ENS Event | |
|---|---|
15:15 Jul 31, 2013 | |
| Title | Package Received Exceeding External Radiation Limits |
| Event Description | Per 10 CFR 20.1906(d)(2), the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) reported receipt of a package of radioactive material with external radiation levels exceeding NRC reporting limits (as referenced in 10 CFR 71.47).
The package was received today (July 31, 2013) around 0815 PDT by the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System, North Las Vegas, Nevada. This medical center holds permit number 27-00593-01 under the VHA master materials license. The package was surveyed by the VA facility nuclear medicine technologist with a pressurized ionization chamber. Readings were 160 mR/hr on the top surface of the shipping container and 32 mR/hr at 1 meter away from the top of the container (i.e., Transport Index = 32, which exceeded the NRC reporting limit of 10). Removable radioactivity tests of the external package surfaces were within regulatory limits. The shipping container lacked proper shielding on the top and bottom. The package contained 2 lead pigs each containing F-18 (half-life 110 minutes). One source was assayed at 0929 PDT on 7/31/2013 at 350 mCi. The other source was calibrated for 12 mCi at 1100 PDT. The VA facility Nuclear Medicine Technologist immediately notified, by telephone, Cardinal Health in Las Vegas, NV, who was the package shipper and final delivery carrier, regarding the high readings from the package. The vendor contact person acknowledged that the incorrect shipping box was used and the source should have been shipped later in the day. As corrective actions, the VA facility technologist isolated the package in the VA medical center hot lab, and additional lead shielding was placed on the top of the package. VHA has also notified NRC Region III (Null) by telephone of this event. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Va Southern Nevada Healthcare System North Las Vegas, Nevada (NRC Region 4) | |
| License number: | 03-23853-01Va |
| Organization: | Veterans Health Administration |
| Reporting | |
| 10 CFR 20.1906(d)(2) | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+0.8 h0.0333 days <br />0.00476 weeks <br />0.0011 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | David Burkett 16:03 Jul 31, 2013 |
| NRC Officer: | Donald Norwood |
| Last Updated: | Jul 31, 2013 |
| 49229 - NRC Website | |
Va Southern Nevada Healthcare System with 10 CFR 20.1906(d)(2) | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 492292013-07-31T15:15:00031 July 2013 15:15:00
[Table view]10 CFR 20.1906(d)(2) Package Received Exceeding External Radiation Limits 2013-07-31T15:15:00 | |