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| Entered date | Event description | |
|---|---|---|
| ENS 55075 | 19 January 2021 21:17:00 | The following information was received via E-mail: On 1/19/21, The California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) contacted the Radiologic Health Branch (RHB) to report an incident involving five stolen moisture / density gauges. The initial report to Cal OES was made by the Santa Clara Fire Department. Upon receipt of the Cal OES incident report, RHB contacted the licensee and learned the following: The licensee became aware of this theft on 1/19/21, when one of their staff members attempted to collect a gauge from the authorized storage unit located at 3033 Lafayette Street, Unit A133, in Santa Clara, CA. The licensee had five gauges stored at this location. According to the Public Storage facility personnel, the theft occurred late at night on Friday, 1/15/2021, when eight units were burglarized that day. The licensee stated that they did not receive any notification from the storage unit personnel regarding the theft on Friday. On 01/19/21, the licensee notified the Santa Clara Police Department of the theft (case number: 21-115042) and dispatchers were able to recover five transport cases near De La Cruz and Hwy 101 in Santa Clara, but the gauges were all missing. The gauges that were stolen include: 1. CPN International MC-3, S/N M380709085, 50mCi of AmBe 241 and 10mCi of Cs 137 2. InstroTek MCE-3, S/N 30380, 50mCi of AmBe 241 and 10mCi of Cs 137 3. InstroTek MCE-3, S/N 30958, 50mCi of AmBe 241 and 10mCi of Cs 137 4. InstroTek Explorer 3500, S/N 3375, 44mCi of AmBe 241 and 11mCi of Cs 137 5. InstroTek Explorer 3500, S/N 3826, 44mCi of AmBe 241 and 11mCi of Cs 137 RHB will be following up on this investigation. California 5010 Number: 011921 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 54173 | 18 July 2019 19:03:00 | The following was received via e-mail: On 07/17/19, the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services contacted the Radiologic Health Branch (RHB) to report a stolen moisture-density gauge. The gauge involved is a Troxler Model 3450A, S/N 483, containing 9 mCi of Cs-137 and 44 mCi of Am-241. The gauge was stolen out of a gauge technician's truck parked at a Motel 6 parking lot around 2100 PDT in Oakland, CA. The user had immediately called the Oakland Police Department and was advised to call back at a later time. On the morning of 7/18/19, the Oakland Police Department was contacted again and they declined to take a report due to high volume of incidents. The gauge was chained to the bed of the truck and there were guards present at the parking lot. The licensee will be posting a reward for the safe return of the gauge. RHB will be following up on this investigation. California 5010 Number: 071719 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 54106 | 8 June 2019 22:29:00 | The following information was received via E-mail: On (6/8/19), Cal OES (California Office of Emergency Services) contacted RHB (Radiologic Health Branch) to report an incident regarding a damaged moisture-density gauge. The incident occurred on 6/7/19, at a temporary job site located at 1627 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa, CA. The gauge involved is a CPN Model MC1, S/N M13044837, containing 10 mCi of Cs-137 and 50 mCi of Am-241. The gauge was run-over by a construction vehicle at the job site. The gauge housing has been damaged and the user was unable to retract the source rod back into shielded position. The RSO contacted a gauge vendor, Pacific Nuclear Technology (PNT), and they immediately responded to the incident at the site. The gauge was secured by PNT and transported back to their storage for disposal. Leak test performed by PNT did not indicate any contamination. The RHB will be following up on this incident. California 5010 Number: 060819 |
| ENS 53412 | 18 May 2018 18:12:00 | The following was received from the State of California via email: On 05/18/18, RSO (radiation safety officer) contacted RHB (Radiologic Health Branch) to report an incident where one of their radiographic exposure devices was left unattended at a job site inside a refinery. Licensee reported that due to a miscommunication, around 6:00 am (PDT) on 05/18/18 a camera was left unattended in an uncontrolled unit within the Chevron Refinery, in Richmond, CA, for several hours before it was discovered and placed it under licensee's control. The camera involved is a Model Ir-100, S/N 4850, Source S/N 223D containing 86 Ci of Ir-192. RHB will be following up on this investigation. (Note: Currently, Qualspec, LLC is in the process of merging with another licensee, TEAM Industrial Services) California ID # 051818 THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "CATEGORY 2" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Category 2 sources, if not safely managed or securely protected, could cause permanent injury to a person who handled them, or were otherwise in contact with them, for a short time (minutes to hours). It could possibly be fatal to be close to this amount of unshielded radioactive material for a period of hours to days. These sources are typically used in practices such as industrial gamma radiography, high dose rate brachytherapy and medium dose rate brachytherapy. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf |
