On June 23, 2003 at 3:30
PM the [University of Kentucky] radiation safety office received a call from an
AU [Authorized User] in the Dept. of Biology, because a shipment of
I-125, triiodothyronine, 100 microcuries, had not been received. Upon review of the records it was found that the package had arrived on June 18, 2003, and had measured 10 [millirem]/hr at the surface, 0.1 [millirem]/hr @ 1meter, and no external contamination. The Radiation Safety Office shipping paper record shows the
I-125 package was included for delivery to room 109, Research Building 3, on June 19. The required signature of receipt for the package was not obtained. With the
DOT shipping labels removed, the greatest likelihood is that the package was put into the ordinary trash. A thorough search of the Radiation Safety Office facilities and vehicles was conducted on June 23. On June 24, the authorized user's lab was searched, including use of a low energy
NAI (Tl) detector, as well as all labs where deliveries were made on June 19. No trace of the package or contents has been found. It was concluded that the highest probability was that the package entered the normal waste stream and went to a landfill. Once in a landfill, the
I-125 will be sequestered from any contact, and will be essentially non-radioactive in 1.65 years. Assuming worst case scenarios, the dose rate to the torso would be about 10 [millirem]/hr or less, and would have to be held against the body continuously by a single individual for
10 hours1.157407e-4 days <br />0.00278 hours <br />1.653439e-5 weeks <br />3.805e-6 months <br /> to produce a dose in excess of 100 [millirem]. Additionally there is no indication or likelihood of intentional or accidental ingestion of the contents since this is not intended for human use. However, if the entire 100 microcuries were ingested by a single individual, as
sodium iodide, the thyroid dose would be 78
rem, and the effective dose would be 2.4
rem. While no thyroid dose information has been found for the triiodothyronine form, the effective dose from ingestion of 100 microcuries would be 17 [millirem]. Surveys are conducted on a continual basis, if the package did not go to a landfill it would likely be found during monthly use area surveys or quarterly supervisory surveys. No
NOV was issued based on the corrective actions taken by licensee to correct deficiencies prior to report completion.