ENS Event | |
|---|---|
16:00 May 20, 2004 | |
| Title | Mississippi Agreement State Report: Leaking Source |
| Event Description | Description of Incident: Approximately 11:00 central time on 5-20-04, The Division of Radiological Health, MS State Dept. of Health, was notified that a leaking Cesium 137 source was found when a consultant was preparing sealed sources for disposal. The leaking source was found in the bottom of a storage container (original pig from Du Pont) that was used to store a Du Pont Merck Model NER-401H 592 microcurie Cs-137 dose calibrator source. The leaking source was found after the dose calibrator source had been removed from the storage pig and determined to be free of contamination. The leaking source was discovered in a crack at the bottom of the storage pig and was in excess of .005 microcuries removable contamination. A consultant stated that the leaking source appeared to be about the size of a pencil lead. Instead of trying to remove the contaminated source from the pig, he put epoxy in the pig to seal it in place to ready it for disposal. He estimated that the source was probably used as a check source. The dose calibrator source was originally purchased from Du Pont Merck in 1982. All tests for leakage/contamination were negative for over 20 years. It is our belief that the leaking source was in the pig when it was purchased from Du Pont Merck. The licensee had never been licensed for any other Cs-137 sources.
Describe clean-up actions: Consultant had removed all sources and completed close-out surveys and wipes for termination of license. List Radiation measurements taken: Consultant stated that survey readings at top of storage pig were approximately 0.2 mRem/hr. List any other actions required of DRH: follow up as required and notify NMED. Case Closed: Yes |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Imaging Center Of Columbus Columbus, Mississippi (NRC Region 1) | |
| License number: | MS-327-01 |
| Organization: | Mississippi Div Of Rad Health |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+20.47 h0.853 days <br />0.122 weeks <br />0.028 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | B. J. Smith 12:28 May 21, 2004 |
| NRC Officer: | John Mackinnon |
| Last Updated: | May 21, 2004 |
| 40763 - NRC Website | |
Imaging Center Of Columbus with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 407632004-05-20T16:00:00020 May 2004 16:00:00
[Table view]Agreement State Mississippi Agreement State Report: Leaking Source 2004-05-20T16:00:00 | |