| ENS 53066 | 10 November 2017 20:06:00 | The following report was received via e-mail: On 11/10/19, California Office of Emergency Services (OES) contacted RHB (Radiologic Health Branch) to report a stolen moisture density gauge. This gauge is a CPN Model MC-3, S/N M311000525 containing 10 mCi of Cs-137 and 50 mCi of Am-241. The gauge was stolen while momentarily unattended in the licensee's facility parking lot. The lot has video surveillance and the footage is being reviewed by the RSO for information. Immediately after the incident, a report was filed with the Concord Police Department. RHB will be following up on this investigation. California report: 111017 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 52975 | 18 September 2017 20:08:00 | The following is a report emailed from the California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch (RHB): On 09/18/17, RHB received a call from an employee at an unlicensed facility (Clorox Company) in Fairfield, CA, regarding recovery of a lost/stolen moisture density gauge. The gauge is a Troxler Model 3450, S/N 1083 gauge containing approximately 9 mCi of Cs-137 and 44 mCi of Am-241. On Sunday afternoon (09/17/17) one of the Clorox employees noticed a locked container left on the side of the street in front of their facility. On Monday (9/18/17) morning, the locked container was noticed to have been moved farther from the road and closer to their facility. Clorox called Troxler and Fairfield Police, but neither could pick up the container. The Clorox employee then contacted RHB, and received instruction on how to safely store the container until RHB arrives at the facility. RHB picked up the gauge the same day and brought it back to the storage facility at the Richmond Regional office. A survey performed by RHB at the Clorox facility using a Thermo Scientific Rad Eye B20, S/N 30744, calibrated 03/09/17, indicated 0.4 mR/hr at one meter, which is a typical reading for a moisture density gauge in its transportation container. The type A transportation container appeared to be in good condition and was locked with two padlocks. RHB had the padlocks cut, and located a copy of a license indicating the gauge belongs to RMA Group in Rancho Cordova, CA (License # 7565-34). RHB has not received any notification from the licensee regarding a lost or stolen gauge. RHB will be contacting the licensee to follow up on this incident. California 5010 Number: 091817 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 51835 | 30 March 2016 17:18:00 | The following information was received from the State of California via email: On 03/29/16, the California Office of Emergency Services (OES) contacted the RHB (Radiation Health Branch) via an email to notify them of a damaged moisture/density gauge. The gauge was a Troxler gauge, Model 3440, S/N 38618 containing 9 mCi of Cs-137 and 44 mCi of Am-241. The gauge had been run over by an excavator while the operator was taking a reading along the side of the road where the incident occurred. Per the licensee, the Cs-137 source was in the shielded position (at the time of the incident readings were taken over a standard block for counts) when the gauge was damaged. The licensee stated that a 20 foot area was cordoned off until the gauge was removed. Fire Department personnel were at the scene. Per the licensee, a Pacific Nuclear Technology (PNT) RSO arrived at the site, and confirmed a survey meter reading of 0.5 mRems at one meter from the gauge, which is considered normal for this type of gauge. It was also noted that the Cs-137 and Am-241 sources were intact. Survey of the area after removal of the gauge indicated background readings. The gauge was placed inside the transit cage and returned to the licensee's storage location. A leak test will be performed and the gauge will be disposed of in the near future. RHB will be following up on this incident. California 5010 Number: 032916 / Kleinfelder |
| ENS 51790 | 14 March 2016 16:05:00 | The following information was obtained from the State of California via email: On 03/14/16, RHB (California Department of Public Health - Radiologic Health Branch) was contacted via email by the California Office of Emergency Services (OES) to report a stolen moisture density gauge. This is a Troxler Model 3440, S/N T34436628, gauge containing 9 mCi of Cesium -137 and 44 mCi of Americium - 241. This gauge was stolen from the licensee's storage facility located in Placerville, CA on 03/12/16. (The licensee radiation safety officer) RSO had filed a report with the El Dorado County Sheriff's office. There is no report of damage to the device, however, the whereabouts of the gauge is unknown. RHB will be following up with this investigation. California Report Number: 5010-031416 |
