ENS Event | |
|---|---|
11:15 May 5, 2015 | |
| Title | Surface Contamination on Outside of Package Exceeding Reporting Limits |
| Event Description | Per 10 CFR 20.1906(d)(1), [the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) 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 today (May 5, 2015) and surveyed for contamination around 0615 CDT by Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, North Chicago, Illinois. The health care center holds permit number 12-10057-04 issued by VHA per the MML [Master Materials License]. Wipe tests performed on the external surface of the package indicated a removable contamination level of 690 dpm/cm2 as compared to the regulatory reporting limit of 240 dpm/cm2 for beta-gamma emitters. The package contained five unit dosages of Technetium-99m (about 144 millicuries total) and was shipped and delivered by Triad Isotopes in Elk Grove, Illinois. The nuclear medicine technologist who surveyed the package immediately notified, by telephone, the Pharmacy Manager at Triad Isotopes about the contaminated package. The exterior of the package was able to be decontaminated by the nuclear medicine technologist to levels below reporting limits by performing successive wipes on the surface. The inner packaging materials and dosage containers were surveyed and no contamination was identified such that the dosages were not impacted. There was no spread of contamination at the health care center from the package. The contaminated materials have been isolated in a restricted area at the health care center and will be held for decay. Veterans Health Administration (T. Huston) has also notified NRC Region III (K. Null) by telephone of this event. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Department Of Veteran Affairs North Chicago, Illinois (NRC Region 3) | |
| License number: | 03-23853-01Va |
| Organization: | Department Of Veteran Affairs |
| Reporting | |
| 10 CFR 20.1906(d)(2) | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+-0.52 h-0.0217 days <br />-0.0031 weeks <br />-7.12296e-4 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Thomas Huston 10:44 May 5, 2015 |
| NRC Officer: | Charles Teal |
| Last Updated: | May 5, 2015 |
| 51042 - NRC Website | |
Department Of Veteran Affairs with 10 CFR 20.1906(d)(2) | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 510422015-05-05T11:15:0005 May 2015 11:15:00
[Table view]10 CFR 20.1906(d)(2) Surface Contamination on Outside of Package Exceeding Reporting Limits 2015-05-05T11:15:00 | |