Event Notification Report for December 28, 2023

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LEAKING SEALED SOURCE

The following is a summary of information provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment via email:

The licensee, Medical Center of Aurora, discovered a leaking sealed source on December 18, 2023, during a routine semi-annual inventory and leak test. The sealed source is an Eckert and Ziegler (Serial Number 1360-6-20) Cs-137 vial with estimated current activity of 0.136 millicuries. The plastic vial had been stored in a lead box since the last inspection, but it was discovered that the plastic was cracked. Wipe test showed 0.052 microcuries of removable activity inside the storage box. No contamination was found outside of the box. The source vial will be wrapped in several layers of plastic to stabilize it and limit contamination inside the box. The licensee has contacted the manufacturer to return the source.

Colorado Event Number: CO230044

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SOURCE UNABLE TO RETRACT

The following report was received via phone and email by the Texas Department of State Health Services [the Department]:

"On December 20, 2023, the Department was notified by the licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) that on December 19, 2023, they were unable to retract a 52 curie iridium-192 source into a QSA 880D exposure device. The RSO stated its radiographers were performing radiography on a pipe. The pipe fell and struck the guide tube, crimping it far enough to prevent them from retracting the source. The radiographers isolated the area and contacted the RSO. A retrieval team arrived at the location and was able to retract the source. The RSO stated no individual exceeded any exposure limits. Additional information will be provided as it is receive it accordance with SA-300."

Texas Incident Number: 10074
Texas NMED Number: TX230058

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SHUTTER STUCK IN OPEN POSITION

The following report was received via email from the Tennessee Division of Radiological Health:

"During a scheduled 3-month shutter check, it was discovered that a gauge shutter was stuck in the open position. No abnormal levels of radiation were detected. The position was in a normal operating position. A vendor field technician has been contacted about the gauge which is an Ohmart/Vega gauge, model SHLG-1, with an isotope of cesium-137, 300 millicuries. Corrective actions as well as additional information will be updated with a NMED report within 30 days."

Tennessee Event Report Number: TN-23-089