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ENS 5709430 April 2024 15:54:00The following was received from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) via email: On Monday night, April 29, 2024, Converse Consultants radiation safety officer (RSO) reported the loss of a Troxler moisture density gauge (model 3440, serial 31135) containing sealed sources of Cs-137 (8 mCi) and Am-241:Be (40 mCi). The loss was noticed by the authorized user (AU), after he returned to the Redlands office from a jobsite in Jarupa Valley. The AU admitted that he must have left the Troxler gauge on his tailgate when taking a phone call in the cab of his truck, then left the jobsite for the day and forgot to put the gauge back into its type A case before transport. The AU told the RSO he retraced his travel route but did not locate the gauge that night. The RSO notified the Riverside County Sheriff of the missing gauge and notified CDPH of the loss at 1843 (PDT). Upon returning to the jobsite the next day, the construction workers found the gauge. Apparently, the gauge fell off the tailgate within the jobsite, and the construction workers found the gauge and held it in storage until the AU returned to the jobsite. The gauge handle was locked into the safe/shielded position when it fell off the tailgate, and the source rod remained in the shielded position after the fall. The gauge case and electronics sustained minor damage. The AU took the recovered gauge to a service provider (Maurer Technical Services) on April 30, 2024, for leak testing and damage assessment for the minor case/electronic damage. The licensee will report the leak test results to CDPH when they become available. The licensee will gather additional information for the follow up investigation and provide additional information to the CDPH as it becomes available. California control number: 24-2488
ENS 570095 March 2024 17:30:00The following information was provided by the California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch via email: Isolite Corporation notified the California State Warning Center of the loss of a container containing eight tritium exit signs with a total activity of 60.8 curies of tritium (H-3). Fifty-one containers of tritium signs were to be delivered by (common carrier). Only 50 containers of tritium exit signs were delivered, leaving one container containing the eight exit signs missing. (The common carrier) is currently conducting a search to determine the status of the missing container of exit signs. Since this exceeds the amount of H-3 by greater than 1000 times the value in Appendix C of Part 20, it constitutes a less than or equal to 24-hour reportable event. 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 5689115 December 2023 14:29:00The following was submitted by the California Radiation Control Program via email: Licensee reported the loss of a Troxler 4640-B # 1383, containing a sealed source of 8 mCi of Cs-137, on December 14, 2023, in the evening. Los Angeles (LA) County-Duty Officer took the initial call from the assistant radiation safety officer. The report was forwarded to LA County Radiation Management and the (State of California) Radiologic Health Branch-South. It was reported that the operator of the device drove only about one mile from the jobsite before realizing the gauge was not in his vehicle's enclosed camper-shell. The driver turned around to search for it and was unsuccessful. The LA County Sheriff's office was also contacted." 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 566594 August 2023 19:17:00The following information was provided by the California Department of Public Health via email: On August 4, 2023, the Radiation Safety Officer for Anbessaw Consulting, Inc. contacted Los Angeles County Radiation Management to report a stolen moisture density gauge. After receiving the report, the information was forwarded to the California Department of Public Health. The gauge was a CPN International model MC-3, Serial Number M320500859 (10 mCi Cs-137 (nominal), 50 mCi Am-241:Be (nominal)). The gauge was stolen from a 20 foot (long) Container Express (CONEX) box stored at a fenced in and secured construction site with security guards. The gauge was placed in storage around 1700 (PDT) on August 3, 2023, and discovered to be missing around 0600-0615 on August 4, 2023. The lock on the CONEX box had been cut and the transport case containing the gauge was removed from the CONEX box. No other items were stolen from the CONEX box. The transport box was secured with a lock, and a lock was placed on the trigger of the gauge. After a search of the area near the CONEX box was conducted without finding the gauge, the Los Angeles Police Department was contacted, and a burglary report was filed. After the report was filed, a further search of the construction site and the area surrounding the site was made without finding the gauge or its transport case. The licensee's investigation into this event is ongoing and will be reviewed further by the California Department of Public Health. 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 563947 March 2023 18:36:00The following was received from the California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch via email: On Tuesday, March 7, 2023, the Krazan and Associates, Inc. Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) reported the theft of a moisture density gauge, CPN MC-3 (M351208119) containing sealed sources of Cs-137 (10 mCi) and Am-241:Be (50 mCi), Cal OES control number: 23-1630. The theft occurred overnight between Monday and Tuesday, March 6-7, 2023, at the office's equipment storage container located within their fenced in property. The RSO stated that the thief cut a hole in the back fence that borders an open dirt area behind their lot and then cut the lock off of the storage container and opened the doors. This theft was reviewed on security camera footage. They had several gauges in the storage container and other construction equipment, but only this one gauge was stolen. The other equipment was assumed to be too heavy for the thief. The CPN nuclear gauge handle was locked to prevent operation. The gauge was locked in its transport case, and the company had contact information on the gauge and case. Lancaster police were notified. An investigation will be conducted, and a report will be provided when available. The licensee was advised to submit a reward ad in the local paper to aid in the recovery effort. Further information will be provided as it becomes available. California Event Number: 030723 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 5632325 January 2023 16:15:00The following information was provided by the California Department of Public Health - Radiation Health Branch (RHB) via email: On December 23, 2022, an authorized user of Nova Services, Inc. completed his use of radioactive Troxler 3430 gauge, serial number-32415 and returned it to the temporary storage location (Redacted) in Marina Del Rey, CA. The radioactive gauge was stored until the next time needed for for a work project in Marina Del Rey on January 24, 2023, at which time the authorized user discovered that the radioactive gauge was not in the storage unit, and reported the loss/theft to his Field Supervisor. The Field Supervisor reported the theft to an Inspector from the (Radiologic Health Branch - Radioactive Materials Inspection, Investigation, Compliance, and Enforcement Section) RHB-ICE Brea Regional office. The investigation is ongoing to determine the status of the radioactive gauge and will be reported to the local law enforcement agency, as well as contacting local newspapers in an attempt to retrieve the stolen radioactive gauge, and notifying local servicing vendors of radioactive gauges to be alert for the serial number of the stolen gauge in case it turns up for service. The gauge has not been recovered. California 5010 Number: 012423 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 5623924 November 2022 15:38:00The following information was provided by the California Department of Public Health - Radiation Health Branch (RHB) via email: On Wednesday night, November 24, 2022, Arrow Infrastructure Solutions Inc. (doing business as) dba Arrow Engineering (Radiation Safety Officer) RSO (redacted) reported to (California Office of Emergency Services) Cal OES the loss or possible theft of a CPN moisture density gauge, MC-1DR-P (MD70803845) containing sealed sources of Cs-137 (10 mCi) and Am-241:Be (50 mCi), Cal OES Control :22-6906. The loss or possible theft was noticed by the authorized user (AU) at a gas station in Mojave, CA as the user was returning from a jobsite. The AU noticed the truck tailgate down and the CPN gauge missing as they were leaving the gas station after a restroom break, the gauge possibly fell out of the truck on Highway 58 in between Tehachapi and Mojave. The AU retraced their route on the Highway but had not located the gauge so far, they will search again on 11/24/22 during the daylight. The licensee will gather additional information for the follow up investigation and provide additional information to the department as it becomes available. UPDATE: The FBI notified RHB Management that the gauge had been found by a member of the public and turned into the Kern County Law Enforcement Agency. The RSO was notified and provided with contact information so the gauge could be retrieved. The RSO was instructed to do a wipe/leak test, get it analyzed quickly, and secure the gauge in storage until a negative result was returned. If a leak is detected, they will coordinate with a service company for repair or disposal. RHB Brea staff will continue with the investigation. California 5010 Number: 112322
ENS 5618828 October 2022 19:07:00

The following information was provided by the the California Radiation Health Branch (RHB) via email: On 10/27/2022, the licensee was notified by their dosimetry provider that an employee's whole body thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) had a high dose for the reporting period ending in October 2022. Readings were as follows: Deep dose - 11,688 mrem, shallow dose - 11,942 mrem, and eye dose 11,964 mrem. The licensee started to investigate by speaking with the employee and informed him that he was not to use the nuclear gauge until the investigation was concluded. The alternate radiation safety officer (ARSO) then made a telephone report to RHB South on 10/28/2022. California Event Number: Not yet assigned.

