Event Notification Report for July 23, 2024

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SUSPECTED RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL FOUND

The following information was provided by the Maryland Department of the Environment Radiological Health Program (MDE/RHP) via email:

"On July 15, 2024, at about 0859 [EDT], the MDE/RHP was contacted by the Maryland Emergency Response Division (ERD) that a bolted container [marked with] Russian [text] and red paint [located on] the middle part of the container with a trefoil symbol that was suspected of containing [radioactive material] was found dropped off at [a salvage] site in Joppatowne, MD. The scrap yard does not know the source(s) of these items and who [deposited] them. [Personnel at the scrap yard] did not detect radiation with available instruments.

"MDE/RHP will follow up and investigate the case today."



The following additional information was obtained from the licensee in accordance with Headquarters Operations Officers Report Guidance:

Two MDE/RHP inspectors were enroute to the scrap yard to investigate at the time the notification of this event to the NRC was made.

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST EXIT SIGNS

The following is a summary of information received from the Colorado Department of Public Health via email:

The state of Colorado reported the loss of two exit signs.

Manufacturer: SRB Technologies
Model Number: BX-20-WH
Isotope and Activity: H-3, 17.51 Ci each

Colorado Event Report ID Number: CO240017

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 - STOLEN GUAGE

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

"On July 15, 2024, the Department was notified by the licensee that a moisture density gauge had been stolen from the back of one of its trucks. The radiation safety officer (RSO) reported that the technician had taken the gauge to their apartment after completing work on Friday, July 12, 2024. On July 14, 2024, the technician found the chains that secured the gauge in the back of the pickup truck had been cut and the gauge was missing. The gauge is an InstroTek Xplorer 3500, containing a 40 millicurie americium-241 source and a 11 millicurie cesium-137 source. The RSO stated local law enforcement has been notified of the theft. The RSO stated they have been in contact with local pawn shops in the area. The licensee is watching online marketplaces for the gauge. The RSO stated the gauge does not present an exposure hazard to an individual.

"Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."

Texas incident number: I-10112

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

* * * UPDATE ON JULY 17, 2024, AT 0840 EDT FROM ART TUCKER TO BRIAN P. SMITH * * *

The following summary was provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Department) by phone and email:

On July 16, 2024, the licensee reported to the State that they confirmed that the cesium-137 source rod was locked in the fully shielded condition. This updated information is pertinent in that the dose risk to the public is minimal. The condition does not present an exposure hazard to the public.

Notified R4DO (Taylor), NMSS Events (email), ILTAB (email), CNSNS (Mexico) (email)

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST EXIT SIGN

The following is a summary of information received from the Colorado Department of Public Health via email:

The state of Colorado reported the loss of one exit sign.

Manufacturer: Isolite Corporation
Model Number: SLX60
Isotope and Activity: H-3, 7.5 Ci

Colorado Event Report ID Number: CO240018

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 EXIT SIGNS

The following is a summary of information received from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment via email:

Two Isolite Corporation exit signs (model number: DH/SL201 RW) containing 11.5 curies of tritium each (23 curies total) were determined to be lost by the licensee.

Colorado event number: CO240019


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