ENS Event | |
|---|---|
08:00 Feb 13, 2021 | |
| Title | Source Rod Leaking |
| Event Description | The following information was obtained from the state of California, Department of Public Health - Radiologic Health Branch (RHB) via email:
On 2/16/21, the licensee contacted RHB to report that a contamination incident occurred during cutting of a source rod of a moisture density gauge. The gauge involved is a Troxler Model 3440, S/N 17263, originally containing 8 mCi of Cs-137 and 40 mCi of Am-241. The source serial number is 50-6634 and the 'IAEA Certificate of Competent Authority Special Form Radioactive Materials' that was provided by the licensee identifies the source as QSA Global Models XN30/0, XN 30/1, or 30XN/2, and states that the sources are single encapsulated. On 2/13/21, the licensee was attempting to replace a source rod on a customer's nuclear gauge. After removing the source rod tip, licensee surveys of the area detected contamination. Wipes of the rod and work area were counted using a Ludlum 3030, S/N 222793, calibrated 10/12/20, and indicated low levels of beta contamination (approximately 25 nCi total) apparently due to a leaking source. It is not believed the cutting of the source rod breached the Cs-137 source. The contamination was confined to a small portion of a countertop, a vise, a hack saw blade and the floor directly below the work area. The contaminated area was wiped with damp rags and contaminated items and rags were collected into plastic bags and then placed into a 5-gallon bucket. The source and the piece of the source rod cut off were placed into a large lead container. The area was subsequently surveyed again, and no radioactivity was detected. No contamination was detected on clothes or shoes. California Report ID: 5010-021621 |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Pacific Calibration Specialties Antioch, California (NRC Region 4) | |
| License number: | 5634-07 |
| Organization: | California Radiation Control Prgm |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+153.03 h6.376 days <br />0.911 weeks <br />0.21 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Nika Hewdikaram 17:02 Feb 19, 2021 |
| NRC Officer: | Howie Crouch |
| Last Updated: | Feb 19, 2021 |
| 55108 - NRC Website | |
Pacific Calibration Specialties with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 551082021-02-13T08:00:00013 February 2021 08:00:00
[Table view]Agreement State Source Rod Leaking 2021-02-13T08:00:00 | |