  • * * RETRACTION ON 10/31/2022 AT 1308 EDT FROM ROBERT GREGER TO ERNEST WEST * * *

(RHB) would like to retract the attached event notification that was submitted Friday, 10/28/2022. (RHB's) reason for retracting the notification is that it was reported prematurely since an investigation to (validate) the dose provided by the dosimetry vendor has not been completed, and the 30-day reportability period has only begun. If the investigation determines the dose to the individual exceeded 5 rem whole body, it will be reported accordingly. Notified R4DO (Agrawal) and NMSS Events Notification via email.

ENS 5599012 July 2022 14:36:00The following was received from the California, Department of Health, Radiologic Health Branch (RHB Brea) via email: On July 11, 2022, at approximately 1100 PDT, (redacted), the radiation safety officer (RSO) of Premier Testing & Inspection, Inc., Radioactive Materials License #7988-33, contacted RHB Brea to report the theft of a moisture/density gauge: CPN, MC-1, serial #MD40507409 (Cs-137, 0.370 Giga-Becquerels, Am-241, 1.85 Giga-Becquerels). The gauge had been in the back of a sport-utility-vehicle (SUV) (Subaru Crosstrek) parked in the front of an apartment building in Woodland Hills, CA, in the early morning hours prior to leaving for the temporary work site. The vehicle had been broken into by breaking the left rear window and removing the radioactive gauge from the vehicle. The Authorized User who discovered the missing radioactive gauge at approximately 0730 PDT on July 11, 2022, (redacted), notified the RSO and then notified the Los Angeles Police Department, who completed a police theft report. A copy of the theft report has been forwarded to the RHB Brea office to be included as part of this report. The RSO will contact local newspapers in an attempt to retrieve the stolen radioactive gauge, as well as notifying local servicing vendors of radioactive gauges to be alert for the serial number of the stolen gauge in case it turns up for service. The investigation will continue to determine if the radioactive gauge can be recovered. CA 5010 Number 071122 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 5592131 May 2022 18:51:00The following was received from the California Department of Public Health via email: On May 31, 2022, the RSO of Alta California Geotechnical, Inc. (Alta), contacted the Brea office of the California Department of Public Health to report a stolen moisture density gauge. The gauge was a CPN model MC-3 S/N M3811862 (10 mCi Cs-137, 50 mCi Am-241:Be). On May 27, at approximately 1700 PDT, the gauge was placed in a locked Mobile Mini (temporary storage) container in a fenced (also locked) area of the construction site in Jurupa Valley, California. The theft occurred sometime between Friday, May 27 and Tuesday, May 31. When Alta personnel arrived at the construction site at approximately 0500 PDT Tuesday morning, they discovered that the storage container lock (a hidden shank/"hockey puck" style) was drilled through and the locked transportation case containing the gauge was removed, along with other equipment. Alta personnel searched the surrounding area until approximately 0630 PDT and then contacted the Riverside County Sheriff to report the theft. The licensee's investigation into this event is ongoing and will be reviewed further by the California Department of Public Health. 5010 Number: 053122 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 5584012 April 2022 19:47:00The following was received from the State of California, Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch, via email: The Radiologic Health Branch was notified on April 12, 2022 regarding a medical event that occurred on April 11, 2022 at Loma Linda University Health. An authorized user was performing Y-90 brachytherapy using Nordion TheraSpheres on a patient's liver. After catheterizing and delivering Y-90 to the first segment, it was discovered that due to the patient's variant anatomy, the segment had been misidentified. The written directive called for 2.228 GBq to deliver 950 Gy to the patient's liver segment 7. However, post treatment analysis of the source vial determined that 2.840 GBq (76.7 mCi) was delivered. As a result, the dose delivered to that segment was approximately 27 percent above the dose specified in the written directive. A 15-day report will be generated by the licensee per 10 CFR 35.3045. California Event Number: 041222 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 5575323 February 2022 15:27:00The following information was provided by the California Department of Public Health via email: Ninyo and Moore, a geotechnical and environmental sciences firm reported the theft of a Troxler 3430 moisture density gauge No. 38218, containing a Cs-137 sealed source of 0.3 GBq (8 mCi) and Am-241 sealed source of 1.48 GBq (40 mCi). The theft occurred from a temporary job site in Visalia, CA, The locked 10' X 20' Conex job box had the locks cut off and the entire secured Knack box containing the Type A transport container and gauge was taken. Construction tools totaling approximately $12,000 were stolen. Visalia Police Department was notified and an officer took a theft report and is looking for video surveillance in the area. Site security was not at the location at the time of the Sunday night theft. California 5010 Number: 022222 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 5560022 November 2021 15:14:00The following was received from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) by email: On Saturday, November 20, 2021, at 0928 (PST), a CDPH-Radiologic Health Branch inspector was notified by e-mail that a medical event had occurred on Friday, November 19, 2021, at UCLA during a Y-90 liver cancer treatment. There were four liver segments being treated with four vials of Y-90 TheraSpheres. The prescribed dose for 'Segment 2' was 120 Gy, but the dose delivered was 74.9 Gy (or 62.42 percent of the prescribed dose). Segments 3, 6 and 8 were prescribed 120 Gy each and the doses delivered were 108.0 Gy, 110.9 Gy and 107.0 Gy (90 percent, 92.42 percent and 89.17 percent of the prescribed doses, respectively). Using the post treatment radiation surveys of the Nalgene waste container, a UCLA medical physicist determined that a medical event had occurred. The delivered dose to the organ differed by more than 20 percent from the prescribed dose. The authorized physician tried unsuccessfully to use a 2.0 Fr Truselect microcatheter for an hour to access the artery to segment 2, but it was extraordinarily small in caliber. He eventually chose to use a 1.7 Fr Echelon microcatheter for the treatment. Other treatment options were considered, but this particular tumor was in a location that was not amenable to ablation or chemoembolization. The patient will have a follow-up MRI scan in 3 months. A 15-day written report will be generated by the UCLA." CA 5010 Number: 112021 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 5558216 November 2021 13:33:00The following was received from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) via email: On Monday, November 15, 2021, Twining, Inc. reported the theft of a CPN MC-1DR #MD0080857 containing sealed sources of Cs-137 (10 mCi) and Am-241 (50 mCi). The theft occurred after 1700 (PST) on Saturday November 13, 2021 at a temporary job storage site (Clipper's Stadium in Inglewood, CA). There was a locked perimeter fence and a guard onsite. The CPN nuclear gauge was locked in its transport case, locked inside a job box, which was chained to a larger Conex box on site. Other equipment was also stolen from the jobsite. A police report is being filed. Additional information has been requested by CDPH. California event number: 111521 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 5557915 November 2021 15:12:00The following information was received via E-mail: On Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 1420 PST, a CDPH-Radiologic Health Branch inspector was notified by E-mail that a medical event had occurred on November 12, 2021, at UCLA during a Y-90 liver cancer treatment. The signed written directive was included in the notification. The prescribed dose for 'Segment Left' was 70 Gy (6 GBq) and the dose delivered was 68.8 Gy (or 98.29 percent of the prescribed dose). The prescribed dose for 'Segment Right' was 120 Gy (3 GBq) and the dose delivered was 78.3 Gy (or 65.25 percent of the prescribed dose). The authorized user administered two vials of BTG Nordion Inc. TheraSphere Y-90 glass microspheres beginning approximately 1200 PST. Vial number 101 went to the right lobe and vial number 30 went to the left lobe of the liver. Radiation surveys of the waste containers occurred at 1516 PST and 1519 PST respectively, and the radiation level from vial number 30 was higher than expected. UCLA's medical physicist was consulted at 1630 PST November 12, 2021, who determined that a medical event had occurred. UCLA will be investigating the cause of the underdose and make a 15-day written report. California 5010 Number: 111221 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 5549427 September 2021 17:59:00The following was received via email: On Monday, September 27, 2021, Twining, Inc. reported the theft of a CPN MC-1DR #MD01005907 containing sealed sources of Cs-137 (10 mCi) and Am-241 (50 mCi). The theft of a vehicle containing the gauge was reported to the San Bernardino Police Dept. on Sunday, September 26, 2021, when the theft was discovered. Additional information has been requested by CDPH." California 5010 No.: 092721 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 5536821 July 2021 17:21:00The following was received from the California Department of Public Health via email: A medical event per 10 CFR 35.3045 was determined to have occurred on July 20, 2021, during a liver cancer therapy procedure using Y-90 Nordion TheraSpheres via manual brachytherapy under 10CFR35.1000. Dose 1: AU prescribed activity of 109.5 mCi of Y-90 to the patient's liver: right lobe segments 5 and 8 and successfully delivered 104 mCi (95 percent). Dose 2: AU prescribed 153.0 mCi of Y-90 to the patient's liver: right lobe segments 6 and 7, but could only deliver 68.5 mCi (44.8 percent). During the procedure, blockage occurred in the delivery apparatus, specifically the microcatheter, that the authorized user was unable to clear to complete the procedure. Pre and post-procedural vial measurements were performed using a calibrated ion chamber by a trained CNMT (Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist) on July 20, 2021. 5010 Number: 072121 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 5531217 June 2021 10:49:00The following was received from the California Department of Public Health via email: On June 16, 2021, the Radiologic Health Branch was notified of a reportable medical event that occurred on June 15, 2021 during a patients' liver metastases treatment with Y-90 Sirtex SIRSpheres. The AU's treatment plan called for treating the left lobe of the liver with 0.29-0.83 GBq of Y-90 SIRSpheres. The reason for the range was that if the liver became saturated, the treatment would be stopped at that point. During the treatment, periodic flushing cycles with contrast and flouroscopy were performed. At a mid-way point, the team discovered contrast material in the right liver lobe, indicating the microcather had moved from the left artery to the right artery. Upon discovery, the procedure was stopped, the microcatherter was removed and a new one was placed and the they began to infuse the left liver lobe again with the remaining Y-90 SIRSpheres without incident. Post treatment, a bremsstrahlung image of the two liver lobes indicated that both lobes had received Y-90 activity. The Radiation Oncologist estimated that the left lobe received less than the intended Y-90 activity. The right lobe received between 33%-67% of the Y-90 activity. The actual dose to either lobe has not been calculated, but based on dosimetry information in the package insert, the dose to the right lobe was > 0.5 Gy ( 50 rem). Treatment of the liver's right lobe was not intended during this procedure. On June 1, 2021, the patient had been treated with Y-90 SIRSpheres of the patient's right liver lobe. The patient was informed of the issue and there are no negative consequences expected for the patient. California Item Number: 061621 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 5527324 May 2021 21:30:00

