The following information was received via E-mail:
On May 23, 2018, a scrap yard identified a radioactive source in an outgoing load of waste intended for a landfill. The radioactive source is one inch long and approximately one-half inch in diameter. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services responded to the scrap yard on May 25, 2018, and measured a maximum exposure rate of 210 mR/hr on contact with the source. The source was confirmed to not be leaking. There are no markings or numbers on the source, and isotope identification is pending. It is not known how long the scrap yard was in possession of the source. The source is now in secured storage at the scrap yard. Additional updates will be provided as information about the source and possible original device become available.
Wisconsin Event Report ID No.: WI180008
- * * UPDATE FROM KRISTA KUHLMAN TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1524 EDT ON 5/31/2018 * * *
The following information was received via E-mail:
On May 31, 2018, the department performed additional characterization of the source at the scrap yard with assistance from the EPA. It has been determined that it is a Ba-133 source, with an activity between 350 - 500 microCuries. The department has not been able to determine the origin of the source. It will continue to work with the scrap yard to determine the proper disposal path.
Notified R3DO (Cameron) and
NMSS Events Notification E-mail group.