ENS Event | |
|---|---|
20:00 Jan 22, 2024 | |
| Title | Two Suspected Orphan Gauges Found |
| Event Description | The following information was provided by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) via email:
On January 22, 2024, at approximately 1400, Central Standard Time (CST), an unidentified nuclear gauge of roughly cylindrical dimensions and less than 30 cm in length and 12 cm in width was detected by the entrance gate radiation monitor at the Louisiana Scrap Metal facility (LA Scrap) located in Gibson, LA in Terrebonne Parish. Facility scrap surveyors were immediately dispatched to more close survey the suspected gauge using Ludlum Model 3 survey instruments with external probes. During this time an additional suspected nuclear gauge, similar in design and overall dimensions to the first, was discovered by the facility's scrap surveyors. Surface radiation readings of approximately 0.9 to 1.2 mR/hr were observed at the surface of both devices. No identifying markings, labels or tags were noted on the gauges' surfaces, and both devices appeared to have sustained significant corrosion to their housings, which nonetheless appeared intact. The devices were believed by the reporting party to have originated with scrap from the disassembly of a 220-foot marine vessel purchased by LA Scrap from a Florida scrap broker. The above incident was reported via the LDEQ Radiation Hotline at approximately 1335 CST on January 23, 2024. The facility is awaiting identification of the devices' isotope(s) (to be provided by the LDEQ) prior to contracting with BBP Sales, Louisiana Radioactive Material License, LA-10799-L01, for inspection, leak testing, packaging, and disposal of the devices. The facility environmental health and safety (EHS) manager, stated that the gauges have been enclosed in a bucket of moist dirt and secured within an area on site with restricted access. Facility workers were advised by the EHS manager to stay clear of the area in the meantime. LA Event Report ID: LA240002 |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Louisiana Scrap Metal Recycling Gibson, Louisiana (NRC Region 4) | |
| License number: | Unknown |
| Organization: | Louisiana Radiation Protection Div |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+22.12 h0.922 days <br />0.132 weeks <br />0.0303 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Russell Clark 18:07 Jan 23, 2024 |
| NRC Officer: | Ernest West |
| Last Updated: | Jan 23, 2024 |
| 56931 - NRC Website | |
Louisiana Scrap Metal Recycling with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 569312024-01-22T20:00:00022 January 2024 20:00:00
[Table view]Agreement State Two Suspected Orphan Gauges Found ENS 475922012-01-06T16:48:0006 January 2012 16:48:00 Agreement State Agreement State Report - Lost Analyzer 2024-01-22T20:00:00 | |