The following was received from the California Department of Public Health via e-mail: On May 24, 2021, (the licensee), contacted Los Angeles County Radiation Management regarding a CPN International MC3 (serial number not reported, containing nominally 10 millicuries Cs-137 and 50 millicuries Am:Be-241) moisture density gauge that had been stored in a gauge operators home that was involved in a house fire on May 23, 2021. The gauge was stored in the transport case. The gauge was found to have been melted and was unrecognizable. An inspector from the Los Angeles County was sent to the scene to perform radiation surveys and to evaluate the damage to the gauge and determine if the sealed sources were intact. The disposal of the source will be determined once the evaluation of the damage to the gauge has been completed. The California Department of Public Health will continue to investigate the incident. CA 5010 Number: 052421

  • * * UPDATE ON 5/26/2021 AT 2053 EDT FROM ROBERT GREGER TO JEFFREY WHITED * * *

The following was received from the California Department of Public Health via e-mail: The Cs-137 and Am:Be-241 sources were recovered the evening of May 24 by a member of the California radiation control program. The sources were taken to a licensed gauge service provider the next day, where wipes were taken of the sources for leak testing. The leak test results were received from the gauge manufacturer on May 26 showing that neither source was leaking. The serial number of the gauge was reported as M34125843. Notified R4DO (Gepford) and NMSS Event Notifications (email)

ENS 551651 April 2021 16:08:00

The following information was received from the State of California via email: On March 31, 2021, Kern County Roads Department contacted the California Office of Emergency Services to report that one of their moisture-density gauges was lost while transporting the gauge back to their facility. The gauge was a CPN model MC1-DPR, Serial Number MD00505649 (10 mCi Cs-137, 50 mCi Am:Be-241, Nominal). At approximately 1130 PDT, the gauge, with the handle/trigger lock in place but outside of the transport case, was left on the tailgate of the truck by the gauge operator. The operator then went into the cab of the truck and started working on paperwork. The gauge operator then left the worksite without securing the gauge. Approximately two minutes later, the operator stopped for gas and found the gauge missing. The operator then retraced his path and could not find the gauge. The Alternate Radiation Safety Officer was contacted and went to the worksite with a survey meter to search for the gauge and could not find it. Kern County Sheriff's Department was contacted and a report was made. The licensee's investigation into this event is ongoing and will be reviewed further by the California Department of Public Health. California Report Number: 033121

  • * * UPDATE ON 4/2/2021 AT 1446 EDT FROM ANDREW TAYLOR TO KERBY SCALES * * *

The following update was received from the State of California via email: On April 1, 2021, the Alternate Radiation Safety Officer notified the California Department of Public Health that the gauge was recovered after an individual found it and returned it to the worksite. He stated that the gauge appeared to be intact with no apparent damage. A leak test will be performed to ensure that the sealed sources are intact and not leaking. Notified R4DO (Alexander), NMSS Events Notification, ILTAB, CSNS (Mexico) 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 5497230 October 2020 03:34:00The following information was received via E-mail: The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) for Empire Geotechnical reported that his CPN nuclear gauge was stolen from the back of his pickup truck sometime overnight between 2100 EDT on October 28, 2020 and 0630 PDT on October 29, 2020. CA Dept. of Public Health Radiologic Health Branch (RHB) inspector contacted the Empire Geotechnical RSO by phone and confirmed the RSO left his truck parked on the street in front of his office with the gauge secured in the rear of the pickup under a locked deck lid. The RSO is in the process of reporting the theft to the Orange Police Department. The gauge is a CPN MC1DR, (serial) number MD90204854, that contains two special form sealed sources: 370 MBq (10 mCi) of Cs-137 and 1.85GBq (50 mCi) of Am-241/Be. California 5010 Number: 102920 Cal OES control number: 20-6025, October 29, 2020 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 5495720 October 2020 15:53:00The following information was received from the California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch via email: On October 19, 2019, the RSO (Radiation Safety Officer) for APPlus RTD, USA, contacted the Radiologic Health Branch regarding a source disconnect event at the Phillips 66 Los Angeles refinery. The device was a INC Ir-100 exposure device (serial number not reported) with an INC Model 32 Ir-192 source (serial number and activity not reported). The disconnect occurred while the source was cranked out of the device for an exposure. After the disconnect was discovered, the radiographer stopped cranking the source, isolated the area and contacted the RSO about the incident. After arriving at the scene, the RSO and alternate RSO assessed the situation and then proceeded to return the source back into the exposure device. The licensee's investigation into this event is ongoing and will be reviewed further by the California Department of Public Health. CA 5010 No.:101920
ENS 546891 May 2020 12:22:00