| ENS 51525 | 9 November 2015 17:14:00 | The following was received from the State of California via email: On 10/30/15, the RSO at Lockheed Martin reported the following to RHB (California) via an email: On 10/20/15, the RSO had declared a missing Po-210 static eliminator source from their inventory. The device model is Nuclecel P-2035 static eliminator, S/N A2KB502. The sealed source contained 10 mCi as of 10/15/14. As of 10/29/15, the source would have remaining activity of 1.5 mCi. The lab using the static eliminator had recently relocated operations between buildings within the Sunnyvale campus and the licensee suspects that it was lost during this process. RHB (California) will be following up with this incident. California 5010 Number: 103015 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 51328 | 18 August 2015 17:52:00 | The following report was received via e-mail: On 07/21/15, Sterigenics Corporate RSO (Radiation Safety Officer) contacted RHB-Sacramento office (California Radiation Health Branch) via an email and telephone to report the following event in accordance with 36.83(a)(4). His email stated the following: Last night (7/21/15) at approximately 12:11 AM PDT at the Sterigenics Hayward Facility (Radioactive materials License 6268-1), the pneumatic cylinder used to raise one of the two source racks (Hoist #1) failed to function as designed. The failure did NOT cause a 'stuck source' nor was there any risk of exposure to any individual as a result of this failure. The source did return to the 'down' position in the pool as designed, however, the pneumatic cylinder experienced a failure and a broken flange and is not operable. We (Sterigenics) will review in detail the cause of this failure and implement appropriate corrective action including any necessary changes in maintenance and equipment and report these changes to you (California) in writing within 30 days as required by 10CFR36.83 (b). In the interim, the facility will not commence operations until repairs are completed to the hoist and approval to commence operations is granted by the Corporate RSO and Corporate Engineering. (Sterigenics) further stated that there is no emergency or current issue. A corporate engineer will arrive in San Francisco by 2:00 on 7/21/15 to work on the irradiator. Facility is staffed 24/7 and will notify RHB before resuming any operations. (California) RHB will be following up with the licensee. California Event 072115 |
| ENS 42026 | 29 September 2005 19:21:00 | The State provided the following information via facsimile: The licensee called Granada Hills office on 09/28/05 to report a damaged Humboldt moisture density gauge, Model 5001, S/N 1976, at a job site in Panorama City area in Los Angeles, CA. This information was forwarded to RHB-Berkeley on 09/29/05. According to the report provided by the RSO, the gauge was set off to the side of the area being tested while holes were being made for testing and during that time a 966 E rubber tire loader ran over the gauge. This caused the tip of the rod that contained the source to snap off. According to the RSO, he picked up the source rod tip with pliers and inserted it into the gauge shield. An aluminum rod was also placed into the hole to keep the source rod tip in place in the shielded area. A leak test was performed and the swabs were sent overnight for testing to Pacific Nuclear Technology. Licensee is awaiting for the leak test results. The licensee will be providing RHB with additional information. Although not stated in the report, these gauges typically contain 40 millicuries of Am-241/Be and 10 millicuries of Cs-137. California Report # 092805 |
| ENS 42019 | 27 September 2005 15:36:00 | The State provided the following information via email: On September 20, 2005, a Troxler moisture density gauge, S/N 8161 was run over by a compactor at a job site in Brentwood. According to the report (fax on 9/21/05 and letter dated 9/21/05) provided by the licensee, the gauge shell and base were in pieces. The rod was in one piece but was bent out of shape. The RSO was not available on 9/20/05 and he was immediately notified of the incident. The technician transported the damaged gauge to the Pacific Nuclear Technology (PNT) of Antioch for disposal. The leak test performed on 9/20/05 at PNT indicated no contamination. The inspector learned of this incident on 9/27/05 and contacted the licensee and PNT to get further information. According to PNT, the rod was not in the shielded position when it was transported to their location. RHB will perform an investigation to try to determine the cause of this incident. Incident number: 092105 |