Event Notification Report for November 03, 2014

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RADIOPHARMACEUTICAL PACKAGE WITH EXTERNAL CONTAMINATION

The following information was obtained from the State of Ohio via email:

"At 12:40 pm [EST] on Nov. 3, 2014, the RSO [Radiation Safety Officer] from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center called the ODH-BRP [Ohio Department of Health - Bureau of Radiation Protection] to report receipt of a contaminated package that exceeded the contamination levels for reporting that occurred that morning. The 300 centimeters squared wipe of the outside of the package yielded 1433 dpm per centimeters squared. The wipe on the inside of the package yielded a contamination rate of 29,244 dpm per centimeters squared. The TI [transportation index] listed on the package was 0.9, and the licensee measured 2.0 at the time of the package receipt. The package was a shipment of two doses of 15 mCi of F-18 FDG with a reference time of 1100 [EST]. The receiving licensee has placed the package in storage for radioactive decay.

"The shipping nuclear pharmacy licensee, PETNET, was notified by the University of Cincinnati Medical Center of the package contamination. The licensee's courier arrived back at the pharmacy for vehicle and personnel contamination [survey] at approximately 1310 [EST]. The driver and the vehicle were surveyed and did not have any measurable contamination.

"Receiving licensee
University of Cincinnati Medical Center
Ohio license number 02110 31 0001
Cincinnati, OH

"Shipping licensee
PETNET Solutions
Ohio license number 02500 31 0001
Cincinnati, OH"

Ohio event report number 2014-028

UNPLANNED MEDICAL TREATMENT OF A CONTAMINATED INDIVIDUAL

"An employee with an injured hand and knee reported to the on-site dispensary this morning after slipping and falling in a gravel area. First aid was administered. A whole body radiological survey of the employee and plant clothing was performed; the maximum amount of contamination present was on the upper back of the employee's plant issued coveralls, 1,700 dpm/100cm2. Upon the completion of first aid activities, the employee routinely exit monitored from the facility and reported to an off-site medical facility for further evaluation."

No additional contamination found on the employee.

The licensee has notified NRC Region II (Hartland).

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED GUIDE TUBE ON INDUSTRIAL RADIOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT

The following was received from the State of Texas via email:

"On November 3, 2014, the Agency was notified by the licensee's Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) that one of his crews was unable to retract a 34.9 curie cobalt-60 source into a QSA Global 680A exposure device. The crew was performing radiography at a field site [in Houston, TX] using a magnetic stand to support the guide tube and collimator. The stand fell on the guide tube crimping the guide tube in two places about one inch apart. The radiographer attempted to retract the source, but it would not go past the crimped section of the guide tube. The radiographer returned the source to the collimator.

"One of the radiographers contacted the site RSO(SRSO). A recovery team was sent to the location to retrieve the source. The team slid a steel plate below the collimator. The guide tube was pulled to free the collimator from its holder causing it to drop onto the steel plate. The collimator was approached from the shielded side and using a pair of tongs, the collimator was rolled to face the outlet port towards the steel plate. Six bags of lead shot were placed on the collimator. The dose rate at the crimped section of the guide tube was then measured at 200 millirem per hour. Additional bags of lead shot were placed on the collimator. The licensee's first attempt to remove the crimps in the guide tube using channel locks was unsuccessful. The licensee then removed the outer coating on the guide tube in the areas the tube was crimped and then used channel locks to remove the crimps. This was successful and the source was returned to the fully shielded position.

"The highest exposure to any individual involved in the event was seven millirem. The licensee reported no exposures were received to members of the general public due to this event. The guide tube was taken out of service. The exposure device and crankout device were inspected and returned to service. The source was leak tested, but the results have not been received.

" Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."

Texas Incident #: I-9250