Alert

Due to a lapse in appropriations, the NRC has ceased normal operations. However, excepted and exempted activities necessary to maintain critical health and safety functions—as well as essential progress on designated critical activities, including those specified in Executive Order 14300—will continue, consistent with the OMB-Approved NRC Lapse Plan.

Event Notification Report for September 9, 2003

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
09/08/2003 - 09/09/2003

** EVENT NUMBERS **

40128

40132

General Information or Other	Event Number: 40128
Rep Org: MA RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM Licensee: TOBEY HOSPITAL Region: 1 City: WAREHAM State: MA County: License #: 44-0034 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: JOHN SUMARES HQ OPS Officer: NATHAN SANFILIPPO	Notification Date: 09/03/2003 Notification Time: 15:11 [EST] Event Date: 08/27/2003 Event Time: 11:30 [EDT] Last Update Date: 09/03/2003
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): PAMELA HENDERSON (R1) TOM ESSIG (NMSS)

Event Text

MASSACHUSETTS AGREEMENT STATE REPORT -- CONTAMINATED DELIVERY

Upon receiving a package (small gray suitcase) of bulk Techneticum-99m (75 millicuries), a technician at Tobey Hospital detected high surface contamination readings on the case. The case was not open and showed no damage. Hospital staff isolated the case until the shipper could arrive.

The shipper, Mallinckrodt, arrived at the hospital and performed their own tests on the package. There were two "hot spots" detected: one 3.5 to 4.0 millirem/hr on contact on the plastic auxiliary pouch, and one 0.3 to 0.4 millirem/hr on the side of the suitcase. Upon opening the package, a survey of the Tc-99m pig and inside foam showed almost no contamination.

The driver of the delivery truck and the vehicle were immediately surveyed and showed no detectable activity. Surveys of the hospital lab and the lab where the suitcase was packed both showed no evidence of contamination. At this time, it is uncertain as to where the contamination originated. The package has been isolated and will be allowed to decay to background before the case is returned to service.

General Information or Other	Event Number: 40132
Rep Org: MISSISSIPPI DIV OF RAD HEALTH Licensee: Professional Service Industries Region: 2 City: Pass Christian State: MS County: Harrison License #: MS-639-01/02 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: Mark Langston HQ OPS Officer: ERIC THOMAS	Notification Date: 09/04/2003 Notification Time: 09:48 [EST] Event Date: 09/04/2003 Event Time: 06:00 [CDT] Last Update Date: 09/05/2003
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): CHARLES MARSCHALL (R4) DOUG BROADDUS (NMSS) PAUL FREDRICKSON (R2)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE

At approximately 0600 CDT on 9/4/2003, a 1999 Nissan Altima belonging to an employee of Professional Services Industries (PSI) was stolen while parked at his residence in Pass Christian, MS. The vehicle had a Troxler Moisture/Density gauge Model 3411B, serial number 18549, locked in the trunk. The gauge contained the following isotopes: Cs-137, 8 millicuries, serial number 50899, and Am-241/Be, 40 millicuries, serial number 4714005.

The local PSI office is located in Gulfport, MS.

Local Law Enforcement was notified of the stolen vehicle and gauge.

*****UPDATE ON 9/5/03 AT 1710 FROM LANGSTON TO LAURA*****

The stolen vehicle was located in downtown Gulfport, MS. The gauge was found intact and was transported back to the office for a leak test. It appeared that the gauge was not touched.

Notified R2DO (P. Fredrickson).

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