ENS 57192
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
10:50 Jun 26, 2024 | |
| Title | Removable Contamination Limits Exceeded |
| Event Description | The following information was provided by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) National Health Physics Program via phone and email:
Per 10 CFR 20.1906(d), VHA National Health Physics Program is reporting receipt of a package of radioactive material with removable surface contamination on the outside of the package greater than NRC reporting limits. The package was received Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at about 0650 EDT, at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center, 1826 Veterans Blvd, Dublin, Georgia. This facility operates under VHA permit number 10-09569-01 issued in accordance with master materials license number 03-23853-01VA. The package was checked in and surveyed upon receipt around 0650 EDT. A wipe performed on the external surface of the package indicated a removable contamination level that exceeded the regulatory limit of 240 dpm/cm^2 for beta-gamma emitters. The measured contamination was 26,679 dpm/100cm^2. After adjusting for a 10 percent wipe efficiency and converting units, this equals 2668 dpm/cm^2 or about 10 times the reporting limit. The contamination was isolated primarily to the package handle. The package contained four dosages of Tc-99m with a total activity of about 90 mCi (nominal). Analysis of the wipe test confirmed a gamma peak consistent with Tc-99m. Wipe tests of the interior of the delivery package resulted in levels below the exterior level of around 2800 dpm. The dosages themselves appeared to be unimpacted and able to be used. The container was isolated and is being stored in a designated, shielded area for decay. The facility Nuclear Medicine Technologist (NMT) notified the delivery carrier by phone about the contaminated package at around 0910 EDT. VHA National Health Physics Program, who manages the master materials license, was alerted to the incident around 0710 CT (0810 ET). The following additional information was obtained from the licensee in accordance with Headquarters Operations Officers Report Guidance: HOO follow up calls with the licensee and the radiopharmaceutical delivery company confirmed no spread of contamination. The receipt area at the licensee indicated no spread of contamination. The delivery driver clothes and hands were surveyed clean. There is no indication of spread of contamination to the public. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Carl Vinson Va Medical Center Dublin, Georgia (NRC Region 1) | |
| License number: | 03-23853-01VA |
| Organization: | Carl Vinson Va Medical Center |
| Reporting | |
| 10 CFR 20.1906(d)(1) | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+-1.02 h-0.0425 days <br />-0.00607 weeks <br />-0.0014 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Va Nat'L Hp Prog 09:49 Jun 26, 2024 |
| NRC Officer: | Sam Colvard |
| Last Updated: | Jun 26, 2024 |
| 57192 - NRC Website | |
Carl Vinson Va Medical Center with 10 CFR 20.1906(d)(1) | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 571922024-06-26T10:50:00026 June 2024 10:50:00
[Table view]10 CFR 20.1906(d)(1) Removable Contamination Limits Exceeded ENS 487592013-02-15T12:00:00015 February 2013 12:00:00 10 CFR 20.1906(d)(1) Package Received at Va Medical Center with Outside Contamination Exceeding Limits ENS 487422013-02-11T19:00:00011 February 2013 19:00:00 10 CFR 20.1906(d)(1) Package Received at Va Medical Center with Outside Contamination Exceeding Limits 2024-06-26T10:50:00 | |