Event Notification Report for December 17, 2021
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
12/16/2021 - 12/17/2021
Non-Agreement State
Event Number: 55662
Rep Org: Testing Eng. and Consultants Inc.
Licensee: Testing Eng. and Consultants Inc.
Region: 3
City: Troy State: MI
County:
License #: 21-18668-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: David Bergman
HQ OPS Officer: Caty Nolan
Licensee: Testing Eng. and Consultants Inc.
Region: 3
City: Troy State: MI
County:
License #: 21-18668-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: David Bergman
HQ OPS Officer: Caty Nolan
Notification Date: 12/17/2021
Notification Time: 12:53 [ET]
Event Date: 12/17/2021
Event Time: 00:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/17/2021
Notification Time: 12:53 [ET]
Event Date: 12/17/2021
Event Time: 00:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/17/2021
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(ii) - Lost/Stolen LNM>10x
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(ii) - Lost/Stolen LNM>10x
Person (Organization):
Skokowski, Richard (R3)
NMSS_Events_Notification, (EMAIL)
ILTAB, (EMAIL)
CNSC (Canada), - (EMAIL)
Skokowski, Richard (R3)
NMSS_Events_Notification, (EMAIL)
ILTAB, (EMAIL)
CNSC (Canada), - (EMAIL)
EN Revision Imported Date: 1/14/2022
EN Revision Text: NON-AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST TROXLER GAUGES
The following information was provided by the licensee via phone conversation:
During an NRC inspection, the Testing Engineering and Consultants, Inc. reviewed their materials accountability records and determined two portable Troxler moisture density gauges (s/n 14195 and 14198; 8 mCi Cs-137 and 40 mCi Am-241/Be each) were missing. The two gauges had last been leak tested in January 2021.
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. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf
EN Revision Text: NON-AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST TROXLER GAUGES
The following information was provided by the licensee via phone conversation:
During an NRC inspection, the Testing Engineering and Consultants, Inc. reviewed their materials accountability records and determined two portable Troxler moisture density gauges (s/n 14195 and 14198; 8 mCi Cs-137 and 40 mCi Am-241/Be each) were missing. The two gauges had last been leak tested in January 2021.
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. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf
Agreement State
Event Number: 55664
Rep Org: Colorado Dept of Health
Licensee: CTC-Geotek, Inc.
Region: 4
City: Denver State: CO
County:
License #: CO 552-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Phillip Peterson
HQ OPS Officer: Caty Nolan
Licensee: CTC-Geotek, Inc.
Region: 4
City: Denver State: CO
County:
License #: CO 552-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Phillip Peterson
HQ OPS Officer: Caty Nolan
Notification Date: 12/17/2021
Notification Time: 17:09 [ET]
Event Date: 12/17/2021
Event Time: 03:45 [MST]
Last Update Date: 01/02/2025
Notification Time: 17:09 [ET]
Event Date: 12/17/2021
Event Time: 03:45 [MST]
Last Update Date: 01/02/2025
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
Proulx, David (R4)
NMSS_Events_Notification, (EMAIL)
ILTAB, (EMAIL)
Proulx, David (R4)
NMSS_Events_Notification, (EMAIL)
ILTAB, (EMAIL)
EN Revision Imported Date: 1/3/2025
EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN TROXLER GAUGE
The following information was provided by the state of Colorado via email:
"During the morning of 12/17/2021, a portable gauge user noticed their truck had been broken into [in Westminster, CO] and a portable gauge was stolen from the truck. The portable gauge is a Troxler model 3430, serial number 32370, containing 9 mCi cesium-137 and 44 mCi americium-241:beryllium. The stolen gauge has been reported to the local law enforcement."
Event Report ID No.: CO210043
* * * UPDATE ON 12/26/24 AT 1716 EST FROM PHILLIP PETERSON TO TENISHA MEADOWS * * *
The following information was provided by Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) via email:
"On 12/26/24, CDPHE was notified that a member of the public had taken possession of a portable moisture/density gauge. From photos received by CDPHE, the gauge was likely the gauge stolen from the event number above. However, photos did not include the serial number for the gauge, so it is possible the gauge is from EN56084 / NMED item number 220396.
"Prior to interacting with CDPHE, the member of the public learned that the gauge contained radioactive material and abandoned the gauge outside of their property. The gauge was then picked up by an unknown party and the current location of the gauge is unknown.
"Assistance from the Colorado State Patrol has been requested for this event. CDPHE will provide additional updates as we receive them."
Notified R4DO (Roldan-Otero), NMSS Events Notification (email), and ILTAB (email).
