PNO-IV-98-005, on 980116,Troxler Model 3411B,containing 40 Mci of Am-241 & 8 Mci of Cs-137 Stolen from State of Wa Licensee.Gauge Taken from Bed of Pickup Truck Parked in Front of Authorized Gauge User House in Tacoma
| ML20199A370 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/26/1998 |
| From: | Hackney C, Mark Shaffer NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-IV-98-005, PNO-IV-98-5, NUDOCS 9801270199 | |
| Download: ML20199A370 (1) | |
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January 26,1998
.. i EBELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCR-PNO IV 98-005 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notic.; of events of POSSIDLE _ !
safety or public Interest significance. The information is as initially received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by Region IV staff in Arlington, Texas on this date.
EscMir. Licensee Emeroency Classification AAR Testing Labs- Notification of Unusual Event State Of Washington Div Of Rad Prot Alert Redmond, Washington 98073 Site Area Emergency General Emergency X Not Applicable
Subject:
THEFT OF PORTABLE MOISTURE / DENSITY GAUGE At approximately 2:30 p.m. (CT) on January 23,1998, a representative of the State of Washington, Departrnent of HeaKh (WDH) notified the NRC Operations Centar of the theft of a portable moisture / density gauge in Tacoma, Washington.
On January 16,1998, a Troxler Model 3411B (serial number 8336), containing 40 millicuries of americium 241 and 8 millicuries of cesium-137 was stolen from a state oi Washington licenseet The gauge was taken from the bed of a pickup truck parked in front of an authorized gauge user's house in Tacoma. It was reported by the licensee that the gauge had beer, placed in the truck and properly secured to the vehicle with a cable and lock.
Prior to work on the morning of the 16th, the gauge user retumed to his house to complete preparation for his work assignment for the day. When the gauge user retumed to the truck, approximately 30 minutes later, the gauge and its transportation container was missing from the bed of the truck. The lock had been cut. A search of the surrounding area was unsuccessful in locating the device. The gauge user then not!fied the WDH. WDH has '
notified all portable gauge licentees in the state of Washington to be on the watch for the gauge. They were also asked to discuss this incident with their authorized gauge users and to elevate their security measures to prevent a similar occurrence.
The state of Washington has been informed.
Region IV received notification of this occurrence by electronic mail from the state of Washington on January 23. Region IV has informed NMSS.
This'information has been discussed with the state of Washington and is current as of 11:00 a.m. (CT), January 26.
Contact:
Charles A. Hackney (817)860-f1267 . g Mark R. Shaffer (817)860 8287 ,,
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