The following was received from the
Texas Department of State Health Services (the Agency) via email:
On July 12, 2023, the Agency received an e-mail from Tesla stating they had lost a generally licensed NRD device model number P-2021 Z705. The device contains a 10 millicurie polonium-210 source. The source is sealed inside an air tool used to blow off dust from cars prior to painting. The company performed searches for the device, but was unable to locate the device. The device was discovered missing when the company was getting ready to return them to the manufacturer. The company stated that due to the remaining activity (purchased on March 30, 2021) and the design of the device, it does not pose an exposure risk to any individual.
Texas Incident Number: 10037
THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A 'Less than Cat 3' LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Sources that are "Less than
IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as
moisture density gauges or thickness
gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf