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| Entered date | Event description | |
|---|---|---|
| ENS 54122 | 18 June 2019 15:36:00 | The following was received via email. Between 2/27/19 and 2/28/19, an autoclave (13 inches long with 1.25 inches width) ruptured in room 2BR136 of Building 20620, at Wright Patterson Air Force Base (AFB) OH. Nobody was present at the time of the rupture. Scientists were working with unlicensed materials (potassium niobate and potassium hydroxide) at the time of the event. This autoclave originally came from Hanscom AFB . During the investigation, the installation Radiation Safety Officer found affixed to the inside of the autoclave canister non-removable thorium-232 (31,235 dpm/100 cm2) and a significantly lesser amount of removable thorium-232. Besides the material on the autoclave, no other contamination was present. Thorium contamination might be from the raw materials used in the autoclave and/or Hanscom AFB might have used thorium in the autoclave. The licensee are investigating and conducting additional gamma spectroscopic analysis of the interior of the ruptured autoclave. This was a historical incident that the licensee was made aware of, and is still uncertain if it is reportable. The licensee had a discussion with NRC Region IV regarding this event. After the discussion, the licensee chose to report to the NRC Operations Center in accordance with 10 CFR 40.60. To the best of the licensee's knowledge, nobody had radiation exposure or radioactive material uptake. The licensee will provide the follow-up written report within 30 days. The Thorium-232 Appendix B annual limit on intake is 3E-3 microCuries. The licensee contacted Region IV. |
| ENS 52135 | 29 July 2016 15:27:00 | On June 3, 2016, the US Air Force determined that two (2) check sources containing Thorium-232 (45 nCi and 13 nCi) were missing at the Aviano Air Base located in Italy. These two generally licensed sources are used as check sources for the ADM-300 survey meter. The licensee contacted NRC RIV (Michelle Simmons) who recommended that the licensee report the loss per 10 CFR 31.5(c)(10). 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 51946 | 20 May 2016 15:25:00 | A B-52 bomber crashed shortly after take-off at Andersen AF base in Guam at 0830 local time (2230 GMT, Wednesday, 18 May 2016). The B-52 had a Sniper Pod which contained 12 microcuries of Am-241. So far the safety team could not locate the Sniper Pod at the incident spot. The value for Am-241 listed in Appendix C to (10 CFR) Part 20 is 0.001 microcuries. Each Sniper Pod carries 12 microcuries of Am-241. Hence, we (USAF) reported the incident to the NRC Operations Center in accordance with 10 CFR 20.2201. We will provide you (NRC with a written) incident report within 30 days. 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 51783 | 9 March 2016 16:36:00 | Organization Possessing Source(s): 711HPW, USAFSAM/OE. Specific Location(s): Wright-Patterson AFB, OH Bldg. 20840, Room W329D, OEA Radioactive Material Storage. What Happened: One (1) each Isotope Product Laboratory, 12.8 nCi Am-241 check source, RP# 0895 was to be shipped, along with three other sources, to Nellis AFB in support of USAFSAM/OEC personnel. The PRSO (Permit Radiation Safety Officer) could not immediately locate RP# 0895. The PRSO checked the RAM (Radioactive Material) sign-out log to determine if the source had been signed out to other OE personnel. The log did not show evidence of the source having been signed out. The PRSO questioned Radioanalytical Lab, Dosimetry Lab, Calibration Lab, AFRAT, Consulting and Education personnel to determine if anyone was using the source. All of them had a negative reply. All laboratories were thoroughly searched as were the OEC equipment cases used in the Nellis operations. AFRAT equipment cases in WRM were also searched. The source was not located. The PRSO determined the source had last been accounted for during the RAM inventory dated 17 August 2015. Additional investigation revealed that the prior PRSO had been requested to send the source, along with two other sources, to Nellis AFB in support of OEC personnel in September 2015. These sources were never signed out of the inventory when sent to Nellis AFB. Additionally, no OEC personnel recall using the source during that period. The other two sources requested were received back at USAFSAM on 5 October 2015. DOE personnel working with OEC personnel at Nellis AFB, as well as the Nellis IRSO (Installation Radiation Safety Officer), were contacted to see if they had the source in their possession. All had a negative reply. It cannot be determined if the source was lost at USAFSAM or Nellis AFB. The PRSO contacted the IRSO, at 1531, 17 February 2016 to inform him of the potential lost source. USAF Master Materials License: 42-23539-01AF Docket: 030-28641. Applicable USAF RAM Permit: OH-00563-00/14AFP Docket: 030-00563. Commodity (i.e., compasses, etc.): Isotope Product Laboratory check source. Radioisotope(s) Involved: Am-241 Activity: 12.8 nCi Sealed Source Model/Serial No: K-845/0895 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 51235 | 15 July 2015 15:52:00 | The following was received via email: The Installation Radiation Safety Officer of the Wright- Patterson AFB telephoned at 1515 (EDT) stating that they lost two sources which have 10 microcuries of Am-241 each. IAW 10 CFR 20.2201, (the licensee has) reported the loss of sources to the NRC Operation Center. 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 |