The following information was received from the state of California via email: On 4/30/2020, at approximately 1127 (PDT), the RSO (radiation safety officer) of RMA Group, RML Number 8055-19, contacted RHB (California Radiologic Health Branch) Brea concerning a moisture/density gauge, Troxler, model 3440, serial number 25671 (Cs-137, 0.3 GBq, Am-241, 1.50 GBq) that had been stolen from in front of a private apartment complex while the RMA employee was offloading his vehicle. The Troxler radioactive gauge was left on the sidewalk during offloading of the vehicle. (The RMA employee) forgot about the gauge he had left on the sidewalk as he then drove off to have his vehicle washed. When he returned from the carwash at approximately 1730 to 1800 on 4/28/2020, he realized that he had left the radioactive gauge in front of the apartment complex and that it was no longer there. The (RSA employee) finally reported the theft to the RMA RSO on 4/29/2020 at 1215, prior to reporting the theft to Los Angeles Police Department at the West Los Angeles office on 4/29/2020 at 1245. A copy of the theft report and the (employee's) statement has been sent to RHB Brea as part of this report. (The RMA RSO) will utilize local papers to attempt to retrieve the stolen gauge as well as notifying local servicing vendors of radioactive gauges to be alert of the serial number of the stolen gauge in case it turns up for any of their services. The investigation will continue to determine if the radioactive gauge can be recovered in a reasonable time frame. This is being reported to the NRC Operations Center as a 24-hour report under 10 CFR 20.220(a)(1)(i) since the radioactive gauge has been stolen with the source handle locked and the Type A transport container locked. California Report Number 5010-043020

  • * * UPDATE FROM DONALD OESTERLE TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1516 EDT ON 5/4/2020 * * *

The gauge has been recovered intact. A formal closing report will be submitted later. Notified R4DO (Drake), and via E-mail: NMSS Events Notifications E-mail group, ILTAB, and CNSNA (Mexico). 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 5429526 September 2019 14:47:00

EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN MOISTURE / DENSITY GAUGE The following information was received from the State of California via email: On September 26, 2019, the RSO (radiation safety officer) of Maurer Technical Services, (Maurer, CA RAM license 6163-30) a nuclear gauge service provider and authorized CPN/Instrotek dealer, contacted the Brea RAM/Radiologic Health Branch office to report the theft of one of their nuclear gauges that they had leased to G3 Quality, Inc. (G3). The gauge was a CPN Model MC-3, S/N M39028685 (10 mCi Cs-137 and (50 mCi) Am:Be-241). The gauge was stolen at the Hard Rock Hotel in Stateline, NV where the gauge operator was staying while working at a project in Lake Tahoe, CA. The gauge was locked to the bed of the vehicle (open bed), the alarm enabled, and left in the parking lot of the hotel on the evening of September 25, 2019 (around 2130 PDT). The gauge was discovered missing on the morning of September 26, 2019, with the handles broken off the transport case. The cab of the truck was also broken into with other items stolen, including a laptop and the front hood was broken into to defeat the vehicle alarm. A police report was taken (the specific law enforcement agency was not provided) and the loss was reported to the G3 office and then to (the Maurer RSO) who then contacted our (California Radiologic Health Branch) office. The incident is under investigation and corrective actions will be determined at a later date. CA 5010 No.: 092619

  • * * UPDATE AT 1334 EDT ON 10/4/19 FROM ANDREW TAYLOR TO JEFF HERRERA * * *

The following update was received from the California Department of Public Health via email: The gauge was recovered by Local Law Enforcement near Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe, CA and the gauge was returned to the license on September 27, 2019. Notified the R4DO(Proulx), NMSS Events, CNSNS (Mexico). 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 5425130 August 2019 15:54:00The following is a synopsis of information received via email from the State of California: On 8/29/2019, California's Radiologic Health Branch (RHB) was contacted by the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) of Construction Testing and Engineering, South, Inc. to report a damaged moisture/density gauge. The gauge was damaged on 8/29/2019 at 0730 PDT, when it was run over by construction equipment at a building site located on the Marine Corps Logistic Base in Barstow, CA. It was determined that the gauge's source rod was damaged, but the source appeared to be undamaged and remained in the encapsulated container. The RSO placed the damaged gauge back in the Type A transport container and the gauge will be taken to Maurer Technical Services for evaluation and disposal. The gauge is a CPN model MC3 moisture/density gauge (serial number: M38058257) with a 0.37 GBq Cs-137 and 1.9 GBq Am-241 source. This is being reported to the NRC Operations Center as a 24-hour report under 10 CFR 30.50(b)(2) since the radioactive gauge cannot be locked in the shielded position (due to the source rod being broken). California 5010 Number: 082919
ENS 5403930 April 2019 15:16:00The following report was received from the State of California via email: The RSO (Radiation Safety Officer) of Geolabs reported to the RHB (Radiation Health Branch) that his gauge technician had reported a CPN MC-3 (serial number M37067701) was stolen. The CPN gauge contains 10 milliCuries of Cs-137 and 50 milliCuries of Americium-241, and was inside its Type A transportation container. The technician was transporting the CPN gauge to a temporary job site. The RSO will be contacting the Ventura County Sheriff's Dept. to report the theft and take a statement from the technician. This is an ongoing investigation. California 5010 number: 043019 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 539889 April 2019 15:20:00

The following report was received from the State of California via e-mail: On April 9, 2019, the (Radiation Safety Officer) RSO for GeoSolutions in San Luis Obispo, CA notified the RHB (Radiologic Health Branch) Brea office that a moisture density gauge had been reported stolen from his employee's vehicle that was parked overnight at a residence in Orcutt, Santa Barbara County, CA. Reporting person states that a Humboldt Scientific Instrument 5001C nuclear moisture density testing device, serial number 1749, was stolen. The device contained 0.37 GBq (10 mCi) Cs-137 and 1.48 GBq (40 mCi) Am-241. The theft has been reported to local law enforcement, Santa Maria Police report number 2019R03937, and to the local service provider Pacific Nuclear Technology. The device was in a locked protective case at the time it was stolen; its transport index is 0.2; DOT class 7 type A package. The owner found the chain securing the device to the truck bed was also cut. The operator reported that the Cs-137 source rod was locked in the safe position on the gauge. The device was stolen on 4/9/2019 at an unknown time during the night. RHB will continue to investigate. California 5010 number: 040919.

