims Metal Recycling, Richmond Virginia, reported to the Virginia Radioactive Material Program (VRMP) that a radioactive source had been found in a shipment of metal. They said the source was a gauge like the one found the previous day in their Petersburg Virginia Facility (see EN #52088). Refer to VA-16-008. VRMP Radiation Safety Specialists performed an onsite review. Labels indicated that the source was a general license device from EG&G Berthold, model not identified, serial number 001095, with a 100 millicurie (September 1990) cesium-137 source, serial number 3023. Maximum radiation levels at contact at the mounting near the shutter were 2 mR/hr, at three feet, maximum levels were less than 0.1 mR/hr. The gauge was placed in a drum in a secured area. Dose estimates by VRMP health physicists indicated no individual was likely to have received more than 1 mrem whole body or 5 mrem extremity dose. On-site tests for leakage indicated no removable contamination. The recycling facility will contact a waste broker to arrange for disposal. The gauge owner was not identified from review of the VRMP general license database. Berthold Technologies USA is reviewing records to identify the owner of the gauge. Virginia Event Report ID No: VA-16-009 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 | ||
ENS 52088 | 11 July 2016 04:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Fixed Gauge Found at Metal Recycling Faculty | The following report was received from the Commonwealth of Virginia via facsimile: On July 11, 2016, Sims Metal Recycling, Petersburg, Virginia, reported to the Virginia Radioactive Material Program (VRMP) that a radioactive source had been found in a shipment of metal. VRMP Radiation Safety Specialists performed an onsite review. Labels indicated that the source was a general license device from EG&G Berthold, model not identified, serial number 001098 with a 100 millicurie (September 1990) cesium-137 source, serial number 3027. The shutter was locked partially open with the opening behind part of the gauge mounting. Maximum radiation levels at contact at the mounting near the shutter were 5 mR; at three feet, maximum levels were less than 0.1 mR/hr. The gauge was placed in a drum using a mechanical hoist and the drum was placed in a secured area. Dose estimates by VRMP personnel indicated no individual was likely to have received more than 1 mrem whole body or 5 mrem extremity dose. On-site tests for leakage indicated no removable contamination. The recycling facility contacted RSO, Inc., a commercial firm, to arrange for disposal. The gauge owner was not identified from review of the VRMP general license database. Berthold Technologies USA is reviewing records to identify the owner of the gauge. Virginia Event Report ID No.: VA-16-008 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 | ||
ENS 51876 | 21 April 2016 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Radiation Level on Package Greater than Limits | The following information was obtained from the State of Texas via email: On April 21, 2016, the Agency (Texas Department of State Health Services) was contacted by the Environmental Protection Agency in response to a notice it had received regarding excessive dose rates coming from a package in shipment. The package was being carried by (a common carrier) and was located at one of its facility in Houston, Texas. The Agency contacted the radiation safety officer (RSO) for (the common carrier). He stated they had been informed by Customs and Border Patrol that one of their packages was reading higher than expected and they had responded. The RSO stated their surveys indicated dose rates at three feet were 41 mrem per hour and 7 rem per hour on contact with the package. The RSO stated their surveys were not consistent with the dose rates reported by Customs. The RSO stated the package contained a 2.79 (11.84 original activity) curie iridium 192 source being returned to the manufacturer. The source was from a high dose rate after loader being returning from outside the United States. The shipping container was opened and the source was found sitting on top of the shield. The source was placed in a different shield and returned to a safe storage location. While the shipper was investigating the event, a person inside the facility called 911. When the hazmat team arrived they performed a radiation survey and decided the dose rates warranted evacuating all the workers from the building. The building was evacuated for more than an hour, but less than two hours. (The common carrier) is investigating the event and any possible exposures to their workers. The RSO stated he did not believe any individual of the general public would have exceeded any limits. The RSO and this Agency has scheduled a call on April 22, 2016, to exchange additional information. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300. Texas Incident No.: I-9391
The Agency contacted the Houston Texas Hazmat Team leader (HTL). They stated their surveys at 200 feet indicated the radiation readings were background. The HTL stated when they arrived the bucket containing the source was on a pallet held in place with plastic wrap and a cinch strap. The HML stated the bucket containing the source was the only item on the pallet. The Hazmat Team (HMT) removed the plastic wrap from the bucket and removed the bucket from the pallet. The bucket (containing the source) was then placed in a 30 gallon container. The container was filled with a dry material containing clay. That container was sealed and placed in a 55 gallon drum. The 55 gallon drum was filled with water and the top placed on the drum. The manufacturer's representative who retrieved the source was contacted. They stated dose rate on the side of the 55 gallon drum was 7 rem/hr (this dose rate was reported as on the side of the package in the initial report.) The dose rate on the top of the source container (package) was 15 rem/hr. He stated he noted the end of the drive cable near and past the source had been damaged. He found that the source was not inside the shield and both security seals were missing from the shipping container. Notified R4DO (Groom) and NMSS Events Notification via email. | ||
ENS 51866 | 11 April 2016 07:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Ra-226 Source Found in Garbage Truck | The following information is a summary of the information received from the State of California: On April 11, 2016, a City of Los Angeles garbage route truck alarmed the radiation monitors at the Athens Waste Services Sunland transfer station. The transfer station supervisor notified the California Department of Health - Radiologic Health Branch. The State dispatched an inspector to the facility. Upon arrival, the inspector was notified that the truck had returned to the City of Los Angeles East Valley Complex. The inspector travelled to the East Valley Complex. Upon arrival at the East Valley Complex, where the truck had been isolated, the inspector was able determine the approximate location of the device in the rear of the truck. The inspector was informed that a crew was not available to dump the contents to search for the item at that time. Arrangements were made for the inspector to return when a crew was available. The truck remained isolated. On April 14th, the inspector returned to the East Valley Complex to search for the source. A crew was assembled and the contents of the truck were dumped. Using a survey meter, the inspector was able to locate a 2.61 mCi Ra-226 radiation oncology treatment needle. No other sources or radioactive devices were discovered. The inspector secured the source in a lead pig and placed it into the State's inventory. Prior to the removal of the source, the highest radiation reading outside the truck was 1.2 mR/hr. on contact. California Report number: 5010-041116 | ||
ENS 51753 | 22 February 2016 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Unplanned Contamination at Metal Recycling Facility | The following information was provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via fax: Notifications: The non-licensee discovered the event on February 23, 2016 and notified the Ohio Department of Health, who then notified our Department (PA Bureau of Radiation Protection) after normal business hours on the same evening. It is reportable per 10 CFR 30.50(b)(1)(i) and 20.2201(a)(i). Event Description: On Monday, February 22, 2016, a large orphan radium-226 (Ra-226) source of unknown total activity or origin was shredded at the PSC Metals facility in Beaver Falls, PA. The recycled material was then shipped to two different Ohio facilities where it was discovered during an inbound radiation scan on February 23, 2016. Cause of the Event: The Pennsylvania facility was (apparently) not performing outbound gamma radiation surveys on recycled materials. Actions: The contaminated shredder, with gamma radiation levels of over 400 mrem/hr, has been isolated. The locker room, clothes, vehicles and workers have been surveyed and no contamination has been found. The gloves of two workers were found to have contamination. A reactive inspection occurred the evening of the 23rd to survey the entrance/gate area of the Beaver Falls facility, and a full emergency response occurred the morning of February 24, 2016. PA and OH Radiation Control Programs are onsite in their respective states and communicating findings. Surveys of employees, vehicles and equipment are ongoing. The response will continue until isolation and containment of Ra-226 is ensured. A local health physics service provider has also been contracted by PSC to assist with the decontamination operation. More information will be provided upon receipt. Media Attention: None at this time, but OH may issue a Press Release. Event Report ID No: PA160007 | ||
