The following information was received from the
Louisiana Department of Environment Quality via facsimile:
On 11/27/2012, the RSO for BASF called in a preliminary report about a shutter on a fixed level gauge utilized in their processes in the chemical plant. There is no possible exposure to the plant workers because the gauge [is] installed on a remote process [tank inaccessible by plant personnel] and, [consequently], the shutter remaining open and operating [should not be] a problem. . . . The gauge is a Berthold, model #LB-7440D loaded with 150 mCi of Cs-137. [A manufacturer service technician] has been contacted to repair the level gauge. The manufacturer's service tech stated that [the stuck shutter] appears [to be the result of exposure to] the elements. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality considers this item closed and the records will be reviewed during the next inspection.
Louisianan Incident Number: T145017