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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 November 29, 2006

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
11/28/2006 - 11/29/2006

** EVENT NUMBERS **


42977 43008 43014

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Hospital Event Number: 42977
Rep Org: THE VALLEY HOSPITAL
Licensee: THE VALLEY HOSPITAL
Region: 1
City: RIDGEWOOD State: NJ
County:
License #: 29-03845
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: MARK LO
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY 		Notification Date: 11/09/2006
Notification Time: 10:30 [ET]
Event Date: 11/08/2006
Event Time: [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/28/2006
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
INFORMATION ONLY
 Person (Organization):
NEIL PERRY (R1)
GREG MORELL (NMSS)

This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material.

Event Text

IMPLANTATION SEED FOUND IN MEDICAL WASTE BAG

A single Cs-131 implantation seed (2.66 milliCuries as of 9/25/06) was found in a medical waste bag which had not yet left the hospital. All applicable areas were surveyed and no radioactive contamination was found. The licensee is performing a leak test of the seed and will forward the results. The hospital is performing an investigation into the incident.


* * * UPDATE FROM K. CHAK TO W. GOTT AT 1037 ON 11/28/06 * * *

The licensee completed the leak test - negative results, and properly disposed of the seed. The licensee is taking corrective actions to prevent its recurrence.

Notified NMSS (S. Wastler) and R1DO (J. Dwyer)

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.

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General Information or Other Event Number: 43008
Rep Org: WA DIVISION OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON HARBORVIEW GAMMA KNIFE
Region: 4
City: SEATTLE State: WA
County:
License #: WN-M0219-066
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ARDEN SCROGGS
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN 		Notification Date: 11/22/2006
Notification Time: 18:06 [ET]
Event Date: 11/16/2006
Event Time: [PST]
Last Update Date: 11/22/2006
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
 Person (Organization):
VIVIAN CAMPBELL (R4)
JOSEPH HOLONICH (NMSS)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE - WASHINGTON - GAMMA KNIFE OVEREXPOSURE

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) received a preliminary telephone report, November 22, from University of Washington, Harborview Gamma Knife, that a dose of 28 Grays had been administered to a patient. The exposure exceeded the prescribed exposure of 18 Grays by 10 Grays. The cause, thus far, is unknown. DOH is to receive a written report within 15 days.

The dose was administered by a Leksell Gamma System Model 24001 Type C gamma knife with 7,236 Curies of Co-60.

The patient or responsible relative has been notified.

The licensee is required to notify DOH within 24 hours. The notification is apparently several days late.

Washington State report number: #WA-06-066

A "Medical Event" may indicate potential problems in a medical facility's use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient.

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Other Nuclear Material Event Number: 43014
Rep Org: GENERAL DYNAMICS LAND SYSTEMS
Licensee: GENERAL DYNAMICS LAND SYSTEMS
Region: 3
City: LIMA State: OH
County:
License #: SUB-1564
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: BOYD H. ROSE
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN 		Notification Date: 11/28/2006
Notification Time: 16:37 [ET]
Event Date: 11/28/2006
Event Time: 12:20 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/28/2006
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
40.60(b)(4) - FIRE/EXPLOSION
 Person (Organization):
LAURA KOZAK (R3)
JOSEPH HOLONICH (NMSS)

Event Text

FIRE/EXPLOSION DURING SERVICING OF M1 ABRAMS TANK TURRET

General Dynamics Land Systems services the M1 Abrams Tank at their Joint Systems Manufacturing Center located in Lima, OH. Following approved procedures, technicians removed the outer side armor followed by welders punching two (2) holes into the depleted uranium armor package. When the technician inserted a hydrogen probe, a detonation occurred causing a flame to eject through the holes. The flame struck the technician on his Tyvek coveralls but did not cause any injury. A rad survey of the area confirmed minor contamination inside the armor cavity and on the floor adjacent to the right side of the turret armor cavity. Decontamination of the floor is ongoing, however, the armor cavity will be resealed as a contaminated volume.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, March 24, 2021