ENS 51384 | 8 September 2015 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Orphan Ra-226 Source | The following report was received via e-mail: KY RHB (Kentucky Radiation Health Branch) was notified on 9/8/2015 via the request and issuance of DOT Special Permit No. 10656 KY-KY-15-018 of a rail car emitting ionizing radiation above normal background levels. Personnel at the facility performed exposure rate surveys on the exterior of the rail car. Highest reading was reported as 20 mR/hr with a background reading of 0.005mR/hr. The rail car was returned to the point of origin on 9/8/2015. On 9/9/2015 RHB dispatched a team of inspectors to the origin facility in order to better determine the source of the ionizing radiation. The team discovered 1 Ra-226 static eliminator bar most likely registered under SS&D certificate number NR-654-D-829-U. The team further discovered additional pieces of what appear to be at least one more static eliminator bar in the vicinity of the facility's metal shredding equipment. At this time no removable contamination has been found and there are no indications of personnel overexposures. A decommissioning, decontamination contractor has been contacted by the facility. RHB continues to monitor the situation with onsite inspectors. RHB will update the Commission as more information becomes available. RHB is tracking this event as KY-15-0006. | ||
ENS 51327 | 15 August 2015 04:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Orphan Source Found in a Garbage Truck | A garbage truck containing a radioactive source was reported by local police in Union City, NJ. NJ State police preliminarily identified Ra-226, which was confirmed by NJDEP Radiation Program staff who responded to the event. Exposure rate was measured as 60 mR/hr on contact on the truck. Based on measurements, activity was estimated to be 10 mCi. The US DOT was contacted, and approved issuance of a DOT Special Permit 11406 even though readings exceeded 50 mR/hr. Truck was moved to truck owner's (Galaxy Sanitation) location in Jersey City, NJ., where the hired contractor sorted the load and found a small radium source. No identifying information was on the source. It has been adequately shielded and secured at the site pending disposal. NJDEP will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary. The garbage truck made a pickup in Union City, New Jersey and was stopped by the police because the truck was leaking liquid. As the officer approached the truck, his paging radiac alarmed. New Jersey Incident: C569188
The following information was provided by the State of New Jersey via email: Consultant was able to reduce the surface exposure rate below 50 Mr/hr so that the DOT Special Permit 11406 could be issued. The item was removed from the site by a licensed waste broker on 8/25/2015. Notified R1DO (Jackson) and NMSS Events Notification group via email. | ||
ENS 51322 | 11 August 2015 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Orphaned Source Discovered / Possible Overexposure Involved | (The Oklahoma Environmental Agency, Radiation Management Section) has been informed (on 8/17/2015) that a member of the public was cleaning out a warehouse belonging to Northern Oklahoma College in Enid, Oklahoma on August 15, 2015 when they came across an unusually heavy box. When opened, they found what was apparently a lead pig and about 10 glass vials. The pig was not secured and when tipped over a metal rod approximately 1.25 inches by 3 inches fell out. A piece of masking tape on the rod was labeled 'HOT' and '4 Radium tubes 1 broken.' One of the workers picked up the tube and handled it for a few minutes before they noticed the Radioactive label on the box. At this point, they returned the contents to the box and notified the University. The University does not possess a radioactive materials license. The person who handled the rod is now seeking medical attention complaining of nausea, dizziness, pain like arthritis in his hands, and blistering on his feet. (The Oklahoma Environmental Agency, Radiation Management Section) will be sending an inspector to the University, probably today. More information (will be provided) as it becomes available.
The following update was received from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality via email: The original report documented that the material was discovered on 8/15/2015 while cleaning out a warehouse. This update revised this report to document that the discovery of the radioactive material occurred on 8/11/2015. The individual that handled the material with his hands was wearing leather work gloves when handling the radioactive material, but they were discarded with the other trash. On 8/14/15 the (member of the public) who handled the object reported feeling ill and on 8/17 went to a doctor complaining of nausea, dizziness, pain in his hands, and blisters on his feet. On 8/17/15 (The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Radiation Management Section) conducted a reactive inspection of the facility. Surveys of the facility using a microR meter and survey meter with GM detector did not find any contamination. Wipe tests of various objects and areas were collected and are being counted. The pig was as described in the original report and surveys of it produced readings from 1.5 to 3.5 mR/hr on the exterior and approx. 70 mR/hr directly above the open mouth. A variety of other sealed and unsealed sources were also found, many dating from the late 1950s. The college has secured these and will arrange for their disposal as soon as possible. On 8/18/15 (The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Radiation Management Section) again spoke with one of the workers who stated that the man who handled the source had been diagnosed with a reaction to mold exposure and given a cortisone injection. He was reportedly much better and had returned to work. Notified the R4DO (Campbell), NMSS Events (via email) and NMSS Mgr. (Henderson). | ||
ENS 51315 | 13 July 2015 13:45:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Ndc Gauge Recovered from Landfill | On July 13, 2015, a load of residential waste set off the radiation alarm at Middlepoint Landfill, in Murfreesboro, TN. The load, originally thought to be personnel medical waste, was set aside to decay. (Tennessee Radiological Health) Division staff returned on July 16, 2015, with a Canberra Inspector 1000 (detector), for identification and to obtain a spectrum for analysis. After review, the material was determined to be Am-241. (Tennessee Radiological Health) Division staff returned to landfill on July 17, to search for item. Separated from residential waste, the item was found to be a NDC Model 100 series backscatter gauge, SN #11755. The activity on the label was 0.93 GBq (25 mCi). The gauge was transported to the (Tennessee Radiological Health) Division field office in a probe down position surrounded by lead bricks; this resulted in dose rate readings to nearest occupant at approximately background levels. The (Tennessee Radiological Health) Division staff monitored the gauge in route to the field office. Upon arrival, the gauge was surrounded by lead bricks and stored in an isolated area with a pre-arrival background level of 6 microR/hr dose rate. The post-arrival dose rate readings were 8 microR/hr. Under reciprocity, NDC Technologies personnel are scheduled to pack and remove the gauge on 8/13/2015, for return to the manufacturer. Tennessee State Event Report ID NO: TN-15-102 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 | ||
ENS 51196 | 1 June 2015 06:00:00 | Agreement State | Colorado Agreement State Report - Radium-226 Discovered at Scrap Yard | The following information was obtained from the State of Colorado via email: The Colorado Radiation Program (CRP) is investigating an incident at 711 S. 6th Ave. in Grand Junction, CO. A number of weeks ago, we (CRP) were asked to investigate a crushed car that was rejected at a scrap yard because it set off the radiation detector. Yesterday, (CRP) found in the car, a metal plate approximately 1.5 ft. long, 5 inches wide and less than a half an inch thick that contains Radium-226. The readings on contact with this piece of metal are higher than what our instrument could read which means it's an unknown amount, over 200 mr/hr. Last night, the item was placed in a locked room in a warehouse on the property with no one around it and (CRP) instructed the property owner to not let anyone near it. Today, the Colorado Civil Support Team is responding to the site to verify the isotope and try to determine the dose rate and activity. Additionally, they will help secure the source on site. | ||
