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 February 20, 2008

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
02/19/2008 - 02/20/2008

** EVENT NUMBERS **

43926

43988

General Information or Other	Event Number: 43926
Rep Org: ARIZONA RADIATION REGULATORY AGENCY Licensee: ACURA ENGINEERING ARIZONA, INC Region: 4 City: PHOENIX State: AZ County: License #: AZ-7550 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: AUBREY GODWIN HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE	Notification Date: 01/23/2008 Notification Time: 17:50 [ET] Event Date: 01/23/2008 Event Time: 11:30 [MST] Last Update Date: 02/19/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): CLAUDE JOHNSON (R4) JOSEPH HOLONICH (FSME) ILTAB (EMAIL) () MEXICO (FAX) ()

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

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN TROXLER GAUGE

The State provided the following information via email:

"At approximately 11:30 AM January 23, 2008, the Agency was informed that the Licensee had a Instro Tek Model 3500, SN 599, portable moisture/density gauge stolen from the back of a truck. The theft occurred at approximately 6:00 AM . The gauge was locked with a chain in the bed of the truck which was parked unattended at an employee's residence. The gauge contains 11 mCi (408 MBq) of Cesium-137 and 44 mCi (1.63 GBq) Am:Be-241. The Licensee is offering a $500.00 reward for the recovery of the source. A press release will be made.

"Glendale PD is investigating and has issued report number 08-8332.

"The Agency [State] continues to investigate the circumstances regarding this theft for the source. The states of CA, NV, CO, UT, and NM and Mexico and U.S. NRC and FBI are being notified of this event."

* * * UPDATE BY AUBREY GODWIN TO JASON KOZAL ON 02/19/08 AT 1103 EST * * *

"The device was recovered from a Pawn Shop in Phoenix, AZ after being advertised on e-Bay. The Pawn Shop Owner indicated the device was not opened but it was not secured. The investigation continues."

Notified R4DO (Miller), FSME (Burgess), ILTAB (e-mail), Mexico (Fax)

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.

General Information or Other	Event Number: 43988
Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM Licensee: COVANTA ENERGY Region: 4 City: CROWES LANDING State: CA County: License #: Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: K. PRENDERGAST HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE	Notification Date: 02/14/2008 Notification Time: 15:36 [ET] Event Date: 02/14/2008 Event Time: [PST] Last Update Date: 02/14/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): DALE POWERS (R4) ROBERT LEWIS (FSME)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - TRACTOR TRAILER SET OFF RADIATION ALARM

"On 2/13/08 RHB was notified of a tractor trailer from the Turlock transfer station (municipal trash) that set off the radiation alarms at Covanta Energy. The truck was returned to the Turlock transfer station and arrangements were made to survey the vehicle to determine the reason for the alarm. On 2/14/08 an RHB inspector visited the transfer station to survey the truck to determine the radionuclide and quantity. Readings on the truck were stated to be 5 mr/hr at surface. Cesium 137 was identified. The cesium source measured 260 mr/hr using an Ion Chamber at about a foot. This would be approximately 85 mCi. The source was located and placed in properly shielded lead pig. The source will be stored at Thomas Gray and Associates and will be examined for serial numbers and to accurately determine the activity at a later date. The source appeared rusty and was very small and was similar to a brachytherapy source. Following the examination additional information will be provided."

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