* * * UPDATE ON 1/2/25 AT 1556 EST FROM PHILLIP PETERSON TO TENISHA MEADOWS * * *
The following information was provided by Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) via email:
"On 1/2/25, CDPHE was notified that the Colorado State Patrol had located the Troxler model 3430 that was originally stolen in 2021 (event number 55664). The portable moisture/density gauge is in the process of being returned to a licensed location.
"CDPHE received confirmation that the gauge referenced in the 12/26/24 notification was for EN55664 and unrelated to EN56084. No further updates are expected regarding EN55664."
NMED item number: 220009
Notified R4DO (Warnick), NMSS Events Notification (email), and ILTAB (email).
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. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf
EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN TROXLER GAUGE
The following information was provided by the state of Colorado via email:
"During the morning of 12/17/2021, a portable gauge user noticed their truck had been broken into [in Westminster, CO] and a portable gauge was stolen from the truck. The portable gauge is a Troxler model 3430, serial number 32370, containing 9 mCi cesium-137 and 44 mCi americium-241:beryllium. The stolen gauge has been reported to the local law enforcement."
Event Report ID No.: CO210043
* * * UPDATE ON 12/26/24 AT 1716 EST FROM PHILLIP PETERSON TO TENISHA MEADOWS * * *
The following information was provided by Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) via email:
"On 12/26/24, CDPHE was notified that a member of the public had taken possession of a portable moisture/density gauge. From photos received by CDPHE, the gauge was likely the gauge stolen from the event number above. However, photos did not include the serial number for the gauge, so it is possible the gauge is from EN56084 / NMED item number 220396.
"Prior to interacting with CDPHE, the member of the public learned that the gauge contained radioactive material and abandoned the gauge outside of their property. The gauge was then picked up by an unknown party and the current location of the gauge is unknown.
"Assistance from the Colorado State Patrol has been requested for this event. CDPHE will provide additional updates as we receive them."
Notified R4DO (Roldan-Otero), NMSS Events Notification (email), and ILTAB (email).
* * * UPDATE ON 1/2/25 AT 1556 EST FROM PHILLIP PETERSON TO TENISHA MEADOWS * * *
The following information was provided by Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) via email:
"On 1/2/25, CDPHE was notified that the Colorado State Patrol had located the Troxler model 3430 that was originally stolen in 2021 (event number 55664). The portable moisture/density gauge is in the process of being returned to a licensed location.
"CDPHE received confirmation that the gauge referenced in the 12/26/24 notification was for EN55664 and unrelated to EN56084. No further updates are expected regarding EN55664."
NMED item number: 220009
Notified R4DO (Warnick), NMSS Events Notification (email), and ILTAB (email).
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. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf
Agreement State
Event Number: 56077
Rep Org: OR Dept of Health Rad Protection
Licensee: Oregon State University
Region: 4
City: Corvallis State: OR
County: Benton
License #: ORE-90005
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Daryl A. Leon
HQ OPS Officer: Ian Howard
Licensee: Oregon State University
Region: 4
City: Corvallis State: OR
County: Benton
License #: ORE-90005
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Daryl A. Leon
HQ OPS Officer: Ian Howard
Notification Date: 08/29/2022
Notification Time: 11:05 [ET]
Event Date: 12/17/2021
Event Time: 00:00 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/29/2022
Notification Time: 11:05 [ET]
Event Date: 12/17/2021
Event Time: 00:00 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/29/2022
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
Josey, Jeffrey (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
ILTAB, (EMAIL)
Josey, Jeffrey (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
ILTAB, (EMAIL)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST RADIOACTIVE SOURCE
The following information was provided by Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division, Radiation Protection Services via email:
"On December 17, 2021, while conducting a semi-annual inventory of radioactive material in possession, a Broad Scope A - Academic licensee found that a gas chromatograph (GC) containing one electron capture device (ECD) missing. The previous inventory was performed in May 2021 and most recent leak test performed in March 2021. (note: after March the lab was shut down during September 2021 for asbestos abatement and ECD marked as `in storage') Upon checking with the device custodian, the GC/ECD device was picked up in July 2021 by the campus surplus property group by request from the custodian for disposal. The device custodian verbally told the surplus property personnel taking the device that it contained radioactive material which they verbally acknowledged, stating they would contact Radiation Safety to remove it. However, this was not done.
"The licensee performed extensive searches of the lab where the device was housed, surplus property warehouse and campus metals scrap yard with negative results. It is possible the device/source was shipped to a local scrap metals dealer but after contacting the dealer this could not be confirmed.
