Event Notification Report for July 11, 2019

AGREEMENT STATE - THREE FIXED GAUGES UNACCOUNTED FOR DURING TRANSFER

The following report was received from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (Agency) via email:

"During Agency efforts to pursue an annual self-inspection report from a general licensee (Weber Packaging Solutions, aka Weber Marking Systems), it was discovered (3) NDC model 103 fixed gauges, containing 150 mCi of Am-241 each could not be accounted for. The company provided a sales order, dated 3/9/17, showing the sale of the gauges (incorporated into machinery) to Margot Machinery in Scotia, New York. On July 11, 2019, the Agency determined through communications with State of New York program staff and Margot Machinery that the transfer of the devices out of Illinois was not to a licensed broker or another general licensee. Margot Machinery was unaware the machinery contained any radioactive sources. Weber indicated on the sale bill (NDC Model 5400 TC gauge) but did not verify the transfer was to another general licensee or someone specifically licensed and authorized to receive the sources. Margot Machinery states they were unaware sources were present and had never taken possession of the machinery. Margot Machinery had contracted a broker (Buckeye Business in Ohio) to rig and remove the equipment. Agency efforts are ongoing to contact Buckeye Business and determine the fate of the machinery and sources. Correspondence is ongoing with State of Ohio officials. This matter remains open and the report will be updated as details become available."

Illinois Item Number: IL190021

THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - OVEREXPOSURE OF RADIOGRAPHER

The following report was received via email from the State of Illinois:

"The Agency [Bureau of Radiation Safety Illinois Emergency Management Agency] was notified after hours on 7/11/19 by Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, IL that a patient had self-reported to the emergency room for a potential exposure to an 88 Ci Ir-192 radiography source. Reportedly, the exposure happened earlier in the afternoon (approximately 15:30 CDT). The assistant radiographer stated he had been working in the subject area for approximately 2 minutes when a coworker arrived with radiation detection equipment and told him that he needed to self-report to the nearest ER to determine if he had received an overexposure (15:30 CDT). The assistant radiographer arrived at the hospital around 17:00 CDT. Notification to the Agency was only received from the hospital.

"Agency staff contacted the local RSO [Radiation Safety Officer], at approximately 19:00 CDT on 7/11/19 and confirmed that the assistant radiographer did in fact walk out to exchange film between shots thinking the source was retracted when in fact it was not. Shortly thereafter, the Corporate RSO, called and had additional information. The assistant radiographer worked for 2 minutes at 1 foot away from an 88 Ci Ir-192 source. This equates to about a 15 rem whole body dose. He reportedly did not grab anything with his hands that would generate blistering or erythema, but everyone will be monitoring over the next week.

"The Corporate RSO was still investigating and trying to determine the exact location of the event. The assistant radiographer is at home after his hospital visit with no ill effects, and the camera is secure in Mokena, IL. Agency staff called the hospital and made sure that they were analyzing the blood for white cell count abnormalities specifically drops in lymphocyte counts. They were not sure what to check for or how often so they were put in contact with REACTS Oak Ridge for analysis SOP at approximately 20:30 CDT on 7/11/19. The NRC region 3 liaison was notified shortly thereafter.

"The Corporate RSO will submit a final report and TLD results by 7/12/19. Agency staff are in route to the facility to perform a reactionary inspection and perform an onsite reenactment. This report will be updated as additional information becomes available. This investigation is ongoing."

Illinois report number: IL190022

EN Revision Imported Date : 9/10/2020

EN Revision Text: NI-63 SOURCE INADVERTENTLY SENT TO DISPOSAL FACILITY

The following is a summary of a phone call with the licensee:

The U.S. Air Force Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) received report of a source which they believe has been inadvertently sent to a waste disposal facility.

The source (Ni-63, 15 mCi, S/N 30306) was housed in a desktop chemical scanner, and has been in use for some time. On 4/26/2019, the scanner was sent to the U.S. Air Force Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DRMO). On 5/13/2019, DRMO then sent the scanner to DLA as scrap/waste, after which it was likely sent to a disposal facility. On 7/11/19, it was determined that the source has been inadvertently disposed of. DLA is currently working to determine which waste facility received the source, so recovery can be attempted.

The source was last leak tested on 10/01/2018, with no leaks detected. No exposures were expected from the disposal of the source.

The licensee has contacted NRC RIV (Poston-Brown).

* * * RETRACTION ON 09/09/2020 AT 1418 EDT FROM RAMACHANDRA BHAT TO CATY NOLAN * * *

The following is a summary of a letter received from the licensee:

The IONSCAN 400B device is an exempt item as it was sold under an exempt distribution license. Since it is not a Generally Licensed (GL) item and does not meet the requirements for isotope and activity, the licensee has retracted this event notification.

Notified RIV (Bolger), R4DO (Warnick), and ILTAB and NMSS (via email).

THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf