Event Notification Report for December 02, 2024

POTENTIAL ORPHANED SOURCE

The following is a summary of information obtained from the Puerto Rico Division of Radiological Health (DRH) via phone and email:

On November 4, 2024, the DRH received a report of a metal device with radiation symbols in a vacant lot in the town of Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico. At 1550 EST, on November 4, 2024, the DRH visited the area with the site engineer and found medical equipment, such as ultrasound machines. Upon viewing radiation symbols on one of the devices found, they decided to move the device to an area away from personnel and instructed everyone to stay away from the object.

The DRH proceeded to take background radiation measurements before approaching the device. Photos and radiation measurements of the device were taken. The radiation levels do not exceed background. The radiation symbol was removed on the understanding that, if there was no emission present, it does not pose any risk and should not be labeled. The object is buried in the same place where it was found.

Based on the information and photos provided, the following was determined by the DRH: the device is part of the Elekta microSelectron Digital equipment (brachytherapy equipment for high-dose cancer treatment). The potential radioactive material is an Ir-192 source; however, it is still unknown if the source remains in the device. The only equipment of this type in Puerto Rico has the serial number 10866 with a radioactive source with serial number D36R2352. The source with serial number D36R2352 would have a remaining calculated activity of 0 mCi if that source is present in the device. The DRH will determine how to proceed after determining if the device still contains a source.

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - EXCLUSIVE USE TRANSPORT VEHICLE EXCEEDED EXPOSURE RATES

The following information was provided by the Utah Division of Radiation Control via email:

"Shipment 1072-07-0875, consisting of demolition debris from the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Generating Station decommissioning project, destined for direct disposal as low level radioactive waste, was moved into the restricted area and the [waste] generator was notified. The radiological acceptance survey from railcar FURX322364 performed in the field yielded results with the highest [on] contact exposure rate as 765 mR/hr with instrument model L-3078 (serial number 25023333), and a confirmatory [on] contact exposure rate at 744 mR/hr was taken with model L-78 (serial number 234101). The Department of Transportation limits in 49 CFR 173.441 and NRC limits in 10 CFR 71.47 prohibit exposure rates in exceedance of 200 mR/hr at any point on the external surface of the package."

Utah Event Report ID No: UT 240008

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST SOURCE

The following information was provided by the New Jersey Bureau of Environmental Radiation (BER) via email:

"On 11/22/2024, BER staff called the licensee for an update on their termination process for device serial number 13823, and was informed that the device was transferred to a sister company that was looking to start a site in New York State in 2018. While the device was in New York, it was either lost or stolen. The licensee did not notify BER staff that the device was lost or stolen until 2024, when staff was requesting more information for their request to terminate their general license registration."

Source Information:
Manufacturer: Thermo NITON Analyzers LLC
Model: XLP Series
Serial Number: 13823
Isotope and Activity: Am-241, 30mCi

State Event Report ID Number: TBD

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 PACKAGE

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

"The Agency was contacted November 21, 2024, by GE Healthcare, to report that a [radioactive] Yellow-II package containing a radiopharmaceutical had been damaged in transit and was now missing its contents. GE Healthcare (Illinois license #IL-01109-01) reported shipping a shielded vial of In-111 on November 15, 2024, from their Arlington Heights facility to Heartlight Pharmacy Services in Lima, OH. The 10 mL vial had an assayed activity of 3.201 mCi at the time of shipment. On November 16, 2024, the package was scanned in San Francisco. Tracking details identified that the package was received at the Memphis, TN sort facility but after no movement, GE Healthcare contacted [the carrier] to determine the new delivery date. On November 21, 2024, [the carrier] confirmed that the package was being held in their over goods department as it appeared that damage allowed the contents to escape the outer package. A photo of the GE Healthcare product container was provided to [the common carrier] and a search for the missing product container is ongoing at the Memphis sort facility.

"Tennessee program staff were notified the same day and are working with the carrier. Updates will be provided as they become available."

Illinois Item Number: IL240028

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 information was provided by the California Radiologic Health Branch via email:

"On 11/22/24, an exit sign containing tritium was discovered missing from an Ikea warehouse located in San Diego. Site personnel were not sure when it went missing. A search of the facility and questioning of warehouse employees did not locate the missing sign."

Information on the exit sign:
Make and Model: SRB Technologies, Betalux-E Series, Model 171.
NC License No.: 034-0534-2.
Maximum Tritium activity: 21.6 Ci, 799.2 GBq.

California 5010 Number: 112524

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