ENS 50986 | 15 April 2015 19:15:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Source Discovered at a Transfer Station | The following information was excerpted from a Commonwealth of Massachusetts facsimile: A radiation source was detected in a trash load at the Roxbury Transfer Station (RTS) by radiation detectors at the transfer station entrance. The RTS consultant performed a survey to separate the radiation source from the remainder of the trash. The consultant transported radioactive trash to Atlantic Nuclear (MA license #56-0477) to perform isotope identification. Atlantic Nuclear' s analysis indicates the radiation source contains about 90 microCuries of Ra-226. A dose rate of 15 millirem/hour was measured at about 1 inch from the object. The consultant separated the single object from the trash bag. The source is stored at Atlantic Nuclear and is waiting for proper disposal. The Agency (Massachusetts Radiation Control Program) continues to investigate and considers this event to be open. 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 | ||
ENS 51101 | 14 April 2015 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Cs-137 Found in Waste Entering a Landfill | The following report was received via e-mail: On April 13, 2015, the Agency (Texas Department of State Health Services) was notified by a landfill operator that material in a waste container set off their radiation alarms. The landfill provided a spectrum which showed the isotope as Cesium-137. An on-site investigation by this Agency confirmed the material to be dirt/mud contaminated with Cesium-137. The waste material at the landfill was isolated. The waste collection route sheet used to collect the waste was requested by the Agency. The Agency drove the route traveled by the collection vehicle using an RSI identifier in an attempt to locate the source of the contamination. The detector indicated the presence of radiation in a bar ditch along the intersection of two streets northeast of the City of Houston. Surveys conducted by the Agency identified a reading of 16 millirem on contact with the ground in one spot. Additional surveys indicated additional activity as far as 70 feet from the spot previously mentioned. The Agency received cost estimates from contractors to collect the material from both areas for proper disposal. The city of Houston had been contacted about the contamination and the steps that had been taken by the Agency. The City of Houston decided since the area of contamination was in their jurisdiction, they would be responsible for the remediation of the area. The Agency returned to the area on the evening of May 26, 2015, to inspect the area. The Agency discovered the road the bar ditch was running along had been closed by the city at both ends. There are no homes or businesses that require access to this section of road. The contractor was contacted on May 29, 2015. He stated they had begun work on remediating the area on May 21, 2015. He stated the road was blocked by the Houston City Works Department on that day. He stated they had dug down about 3 feet from the original surface of the ditch. He stated readings on contact at that location are 1 rem/hr. He stated they had come across a water line while they were digging and that it has restricted their use of tools. He stated that due to the dose rates they are seeing now (1 rem/hr) they are now using a low pressure water blaster to excavate the area. He stated they are sucking the water into barrels and monitoring the suction line for dose rates. He stated they would contact the state once the source has been located. On May 29, 2015, the Agency decided that due to the city closing the road to any access, the event should be reported to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Headquarters Operations Officer (HOO.) Event location: Near the intersection of Sunbury and Bacher Streets. Texas Event: I-9303
The following report was received via e-mail: "On April 13, 2015, the Agency was notified by a landfill operator that a load of waste had caused its radiation monitor to alarm. The operator provided a spectrum and the radioisotope was identified as cesium-137. An on-site investigation confirmed the material to be dirt/mud contaminated with cesium. Further investigation was initiated to find the source of the material. Using the waste collection vehicle's route sheets and the Agency's radiation detection equipment, the Agency identified the area where the mud had originated in a drainage ditch along the side of a street, which was within the city's easement. The waste material was isolated and a cost estimate was obtained for a contractor to remediate the area. The initial surface readings obtained in the ditch ranged from 430 microR/hr to 16 mR/hr. During remediation, the readings ranged up to 1Rem/hr and the depth of the material to be removed was within a few inches beneath the soil to a max depth of 14 feet in the most concentrated area. Site remediation was completed by the end of July 2015. The property was released for unrestricted use on September 1, 2015 after final soil samples were analyzed. The highest concentration of contamination, point of origin, was identified at a depth of approximately 14 feet below the ground surface. Ownership of the source of the radioactive material could not be determined. No violations were cited. File closed. Notified R4DO (Werner) and NMSS EVENTS NOTIFICATION via email. | ||
ENS 50972 | 10 April 2015 04:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Radium-226 Source Found in Load of Scrap Metal | The following report was provided by the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program via email: The Agency (Massachusetts Radiation Control Program) provided an on-site response to Turner, Inc., Lynn, MA, a scrap metal facility that had previously received a source back from Prolerized, another scrap metal facility in Everett, MA. The source was originally detected by a radiation detector at the Prolerized site where the dose rate of the source, shielded by scrap metal in a truck, was measured to be 0.1 mrem/hr inclusive of a background of 0.05 mrem/hr. The Agency surveyed the source at the Turner, Inc. site with a multi-channel analyzer and identified the source to contain radium-226 with a contact dose rate of 113 mrem/hr. The detector of the analyzer was approximately 1 cm from the source. Based upon the survey performed, the source contains approximately 15 microCuries of radium-226 and therefore is immediately reportable in accordance with 105 CMR 120.281(A)(1). The source is rectangular and measures approximately 7.5 mm length by 2.5 mm width and height and is without any observed marking or serialization. The source might be of type used for calibration of a liquid scintillation counter. The source is in a plastic bag, inside a container that is segregated, secured and shielded from workers at the scrap metal facility. Turner, Inc. had obtained the services of a radiation safety consultant who had originally isolated the source from the truck and secured the source at Turner, Inc. Exposures, if any, to the public and workers from the source are negligible due to the storage location and interposed shielding. The Agency continues to investigate and considers this event to be open. 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 | ||
ENS 50228 | 23 June 2014 07:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Damaged Fixed Gauge Found in Scrap Metal Shipment | The following information was received by facsimile from the State of Oregon: Event Description: OR Radiation Protection Services (RPS) was notified by facsimile on June 24, 2014 at 0813 (PDT), by Schnitzer Steel Industries, 12005 N. Burgard Way (Portland, Oregon) of one cesium-137 fixed gauge received in a truckload of scrap from Idaho that triggered their site entry detectors. RPS personnel investigated, found the gauge housing to be severely crushed, shutter damaged and partially open. One side of housing is split but compressed together. Identification plate still attached and mostly legible and given as follows: Manufacturer: Texas Nuclear; Model: 5197; Gauge housing serial number: B7951; Source: Cesium-137; Activity: Currently 65 mCi according to Thermo Fisher Scientific. Gauge is being stored in secured metal bin in restricted and remote area on company site. Highest exposure reading at bin surface measured at 1.48 mR/hour. Schnitzer personnel reported 60,000 microR/hour (60 mR/hour) at approximately 4 inches from split side of gauge housing surface when first discovered. Schnitzer personnel (one person) used shovel and 4 foot steel rod with hook to move gauge from truck to storage bin on June 23rd. Estimated dose to company person from reconstruction of gauge move is 1.50 mrem based on a 6/25/14 exposure measurement. No other company employees received a dose from this device and RPS personnel did not receive any appreciable dose. RPS personnel took contamination wipes of gauge housing and found no evidence of exterior contamination after analysis. The manufacturer, now Thermo Fisher Scientific, was contacted and found the gauge was originally sold to a Martell, California company, Wheelabrator Martell, Inc., on August 23, 1996. Thermo added the last contact for leak test services was December, 1999. RPS is currently investigating further to trace gauge history since 1999 as well as location in Idaho where truck originated. The gauge will not be returned to the manufacturer according to Thermo and classified as waste. A waste broker will be contacted by Schnitzer for packaging and disposal. RPS will be monitoring this process. Oregon State Incident: OR-14-0028.
