The following information was provided by the
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (
HHS) via email:
3M Company in Ames, Iowa, possesses NDC Technologies fixed nuclear gauges for material thickness measurements on their production line. It is being reported that on the morning of November 22, 2023, when beginning production at 0815 CST, a web from the line caught the shutter of an NDC model 103X fixed nuclear gauge, containing 150 millicuries of americium-141, and bent the shutter away from the closed position impacting the function [of the] shutter and not allowing it to fully shield the beam as intended. This was immediately identified by staff and the line was shut down and the radiation safety officer (RSO) was notified. The affected device is installed behind guarding and nobody had access to the beam until the RSO came onsite at 0920 to evaluate the situation. Iowa HHS was notified at 0945. Under the direct supervision and instruction of the RSO, using a radiation survey meter, the licensee (3M Company) fixed the shutter and 3M Corporate Health Physics was notified that the device had been fixed at 1130.
No overexposures, release, or contamination of radioactive material has occurred because of this incident and Iowa HHS will update this reportable event as more information (cause, corrective actions, radiation doses) becomes available.
NMED item number: IA230003