Event Notification Report for March 26, 2007
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
03/25/2007 - 03/26/2007
EVENT NUMBERS
43257
!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Other Nuclear Material
Event Number: 43257
Rep Org: BEST MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL, INC
Licensee: BEST MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL, INC
Region: 1
City: SPRINGFIELD State: VA
County:
License #: 45-19757-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: BILLY BASS
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Licensee: BEST MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL, INC
Region: 1
City: SPRINGFIELD State: VA
County:
License #: 45-19757-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: BILLY BASS
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 03/26/2007
Notification Time: 13:26 [ET]
Event Date: 03/26/2007
Event Time: 11:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 03/28/2007
Notification Time: 13:26 [ET]
Event Date: 03/26/2007
Event Time: 11:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 03/28/2007
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.2202(b)(1) - PERS OVEREXPOSURE/TEDE >= 5 REM
10 CFR Section:
20.2202(b)(1) - PERS OVEREXPOSURE/TEDE >= 5 REM
Person (Organization):
ANTHONY DIMITRIADIS (R1)
GREG MORELL (FSME)
ANTHONY DIMITRIADIS (R1)
GREG MORELL (FSME)
PERSONNEL OVEREXPOSURE ASSEMBLING PALLADIUM SEEDS
On 3/26/07, the licensee's RSO received dosimetry reading (from Landauer) on employees working at his facility indicating that a worker had a deep dose exposure of 9683 mrem and an extremity dose of 9200 mrem. This exposure occurred sometime over the previous two months - the measured dose period was from 1/01/07 to 3/01/07. The individual with the potential overexposure works in the fabrication of Palladium - 103 seeds, a soft gamma emitter, used for brachytherapy treatment. The cause of the overexposure is currently unknown. The dosimetry of coworkers does not indicate overexposures. A survey of the work area shows no contamination and no previously unidentified possible sources of exposure. The worker is a female, approximately 30 years old, and does not exhibit any medical symptoms. No information on pregnancy status was available. Interviews with the individual are in progress.
* * * RETRACTION ON 03/28/07 AT 1130 EDT VIA E-MAIL FROM KRISHNAN SUTHANTHIRAN TO MACKINNON * * *
"We retract the statement. The initial statement was based on information from a dosimeter company without further investigation. Upon further investigation we believe this reading to be in error. Individuals normally receive between 25-30mR per month. Given the fact the isotope they work with is exclusively Pd-103 and the work is inside shielded boxes it's unlikely for them to get such exposure. Our belief at this time is that this reading is in error. We believe the individual's exposure was not higher than they received in previous months. Further, given this is Pd-103, a state (not NRC) regulated isotope, we have and will continue to report findings to the state."
NRC R1DO (Anthony Dimitriadis) & FSME (Greg Morell) notified.
On 3/26/07, the licensee's RSO received dosimetry reading (from Landauer) on employees working at his facility indicating that a worker had a deep dose exposure of 9683 mrem and an extremity dose of 9200 mrem. This exposure occurred sometime over the previous two months - the measured dose period was from 1/01/07 to 3/01/07. The individual with the potential overexposure works in the fabrication of Palladium - 103 seeds, a soft gamma emitter, used for brachytherapy treatment. The cause of the overexposure is currently unknown. The dosimetry of coworkers does not indicate overexposures. A survey of the work area shows no contamination and no previously unidentified possible sources of exposure. The worker is a female, approximately 30 years old, and does not exhibit any medical symptoms. No information on pregnancy status was available. Interviews with the individual are in progress.
* * * RETRACTION ON 03/28/07 AT 1130 EDT VIA E-MAIL FROM KRISHNAN SUTHANTHIRAN TO MACKINNON * * *
"We retract the statement. The initial statement was based on information from a dosimeter company without further investigation. Upon further investigation we believe this reading to be in error. Individuals normally receive between 25-30mR per month. Given the fact the isotope they work with is exclusively Pd-103 and the work is inside shielded boxes it's unlikely for them to get such exposure. Our belief at this time is that this reading is in error. We believe the individual's exposure was not higher than they received in previous months. Further, given this is Pd-103, a state (not NRC) regulated isotope, we have and will continue to report findings to the state."
NRC R1DO (Anthony Dimitriadis) & FSME (Greg Morell) notified.