State of Oregon provided clarification of source activity and exposure estimate. Notified the R4DO (Allen) and FSME Resources via email. 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 | ||
ENS 49964 | 26 March 2014 04:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Y-90 Sir-Spheres Treatment Dose Less than Prescribed | The following was received from the State of Florida via email: Y-90 Sir-Sphere injection delivered 62% of prescribed dose. Licensee or Owner is currently unknown. Radiation Services, Inc. (RSI) is a Medical Physics Consulting firm. This event was reported to RSI by a client as a request for consult. RSI did not perform the procedure. No other information is know at this time. Florida Incident Number: FL14-026 A Medical Event may indicate potential problems in a medical facility's use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient. | ||
ENS 49843 | 7 February 2014 06:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Unknown Radioactive Material Discovered in Garbage Truck at Landfill | The following is a summary of information provided via email from the State of Arkansas: On February 7, 2014, the Environmental Manager of Republic Services, Inc. contacted the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) to inform the State that a gate radiation monitor at a landfill near Bauxite, AR had alarmed for an incoming garbage truck. ADH sent three health physicists to inspect the truck. Initial surveys indicated the highest reading on contact on the bottom of the truck of 3.7 mR/hr. ADH was unable to identify the specific isotope. The truck was isolated and ADH returned on February 10, 2014 to survey and evaluate the material on the truck. ADH observed removal of the trash from the truck and identified a vacuum cleaner bag inside a bag of trash that contained the radioactive material. The vacuum cleaner bag was removed and placed in a five gallon plastic bucket which was posted and securely stored in a storage room at the landfill. The survey readings on the side of the bucket were 20 mR/hr. ADH returned on February 12, 2014 to survey the vacuum cleaner bag and evaluate for radioactive decay. The plastic bucket continued to read 20 mR/hr on contact. Further radiation surveys showed highest reading on contact with the plastic bucket were 42 mR/hr and 200 mR/hr localized near the bottom of the vacuum cleaner bag. ADH notified Republic Services, Inc. of the necessity to hire a consultant for identification and disposal of the radioactive material. ADH plans to be present when the consultant is onsite. Arkansas Report Number: AR-2014-002
On March 7, 2014, Chase Environmental Group arrived at the Saline County Landfill, owned by Republic Services, Inc. that is located in Bauxite, Arkansas. The vacuum cleaner bag was opened and the Radioactive Waste Specialists attempted to analyze the material. However, the Exploranium meter could not identify the radionuclide. The material was packaged and transported by Chase Environmental Group to Teledyne Brown Engineering in Knoxville, Tennessee for sampling and disposal. A report from Chase Environmental Group was received on June 20, 2014, which stated that the material contained Cobalt-56, but the activity could not be determined. The Department (ADH) was also not able to determine where this radioactive material came from or how the material got into the public domain. The Arkansas Department of Health considers this incident to be closed." Notified R4DO (Allen) and FSME Events Resource email. | ||
ENS 49513 | 31 October 2013 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Orphan Sealed Source Recovered at a Scrap Yard | The following Agreement State Report was received via facsimile: Notifications: The Southeast Regional (SER) Office was contacted by Coatesville Scrap on October 31, 2013 regarding a radiation alarm on an outbound trailer load. The event is reportable within 24 hours per 10 CFR 20.2201(a)(1)(i). Event Description: On Thursday, October 31, 2013, a radioactive source was detected when a radiation alarm sounded on an outbound trailer load. The alarm was caused by a small metal object. It was located, placed in a lead pipe, crimped and moved to a remote area of the scrapyard behind a large steel piece of equipment. A SER inspector was sent to the site to determine the isotope and activity. It was identified as cesium-137 and a measurement on the surface of the lead pipe was 320 mR/hr. On Wednesday, November 6th the activity was estimated at approximate 10 mCi. It was determined that three members of the public were involved in locating the source, however one had the longest contact with the source; approximately 2.5 hours on and off. It took site staff some time to find the material via shoveling through the solid material and metal of the load. When found, the radioactive source was carried by a shovel approximately 150 to 200 feet away. An individual then carried the source by hand to an adjoining property and placed it in a lead pipe, which was crimped. This took approximately 10 to 15 minutes. A whole body dose documented from the uncalibrated dosimetry that was being worn by this individual was 364 micro-roentgens (microR). SER staff estimate a possible 10 rad dose to this individual's hand. Hands and feet of all parties were surveyed, with no contamination found. Caution tape was used to create a boundary to help notify other employees to stay away from the area. Meter readings at the caution tape boundary were approximately 60 microR/hr. CAUSE OF THE EVENT: Loss of control of a Cs-137 sealed source. ACTIONS: The DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) plans a full investigation of this event. The scrap yard has hired a consultant health physicist to assist with this event and Cs-137 source. The DEP will recommend that the individual who handled the source have their hands photographed and be examined by a physician. Event Report ID No: PA130026 | ||
ENS 49146 | 24 June 2013 18:30:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Scrap Metal Shipment Found to Contain Unidentified Radioactive Material | The Oregon Department of Radiation Protection Services received notification, from a scrap metal recycler in Portland, Oregon, that a shipment of scrap metal, for recycling, contains unidentified radioactive material causing low levels of radiation outside the transport vehicle. The shipment originated from a company located in Missoula, Montana. The shipment is under special permit DOT-SP-10656 without a determination of materials meeting or not meeting the regulatory definition of radioactive material. The shipment is a minor radiological concern (approximately 6,000 cpm) based on considerations of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the state official aligning this shipment approval document. The radioactive material was detected in a truck at a scrap metal recycler's portal monitor in Portland, Oregon. The unidentified item is suspected to be located on the left side, near the landing gear, and on the floor of the trailer. The driver was directed to not rearrange the contents of the truck and the shipment will be returned to the originating company in Missoula, Mt. There is no suspected release of radioactive material, radiation exposures, or personnel injury or contamination. The state is continuing it's investigation and has notified the Montana Department of Public Health. Oregon State Incident Docket # 13-0457 and RPS # 13-0024. | ||
ENS 49035 | 24 April 2013 06:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Found Radium 226 Source | On April 24, 2013, The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (Department) received notification from the Mesa County Landfill located in Grand Junction, Colorado, that a load of trash had alarmed the gate monitor. The roll-off in question came from a residential spring clean-up event sponsored by the city of Grand Junction. That same day, a member of the Department responded to the alarm and the roll-off was moved to a secure location after an initial radiation survey on the outside of the roll-off had been completed. On May 7, 2013, members of the Department examined the contents or the roll-off and a small section of plastic pipe (1 foot length) and a small source bound with tape were identified. It appeared that the source had been taped to the side of the plastic pipe at one time, and the word 'source' was written on the pipe. Using an Identifinder multi-channel analyzer, the isotope was identified as Ra-226. Dose rates were measured at greater than 200 millirem per hour on contact with the source (the limit of the inspector's instrument), and 10 millirem per hour at 1 foot. The dimensions of the source appeared to be approximately 3 mm by 2 cm. The source is currently stored in a secured location. The Department is conducting an investigation, and a press release is being issued to encourage anyone with information about the source to contact the Department.
