Event Notification Report for February 13, 2021
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
02/12/2021 - 02/13/2021
EVENT NUMBERS
55108
55108
Agreement State
Event Number: 55108
Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: Pacific Calibration Specialties
Region: 4
City: Antioch State: CA
County:
License #: 5634-07
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Nika Hewdikaram
HQ OPS Officer: Howie Crouch
Licensee: Pacific Calibration Specialties
Region: 4
City: Antioch State: CA
County:
License #: 5634-07
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Nika Hewdikaram
HQ OPS Officer: Howie Crouch
Notification Date: 02/19/2021
Notification Time: 17:02 [ET]
Event Date: 02/13/2021
Event Time: 00:00 [PST]
Last Update Date: 02/19/2021
Notification Time: 17:02 [ET]
Event Date: 02/13/2021
Event Time: 00:00 [PST]
Last Update Date: 02/19/2021
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
JOHN DIXON (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
JOHN DIXON (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SOURCE ROD LEAKING
The following information was obtained from the state of California, Department of Public Health - Radiologic Health Branch (RHB) via email:
"On 2/16/21, the licensee contacted RHB to report that a contamination incident occurred during cutting of a source rod of a moisture density gauge. The gauge involved is a Troxler Model 3440, S/N 17263, originally containing 8 mCi of Cs-137 and 40 mCi of Am-241. The source serial number is 50-6634 and the 'IAEA Certificate of Competent Authority Special Form Radioactive Materials' that was provided by the licensee identifies the source as QSA Global Models XN30/0, XN 30/1, or 30XN/2, and states that the sources are single encapsulated.
"On 2/13/21, the licensee was attempting to replace a source rod on a customer's nuclear gauge. After removing the source rod tip, licensee surveys of the area detected contamination. Wipes of the rod and work area were counted using a Ludlum 3030, S/N 222793, calibrated 10/12/20, and indicated low levels of beta contamination (approximately 25 nCi total) apparently due to a leaking source. It is not believed the cutting of the source rod breached the Cs-137 source. The contamination was confined to a small portion of a countertop, a vise, a hack saw blade and the floor directly below the work area. The contaminated area was wiped with damp rags and contaminated items and rags were collected into plastic bags and then placed into a 5-gallon bucket. The source and the piece of the source rod cut off were placed into a large lead container. The area was subsequently surveyed again, and no radioactivity was detected. No contamination was detected on clothes or shoes."
California Report ID: 5010-021621
The following information was obtained from the state of California, Department of Public Health - Radiologic Health Branch (RHB) via email:
"On 2/16/21, the licensee contacted RHB to report that a contamination incident occurred during cutting of a source rod of a moisture density gauge. The gauge involved is a Troxler Model 3440, S/N 17263, originally containing 8 mCi of Cs-137 and 40 mCi of Am-241. The source serial number is 50-6634 and the 'IAEA Certificate of Competent Authority Special Form Radioactive Materials' that was provided by the licensee identifies the source as QSA Global Models XN30/0, XN 30/1, or 30XN/2, and states that the sources are single encapsulated.
"On 2/13/21, the licensee was attempting to replace a source rod on a customer's nuclear gauge. After removing the source rod tip, licensee surveys of the area detected contamination. Wipes of the rod and work area were counted using a Ludlum 3030, S/N 222793, calibrated 10/12/20, and indicated low levels of beta contamination (approximately 25 nCi total) apparently due to a leaking source. It is not believed the cutting of the source rod breached the Cs-137 source. The contamination was confined to a small portion of a countertop, a vise, a hack saw blade and the floor directly below the work area. The contaminated area was wiped with damp rags and contaminated items and rags were collected into plastic bags and then placed into a 5-gallon bucket. The source and the piece of the source rod cut off were placed into a large lead container. The area was subsequently surveyed again, and no radioactivity was detected. No contamination was detected on clothes or shoes."
California Report ID: 5010-021621