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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.

• * * UPDATE ON 7/25/2024 AT 1036 EDT FROM ATNATIWOS MESHESHA TO SAMUEL COLVARD * * *

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)

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

• * * UPDATE AT 1451 EST ON 12/30/16 FROM CHARLES COLEMAN TO JEFF HERRERA * * *

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).

(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.

• * * UPDATE AT 1013 EDT ON 8/24/15 FROM KEVIN SAMPSON TO JEFF ROTTON * * *

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).

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

• * * UPDATE ON 10/23/2015 AT 1153 EDT FROM ARTHUR TUCKER TO DONG PARK * * *

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.

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.

• * * UPDATE FROM DARYL LEON TO VINCE KLCO VIA EMAIL ON 6/27/14 AT 1336 EDT * * *

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

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

• * * UPDATE FROM KAYLA AVERY TO DANIEL MILLS VIA EMAIL ON 6/25/14 AT 1107 EDT * * *

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.

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

• * * UPDATE AT 1921EDT ON 03/13/08 FROM STATE OF OREGON (TERRY LINDSEY) TO STEVE SANDIN VIA EMAIL * * *

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).