The following information was received by email: Following the initial event notification on 5/15/13 regarding a found Ra-226 source in Grand Junction, CO, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued a press release that requested anyone with additional information to please contact the DOH. Several days later a member of the public contacted DOH with a possible lead. Using that information, inspectors were able to trace the source back to a private residence in Grand Junction. On 5/24/13, inspectors visited a house in a residential neighborhood and found additional radioactive materials in the attached garage. However, the inspectors were not permitted to enter the residence. Radioactive materials found included 2 more Ra-226 sources and a half dozen small jars containing an unknown radioactive powder, which appeared to be uranium mill tailings. The radioactive materials were removed by the inspectors and taken to a secure storage location where additional measurements/analysis can be conducted. The elderly female resident at the house told inspectors that her late husband and his business associates manufactured Geiger counters during the uranium boom years. Additional information will follow as it is obtained." Notified R4DO (Azua) and FSME Resources via email. 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 | ||
ENS 48799 | 1 March 2013 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Shipment Containing Cesium-137 Found | The following was received from the State of New Jersey via email: Provided below is a summary of the Bureau of Environmental Radiation (BERad) response received today. The owner of the shipment is International Forest Products Corporation (IFP) located in Massachusetts. Therefore, the State of Massachusetts Radiation Control Program was contacted. MA staff contacted IFP who determined that the shipment was originally sent to China and rejected. IFP was informed of this rejection, but was not given a reason for the rejection. The bails of paper came from Connecticut. Because Connecticut is not an Agreement State, the NRC Region 1 was contacted to determine if there was a licensee at that location. State of Connecticut radiation control staff were contacted. The source is shielded, secure and awaiting disposition. At this time it has not been determined who will hire the licensed contractor to package and ship the material for disposal, nor who the contractor will be. At 1453 on 2/28/13, RMP (New Jersey Radioactive Materials Program) personnel received notification from the Communication Center that an international shipping container on a truck was being held at Port Elizabeth due to elevated levels of Cs-137. The FBI, Union City Bomb Squad, Fire Department, EMS, and DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) emergency response responded. Per direction from the FBI, the truck was unloaded at the U.S. Customs East Coast Warehouse at the Port. The container was opened and the contents, which was found to be bales of paper, were unloaded and surveyed. An approximately 6 inch object wrapped in cardboard and duct tape was identified as the source of the elevated readings. The source was isolated and secured by Emergency response personnel, who placed the source in a lead pig (which was shorter than the source), then placed the pig in a 5 gallon pail filled with vermiculite. On 3/1/13, RMP personnel responded to the U.S. Customs East Coast Warehouse to obtain readings and confirm the information that had been reported. DEP emergency response personnel were also at the site today. The highest reading on the outside of the bucket was 220 uR/hr, compared with a background of 10uR/hr. The highest reading with the lid of the bucket removed was 300 uR/hr. Emergency Response placed the bottom part of a second lead pig on top the pig they used yesterday in order to ensure the entire source was covered. The two pieces were then taped together. The highest reading when the source was out of the pig was 2.5 mR/hr on contact. A wipe indicated that the source was not leaking. The highest reading once the source was shielding by the pigs was 20 uR/hr. The pigs were placed in the 5 gallon pail which was then placed in a 55 gallon drum filled with vermiculite. The highest reading on the 55 gallon drum was 15 uR/hr. All readings were obtained with a Victoreen Model 450P ion chamber. A spectrum of the source, taken with an identiFinder, identified the nuclide as Cs-137. | ||
ENS 48753 | 14 February 2013 08:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Discovery of Gas Chromatograph in Building Attic | The following is a synopsis of information received from the State of Oregon via email: When cleaning out an attic storage space acquired from a business partner (Philco International), an employee of the Evonik Corporation discovered a gas chromatograph containing a Ni-63 electron capture device (ECD). The ECD was manufactured in 1993 and contained 15 mCi of Ni-63 at the time of manufacture. The ECD is model number N610-0133 and serial number 1121. The chromatograph was manufactured by Perkin Elmer and was originally sold to InterMedics of Angleton, TX in October, 1993. In 1998, Guidant bought out InterMedics and eventually closed the facility in 1999. It is unknown what happened to the device after the 1999 closure. Evonik Corporation will be contracting out proper disposal of the unit and will inform the State of Oregon when it has been removed. Oregon Incident No.: 13-0009 | ||
ENS 48815 | 14 February 2013 04:00:00 | Agreement State | Blackout Button Found in Load of Scrap Metal | The following information was received by email: On 2/4/13, a scrap metal load shipped by Southern Recycling from Millbury, MA, was rejected by Audubon Metals of Henderson, KY, for triggering the site's radiation detectors. The highest net radiation reading was 10 microR/hr. The vehicle returned to Millbury where, on 2/6/13, one device (described as a WWII "Blackout Button" measuring ~1.75 inch diameter and containing ~10 microCuries Radium-226) was located and removed from load by an independent consultant and isolated in secure storage for further processing. The remaining load re-shipped to Henderson without further incident. On 2/13/13, the device was removed, packaged and shipped to a proper disposal site by a third-party waste broker. The original owner was not determined. The Agency (MA Radiation Control Program) considers this matter closed. SCRAP Docket #: 14-0613 | ||
ENS 48728 | 28 January 2013 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Smoke Detectors Found at Scrap Metal Recycling Facility | The following report was received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Radiation Control Program via facsimile: On 1/28/13, the radiation monitors at `Schnitzer Steel', a scrap metal dealer, detected radiation coming from an incoming truck loaded with scrap metal for disposal. The measured radiation level was 5.3 uR/hr with a background of 3.1 uR/hr. The load was rejected. The MA Radiation Control Program issued a 'DOT-SP 10656 shipment approval form' in order for the truck to return to 'Testa Corporation' (originator of the scrap shipment) of Maynard, MA. At the Maynard site, a consultant unloaded the scrap onto the ground and discovered 21 old smoke detectors. The smoke detector label identified the manufacturer as `Kiddie Corporation, Ashland, MA' and stated the smoke detector contained 1 uCi of Ra-226. The consultant secured all of the smoke detectors from unauthorized removal and is arranging for disposal via a licensed radioactive materials (RAM) waste broker. Massachusetts Report Number: 13-0592 | ||
ENS 49118 | 19 November 2012 07:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Illegal Transfer of a Device Containing Americium-241 | The following information was receive from the State of Arizona via e-mail: On May 16th, 2013, the Agency (Arizona Radiation Regulatory) received notification from the State of Texas that an illegal transfer of a device containing 30 millicuries of Americium-241 occurred on November 19, 2012. The device is a Thermo Niton XLP818 and the device serial number is 6380. The device was shipped from Longview Scrap & Metal, Inc. in Texas to an individual. The address that was given was to a mailbox company where the device was picked up. The company was not able to look up the reference number, due to it being 6+ months since the shipping date. The Agency continues to investigate the location of the device. AZ First Notice: 13-010 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 | ||
ENS 47963 | 25 May 2012 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Uranium Source Found at Metal Check Recycling Facility | On May 22, 2012 we (Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (OKDEQ)) were contacted by the Director of Radiology at INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center in Oklahoma City. The Director informed us that an individual had presented at their Emergency Room complaining that he had been exposed to radiation at the Metal Check, Inc. scrap metal yard located at 5700 South High Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK. According to (the Director), the individual was a heavy equipment mechanic who had been sent to Metal Check to repair a piece of their equipment. While working there he was told by some of the Metal Check employees not to enter a certain part of the facility because it contained radioactive pipe. The mechanic immediately left Metal Check and went to the Medical Center. That afternoon (an inspector with OKDEQ) went to Metal Check and spoke with the owner and the manager. They agreed to allow (the inspector) to survey the pipe in question and showed (the inspector) the area where it was stored and where the mechanic was working. It appeared to (the inspector) that the pipe was located approximately 40 feet from where the equipment was being repaired, making it impossible for the mechanic to receive any significant dose from this material. (The manager) showed (the inspector) a small bin approximately six feet long by four feet high by four feet deep filled with miscellaneous pieces of scrap metal. The top of the bin was surveyed with a Ludlum Model 19 microR meter (S/N 70537, cal. Aug. 18, 2011) which produced a reading of approximately 1100 microR/hr. This was very high for NORM (naturally occurring radioactive material) pipe and (the inspector) also noted that the radiation level was not uniform along the length of the bin, having a definite spike approximately two feet from the left end. This led (the inspector) to conclude that there was a localized source somewhere in the bin at that point. (The inspector) then contacted (his supervisor) and related what (he) had found at the facility. (The inspector) suggested returning the next day with an additional person and additional instruments, and attempting to locate the postulated radiation source. The following morning (the inspector and an associate) returned to Metal Check and began to unload the bin. Almost immediately (they) found what appeared to be a badly corroded metal bucket which had been crushed around an object inside it. A survey of the object with the same Model 19 used the previous day produced a reading of 2.2 mR/hr on contact with the bucket. A Thermo Fisher Interceptor portable gamma spec was used to collect a gamma spectrum from the object, which the instrument identified as shielded Uranium. A second spectrum was collected through a hole in the bucket surrounding the object; this was identified as natural Uranium. A portion of the object was wiped through a hole in the bucket; analysis of the wipe by the DEQ Environmental Lab confirmed the presence of U-235 and U-238, and their daughters. The object was roughly disk-shaped, approximately 12 inches in diameter and one inch thick. One side had a second, smaller disk, approximately 10 inches in diameter, centered on the larger and approximately 2 inches thick. No markings or labels were visible. (The inspectors) estimate the weight of the object at approximately 40 lbs. Three pieces of NORM pipe were also found with high radiation levels (1 mR/hr). All four objects were removed from the bin which was then surveyed again, producing readings of approximately 300 to 400 microR/hr. Rachel Browder and Michelle Hammond of the NRC were informed of the situation later that day by phone. The uranium object was placed in a locked room at the Metal Check facility pending further guidance from NRC. | ||
ENS 47792 | 28 March 2012 20:35:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - a Moisture Density Gauge Was Found in Building | The following information was received from the State of Arizona via email: At approximately 10:00 AM on March 28, 2012, the Agency (Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency (ARRA)) was informed that radioactive material had been detected by the Tempe, AZ Fire Department in an old flour mill. The Agency (ARRA) dispatched a response team to the site to locate and confirm information. The response team determined that the isotope involved is Cesium-137 and based on the label information approximately 25 millicuries remain in the device. The device is labeled on the accessible surfaces as a Kay Ray Model 7107 gauge and also as a Model 7519B gauge assembly SN 13454. Based on the site history and the labels, it appears that the device was transferred to Bay State Milling in the 4th quarter of 1980 or the 1st quarter of 1981. The Agency (ARRA) did not issue a specific license for this site. We assume that the device was transferred as a GL (Generally Licensed) device and remained in use into 1998. Only about 10% of the site has been surveyed thus far. The site security is being maintained by the Tempe FD (Fire Department). The Agency (ARRA) is now searching historical records for information, including any other devices on site. The Agency (ARRA) continues its investigation. Arizona Report #: 12-008 | ||
ENS 47613 | 19 January 2012 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Radium-226 Sources Discovered at Waste Transfer Station | The following event was received via facsimile from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Bureau of Radiation Protection: Event Description: On Thursday, January 19, 2012, DEP's southeast regional office received a call from the Waste Management, Inc. Norristown solid waste transfer station stating that a roll-off container of waste had set off their radiation alarm. The facility's consulting health physicist investigated, along with representatives of the Department's Bureau of Radiation Protection. The radioactive material recovered from the roll-off was four (4) small cylinders identified as approximately one (1) curie (total) of radium-226 contained in what appeared to be a lead-lined box. The lead-lined box (with shiny exterior) was inside an old metal locking box that contained various other source holders, instruments and applicators, some containing the name 'Standard Chemical.' It is believed these Ra-226 sources are vintage circa 1920 medical radiation therapy capsules. Preliminary wipes revealed no significant removable contamination, thus, no leaking sources. The consultant HP was given a DOT Special Permit for transport, and (took) possession of the Ra-226 for safe and secure storage. Contact dose rates outside the closed shiny metal lead-lined box were as high as 2.0 R/hr. In an open configuration, dose rates were about 100 R/h in near contact with the sources. The unlocked roll-off container was located for several weeks in a parking lot of an adult-only living community in West Chester, PA while a contractor performed work on townhomes in the development. Department personnel have been in touch with the contractor and will be interviewing workers, as well as nearby homeowners to determine if any people were significantly exposed to these sources. Local outreach is also planned to ensure similar sources are not in the public sector. CAUSE OF THE EVENT: Suspected intentional abandonment of old medical radium sources in an open construction waste dumpster. ACTIONS: The Department is in contact with DOE and a LLRW vendor for transfer or disposal of Ra-226 sources. Further investigations will be performed, as well as any needed dose reconstruction. Pennsylvania Report: PA120004 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 This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source. | ||
ENS 47559 | 28 December 2011 07:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Two Nuclear Gauges Found at Metal Recycling Facility | The following report was received from the State of Colorado Radioactive Material Unit via facsimile: This memo is to serve as a preliminary report for an incident concerning fixed nuclear gauges which were discovered at a Colorado scrap yard which is not licensed for that type of material. The Department (State of Colorado) was notified on December 28, 2011 that two gauges were identified at Rocky Mountain Recycling in Commerce City, Colorado. The initial notification indicated that they were both TN 5100 gauges (subsequently determined to be TN 5200 gauges) with an original activity of 20 mCi in 1986. Rocky Mountain Recycling currently has a Colorado provisional radioactive materials license (Colo. 9016-01) and is licensed for six sections of scrap pipe which are contaminated with NORM in the form of pipe scale. For normal operations, Rocky Mountain Recycling does not possess a radioactive materials license. The Department responded to Rocky Mountain Recycling on December 29, 2011. Two fixed gauges were at that location, both TN Technologies model 5200 gauges with serial numbers B1130 and B1131. Both gauges contain Cs-137 (verified using an ldentiFinder). Gauge B1130 contains 20 mCi as of December, 1986 and gauge B1131 contains 20 mCi as of October, 1986. The gauges were being stored in a steel drum away from public access. A wipe test was taken in the field on the drum prior to opening and no contamination appeared to be present. Wipe tests were also taken on the shutters of both gauges and no contamination appeared to be present. Both gauges appeared to be in good shape, there was some rust and weathering on the outside of the source housing but otherwise the source housing and shielding appeared to be in working condition. The gauges were found without a lock to keep the shutter in the closed position. One gauge (B1131) was found with the shutter partially opened. Gauge B1130 could not have the shutter completely opened due to the steel mounting frame being bent. Both shutters could be manipulated by hand. Rocky Mountain Recycling provided padlocks to lock the shutter in the closed position for both gauges. Dose rate measurements were taken around the shielding of the gauges. On contact, both gauges measured approximately 2.5 mRem/hour. With the shutter open, the highest reading in the beam of gauge B1130 was approximately 60 mRem/hour on contact, 15-20 mRem/hour at approximately 1 foot, and 3-3.5 mRem/hour at approximately 1 meter. With the shutter open, the highest reading in the beam of gauge B1131 was approximately 70 mRem/hour on contact, 10 mRem/hour at approximately 1 foot, and 1.5 mRem/hour at approximately 1 meter. Around the drum the gauges were stored in, the highest reading on contact was 1.5 mRem/hour, the highest reading at one foot was 0.3 mRem/hour, and the highest reading at 1 meter was 0.08 mRem/hour. Colorado Report Number: I11-23 | ||
