Event Notification Report for March 16, 2022

EN Revision Imported Date: 3/16/2022

EN Revision Text: MISSING AMERICIUM-241/BERYLLIUM SOURCE
The following information was obtained from the licensee in accordance with Headquarters Operations Officers Report Guidance:

Qaltek Associates of Idaho Falls, Idaho contracted with AGEC of St. George, Utah to repair a Troxler 3440 Moisture Density gauge. The Troxler gauge was reported by AGEC to be reading low. On August 29, 2021, Qaltek used their own company van to pick up the gauge at the AGEC location in Utah. At this time, Qaltek does not have any information regarding surveys performed on the gauge when placed in the van. Troubleshooting of the gauge has been ongoing since receipt with time spent waiting for repair parts. On March 8, 2022, Qaltek discovered the 40 millicurie Americium-241/Be source was missing. The Cesium 137 source was still in the gauge. Surveys of the facility and of the van did not show any abnormal radiation levels.

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 Imported Date: 3/16/2022

EN Revision Text:
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - POSSIBLE OVER-EXPOSURE

The following information was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Agency) via E-mail:

"On January 26, 2022, the Agency was contacted by the licensee to report they had received an exposure report from its dosimetry processor and one of its employees had received 59.052 rem for December 2021. The licensee believes the exposure is to the badge only. The individual performed duties involving the preparation of iodine-131 therapy pills. The individual involved with the exposure had never received an exposure anywhere near this high in the past.

"The licensee reported the individual was involved in a spill during the preparation of a pill and the licensee believes the badge became contaminated during the spill cleanup. The licensee stated they do not survey the dosimetry prior to sending them to their processor. The license stated the employee wore the badge from December 5, 2021 until December 16, 2021 when they left employment at the licensee's facility. The Agency requested additional information on the event.

"On March 8, 2022, the Agency received the responses to the Agency's request from the licensee. In the response the licensee stated that the spill did restrict access to the area for more than 24 hours. The licensee stated its investigation determined the exposure recorded on the badge was a result of the badge becoming contaminated during the spill cleanup. The licensee also stated the dose assigned to the individual was 1.385 rem based on previous months exposures. The licensee stated the individual's workload had not changed compared to previous months. Additional information has been requested by the Agency. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."

Texas Incident Number: 9911

EN Revision Imported Date: 3/16/2022

EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST THEN RECOVERED PORTABLE X-RAY FLUORESCENCE DEVICE

The following information was received from the state of New York via email:

"A portable XRF [x-ray fluorescence] device containing a 6 millicurie Cobalt-57 source was unintentionally left by an authorized user on a public bus in the Castle Hill neighborhood of the Bronx in New York City. Specific device information is below. The licensee contacted the MTA Police as well as Viken, the device manufacturer. The licensee was able to search the buses at the end of the day on January 26, 2022, but the device was not located at that time.

"According to the licensee an individual found the case with the device and contacted Viken. The representative at Viken was then able to get the individual in contact with the licensee. As of 1710 EST on January 27, 2022, the device is back in the licensee's possession and is in working order.

"Device Manufacturer: Viken
Device Model: Pb200i
Device S/N: 2219
Source Manufacturer: Isotope Products Laboratory
Source Model: Model 3901 Series
Source S/N: R4-672
Isotope: Cobalt-57
Activity: 6 millicuries"

NY incident no. NYDOH- 22-01

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 Imported Date: 3/16/2022

EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MISSING STATIC ELIMINATORS

The following information was received from the Tennessee Division of Radiological Health:

"During a recent inventory at nine different locations of Service King Collision Repair Centers, 9 devices were found to be missing. The units were scheduled for disposal. Upon a search, all nine units were missing. According to company reports, the units were stolen from nine different locations. The nine units were used as static eliminators. It is believed that the static eliminators were stolen by staff. Updated information will be included in a follow-up report.

"The devices were all NRD model P-2021 containing 10 mCi of Po-210.

"Following are the license numbers and serial numbers of the devices:
GL-1195 (Marysville, TN) / SN A2LU555
GL-1198 (Columbia, TN) / SN A2LV463
GL-1199 (Murfreesboro, TN) / SN A2LV464
GL-1200 (Cool Springs, TN) / SN A2LV465
GL-1201 (Jackson, TN) / SN A2LW322
GL-1202 (Bartlett, TN) / SN A2LW325
GL-1204 (Germantown, TN) / SN A2LW327
GL-1205 (Mt. Moriah, TN) / SN A2LW364
1 unregistered (Nashville, TN) / SN A2L2321

Tennessee Event Report ID No.: TN-22-017

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 Imported Date: 3/16/2022

EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DENSITY GAUGES SHUTTER FAILURES

The following information was provided by the New Mexico Radiation Control Bureau via telephone:

Two Berthold Model LB7440 density gauges installed in a mine were discovered to have shutters stuck in the open position during routine maintenance. The gauges (s/n: 1155 and s/n: DZ253A) contain a 30 millicurie and a 150 millicurie Cs-137 source, respectively, and remain mounted in place in the mine. The licensee is adding warning signage and is controlling any work in the area near the gauges. Radiation Technologies, a contracted service company, is scheduled to repair the gauges on March 21, 2022.

EN Revision Imported Date: 3/16/2022

EN Revision Text: FITNESS-FOR-DUTY REPORT - CONTRACT SUPERVISOR FAILED FITNESS-FOR-DUTY TEST

The following information was provided by the licensee via fax or email:

"At 1338 CDT on 3/14/2022, it was determined that a contract supervisor tested positive during a random fitness-for-duty test. The individual's authorization for site access has been terminated.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."