  • * * UPDATE AT 2003 EDT ON 4/15/19 FROM L. ROBERT GREGER TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *

The following was received via e-mail: The moisture density gauge that was reported stolen was reported by the licensee to have been recovered on 4/11/19. The gauge, inside its transportation container (the transportation container lock was missing, but the gauge was locked in the shielded position), was found in a trash dumpster at a local convenience store. Police are currently reviewing security camera tapes in an attempt to determine who placed the gauge in the convenience store trash dumpster. Notified the R4DO (Pick) and NMSS (via e-mail). 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 5394015 March 2019 17:37:00The following was received via e-mail: On March 15, 2019, the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) notified the Radiologic Health Branch that a medical event involving Y-90 TheraSphere had occurred on March 14, 2019. A patient was prescribed 120 Gy to the left lobe of their liver with Y-90 TheraSpheres. However, the authorized user (physician) was only able to deliver 80.9 Gy (67.4 percent of the prescribed dose) due to suspected complications with the delivery system. UCLA's Office of Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) team will continue to investigate and notify the BTG Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) group to examine the delivery system. The patient was notified of the under-dosage and potential continuation of their treatment. The patient was discharged in a stable condition." CA 5010 No.: 031419 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 5361420 September 2018 15:24:00The following information was received from the State of California via email: On September 19, 2018, the (Radiation Safety Officer) RSO notified the (California Radiological Health Branch) that a CPN soils gauge, model MC-1DR # MD00605736 containing 10 mCi of Cs-137 and 50 mCi of Am-241/Be had been run over by construction equipment at a temporary job site in Camarillo, CA. The gauge operator had placed the gauge near his test area, but was 15 feet away when the accident occurred. After the accident, he immediately stopped all work in the area and cordoned off an area 30 feet around the damaged gauge before calling his RSO. A radiation survey meter was available from a local radiography company who met the RSO and the gauge operator at accident site. The shaft housing the rod above the cesium source was snapped off from the gauge. The source was in the 'safe mode' during the accident and remained in the shielded area of the gauge. The gauge was able to be loaded into the shipping container for return to the permanent storage location. Radiation surveys were performed with a Bicron GM detector and no contamination was found in the area. The root cause is operator error by the gauge operator. The gauge will be disposed thru the manufacturer (CPN). California Report No.: 5010-091918
ENS 531976 February 2018 16:10:00The following information was received from the State of California via email: On February 6, 2018, at approximately 0845 (PST) (the RSO) of Southwest Calibration & Training, Radioactive Materials License #7567-36, contacted RHB (CA Radiologic Health Branch) Brea concerning the moisture/density gauge, CPN, MC1-DRP, serial #MD40507411 (Cs-137 0.375 GBq, Am-241 1.8 GBq) that had been stolen from a transport vehicle (in) Indio, CA at approximately 0800 (PST). At 0930 (PST), the RSO of Premier Testing & Inspection, Inc., telephoned RHB Brea to inform that the Authorized User had contacted local law enforcement in Indio, (CA) and was filling out a police report with them. A copy of the theft report will be forwarded to the RHB Brea office to be included as part of this report. (The RSO for Premier Testing & Inspection, Inc.) will contact local newspapers to attempt to retrieve the stolen radioactive gauge as well as notifying local servicing vendors of radioactive gauges to be alert for the serial number of the stolen gauge in case it turns up for service. The investigation will continue to determine if the radioactive gauge can be recovered in a reasonable time frame. This is being reported to the NRC Operations Center as a 24-hour report under 10CFR30.50(b)(2) since the radioactive gauge has been stolen and it cannot be determined what condition the sources are currently in. 5010 NUMBER: 020618 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 5294231 August 2017 13:32:00The following report was received from the California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch (CA RHB) by email: On August 30, 2017, the President and ARSO of Earth-Strata, Inc., contacted the CA RHB Brea office (at 1415 PDT) to report a moisture/density gauge had been run over by a bulldozer at a construction site in Santa Clarita, CA. The gauge is a CPN MC-3, S/N M36087027 (10 mCi Cs-137, 50 mCi Am:Be-241). (The licensee) stated that the gauge was on the ground with the Cs-137 source in the shielded position when it was struck by the bulldozer. The area around the gauge was isolated until the gauge operator was instructed by (the ARSO) to place the gauge in the transport case for transport to Maurer Technical Services to be inspected and to perform an emergency leak test. (The licensee) stated that the plastic cover of the gauge had been broken and the guide tube and source rod had broken off of the top of the source shield. (The licensee) stated that after the gauge was inspected by Maurer personnel, it was determined that the Cs-137 source remained in the shielded position and the Am:Be-241 source remained intact and was still attached to gauge. Maurer Technical Services will assist in the disposal of the gauge. The investigation will remain open and any citations will be deferred until the licensee provides the 30-day report.
ENS 527355 May 2017 16:02:00The following information was provided by the State of California: S-2 Engineering reported the loss of a Troxler 3411-B # (S/N) 12398 moisture density gauge that had been in storage at a job site in Barstow, CA. This device contains 0.296 GBq (8 mCi) of Cs-137 and 1.48 GBq (40 mCi) of Am-241. The licensee was conducting a physical inventory of their devices containing radioactive material and found this one to be missing from the locked storage box. The licensee checked with all of their authorized gauge users to determine if the device was in use but not checked out properly before reporting it as lost. The last documented use of the density gauge was Sept. 22, 2016. This investigation is ongoing. The licensee notified their Local Law Enforcement Agency (LLEA) of the theft. CA 5010 Number: 050417 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 5243114 December 2016 14:39:00The following report was received from the State of California via email: On December 13, 2016, the RSO (Radiation Safety Officer) of Cal Land Engineering, contacted the RHB (California Radiologic Health Branch) at the Brea, CA office about a gauge that had been run over. The gauge was a CPN MC-3, S/N M310706239 (10 mCi Cs-137, 50 mCi Am:Be-241). The gauge operator had removed the gauge from it's transport case, but had not set up or used the gauge at the site (the Cs-137 source was still in the shielded position). The operator then stepped away from the gauge to answer his cell phone. While the operator was on the phone, a pickup truck backed into the gauge. The gauge body remained intact, but the guide tube and source rod had been sheared off the body of the gauge. After the incident, the area was isolated and the operator contacted the RSO, who then contacted RHB. Pictures were provided by the gauge operator and forwarded to RHB for review. After the pictures confirmed that the gauge body was intact, the RHB inspector authorized the operator to place the gauge in the storage case, secure it for transport, and then return the gauge to their (licensee's) office. An RHB inspector met the operator at their office to inspect the gauge. A Canberra Inspector 1000 with the LaBr (IPROL-1) and neutron (IPRON-N) probes was used to verify the sources remained in the gauge. The Cs-137 source was identified by the Inspector 1000 and a neutron dose of 20 counts per second (with a background of 0 counts per second) confirmed the Am:Be-241 source was present. A Victoreen 450 CHP was used to survey the gauge. The contact dose rate was 20 mR/hr (background 0.01 mR/hr), which is consistent for an MC-3 gauge. The gauge will remain in storage until disposal can be arranged. Maurer Technical Services will be used to assist in the disposal. California 5010 number: 121316
ENS 523391 November 2016 18:15:00The following report was received from the State of California via email: On November 1, 2016, the RSO (Radiation Safety Officer) of RMA Group, contacted RHB ICE (State of California, Radiation Health Branch, Inspection, Compliance, and Enforcement Section) to report the theft of a moisture density gauge from the gauge user's pickup truck while he was home for lunch (in Grand Terrance, CA). The nuclear gauge was inside a Type A transportation box was reportedly chained and secured properly but the chains were found cut. Troxler Labs model 3430, # 24568, contains 0.3 GBq of Cs-137 and 1.48 GBq of Am-241/Be. A power generator and other assorted equipment was also stolen. (The RSO) will notify the local newspaper to place a Reward Notice for information leading to the safe return of the gauge. (The RSO) was asked to obtain a detailed report from the authorized gauge user. The gauge's theft was reported to San Bernardino Police Dept. as well as the local calibration facilities were alerted of anyone bringing the gauge to them for service. (The State of California) RHB requested a copy of the police report and newspaper notice. California State Report 5010 Number: 110116 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 522826 October 2016 13:21:00

The following was received from the State of California via email: At 1600 (PDT) on October 5, 2016, the RSO (Radiation Safety Officer) for C. Y. Geotech Inc. reported to RHB (Radiation Health Branch) that one of their nuclear density gauges (CPN model MC-1DR-P; #MD90404953 containing 10 mCi of Cs-137 and 50 mCi of Am-241/Be) had been stolen from a temporary job site. RHB informed the RSO to file a police report and place a notice into the local newspaper offering a reward for information leading to the safe return of the gauge. The RSO will require the gauge operator to make a report of exactly what happened and specifically if the Cs-137 handle was locked in the safe mode. The gauge was not discovered missing until the morning of October 5, 2016 and the operator returned to look for the gauge. The RSO posted a lost gauge sign at the job site notifying personnel of the loss of the gauge and C. Y. Geotech's contact information for its safe return. On Oct. 4, 2016, around 1300 (PDT), the gauge operator had finished his work with the CPN gauge and was completing paperwork at his vehicle. He forgot about the gauge and failed to secure it into the transport case before departing the job site. He believes he left the gauge on the curbside. The gauge had been recently leak tested in May 2016.