"Cause and corrective actions:
"Primarily, the department in possession of the GC/ECD failed to notify the Radiation Safety Office of the intent to dispose of the device prior to contacting the Surplus Property Office as required by the licensee's Radiation Safety Manual. Secondarily, the Surplus Property Office personnel do not have the training to identify a device that potentially contains radioactive material and minimal, if any, radiation safety training. This resulted in loss of possession of a radioactive source with human error as the cause.
"Corrective actions include (1) an information bulletin was sent to departments that possess radioactive materials confirming radioactive material control procedures and responsibility for material unless explicitly cleared by Radiation Safety, (2) expanded safety instruction and meeting with surplus personnel to discuss GC/ECD's and other radiation hazards that may come to surplus, and (3) additional placarding of GC/ECD's, X-ray machines, [Liquid Scintillation Counters] LSC's, and sealed sources.
"Concerns:
"For many years, the licensee has relied on their rules contained in their Radiation Safety Manual regarding possession/security of radioactive material that are initially reviewed/acknowledged by the departments involved. The subsequent semi-annual inventories also include an acknowledgement of these rules by the department audited. Offering a device containing radioactive material for removal without first contacting the Radiation Safety Office is a violation of these rules.
"Surplus property personnel receive minimal, if any, radiation safety instruction and none regarding possession/security of radioactive material since the signage and sources are normally removed from the device(s) by the Radiation Safety Office prior to disposal. In addition, surplus property personnel were informed verbally of the radioactive material that was inside the device but failed to contact the Radiation Safety Office.
"These concerns have been adequately addressed by the licensee's corrective actions.
"Source: Nickel-63
"Activity: 8.7 mCi (nominal 10 mCi on 4-5-01)
"Manufacturer: Shimadzu
"Model: VS2000
"Serial number: C10893200343
"Leak test date: March 24, 2021"
Oregon Report Identification Number: 21-0061
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. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf
The following information was provided by Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division, Radiation Protection Services via email:
"On December 17, 2021, while conducting a semi-annual inventory of radioactive material in possession, a Broad Scope A - Academic licensee found that a gas chromatograph (GC) containing one electron capture device (ECD) missing. The previous inventory was performed in May 2021 and most recent leak test performed in March 2021. (note: after March the lab was shut down during September 2021 for asbestos abatement and ECD marked as `in storage') Upon checking with the device custodian, the GC/ECD device was picked up in July 2021 by the campus surplus property group by request from the custodian for disposal. The device custodian verbally told the surplus property personnel taking the device that it contained radioactive material which they verbally acknowledged, stating they would contact Radiation Safety to remove it. However, this was not done.
"The licensee performed extensive searches of the lab where the device was housed, surplus property warehouse and campus metals scrap yard with negative results. It is possible the device/source was shipped to a local scrap metals dealer but after contacting the dealer this could not be confirmed.
"Cause and corrective actions:
"Primarily, the department in possession of the GC/ECD failed to notify the Radiation Safety Office of the intent to dispose of the device prior to contacting the Surplus Property Office as required by the licensee's Radiation Safety Manual. Secondarily, the Surplus Property Office personnel do not have the training to identify a device that potentially contains radioactive material and minimal, if any, radiation safety training. This resulted in loss of possession of a radioactive source with human error as the cause.
"Corrective actions include (1) an information bulletin was sent to departments that possess radioactive materials confirming radioactive material control procedures and responsibility for material unless explicitly cleared by Radiation Safety, (2) expanded safety instruction and meeting with surplus personnel to discuss GC/ECD's and other radiation hazards that may come to surplus, and (3) additional placarding of GC/ECD's, X-ray machines, [Liquid Scintillation Counters] LSC's, and sealed sources.
"Concerns:
"For many years, the licensee has relied on their rules contained in their Radiation Safety Manual regarding possession/security of radioactive material that are initially reviewed/acknowledged by the departments involved. The subsequent semi-annual inventories also include an acknowledgement of these rules by the department audited. Offering a device containing radioactive material for removal without first contacting the Radiation Safety Office is a violation of these rules.
"Surplus property personnel receive minimal, if any, radiation safety instruction and none regarding possession/security of radioactive material since the signage and sources are normally removed from the device(s) by the Radiation Safety Office prior to disposal. In addition, surplus property personnel were informed verbally of the radioactive material that was inside the device but failed to contact the Radiation Safety Office.
"These concerns have been adequately addressed by the licensee's corrective actions.
"Source: Nickel-63
"Activity: 8.7 mCi (nominal 10 mCi on 4-5-01)
"Manufacturer: Shimadzu
"Model: VS2000
"Serial number: C10893200343
"Leak test date: March 24, 2021"
Oregon Report Identification Number: 21-0061
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. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf