Event Notification Report for September 13, 2023

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE

The following was reported by the Florida Bureau of Radiation Control (BRC) via email:

"[The branch administrator and vice president] of Ardaman & Associates, called the BRC at 1030 EDT to report a stolen moisture density gauge. Their technician was at a job site where he says there are two entrances, but not much security to check who comes and goes. Before doing his readings, he noticed a truck parked close by but did not make anything of it since there are other workers on site. After he was done he went to the trailer to get his reports and left the gauge outside. A few minutes later he says someone came to notify him they saw an individual from the truck take possession of the gauge and drive off the site. They called the police to report the stolen Troxler gauge, serial number 36530 model 3430. Police report number to follow."

Florida Incident Number: FL23-143


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 REPORT - LOST GENERALLY LICENSED SOURCE

The following information was received from the California Department of Public Health via email:

"On 09/13/23, Tesla Corporation contacted [Radiation Health Branch] RHB to report a lost radioactive source. The lost item was a Po-210, 10 mCi source, model P-2021-Z705, serial number A2MK511, shipped to the facility on 10/05/2021. Based on this information, the current activity is approximately 281.12 microcuries. The source was used to blow dust off of auto body panels and prevent static buildup prior to painting. The employees at the shop could not provide an estimate of when the last time the device was used and believe that the device may have been disposed of in the trash. They have placed internal restrictions on sites ordering tools with radioactive sources. Additionally, they have transitioned into using an anti-static tool that does not utilize a radioactive source."

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 - LOST STATIC ELIMINATORS

The following information was provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Department) via email:

"On July 13, 2023, the Department was contacted by the Biomeric's quality assurance scientist, who stated she could not find two generally licensed devices. The devices are P-2024-1000 static eliminators. The devices were used to remove static electricity on small plastic parts. The devices were discovered missing during an inventory of devices that were to be replaced. The company stated the devices did not pose a risk of exposure to any individual. The company searched for the devices, but was unable to locate them. The company has implemented a monthly inventory program to keep better track of the devices. The devices will be centrally located when in storage from now on."

Texas Incident Number: 10039

Texas NMED Number: TX230034

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