Semantic search
| Entered date | Event description | |
|---|---|---|
| ENS 56048 | 16 August 2022 14:22:00 | The following information was provided via email from the Alabama Department of Public Health (the Agency): On June 12, 2022, General License Registrant, Giant Resource Recovery (GRR), Attalla, Inc. was preparing three Nickel-63 electron capture detectors (ECD) that had previously been removed from service for transfer to an approved vendor for disposal. Prior to packing for shipment, the devices were leak tested. On August 11, 2022, GRR received notification from its third party vendor, Monitoring Services, that ECD Varian model #02-001972-00, serial #A11378 had a result of removable activity greater that 0.005 microcuries (1.65E-2). This was reported to the Agency by contacting the 24-hour duty officer at 1317 (CDT) on August 15, 2022. The duty officer requested a report and follow-up information once the ECD was transferred to an approved vendor for disposal. Alabama event: 22-12 |
| ENS 54381 | 12 November 2019 08:42:00 | The following was received from the Alabama Office of Radiation Control (AORC) via fax: On Saturday, November 9, 2019, Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) reported to (the AORC) Duty Officer a damaged gauge that had been reported from Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa. AEMA stated that the damage was minimal and with no releases to the general public. This information was reported by the Environmentalist with Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa. The Duty Officer contacted the Environmentalist and he stated that an over fill had occurred and damaged the locking pin on the shutter of the gauge. Surveys revealed no damage to the shielding of the gauge, but the gauge will be kept secure in the caster mold until Ronan arrives for assessment of damage. The shutter mechanism is functioning, but cannot be locked in the closed position. As of today (November 12, 2019), 0730 CST, the gauge is secure, but unlockable. The licensee has contacted the manufacturer for assessment and repair. Ronan is scheduled to arrive on November 14, 2019. The incident remains open until the appropriate repairs are completed. Alabama Incident 19-32 |
| ENS 54228 | 19 August 2019 12:04:00 | The following report was received via fax: On August 19, 2019, an Environmental Engineer for Nucor Steel of Tuscaloosa, Alabama notified the Office of Radiation Control (Agency) that a gauge stored in a caster mechanism had a loss of containment and damaged the locking mechanism of the gauge. The shutter mechanism is working, but the gauge cannot be locked out. The licensee notified the Alabama Emergency Operations Center of the event on August 18, 2019, at 1757 CDT. The licensee chose to follow-up with the Agency to ensure proper notification. The Agency told the licensee to send a synopsis of the events and a plan of action to maintain or dispose of the gauge. As of 1100 CDT today, the gauge is secure, but unlockable. The licensee has contacted the manufacturer for possible repair or disposable options. This incident remains open until a decision is made by the licensee for repair or disposal. Alabama Incident: 19-20 |
| ENS 51346 | 26 August 2015 10:08:00 | The following report was received from the State of Alabama Department of Public Health Office of Radiation Control via fax: On August 25, 2015, Sam Price, Environmental Health & Safety for Nucor Steel, Birmingham, Alabama notified the Office of Radiation Control that a load of scrap received from Covington, Georgia had set off radiation monitors and was reading 11.0 mR/hr and had been identified as Cs-137. Representatives from the Office of Radiation Control investigated the load and confirmed all measurements that were previously taken. The load was segregated and a single fixed type gauge was discovered in the load. The gauge contained only an unreadable general license label which was still attached. No other labels or markings were identified. The shutter appeared intact, but partially open. The gauge has been secured in place and is awaiting pick-up by an appropriate driver being provided by the scrap metal dealer in Covington, Georgia. The State of Georgia has been notified of the incident. As of today (August 26, 2015), 8:45 a.m. CDT, the gauge remains secure in place at Nucor Steel, Birmingham, Alabama. Alabama Incident 15-38 |
| ENS 51312 | 12 August 2015 09:09:00 | The following report was received via fax: On August 5, 2015, while investigating a collection of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) at Newell Recycling Southeast facility in Phenix City, AL, representatives from the Alabama Office of Radiation Control identified what appeared to be a very old gauge containing radioactive material. Initial field analysis measurements identified the isotope as Sr-90. A follow-up visit on August 7, 2015 by Alabama Office of Radiation Control personnel confirmed the source of radiation to be a very old device containing a sealed Sr-90 source. Maximum radiation levels of 1500 mR/hr (beta + gamma) and 300 mR/hr (gamma only) at the port opening were measured. The device was secured and placed in storage at the facility. A leak test was performed and the results are pending. The origin of the device is unknown. There are no identifying marks on the device. The Alabama Office of Radiation Control continues to investigate to determine the make, model and serial number. It is assumed that the device is a very old, generally licensed device that was abandoned, lost or stolen in the past. Alabama Incident 15-36 |
| ENS 50904 | 19 March 2015 13:17:00 | The following information was received via fax: On March 18, 2015, the Radiation Safety Officer for Vital Inspection Professionals, Alabaster, Alabama notified the Office of Radiation Control (for the State of Alabama) in regards to a potential overexposure which may have occurred while conducting radiography at the Alabama Power, Miller Steam Plant. On March 17, 2015 at approximately 2130 CDT, a crew was conducting radiography. The crew consisted of one radiographer and three assistants. They were completing two exposures lasting 35 seconds, and with a set-up time of approximately 15 to 18 minutes. After completing the two exposures, the radiographer noticed that his pocket dosimeter (200 mR) was off-scale. The first assistant's pocket dosimeter was reading 50 mR, the second assistant's pocket dosimeter was off scale and the third assistant was not wearing any dosimetry. The radiographer and first assistant acknowledged that their alarming rate meters were functioning correctly, the second assistant and third assistant were not wearing an alarming rate meter. The crew notified their Radiation Safety Officer at 2130 CDT, but did not contact him until around midnight. The crew immediately stopped work and was told to meet the Radiation Safety Officer the next morning to discuss the events. All available dosimetry was sent off for emergency processing and (dose information) should be received by noon, March 19, 2015. From the discussion it was determined that the survey meter had an apparent electrical short and was not measuring properly. The camera was checked and determined to be functioning properly. Based on the licensee's preliminary dose estimates it was determined that one crew member may have received up to 45 Rem whole body.