5010 Number: 100416 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 518578 April 2016 13:10:00The following report was received from the State of California via email: On April 7, 2016, (the licensee gauge operator) for Geo-Advantec, Inc., contacted the California Office of Emergency Services to report a moisture density gauge, a CPN Model MC3 Elite (10 mCi Cs-137, 50 mCi Am:Be-241, S/N30625), was run over by an unknown type of vehicle. The incident occurred at 2003 Speyer Lane, Redondo Beach, CA. After taking the report, the report was forwarded to the Los Angeles County Radiation Management which was then forwarded to Brea office of Radiologic Health Branch (RHB). (The licensee gauge operator) was contacted by a RHB inspector and stated that the gauge had been run over and that the source rod had been broken. He was also asked if the Cs-137 source had been exposed, and he stated that he was taking a standard count and that the source was in the shielded position at the time of the incident. (The licensee gauge operator) was then asked to take pictures of the gauge so that it could be evaluated to determine if the sources were still intact and to determine the extent of the damage to the gauge. The pictures indicated that the source rod was broken approximately 1-2 inches below the bottom of the guide tube, which had broken off the source shield, and that the rest of the source rod appeared to be inside the opening on the top part of the source shield. The Am:Be-241 source appeared to be intact and still attached to the body of gauge. (The licensee gauge operator) was instructed to place the body of the gauge into the transport case in its normal position and then place the rest of the pieces of the gauge into the case. He was also instructed to lock the case and secure it into the transport vehicle as normal. He was then instructed to check ground below the gauge to verify that the source was not exposed during the incident. After (the licensee gauge operator) verified that there were no signs of the source having been extended during the incident, he was instructed to mark the area where the gauge was damaged to ensure that area could be found if a survey was needed and then he was allowed to transport the gauge to Maurer Technical Services (MTS) to be inspected and surveyed to ensure the sources were still in the gauge and to verify they were intact. When the gauge arrived at Maurer Technical Services, a survey was performed by the MTS RSO (Radiation Safety Officer) (meter type not reported). The gauge had contact reading of 8.5 mR/hr, which was consistent with a CPN MC3 moisture/density gauge with both sources in their shielded positon. The RSO also took swipes of the device, the hands of the operator and the trunk of the operator's car. An RHB inspector arrived at MTS to perform a count of the swipes with a Ludlum general purpose meter and a 44-9 Geiger-Mueller probe and found all of the swipes were at background, indicating that there was not leakage and the sources were intact. The gauge will be stored at MTS until disposal of the gauge can be arranged. The investigation is on-going and any citations will be determined at a later date. CA 5010 # 040716.
ENS 5161822 December 2015 19:27:00The following information was obtained from the State of California via email: On December 21, 2015, (the) RSO of Standard Soil Geotech, Inc. contacted the Radiologic Health Branch (RHB), Brea Office, to report a gauge (CPN MC-3 S/N M39129253, 10 mCi Cs-137, 50 mCi Am:Be-241) had been run over at the Southern California Edison facility in Porter Ranch in a section that was undergoing construction. The RSO stated that (the) casing of the gauge was damaged by a bulldozer and the Cs-137 source was in the extended position. The RSO confirmed that construction personnel were told to leave the area where the incident occurred. The only path to the incident site was secured by a construction vehicle. The RSO then left his office to assess the scene. After arriving at the scene (at approximately) 7:45 p.m. (PST), the RSO (was) provided photographs that indicated the Am:Be-241 source had detached from the casing and the Cs-137 source appeared to be exposed and not able to be returned to the shielded position. The RSO was asked if he had contacted the fire department and they confirmed that he had not. The RSO was informed that an RHB inspector would go to the scene and assist in removing the radioactive sources from the site. After the RHB inspector arrived at the site (at approximately) 10:15 p.m., the damage to the gauge was assessed and it was determined that the Am:Be-241 source was not damaged but was detached from the gauge body. The Cs-137 source was also intact, but was still in the extended positon with the opposite end of the source rod broken off at top of the shield, preventing the source from being retracted into the shielded position. After the two parts containing the sources were moved away from the rest of the gauge parts, a survey was performed, using a Victoreen 451B-DE-SI. The dose rate of the remaining parts was found to be background (0.01 mR/hr) and the parts were placed in a plastic bag and removed from the site. The two sources were then placed in the transportation case and a small lead pig was taped to the Cs-137 source to reduce the radiation levels. The box was then closed and locked. A survey of the transport case found the highest dose on contact was 17 mR/hr. The gauge was then secured in (the RSO's) vehicle. Due to the damage to the gauge and the dose rates approaching the maximum allowable for a Type A package, DOT Special Permit 110646, CA-CA-15-99 was issued to allow the RSO to transport the gauge to secure storage at the Standard Soil Geotechnical facility until disposal can be arranged. California Report No.: 5010-122115
ENS 513808 July 2015 16:02:00The following information was provided by the State of California on 07/08/2015 via email: On July 8, 2015, RHB (CA Radiation Health Branch) was notified that a SUV containing a CPN MC-1 DR # MD60608339 portable soil gauge containing 50 mCi of Am-241/Be and 10 mCi of Cs-137 was stolen in San Clemente. An authorized gauge user parked his SUV, with the gauge secured in the rear of the vehicle, in the driveway of his house. The vehicle containing the gauge was stolen during the night. The vehicle and its contents were reported stolen to the police (Orange County Sheriff / San Clemente Station). RHB will continue to work with the licensee regarding this ongoing investigation. CA 5010 Number - 070815 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 510517 May 2015 12:21:00

The following report was received from the State of California via email: At approximately 1000 PDT on May 5, 2015, a medical event occurred during a Y-90 Therasphere procedure. The prescribed dose to the organ (liver) was 12,000 rem, but the delivered dose was 6,920 rem. This event meets the 10 CFR 35.3045(1)(i) 24-hour report criteria since the dose differed from the prescribed dose by more than 50 rem to an organ (5080 rem under dose) and the total dose delivered differed from the prescribed dose by 20 percent or more (42% under dose). Although the equipment indicated the entire dose had been delivered to the patient, a large amount of the dose was is still in the tubing and vial and had not actually been delivered to the patient as indicated. The licensee will contact the manufacturer to assist in finding the root cause of the malfunction to determine whether it was an equipment malfunction, operator error, or both. The treating physician is also the prescribing physician. The licensee has contacted the physician to verify if the physician has notified the patient and if there was any effect on the individual from this event. The licensee will provide the written report within 15 days as required which will also describe what actions will be taken to prevent reoccurrence. California Report Number: 050616.

