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| Start date | Reporting criterion | Title | Event description | System | LER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENS 40530 | 17 February 2004 22:00:00 | 10 CFR 30.50(b)(1) | Unplanned Contamination | USAF personnel in the Johnston Atoll in the Pacific were attempting to remove the "batteries" from an exit sign they believed to be battery powered. During the attempt to open the case, they destroyed the sign only to discover that it was a tritium sign. All tritium modules were broken. Five personnel were in the room at the time and all were potentially exposed to the tritium. The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) isolated the room and the personnel clothing, etc. Pre-cleanup surveys indicated greater than 6 times the normal background survey readings in the room. The RSO double-bagged the sign and tritium module debris. The room and work areas were decontaminated. Post-cleanup surveys indicated normal background readings. Personnel uptake and dose evaluations are currently being assessed. The tritium sign was an Isolite model 2040 with original activity of 15.0 Curies and was manufactured in March of 1993. Current activity was calculated to be 8.06 Curies. The RSO will follow up with Region 4 concerning personnel tritium uptake and contamination levels as well as equivalent dose calculations. The licensee will be notifying Region 4 Materials branch. |