ENS 47397 | 28 October 2011 17:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Orphaned Source Discovered at a Scrap Metal Facility | An outgoing shipment of scrap metal from the Yaffe Iron and Metal Company detected a radioactive source when going through the monitoring process. It is thought an orphaned radioactive source entered the scrap metal yard with an unmonitored shipment of aluminum. Upon further investigation, a radioactive metal rod of about 15 inches long was discovered in the outgoing shipment of scrap metal. Initial readings indicate a dose about a 200 mRem at 2 inches from a metal box that contains the source. Based on the use of a G-M detector, the activity is estimated to be 3.75 Ci. The metal box is constructed of one quarter inch steel. Initial portable gamma spectrometry indicates the source is Radium-226. The source is currently locked in the metal box. The State of Oklahoma is currently on the scene investigating and will determine a list of potential individuals who may have been exposed to the source. A preliminary assessment has determined that one individual received about 600 mRem to the hand. THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "CATEGORY 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Category 3 sources, if not safely managed or securely protected, could cause permanent injury to a person who handled them, or were otherwise in contact with them, for some hours. It could possibly - although it is unlikely - be fatal to be close to this amount of unshielded radioactive material for a period of days to weeks. These sources are typically used in practices such as fixed industrial gauges involving high activity sources (for example: level gauges, dredger gauges, conveyor gauges and spinning pipe gauges) and well logging. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source | ||
ENS 47396 | 13 October 2011 16:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Dose Misadministration | The following information was received by facsimile: NYS Incident 935 - On 10/31/2011 a NY radioactive materials licensee reported a diagnostic misadministration which occurred on 10/13/2011 and discovered on 10/28/2011. A patient undergoing diagnostic imaging of the thyroid using Iodine-123 was administered 4.21 mCi instead of the intended 400 uCi. The estimated dose to the patient's thyroid is 58 rem. This is a preliminary 24 hour notification report. The facility is performing an investigation and root cause analysis. Telephone communications with the facility (and the State of New York) are ongoing. The facility is required to submit a written report within 15 days. New York Event: NY-11-25 A Medical Event may indicate potential problems in a medical facility's use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient. | ||
ENS 46213 | 3 August 2010 06:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Radioactive Material Found in Scrap Shipment | On August 3, 2010, the Department (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment) received a phone call from the Utah Division of Radiation Control. A steel mill in Utah was returning a shipment of scrap metal to Colorado due to the portal monitor indicating radioactive material present in the shipment The shipment origin was Van Gundy Ampco at 1018 S. 5th Street, Grand Junction, Colorado (a scrap metal company, not a radioactive materials licensee). On August 12, 2010, the DOT paperwork was faxed from Utah to the Department. The DOT special permit indicated the material was a railcar with a side which scanned at 22 (micro)R/hr (background = 0.005 mrem/hr). On August 19, 2010, the railcar was returned to Van Gundy Ampco in Grand Junction. The Department made the determination using an IdentiFinder that the material was an oilfield pump contaminated with Ir-192 with a dose rate of 0.34 mrem/hr. The pump was isolated from public and workers with barrier tape. On August 25, 2010, Protechnics (license CO-545-01) agreed to take possession of the pump to decay in storage. Protechnics is licensed for Ir-192, so no provisional license will need to be issued to Van Gundy Ampco or Protechnics. On August 27, 2010, Protechnics took possession of the oilfield pump. Personnel from Protechnics cleaned an oily residue out from the oilfield pump. The pump at this point scanned as indistinguishable from background and was released for unrestricted disposal. The oily rags and materials used to decontaminate the pump were taken to the Protechnics site in Fruita, Colorado for decay in storage. The source of the Ir-192 is unknown as the oilfield pump was in a railcar full of scrap metal and the pump bore no identifying marks. Therefore, no Notice of Violation has been issued in regards to this incident. Additionally, the public dose in regards to this incident is also unknown as it is not known how long the pump was in public and the route the pump took from the oilfield to the scrap yard. This incident is considered closed. Colorado Incident I10-11 | ||
ENS 46147 | 2 August 2010 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report Involving a Source Found in a Load of Scrap | The following report was received from the State of Alabama via fax: The Agency (Alabama Office of Radiation Control) received a call from representatives at Huron Valley Steel Corporation in Anniston, AL on August 2, 2010 regarding elevated readings from a load of scrap. Huron Valley personnel indicated that the facility received the load from American Cast Iron Pipe Company (ACIPCO) in Birmingham, Alabama. An Agency representative asked Huron Valley personnel (to) isolate and secure the scrap. Agency representatives visited Huron Valley Steel on August 3, 2010 to assist with measurement, identification, and securing the possible source of radiation. Agency representatives noted that the source of radiation was approximately 6 inches wide x 2 inches deep x 1-2 inches (in) height. Agency representatives noted that the source of radiation no longer bore any identifying marks and appeared to be compacted. Agency representatives noted that exposure readings were approximately 330 mR/hr at approximately 4 inches from the source. Agency representatives measured for removable contamination in the field (none noted); representatives noted that areas around the source's location in the scrap did not appear to be contaminated. Agency representatives ensured that the source of radiation was isolated, shielded, and secured as of the date and time of submission of this report. The Alabama Office of Radiation Control (Agency) is investigating the origination point of this source of radiation. Agency personnel are gathering data for personnel exposure estimations. Agency personnel are in the process of identifying the nuclide in the source of radiation. The aforementioned information is the most current information available to the Agency as of the date of report submission, August 4, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. central time. Alabama Incident 10-35 - Report regarding Source of Radiation Found in Scrap | ||
ENS 46061 | 24 June 2010 16:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report Involving a Found Ra-226 Source | (A) transfer station for waste disposal detected radioactive material contained in a roll-off container with other debris. (The) debris came from a house clean-out job in Newton Corners, MA. (The) transfer station called Holliston Fire Department who responded with survey instruments capable of identifying radioactive material (RAM). (The)RAM was identified as Ra-226 contained in a device that appeared to be from a WWII vintage aircraft. (The) Agency sent an inspector to verify description of RAM trash. (The) inspector confirmed the RAM is Ra-226 contained in an aircraft leveling device. (The) inspector placed the device in a plastic container and sealed (it) with radioactive warning tape. The external dose rate measured 0.1 mR/ hr. The plastic container was placed in secure storage awaiting disposition of RAM. | ||
ENS 45954 | 21 May 2010 04:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Lost Source Found in Scrap Metal | The following information was received by fax: On Friday May 21, 2010 radiation detectors alarmed due to a device containing 200 mCi of Americium (Am)-241 detected at the ATI (Allegheny Technologies Incorporated) Midland (Pennsylvania) facility prior to a charge being loaded into the furnace. On Monday May 24, 2010 an employee from Allegheny Raw Materials (ARM) saw part of a radiation symbol in the off-loaded metal scrap and contacted AHP (Applied Health Physics) when they got high radiation level readings. The scrap metal had passed thru two sets of radiation detection monitors prior to being detected by a rail detection system. When AHP responded, production was stopped at ATI (which uses an electric arc furnace), and AHP checked the three charge buckets, and other areas. The Am-241 gauge was reading about 150 mR/hr on contact. The manufacturer of the device is NDC systems, serial # 295. The device was sold to Magla Corp (NC) (in) January of 1976. The device (is) onsite and has been wrapped in lead by AHP. AHP and ATI have labeled the device with a 'caution radioactive material' sign and stored it in a secured room with two chains and two locks. Pennsylvania Event Report ID No: PA100007 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 | ||
ENS 45819 | 7 April 2010 05:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State - Depleted Uranium Found in Scrap Metal | A scrap yard located in Seguin, TX was processing a rail car loaded with scrap metal when their radiation detectors alarmed. When the load was investigated a Varian Linear Accelerator was found (serial number 71). The source of radiation was determined to be from approximately 100 lbs. depleted Uranium contained in the unit. The shipment originated from Austin, TX. * * * RETRACTION FROM RAY JISHA TO CHARLES TEAL ON 4/8/10 AT 1302 * * * Additional investigation determined that the Varian CLINAC 18 accelerator does not contain depleted Uranium. The shields in this model are made of tungsten. | ||
ENS 45802 | 29 March 2010 06:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Found Portable Density Gauge | The following information was received from the State of Colorado via facsimile: On 3/29/10 this department was notified of a portable density gauge that had been left at a property that had been foreclosed on. We responded to the property and found a CPN MC-3 density gauge. The s/n M390304939. We have taken possession of the gauge and it is now being stored in a secure area. We have contacted the manufacturer who is attempting to track the serial number. According to the NMED database, this gauge was reported stolen in 1999. The gauge contained 50 mCi of Am-241/Be and 10 mCi of Cs-137. NMED Report #990562. | ||