  • * * RETRACTION AT 1229 EDT ON 8/21/2015 FROM ROBERT GREGER TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *

The following was received via e-mail: The California Radiation Control Program would like to retract the subject event notification for the medical event at UCLA. Subsequent evaluation determined that the patient received the prescribed dosage. Some contamination on the exterior of the equipment utilized in the therapeutic dosage administration was determined to have misled the licensee staff to initially believe that an under-dosage to the patient had occurred. Notified the R4DO (Hay) and NMSS Events Resource (via e-mail). 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 5077930 January 2015 15:42:00The following was received from the State of California via email: On January 30, 2015, a telephone report was made to the (California Department of Public Health) CDPH Director's office that a gauge had been stolen. The person making the report was difficult to understand, but the Director's office was able to ascertain the contact telephone number. Upon receiving notice of the call, a representative from (Radiologic Health Branch) (RHB) immediately called that telephone number (at approximately 1100 PST on January 30, 2015), and spoke with the RSO of Giles Engineering Associates, RML #4592-30. (The RSO) stated that a moisture/density gauge (CPN, MC-1DRP, serial #MD20506575 containing 0.370 GBq of Cs-137 and 1.85 GBq of Am-241) had been stolen from a transport vehicle in front of a Comfort Inn at 1185 Admiral Callahan Lane, Vallejo, CA. The authorized gauge user had left the radioactive gauge chained and locked in the back of his vehicle at approximately 0600 PST and went back inside the Comfort Inn to complete some paper work. When he returned to his vehicle at approximately 0625 PST to go to the worksite, (the authorized gauge user) noticed that the chains had been cut through and that the radioactive gauge had been removed from his vehicle. (The authorized gauge user) contacted the RSO of Giles Engineering Associates, who stated he had attempted to notify Local Law Enforcement officials in Vallejo to report the theft. (The RSO) was directed to fill out a report online as that was the policy of the Vallejo Police Department in regards to all theft cases not involving immediate threats to persons. When (the RSO) receives (the authorized user's) written report and the police report, he will forward them to RHB Brea. (The RSO) will utilize local papers in the Vallejo area to attempt to retrieve the stolen gauge. Additionally he will notify local vendors who service radioactive gauges to be alert for the serial number of the stolen gauge in case it turns up at any of their facilities. CA 5010 #: 013015 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 5061113 November 2014 15:47:00The following was received from the State of California via email: On November 13, 2014, at approximately 0648 (PST), the RSO of Heider Engineering Services, Inc., RML #6463-36, contacted Cal OES (California Office of Emergency Services) concerning the moisture/density gauge, Troxler, Model 3430, serial number 63801 (Cs-137, 0.3 GBq, Am-241, 1.50 GBq) that had been stolen from a transport vehicle in front of a private residence at 140 North Shasta Way, Upland, CA 91786, between the evening of November 12, 2014 and approximately 0600 (PST) November 13, 2014 when the Authorized User left his home to go to the worksite. The Authorized User has contacted Local Law Enforcement officials in Upland, CA to request an investigation of the private residence where the Troxler radioactive gauge was taken and to take the report of the authorized user that was in possession of the gauge prior to the theft. A copy of the theft report will be sent to RHB Brea (California Radiological Health Branch -Brea) as part of this report. The RSO will utilize local papers to attempt to retrieve the stolen gauge as well as notifying local servicing vendors of radioactive gauges to be alert of the serial number of the stolen gauge in case it turns up for any of their services. The investigation will continue to determine if the radioactive gauge can be recovered in a reasonable time frame. This is being reported to the NRC Operations Center as a 24-hour report under 10CFR30.50(b)(2) since the radioactive gauge has been stolen and it cannot be determined what condition the sources are currently in. CA 5010 NUMBER 111314 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 505126 October 2014 16:32:00The following was received from State of California via email: On October 6, 2014, at approximately 1245 (PDT), (Deleted), RSO (Radiation Safety Officer) of RMA Group, RML (Radioactive Materials License) #2700-36, contacted RHB (Radiological Health Branch) Brea concerning the moisture/density gauge, Troxler, model 3430, serial number 28356 (Cs-137, 0.3 GBq, Am-241, 1.50 GBq) that had been stolen from a transport vehicle in front of a private residence in El Monte at approximately 0700 (PDT). (The RSO) has contacted the Local Law Enforcement officials in El Monte to request an investigation of the private residence where the Troxler radioactive gauge was taken and to take the report of the authorized user that was in possession of the gauge prior to the theft. A copy of the theft report will be sent to RHB Brea as part of this report. (The RSO) will utilize local papers to attempt to retrieve the stolen gauge as well as notifying local servicing vendors of radioactive gauges to be alert of the serial number of the stolen gauge in case it turns up for any of their services. The investigation will continue to determine if the radioactive gauge can be recovered in a reasonable time frame. This is being reported to the NRC Operations Center as a 24-hour report under 10CFR30.50(b)(2) since the radioactive gauge has been stolen and it cannot be determined what condition the sources are currently in. California Event No.: 100614 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 510598 May 2015 12:33:00The following information was received from the State of California via email: At 1510 (PDT) on May 7, 2015, the licensee notified us (California Radiation Control Program) that the shutter on their belt weight scale on the Coarse Gangue Belt in Plant 1 is stuck in the open position. This is a generally licensed device (Berthold Technologies, Model: LB300L, s/n: 17729-1061-10003 containing 18 mCi Cs-137). The shutter malfunction was initially found during their six month shutter check in October 2014, however, the licensee only became aware of the reporting requirement last week when they contacted the manufacturer to repair the device. The device is in a restricted area 100 feet above the ground on a conveyance structure. The source is below the belt and the beam path is upward with no real exposure potential to any personnel in the area. The only way to access the belt and the source is via a catwalk which is not in the beam path. The dose rate on the catwalk is approximately 0.4 mRem/hr. CA 5010 Number: (Date Notified): 050715
ENS 5044510 September 2014 14:16:00The following information was received via E-mail: On September 8, 2014, at approximately 0845 PDT, the RSO of Sladden Engineering, RML #6318-33, was contacted by RHB Brea concerning a moisture/density gauge, CPN, model MC1DRP, serial number MD40807529 (Cs-137, 0.370 GBq, Am-241, 1.85 GBq) that had been damaged when run over by construction equipment at a building site located at 123 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California, on September 3, 2014, at approximately 1400 PDT. The authorized user at the construction telephoned the RSO. They then went through the radiation safety plan over the phone, and after an initial inspection of the radioactive gauge it was determined that the gauge was heavily damaged but since the source remained in the shielded position, the RSO authorized transport back to the office in the Type A transport container. A closer inspection of the radioactive gauge was conducted by the RSO on the following morning, September 4, 2014, at which time it was determined that the source rod was broken. The RSO contacted the RHB South Brea office and left voice mail messages, then contacted the emergency number and was transferred to a telephone number in Sacramento RHB and left another voice mail message. The RSO performed a leak test on the radioactive gauge and sent it to PNT Company for analysis on September 4, 2014, and received notification that the sources were negative for leakage on September 5, 2014. The RSO performed a follow-up investigation of the incident at the location of the accident and has contacted Maurer Technical Services for disposal of the radioactive gauge since it is beyond repair. This is being reported to the NRC Operations Center as a 24-hour report under 10CFR30.5(b)(2) since the radioactive gauge cannot be locked in the shielded position (due to the source rod being broken ) despite the fact that the Cs-137 source is in the shielded position as that was the configuration at the time of the accident. California Report #: 5010-090314
ENS 504368 September 2014 18:28:00The following information was received via E-mail: On September 8, 2014, at approximately 1130 to 1245 PDT, an authorized user of radioactive gauges who is the ARSO (assistant radiation safety officer) of Calwest Geotechnical, RML #5539-56, contacted RHB (Radiation Health Branch) Brea concerning a moisture/density gauge, Troxler model 3440, serial number 15195 (Cs-137, 0.333 GBq, Am-241, 1.63 GBq) that had been stolen from a transport vehicle in front of a restaurant in Santa Monica during the lunch break period of 1130 to 1245 PDT. The ARSO has contacted the local law enforcement officials in his area and has filled out a theft report which will be copied and sent to RHB Brea as part of this report. The ARSO will utilize local papers to attempt to retrieve the stolen gauge. The investigation will continue to determine if the radioactive gauge can be recovered in a reasonable time frame. This is being reported to the NRC Operations Center as a 24-hour report under 10CFR30.50(b)(2) since the radioactive gauge has been stolen and it cannot be determined what condition the sources are currently in. California Report No.: 5010-090814 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 5033031 July 2014 13:07:00The following report was received from the California Department of Public Health via email: (The licensee reported to the State of California that a) patient (was) receiving Y-90 treatment to the right lobe of liver with Theraspheres. (10CFR35.1000). The prescribed dose was 100-150 Gray, actual dose received was 63.4 Gray. The targeting vessel was 'flowing slowly' causing Theraspheres to 'settle out' prior to reaching target. Preliminary findings suggest that the underdose was due to the physical condition of patient, not through any fault of the medical physicist or licensee. No adverse outcomes are expected for the patient. Medical physicist and physicians (are) evaluating whether or not retreatment is necessary. California Report Number: 073014. 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 5028317 July 2014 16:48:00