The following update was received from the Alabama Department of Public Health via fax: On March 25, 2015, Agency representatives visited Alabama Power Miller Steam Plant and met with representatives of the plant and reviewed the area where the incident took place. Also during this time the Radiation Safety Officer, the Assistant Radiation Safety Officer and the Radiographer, for Vital Inspection Professionals, were interviewed while at the plant. Starting the afternoon of March 25, 2015 and concluding the afternoon of March 26, 2015 visit, Agency representatives (Alabama Department of Public Health) met with personnel for Vital Inspection Professionals at their office and interviewed one shift foreman and the four individuals involved in the incident. The preliminary findings from interviews and a re-creation of the events is that the source was outside of its fully shielded position, but not in the guide tube. Since the incident, all four individuals involved have been seen by an Occupational Physician and have had blood samples sent to REAC/TS for review. Results should be received by April 3, 2015. Further review of all associated paperwork and training will be accomplished by April 1, 2015. Alabama Incident 15-16 Notified R1DO(Kennedy), NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION via email |
| ENS 50082 | 2 May 2014 16:30:00 | The following was provided by the State of Alabama via facsimile: On the morning of May 2, 2014 at approximately 0530 CDT, a CPN model MC-3 moisture density gauge, serial number M30129990, containing 10 millicuries of Cs-137 and 50 millicuries of Am-241:Be was damaged while in use at a temporary job site in Birmingham, Alabama when it was run over by a motorist. The licensee, Dunn Construction, notified the Alabama Office of Radiation Control at 0803 CDT. Dunn Construction is authorized to possess and use radioactive material under their Alabama Radioactive Material License No. 812. The licensee representative stated that the source rod became unattached, but was returned to the shielded position. Radiation levels around the gauge were found to be within the normal range. The gauge was placed back in the transport container and returned to the licensee's facility. The licensee was advised to perform a leak test of the gauge. Alabama Incident 14-14 |
| ENS 49097 | 6 June 2013 16:39:00 | The following information was received by facsimile: On June 4, 2013, the Radiation Safety Officer for the University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, notified the Alabama Office of Radiation Control of a fetal/embryo dose that was in excess of 500 millirem. On April 2, 2013, a 30 (year old) female was referred to the University of South Alabama Medical Center for treatment of symptomatic hyperthyroidism via Sodium Iodide-131. The patient was interviewed regarding pregnancy by the authorized user and a blood test was collected for qualitative serum hCG testing. After a negative pregnancy testing and the patient's statements, the patient was given 15 millicuries of Sodium Iodide-131. The patient was also counseled to avoid pregnancy for six months. On May 30, 2013, eight weeks and two days later, the patient reported to her physician a positive pregnancy diagnosis by her OB/GYN physician. The patient reported that her OB/GYN physician determined that she was in the tenth week of pregnancy. This would place the patient approximately 10 days pregnant at the time of administration. Alabama Incident: 13-27 |
| ENS 48959 | 23 April 2013 13:50:00 | The following information was obtained from the State of Alabama via facsimile: On April 9, 2013, (the Certified Nuclear Medicine Technician) for Baptist Medical Center-Princeton, Birmingham, Alabama, notified the Alabama Office of Radiation Control of a fetal/embryo dose that could be over 500 milliRem. On March 1, 2013, a 36 year old female had a thyroidectomy due to thyroid cancer. Following surgery on March 6, the patient had general lab work which included a negative pregnancy test. On March 26, the patient returned for a 50 millicurie I-131 treatment on the remaining thyroid tissue. The technologist administering the test did not confirm, nor was told, that the patient had another pregnancy test prior to the dosing. The pregnancy test conducted on March 26, 2013 was positive. It was confirmed that the embryo exposure was greater than 500 millirem threshold. The patient was immediately notified of the positive pregnancy results and was consulted by a OB/GYN physician. The patient received an ultrasound which confirmed the pregnancy at 4 to 5 weeks. The information is complete as of 12:45 pm CDT, April 23, 2013. Alabama Incident 13-15 |
| ENS 48833 | 20 March 2013 08:17:00 | The following report was received from the State of Alabama Department of Public Health via facsimile: On March 19, 2013, the Environmental Health & Services (representative) for International Paper of Pine Hill, Alabama notified the Alabama Office of Radiation Control that they had lost accountability of a fixed gauge. The gauge is a Kay Ray model 7062BP serial 27137, containing 100 mCi of Cs-137. During a routine inspection on February 7, 2013, it was noticed by the inspector that the device had been missing since the March 2005 inventory. The inspector requested that (the) Radiation Safety Officer investigate the incident due to several changes within the department and inconsistencies in record keeping. The licensee was issued two violations, one involving the loss of the accountability of radioactive material. The (licensee's response to the) notification (of violation) letter included both the response to the violations and a attachment. The attachment was a memorandum dated September 12, 2010, referencing losing the gauge, and indicating the loss had been discussed with the (Alabama of Public Health) Director of Licensing. This was discussed with (Director) and he does not recall this conversation nor could this memorandum be found in any of the (Alabama of Public Health) International Paper files. Due to this, the (Alabama of Public Health) considers the response letter the notification of the device being lost. As of today (March 20, 2013), at 7:15 AM CDT, the device containing radioactive material has not been recovered. This incident remains open until further investigation can be completed. Alabama Incident 13-06 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 |