Event Notification Report for June 21, 2023

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LEAKING SOURCE

The following information was provided by the the Colorado Department of Health via email:

"On June 12, 2023, as the semi-annual leak tests/inventory were being performed at Sky Ridge Medical Center (RAML 1053-01), a leaking Co-57 Benchmark mini flood source (SN BM552021321103) was found. The exact timing of when the source started leaking is unknown. The source was last inventoried in December 2022, and was at background. [A staff member] from the Colorado Associates in Medical Physics (CAMP) found the source had 185 Bq (0.005 micro-Ci) or more removable contamination in excess of the regulatory limits. The initial removable contamination resulted in a wipe count of 3835 cpm (0.00525 micro-Ci) of removable contamination. The source was cleaned with paper towels and dish soap and when re-wiped had a lower count (1900 cpm), but remained above background even after additional wipes. All paper towels used for cleaning surveyed at background (0.03 mR/hr) and were disposed of in the hot trash in the hot lab.

"The source was wrapped in a thick trash bag, secured with tape and was placed in the shielded decay cabinet. The activity of the source on 6/12/2023 was 5.02 milli-Ci. The storage container, the cardiac single-photon emission computed tomography camera, and the hot lab counters were all wiped and surveyed, and all readings were at background (0.03 mR/hr).

"The source did not appear damaged or broken. CAMP will dispose of the source, and they have initiated a disposal inquiry. In the meantime, the source will remain in the shielded decay cabinet."

Colorado event report ID number: CO230016

NON-AGREEMENT STATE - SURFACE CONTAMINATION ON OUTSIDE OF PACKAGE

The following is a summary of information provided by the licensee via telephone:

On 6/14/23 around 0700 EDT, the licensee received three packages containing F-18 sources. Swipe readings on the packages revealed 42333 counts per minute (cpm), 12857 cpm, and 267 cpm. The packages had slightly elevated radiation readings. The radiation safety officer (RSO) and supplier were notified. There was no contamination found inside of the packaging, and the F-18 doses were double sealed without damage. Swipe readings were taken along the delivery path, but no spread of contamination to public spaces was detected. The affected packages were placed in a radiation storage area pending disposal.

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST/ABANDONED SOURCE

The following information was provided by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (the Agency) via email:

"On March 2, 2023, staff with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security responded to a load of scrap metal that tripped portal monitors in Indiana and was returned under DOT SP-IN-IL-23-001.The load of scrap originated at B.L. Duke in Forest View, IL. Within that load, a small unidentified radium-226 source was identified. It was estimated to contain approximately 150 microcuries of activity. On June 14, 2023, the licensing division learned of the recovery and began an investigation into the applicability of reporting requirements. There are no discernable markings or serial/model numbers. Activity estimates (based on dose rate) would place the source at approximately 150 microcuries. Aside from this source having significantly less activity, this appears to be a Ra-226 radiography source from the early 30's/40's. As this source does not appear to be exempt, it is likely byproduct material as a discrete source of radium and subject to specific licensure. Therefore, it is being reported as a lost/missing source. The source has been placed into the Agency's orphan source collection program and will be disposed of as low level radioactive waste."
Illinois report number: IL230015

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