Event Notification Report for January 22, 2025

EN Revision Imported Date: 1/22/2025

EN Revision Text: 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:

Four exit signs, each containing 12.57 curies of tritium (50.28 curies total), were determined to be lost by the licensee.

Manufacturer: Isolite Corporation
Model Number: SLX60

Colorado event number: CO240025

* * * UPDATE ON 01/21/2025 AT 1458 EST FROM KATHRYN KIRK TO KERBY SCALES * * *

The following update was submitted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment via email:

The four exit signs initially reported as lost have been found.

Notified R4DO (Deese), NMSS Events Notifications (email), ILTAB (email).

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 - DAMAGED SOURCE / UNPLANNED CONTAMINATION
The following information was provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services (The Department) via email:

"On January 14, 2025, the Department was notified by the licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) who reported a source had been damaged. The RSO could not provide specific information on the source other than that it was a resin bead source containing 200 millicuries (original activity) of cesium - 137 contained in a plastic vial. The RSO stated they had been notified on January 13, 2025, at 1430 hours (CST) that the plastic capsule that contained the resin was found cracked and some of the resin had leaked out of the source and onto the floor. The area of the spill was isolated. They performed contamination surveys and found the contamination was contained in the room where the source was used. They surveyed all personnel who had entered the room and no individual was found to have been contaminated. The room was decontaminated and all but a few spots had been cleaned to background levels. The remaining areas were covered with a gel type material to trap the contamination and, when removed, should remove the contamination. The RSO will provide additional information on the source later.

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

Texas NMED number: TX250002
Texas Incident number: 10154

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT: DAMAGED GAUGE
The following information was provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services (The Department) via email:

"On January 14, 2025, the Department was notified by the licensee that on January 13, 2025, a Vega model SH-F2 shutter failed to close during routine testing. The gauge contains a 1,000 millicurie (original activity) cesium - 137 source. Open is the normal operating position for the gauge. The licensee stated there is no risk of radiation exposure to members of the general public or radiation workers due to the failure. The licensee will contact a service provider to schedule repair of the gauge. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."

Texas NMED number: TX25003
Texas Incident number: 10155

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MISSING DEPLETED URANIUM SOURCE

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

"BRC received notification of a missing 270-pound depleted uranium source on January 14, 2025. Baptist Hospital discovered the missing source during an inventory performed in October, 2024. The last documented inventory where this material was observed occurred in 1998.

"Estimated activity: 40mCi"

FL Incident Number: FL25-006

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 - UNPLANNED CONTAMINATION DUE TO FIRE

The following information was provided by the Tennessee Division of Radiological Health via email:

"An unplanned fire occurred during the cutting of waste material (steam generators) in a restricted area. Memphis Fire Department used light water and foam to contain the fire. The material involved (plutonium) did exceed five times the annual limit on intake. Berms were established to contain any contaminated water. The building did have negative ventilation. Particulate filters showed background levels and air sampling showed no contamination outside. Also, there was no damage to the facility or injuries to personnel.

"Corrective actions or reports as well as additional information will be updated with a NMED report within 30 days."

Tennessee Event Report ID Number: TN-25-005

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST SOURCE

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

"On January 8, 2025, the Agency was notified by representatives of the Lincoln Memorial Hospital of two sources that were missing after being offered for shipment through a common carrier. The two sealed Co-57 calibration sources collectively accounted for approximately 0.5 millicuries. While the sources were offered for shipment on October 23, 2024, the fact the sources never reached their destination was not discovered until an audit on January 8, 2025. After having received no further information from the carrier, the package is being declared as lost. The Agency staff will evaluate the timeliness in reporting, the level of accountability exerted over the sources, and root cause for the loss in a reactive inspection this coming week. Updates will be provided as they become available."

Source Number: 1
Source/Radioactive Material: SEALED SOURCE CALIB/MARKER
Manufacturer: Eckert & Ziegler
Model Number: PP-057-250u
Serial Number: N4-286
Radionuclide: Co-57
Activity: 0.000000098 Ci (98 nCi or 3.626 kBq)
IAEA Category: NA

Source Number: 2
Source/Radioactive Material: SEALED SOURCE CALIB/MARKER
Manufacturer: Eckert & Ziegler
Model Number: PF24R-057-10M
Serial Number: 2236-088
Radionuclide: Co-57
Activity: 0.0005 Ci (500 ?Ci or 18.5 MBq)
IAEA Category: NA

Illinois Report Number: IL250001

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