The following information was received via E-mail: The RSO for Byer Geotechnical contacted RHB (Radiologic Health Branch) to report that an employee working at a construction site at Colorado Blvd. and Glacier St. in Eagle Rock (a suburb of Los Angeles) had a CPN model MC 1DRP gauge (s/n MD50902828) stolen from the back of his pick-up truck around 0730 PDT. This moisture density gauge contains 370 mBq (10 mCi) of Cs-137 and 1.85 Gbq ( 50 mCi) of Am-241:Be. The security chains attaching the gauge transportation case to the vehicle were cut. The employee notified his RSO asap, who contacted RHB. RHB instructed the RSO to contact the local police dept. to make a report and also place an ad in a local newspaper for return of the gauge with a monetary reward. More information will be obtained from the employee via a written report of the incident. Notified Mexico via E-mail.

  • * * UPDATE AT 1431 EDT ON 07/23/14 FROM KATHLEEN HARKNESS TO S. SANDIN VIA EMAIL * * *

This CPN gauge was recovered by the licensee on 7/22/2014 at 1500 PDT from the driveway at the same location that it was stolen from.

The RSO notified the RHB inspector on 7/23/2014 at 1000 PDT by phone. The transportation box's latch was damaged and the padlock missing, but the gauge itself appeared intact. The RSO will be bringing it to a CPN service provider for repair of the case and inspection of the gauge prior to placing it back into service. California will continue to investigate. Notified R4DO (Miller), FSME Events Resource and ILTAB (email) and Mexico (fax). 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 5006728 April 2014 15:28:00On April 28, 2014, at approximately 0845 AM (PDT), (the licensee pending ARSO), an authorized user of radioactive gauges of Twining Laboratories of Southern California, Inc., RML (California Radioactive Materials License) #7780-37 located in San Bernardino, CA, contacted RHB Brea (Radiation Health Branch located in Brea, CA) concerning the moisture/density gauge, CPN model, MC-1, serial number MD10606201 (Cs-137, 0.370 GBq, Am-241, 1.85 GBq) that had been stolen from a temporary storage/construction site in San Bernardino County on the I-15 North freeway at the top of the Cajon Pass at the Oak Hills Road exit. (The licensee pending ARSO) arrived at the temporary storage area to begin work on Monday morning and noticed that the construction facility had been broken into and that other tools and equipment had been taken as well as the radioactive gauge, which was charging while locked in a gang box which was removed in it's entirety once the construction fence and locked cargo container were breached. (The licensee pending ARSO) has contacted the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department which has filled out a theft report which will be copied and sent to RHB Brea as part of this report. The RSO of Twining Laboratories of Southern California, Inc., is currently on vacation and (the licensee pending ARSO) is receiving assistance and recommendations from another RSO of Twining Laboratories of Southern California, Inc., RML #6872-19 located in Long Beach, CA. (The licensee pending ARSO) is contacting pawn shops and landfills in the area to determine if he can locate the stolen radioactive gauge in advance of utilizing local papers to attempt to retrieve the stolen gauge. The investigation will continue to determine if the radioactive gauge can be recovered in a reasonable time frame. CA 5010 Number: 042814 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 4944718 October 2013 00:19:00On October 17, 2013 ICE-RAM (Inspections Compliance and Enforcement - Radioactive Materials Branch) received a letter dated October 14, 2013, from the RSO at NMG Geotechnical, Inc. (NMG), reporting that, on October 9, 2013, one of their moisture density gauge (CPN MC-1DRP, S/N M60408283, 10 mCi Cs-137, 50 mCi Am:Be-241) was discovered to be lost or stolen at an apartment complex at 1601 W. MacArthur Blvd., Santa Ana, CA, after the gauge operator was on a lunch break. The gauge was placed in the vehicle after using the gauge at the apartment complex just prior to starting lunch. The gauge operator discovered that the gauge and transport box were missing from the rear of the Jeep Cherokee SUV. There were no indications that the vehicle was broke into, making it most likely that the gauge and case were left in the vehicle while it was unlocked and the gauge case was not secured to the frame of the vehicle. The operator contacted the RSO and then filed a report with the Santa Ana Police and notified the Irvine Police afterwards. On October 17, 2013, an ICE RAM-South inspector contacted the RSO to confirm the information in the letter. The inspector inquired if the operator had searched the complex for the gauge prior to reporting the gauge stolen and the RSO confirmed that they had. The RSO also noted that the operator returned to the complex later to give the apartment management fliers to distribute to residents. The gauge has not been recovered to date. This RSO was informed that they will be cited for loss of control of the gauge and failure to immediately report the loss of the gauge as required. The investigation will continue to determine if any other items of non-compliance are identified. California 5010 Number: 101713 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 487277 February 2013 12:16:00The following information was received from the California Radiologic Health Branch via e-mail: On February 6, 2013, the licensee notified the California Department of Public Health that one of their moisture density gauges (CPN MC-1DRP, 10 mCi Cs-137, 50 mCi Am:Be-241, S/N MD00605734) was struck by a small bobcat tractor at a construction site at approximately 2:00 P.M. The gauge user had placed the gauge on the ground by the back bumper as he went to retrieve something from the cab of this truck. He no sooner started walking from the back of the truck to the side of the truck when the bobcat ran over the gauge. The RSO reported that although the gauge's guide tube was broken off, the body of the gauge itself was not damaged and the Cs-137 and Am-241:Be sources remained fully shielded. The external shutter, however, was slightly open. The gauge was returned to the transport case and was transported back to the licensee's facility. The RSO then contacted the manufacturer, InstroTek who instructed the RSO on how to close the shutter safely. There was no additional exposure through the external shutter even though it was slightly open because the internal shutter had remained closed during the entire event as the source rod was in the 'safe' position. The gauge user was wearing a whole body dosimeter which was immediately sent in for immediate processing. On February 7, 2013, (representatives from) the California Department of Public Health met with the licensee. All survey measurements were as expected for this type of gauge and there was no removable contamination found. An additional piece of lead was taped to the external shutter as a precaution during transit. The dose to any individual from this incident is estimated to be less than 0.5 millirem. The gauge is being shipped to InstroTek later today for repair. California Report 020613