ENS 45610 | 4 January 2010 06:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State - Moisture Density Gauge Found in Scrap Metal | The department received an email on January 4, 2010 from Miller Compressing, Milwaukee, WI, describing a load of scrap metal received on December 24, 2009 that set off the radiation detector. On January 4, 2010, they isolated a damaged Seaman Nuclear Model R-75 moisture density gauge containing 4.5 mCi of Radium-226, serial number 3276. Miller Compressing placed the device in a locked storage area. Seaman Nuclear has agreed to conduct a leak test to ensure source integrity and transport the device back to their facility in Oak Creek, WI this week. WI Report No.: WI100001
Seaman Nuclear conducted a leak test on January 8, 2010 and found the radioactive source was shielded and no removable contamination. They transported the device back to their facility in Oak Creek, WI. Notified R3DO(Stone) and FSME EO(McIntosh) | ||
ENS 44690 | 22 November 2008 19:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Radium Vials Discovered in Home | The Bureau of Radiation Protection (BRP) received a call through our 24-hour answering service, at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 22, 2008. The caller, from Harrison, Ohio indicated that she purchased birth stones from an internet auction house a couple of weeks ago. However, it wasn't until Friday evening, November 21, 2008 that she opened a plastic drawer (part of what was purchase) and found 3 vials indicating radium. The caller then proceeded to do some research of radium on the internet and decided to call ODH the next day. She indicated the vials have been isolated and will not be touched until BRP staff can assess the radiological hazard (if any.) BRP indicated that we would like to send a health physicist to her house in the next couple of hours to survey the vials, her home, and assess her exposure. Health Physicist 3, Eric Denison was contacted. He picked up the response vehicle and survey equipment. He arrived at the caller's home ((Deleted), Harrison, Ohio 45030) at approximately 7:00 PM. Survey results showed no radioactive contamination on the caller and none found on her clothes, in her bathroom, and none found in other areas where there would have been the possibility/expectation of radioactive contamination. The HP3 indicated that the 1" reading on the side of the vials located in the garage indicates 15mR/hr. It appears from the surveys there is not a spread of radioactive contamination that had us concerned from the onset of the first phone call. The impact appears to be minimal and limited to the radium vials. The 3 radium vials are to be isolated, locked in a tool box in the garage, until an appropriate disposal can be arranged. The HP 3 finished remaining surveys and provided the caller a summary of what he has found, including bureau contact information. Attached are two pictures from our response to the radium discovery. The first gives an idea of the size of the vials as compared to the metal case and the nitrile glove under the case. The second gives a closer view of the third vial. The case is approximately 7 inches long and perhaps 2.5 inches wide. I apologize for not getting a ruler or coin into the pictures for size comparison. The label on the first vial is almost completely gone, and the label on the second is partially gone. The label on the third is almost intact. I did not notice any writings or markings other than the printing, but did not take time to examine them closely. The labels read: 'Radium - Chimie', 'Teufen - App.', 'Qual. No.', 'Nuance'. When presented by the owner, the vials were contained in the metal watch case shown in the photos. Dose rate as measured with a Bicron MicroRem was approximately 15 mRem/hr at a distance of 1 inch from the top center of the case. Smear wipes showed no removable contamination on the exterior of the case. On opening the case, HP3 found the vials wrapped loosely in a plastic zipper bag (but not inside the bag). HP3 removed the vials and arranged them for the photographs. HP3 did not smear the vials or the inside of the case. (Individual) told BRP she has no way of paying for the appropriate disposal of the radium vials. BRP told (Individual) at the time we would try to get USEPA to take possession at no cost to her. ODH BRP contacted USEPA orphan sources program to see if they would be willing to dispose of the radium vials. USEPA confirmed that they will take possession and dispose of the radium vials found at a residence in Harrison, Ohio. ODH informed the resident, (Individual), and indicated that she could expect a call from USEPA. ODH-BRP contacted Jim Mitchell at USEPA (orphan sources unit) Chicago, to follow-up on our email we sent them on Monday. We indicated to Jim that ODH will need to be involved in this as they move forward. USEPA agreed and looks forward to the cooperation. USEPA has contacted (Individual) and arranged for USEPA to take possession on Thursday 12/4/08 at 10:00 AM. ODH is currently still investigating where the radium came from. USEPA response will also include their investigation unit as they want to pursue how and where the radium was obtained. ODH indicated to USEPA we have the same concern and will need to be included when they meet the resident on Thursday. USEPA currently believes their team to include: Gene Jablonowski - Health Physicist Chicago Office, Bill Ryzek - USEPA investigator Chicago Office, Steve Renninger - Cincinnati Office, John Sherod - Cincinnati Office. ODH will meet USEPA at the residence: Eric Denison - HP 3, Stephen Helmer. | ||
ENS 44464 | 8 August 2008 07:00:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report Involving a Lost or Stolen Tritium Exit Sign | The following report was received via email from the State of Washington: On August 22, 2008 the department received a report of missing GL radioactive material by a property manager of an apartment building in Seattle, Washington. The device is a Tritium exit sign light module, manufactured by Shield Source Incorporated of Ontario, Canada. Calculations indicate that on August 27, 2008, the source activity was 251 GBq (6.8 curies) of Hydrogen-3. The last known location of the device and radioactive source was in an apartment building located at 1535 Bellevue Ave, Seattle, Washington. The device was discovered missing by the apartment manager's maintenance staff sometime around August 8, 2008. When the maintenance person called an exit sign distributor to order a replacement exit sign, the distributor told the individual to report the missing exit sign to the department. Keywords: MATERIAL STOLEN AND NOT RECOVERED Form of Radioactive Material: SEALED SOURCE Manufacturer: SHIELD SOURCE INC Model Number: NR Radionuclide or Voltage (kVp/MeV): H-3 Source Use: SELF LUMINOUS Activity: 6.8 Ci (or) 251.6 GBq Device Name: RADIOLUMINESCENT SIGN Manufacturer: SHIELD SOURCE INC Model Number: EITHER 101 OR 201 Reference Number: WA-08-059 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. This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source | ||
ENS 44058 | 12 March 2008 18:30:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State - Unidentified Radioactive Material Received at Metal Recycling Facility | The State of Oregon Radiation Services Section reported that they had sent an inspector to Schnitzer Steel in Portland, Oregon due to unidentified radioactive material that had been received by the facility. A barge of metal for recycling had been received from Amix Recycling of Vancouver, British Columbia that set off a radioactive portal alarm. The radioactive material has not yet been specifically identified. The State inspectors have determined that one of the radioactive sources appears to be a process gauge with a Cesium source. There is also indication of a Radium or Cesium source in a scrap metal pipe. The State will ensure that the sources are adequately secured and will be following the licensees interactions with the originator of the shipment in terms of long term disposition of the sources. Oregon Report Number 08-0025
Oregon Radiation Protection Services personnel have completed an initial survey of the empty barge that contained two radiation gauges with Cesium-137. One gauge (mat scanner) was sheared apart with scrap steel equipment and was leaking along both shear points. Both gauges have been secured and contamination has been contained at this time. The Oregon 102nd Civil Support Team also assisted with the final survey and decontamination evaluation onsite and the site has been secured for today. A U.S. EPA Region X team has been activated by U.S. EPA Duty Officer and is enroute to Oregon to assist with further site evaluation and investigation. Oregon RPS personnel will be coordinating with the U.S. EPA team tomorrow morning for any final survey work and evaluation of potential enforcement concerns related to removal of radiation warning labels from these gauges. Notified R4DO (Pruett) and FSME (Bradford). | ||
ENS 43811 | 28 November 2007 01:11:00 | Agreement State | Agreement State Report - Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material Found at a School | The Agreement State submitted the following information via e-mail: At approximately 6:11 PM November 27, 2007, the Agency was informed that the Washington Elementary School District had found some radioactive material and had called the Glendale Fire Department. The material was found when the District was cleaning out some chemicals. The Glendale and Phoenix Fire Departments responded and they detected radiation with their instrumentation. At that point the Agency was contacted. The radioactive material was identified as radium 226 and read 220 microrad at 3 inches from the container. Wipes and alpha surveys checks made in field were negative. Laboratory results pending. Based on the radiation reading at 3 inches, we estimate that a total of between 0.5 to 5 microcuries of radium may be present. The material was secured until a waste broker can remove it. The form of the radium was not determined. The (Arizona Regulatory) Agency continues to investigate this event. Arizona Report First Notice Number: 07-013 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. This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source |