Event Notification Report for January 04, 2021
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
01/03/2021 - 01/04/2021
EVENT NUMBERS
55072
55072
Agreement State
Event Number: 55072
Rep Org: GEORGIA RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL PGM
Licensee: Atlanta Heart Associates, P.C.
Region: 1
City: Stockbridge State: GA
County:
License #: GA-1721-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Shatavia Walker
HQ OPS Officer: Donald Norwood
Licensee: Atlanta Heart Associates, P.C.
Region: 1
City: Stockbridge State: GA
County:
License #: GA-1721-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Shatavia Walker
HQ OPS Officer: Donald Norwood
Notification Date: 01/19/2021
Notification Time: 14:46 [ET]
Event Date: 01/04/2021
Event Time: 00:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 03/25/2021
Notification Time: 14:46 [ET]
Event Date: 01/04/2021
Event Time: 00:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 03/25/2021
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
BICKETT, BRICE (R1)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION, (EMAIL)
BICKETT, BRICE (R1)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION, (EMAIL)
EN Revision Imported Date: 4/20/2021
EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LEAKING CALIBRATION SOURCE
The following information was received via e-mail:
"On 1/4/2021, a leak test was performed on an Isotope Products Laboratories Cs-137 sealed source vial, serial number 1074-19-20, used as a dose calibrator constancy source. The current calculated activity at the time of the leak test measured 147.49 microcuries from the reference date of 9/1/2004. The measured results of the leak test revealed an activity of 0.012 microcuries on 1/4/2021 at 1253 EST.
"The Cs-137 sealed source was promptly sealed within its lead container and firmly taped closed. This taped pig was then placed inside of several nitrile gloves, which were also generously taped closed, adorned with radioactive material stickers and the source was placed into the facility's radioactive material waste storage closet. The visible label includes the isotope, date of storage, current activity, and signature of the individual who stored it. The same documentation was also entered into the sealed source inventory. The RSO was then promptly notified of the event.
"The source leak test was conducted by Alliance Medical Physics."
Georgia Incident Number: 35
* * * UPDATE ON 3/25/21 AT 1111 EDT FROM SHATAVIA WALKER TO BETHANY CECERE * * *
The following information was received via e-mail:
"The immediate action taken for the leaking sealed source that was discovered on January 4, 2021 is as follows. The Cs-137 source was placed back into the lead pig shield and generously taped across where the lead pig closes as well as along the vertical axis. This was then marked with the date, isotope, current activity, and signature of the individual who sealed the source up. This was then encapsulated within nitrile gloves, and generously taped closed as well, with a radioactive label adhered to the outside that was marked with the isotope, current activity, date, and signature of the individual who sealed it.
"While this was taking place, the nuclear medicine technologist surveyed the area with the facility's Geiger counter to look for any errant contamination. He was instructed to survey anything that he would have touched that morning. He continued to survey himself (clothing and skin), the L-block, dose calibrator, dose calibrator dipper, MCA, trash cans, keyboard, and door handles. No contamination was found during his survey. This led me to believe that the leak was captured under the rim of the sealed sources cap where it meets the vial. The enveloped source was then placed in the rad waste closet until a vendor can be found for disposal by the facility. The rad waste cabinet measured. 0.2 mR/hr at face, and 0.1 mR/hr on either side of the cabinet. The back side faces the exterior of the building and is on the 2nd floor, therefore no readings were taken there. Currently, the facility is looking for a qualified disposal vendor that can safely remove the source. Until the sealed source is removed, the facility will continue to perform weekly surveys and wipes on the cabinet and document their findings. [The representative of Alliance Medical Physics] do[es] not anticipate any readings of [greater than or equal to] 2.0 mR/hr or 2200 DPM going forward, but [has] instructed the facility to notify the RSO and [Alliance Medical Physics] if they are found.
"The licensee explained shielding in place until the source can be removed.
"The licensee informed [GA Radioactive Material Program that] they have an arrangement to return the source to Eckert & Ziegler [the week of 3/15/21]. Shipping confirmation documents will be submitted. The licensee was advised to submit this information in writing."
Notified R1DO (Jackson) and NMSS Events Distribution (by email).
EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LEAKING CALIBRATION SOURCE
The following information was received via e-mail:
"On 1/4/2021, a leak test was performed on an Isotope Products Laboratories Cs-137 sealed source vial, serial number 1074-19-20, used as a dose calibrator constancy source. The current calculated activity at the time of the leak test measured 147.49 microcuries from the reference date of 9/1/2004. The measured results of the leak test revealed an activity of 0.012 microcuries on 1/4/2021 at 1253 EST.
"The Cs-137 sealed source was promptly sealed within its lead container and firmly taped closed. This taped pig was then placed inside of several nitrile gloves, which were also generously taped closed, adorned with radioactive material stickers and the source was placed into the facility's radioactive material waste storage closet. The visible label includes the isotope, date of storage, current activity, and signature of the individual who stored it. The same documentation was also entered into the sealed source inventory. The RSO was then promptly notified of the event.
"The source leak test was conducted by Alliance Medical Physics."
Georgia Incident Number: 35
* * * UPDATE ON 3/25/21 AT 1111 EDT FROM SHATAVIA WALKER TO BETHANY CECERE * * *
The following information was received via e-mail:
"The immediate action taken for the leaking sealed source that was discovered on January 4, 2021 is as follows. The Cs-137 source was placed back into the lead pig shield and generously taped across where the lead pig closes as well as along the vertical axis. This was then marked with the date, isotope, current activity, and signature of the individual who sealed the source up. This was then encapsulated within nitrile gloves, and generously taped closed as well, with a radioactive label adhered to the outside that was marked with the isotope, current activity, date, and signature of the individual who sealed it.
"While this was taking place, the nuclear medicine technologist surveyed the area with the facility's Geiger counter to look for any errant contamination. He was instructed to survey anything that he would have touched that morning. He continued to survey himself (clothing and skin), the L-block, dose calibrator, dose calibrator dipper, MCA, trash cans, keyboard, and door handles. No contamination was found during his survey. This led me to believe that the leak was captured under the rim of the sealed sources cap where it meets the vial. The enveloped source was then placed in the rad waste closet until a vendor can be found for disposal by the facility. The rad waste cabinet measured. 0.2 mR/hr at face, and 0.1 mR/hr on either side of the cabinet. The back side faces the exterior of the building and is on the 2nd floor, therefore no readings were taken there. Currently, the facility is looking for a qualified disposal vendor that can safely remove the source. Until the sealed source is removed, the facility will continue to perform weekly surveys and wipes on the cabinet and document their findings. [The representative of Alliance Medical Physics] do[es] not anticipate any readings of [greater than or equal to] 2.0 mR/hr or 2200 DPM going forward, but [has] instructed the facility to notify the RSO and [Alliance Medical Physics] if they are found.
"The licensee explained shielding in place until the source can be removed.
"The licensee informed [GA Radioactive Material Program that] they have an arrangement to return the source to Eckert & Ziegler [the week of 3/15/21]. Shipping confirmation documents will be submitted. The licensee was advised to submit this information in writing."
Notified R1DO (Jackson) and NMSS Events Distribution (by email).