Event Notification Report for December 26, 2024

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST SOURCE

The following information was received from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (the department) via email:

"On September 19, 2024, a licensee reported that a package they shipped containing a Co-57 flood source had been lost by a common carrier and its whereabouts are unknown. The package was shipped on September 3, 2024, identified as missing on September 19, 2024, and reported to [the department] on the same day. The source was originally 20 millicuries and was approximately 2.98 millicuries at the time of shipment. [The source] was shipped as an excepted package containing a limited quantity of Co-57. The source serial number is: BM552022201101.

"The department considers this event closed."

WI Event Report ID No: WI240004.

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 - DISCOVERY OF CO-60 SCRAP MATERIAL

The following information was received from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (WI DHS) via email:

"On October 18, 2024, WI DHS identified Co-60 [material] in a rejected scrap load using a portable radionuclide identification device. The scrap material was determined to be from a nearby manufacturing facility.

"On October 25, 2024, WI DHS performed a site visit at the manufacturing facility where the scrap material originated. Multiple metal castings and a bin of metal swarf were identified as contaminated with Co-60. Exposure rates on contact with most items ranged from approximately 100-200 microR/hr, with the highest reading of approximately 950 microR/hr.

"The manufacturing facility purchased the metal castings from a WI foundry. It was determined that contaminated metal castings were purchased from a single WI foundry that had imported the castings from a foundry in India. The WI foundry only sold the casings to one manufacturing facility. On October 30 and November 27, 2024, WI DHS performed site visits at the WI foundry and confirmed the presence of Co-60 in additional metal castings from the same foundry in India. The WI foundry did not perform any manufacturing processes on the imported items. The WI foundry is continuing to screen items from the India foundry for elevated radiation levels.

"Preliminary dose assessments by WI DHS indicate that public dose limits have not been exceeded at any of the facilities nor while in transportation. No removable contamination has been identified. WI DHS continues to monitor as additional items are identified and a final disposition of the radioactive material is determined."

WI Event Report ID No: WI240005.

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STUCK OPEN SHUTTER

The following information was received from the Arkansas Department of Health, Radiation Control (the Department) via email:

"On 12/18/2024, at 1530 CST, Exploratory Ventures LLC. notified the Department via phone that an IMS-5420-XX profile thickness gauge experienced a stuck open shutter. This gauge contains a 50.5 curie Cs-137 source, Eckert & Ziegler NuX.N27_A, serial number NR-1120-D-101-S, listed in the sealed source and device registry.

"An IMS technician arrived on-site at 1615 and was able to close the shutter at 1630. The gauge was moved from the in-line position to allow the technician to close the shutter; the technician opened the access panel on the gauge and placed an adjustable wrench on the pointer to manually close the shutter. As they started to turn the pointer, the spring of the shutter activated and closed the shutter. The technician closed the access panel then surveyed the area for radiation and found none.

"The gauge is currently locked-out and not in use. It will remain locked-out until an authorized service technician arrives to service the unit. The estimated date of service is pending.

"The investigation is ongoing and the report will proceed in accordance with SA-300."

Arkansas Event Number: AR-2023-005