Event Notification Report for June 19, 2003

CALIFORNIA AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE

[DELETED] , Director LA County Radiological Health Management of the CA Radiological Health Branch and [DELETED] Senior Health Physicist [DELETED] ) called to report that a Moisture Density Gauge (50 milli-Curies Am-241 and 10 milli-Curies Cs-137) (Manufacture Campbell Pacific, Model MC1, serial # 11114098) was stolen from a truck at 7:30 AM PDT. The truck was at 7-11 in Torrance, California and the driver was inside the 7-11. The driver noticed the missing material after he drove away from the 7-11. The licensee is AGI Geotechnical [DELETED] ). The Torrance Police Department was notified.

* * * UPDATE ON 7/10/03 AT 0707 PM VIA EMAIL FROM R. GREGER * * *

"On 6/19/03 AGI Geotechnical, a CA licensee, reported the theft that morning of one of its portable nuclear gauges from a convenience store in Torrance, CA. The gauge was taken from the bed of the operator's parked pick-up truck by someone who apparently cut the lock on the chain that locked the gauge to the pickup truck. The licensee reported the theft to the local police department and placed an ad in the local press offering a reward for the return of the gauge. On 7/7/03 the licensee reported having received a call from an individual in response to the reward ad. The individual indicated that he knew who had stolen the gauge and where it was. The licensee retrieved the gauge that day and returned it to its offices in Van Nuys, CA. A state inspector visited the licensee to physically inspect the gauge and confirm its identity. The gauge appeared to be in a normal condition, undamaged, with no evidence of a radiological hazard. However, the transport case for the gauge was cracked in several places and was missing DOT labels, so it would need to be replaced. The licensee will have the gauge checked and leak tested by the manufacturer's service representative to ensure that the radioactive source was not damaged."

Notified TAS (Whitney) and R4DO (Kennedy).

STOLEN VEHICLE THAT CONTAINED RADIOGRAPHY CAMERA

High Mountain Radiographers of Casper, WY reported to the NRC Region 4 offices that one of their trucks that contained a Spec-150 Radiography camera was missing and considered stolen. The suspect is an employee of the company in the position of assistant radiographer. The licensee and local law enforcement (Rock Springs, WY Police Department) were unable to locate the truck or the driver this morning. The truck is a white with green accents, 1997 F-250 pickup truck. The truck was last seen at 6 p.m. MDT on 6/18/03 in the possession of the assistant radiographer.

The radiography camera contains a 71 Curie Iridium-192.

The FBI has been notified.

* * * UPDATE AT 21:33 EDT ON 6/19/03 FROM FRAZIER TO GOTT * * *

Vehicle and driver have been located in Rock Springs, WY. The radiography camera and source were intact and not tampered with in any way. The licensee has possession of the vehicle. The assistant radiographer is in the custody of local law enforcement personnel.

Notified DHS, FEMA, EPA, DOE, FBI, EPA, and USDA.

DAMAGED TEXAS NUCLEAR MODEL 5180A LEVEL GAUGE

"An explosion and fire occurred in a distillation unit. The operating units were shut down and the fire was extinguished. A visual inspection of a level gauge installed on a vessel located in the area showed the device was intact with no apparent physical damage except heat discoloration was visible on the device. A preliminary survey found no readings above the regulatory limits. However, an attempt to close the shutter was made and debris and molten materials made the closing difficult. A wipe test was performed with no leakage found. The device and area was barricaded to prevent unauthorized entry.

"Consultant Assistance:
A radiation technician from Alpha Process Sales inspected the device and the area. Occupancy surveys were made and showed no persons who entered the area received exposures over the allowable limits.

"Thermo-Measuretech of Round Rock, TX, an authorized company, removed the device and took possession for disposal.

"TX Nuclear Level Gauge
TN model 5180A
source sn# B380, 500mCi [millicuries] Cs-137"

Texas Incident No: I-8032

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT

Spill of radioactive material. On 6/19/2003, an employee inadvertently dropped a vial of P-32 on the floor. The container spilled approximately 2900 millicuries of P-32 on the floor while contaminating one employee and several pieces of the licensee's equipment. The employee was decontaminated on site. An initial clean-up wash was performed on the facility. However, the radiation levels remained high. The RSO (Radiation Safety Officer) directed that the floors be covered with 2 sheets of 4 ft by 8 ft plexiglas. In addition, the licensee covered contaminated equipment with lead sheeting to prevent the spread of contamination and elevated radiation levels in the vicinity of the equipment. The licensee is waiting 10 half-lives to release the facility for full use. All personnel entering the area are notified of the contamination and are warned of the radiation levels and potential contamination.

The incident was not reported within 24 hours per regulations. Levels exceed release criteria. The incident is being investigated.

This incident is being reported under 10 CFR 30.50(b)(1), and Texas requirement 289.202(xx)(7)(A).

Texas incident number I-8034.