Event Notification Report for January 22, 2024

TWO SUSPECTED ORPHAN GAUGES FOUND

The following information was provided by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) via email:

"On January 22, 2024, at approximately 1400, Central Standard Time (CST), an unidentified nuclear gauge of roughly cylindrical dimensions and less than 30 cm in length and 12 cm in width was detected by the entrance gate radiation monitor at the Louisiana Scrap Metal facility (LA Scrap) located in Gibson, LA in Terrebonne Parish. Facility scrap surveyors were immediately dispatched to more close survey the suspected gauge using Ludlum Model 3 survey instruments with external probes. During this time an additional suspected nuclear gauge, similar in design and overall dimensions to the first, was discovered by the facility's scrap surveyors. Surface radiation readings of approximately 0.9 to 1.2 mR/hr were observed at the surface of both devices. No identifying markings, labels or tags were noted on the gauges' surfaces, and both devices appeared to have sustained significant corrosion to their housings, which nonetheless appeared intact. The devices were believed by the reporting party to have originated with scrap from the disassembly of a 220-foot marine vessel purchased by LA Scrap from a Florida scrap broker. The above incident was reported via the LDEQ Radiation Hotline at approximately 1335 CST on January 23, 2024. The facility is awaiting identification of the devices' isotope(s) (to be provided by the LDEQ) prior to contracting with BBP Sales, Louisiana Radioactive Material License, LA-10799-L01, for inspection, leak testing, packaging, and disposal of the devices.

"The facility environmental health and safety (EHS) manager, stated that the gauges have been enclosed in a bucket of moist dirt and secured within an area on site with restricted access. Facility workers were advised by the EHS manager to stay clear of the area in the meantime."

LA Event Report ID: LA240002

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
The following information was provided by the California Department of Public Health Radiologic Health Branch (RHB) via email:

"On 1/23/24, California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CAL OES), contacted RHB to report a stolen moisture density gauge. Per the CAL OES report, at around 2200 PST on 01/22/24, a portable gauge was stolen from the bed of a parked truck belonging to the reporting party.

"On 1/23/24, RHB contacted the reporting party (gauge user) and learned the following:

"The stolen gauge is a CPN Model 131, serial number, MD 00705803, containing 10 mCi of Cs-137 and 50 mCi of Am-241. On 1/22/24, around 2030 PST, the gauge user was feeling ill and was not able to return the gauge to the storage unit and decided to leave it in his work truck parked at his residence. On the next day morning (1/23/24) at around 0700, the user drove his truck to a job site in Palo Alto, CA, opened the cover of the bed of the truck and discovered that the gauge was stolen from the vehicle. There were no signs of a break-in, so the truck bed may have been left unlocked. The gauge storage box was chained through two handles and was attached to the bed of the truck. On 1/23/24, at around 1400 PST, the gauge user notified the Daily City Police Department of the stolen gauge (Report No. T24000071).

"RHB will be following up on this investigation."

CAL OES Report CENTRL No.: 24-0397





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