Current Event Notification Report for July 01, 2025

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DOSE TO MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC GREATER THAN LIMITS

The following information was provided by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (the Department) via phone and email:

"The licensee submitted a written report on May 30, 2025, indicating that the estimated total effective dose equivalent to an adult member of the public was determined to be 129 mrem/year for calendar year 2023 and 106 mrem/year for calendar year 2024. The licensee later submitted an updated calculation on June 17, 2025, indicating that the estimated total effective dose equivalent to an adult member of the public was determined to be 154 mrem/year for calendar year 2024.

"The member of the public was an employee of the licensee, who occupied office space adjacent to a portable gauge storage location. The licensee had an area dosimeter/monitor to monitor the dose in the occupied office space. The annual doses are based on results from the area dosimeter/monitor and calculations to account for distance from the area dosimeter/monitor and time spent in the office.

"The devices stored in the portable gauge storage location include four Troxler model 3400 series devices housing 8 millicuries of Cs-137 and 40 millicuries of Am-241/Be, and two Instrotek model 3500 series devices housing 10 millicuries of Cs-137 and 40 millicuries of Am-241/Be.

"The discovery of the event was the result of a routine inspection conducted by the Department between February 6, 2025, and March 19, 2025. The Department and the licensee corresponded several times between March 19, 2025, and May 30, 2025, regarding the details of the event. The licensee made a determination on reporting applicability and submitted a written report on May 30, 2025.

"The licensee's corrective actions included moving the member of the public to another office away from potential exposure, restricting access to the office space adjacent to a portable gauge storage location, and adding additional shielding to the portable gauge storage location for adjoining offices and hallway."

South Carolina Event Number SC250004

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RECOVERED SOURCES

The following information was provided by the New Jersey Bureau of Environmental Radiation Radiological & Environmental Assessment Section (NJDEP) via phone and email:

"On June 12, 2025, NJDEP was notified that three containers of waste were rejected at Stericycle in Elizabeth after triggering their radiation alarm. Stericycle indicated that the waste originated from the licensee, SOFIE Co. A maximum reading of 10 kcpm [kilo counts per minute] was observed, with a background of 4 kcpm. The radiation safety officer (RSO) of SOFIE was contacted and confirmed that all sealed sources were still within their possession. They indicated the waste was likely short-lived F-18. With this understanding, the waste was allowed to decay for a few days. Upon resurveying, no decrease in radiation levels was observed. The RSO stated that it was then likely to be filters which collect activation waste during cyclotron production. Staff from NJDEP responded at this time, and collected exposure rate readings on contact with the containers, which ranged from 36.3 micro-R/h to 236 micro-R/h. A gamma spectrometry analysis made preliminary identifications of Co-56, Co-57, and Co-58, which are expected activation isotopes. SOFIE then retrieved the containers and returned them to their facility to conduct an investigation. It was noted that the waste log indicated that two containers were closed without proper documentation of an outgoing survey to confirm background levels. The other container was surveyed and indicated background levels, which was inaccurate. Full investigation details are still pending.

"The root cause is under investigation"

Incident or investigation number: 452369-INV250001

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED GAUGE

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

"The Agency was contacted on 6/21/25 by a gauge user at Klingner and Associates to report that a Humboldt 5001EZ gauge was hit by a truck and damaged on a construction site in Williamsfield, IL. A truck struck the gauge, damaging the handle and the right side of the case. The source rod was not extended when the incident occurred, and the licensee reported that the source appeared to be properly shielded. The licensee followed their emergency procedures, called the radiation safety officer, and then called the Agency for further instructions. The licensee reported that they did not have a survey instrument. The transport case was reported as undamaged, and the gauge was able to be placed in its shielded transport container. The gauge was then transported back to secure storage with strict directions to not open or handle until a reactive inspection could be performed.

"Agency staff arrived at the licensee's authorized gauge storage site on 6/23/2025 to assess the gauge condition and determine reportability under 32 Ill. Adm. Code 340.1220(c)(2). Both sources appeared undamaged, however, the sliding shield at the bottom of the gauge was observed to be approximately 25 percent open and the handle could no longer be used to fully close the shutter, due to the gauge handle being sheared off at the time of impact. A survey of the bottom of the gauge indicated a maximum reading of 150 mrem/hr at contact using a Ludlum model 3-IS-1 ion chamber. Agency inspectors confirmed that the incident did not result in contamination, loss of radioactive material, or exposures in excess of regulatory limits. A leak test will be conducted prior to transport for repair/disposal. With the gauge in its transportation case, Agency inspectors measured a TI (transport index) of 2.0 which would require a radioactive yellow III label and placarding [for shipment]. Discussions are ongoing regarding adding additional shielding and reducing the TI to 1.0 or less, to facilitate shipment using a radioactive yellow II label.

"Agency inspectors confirmed that the event is reportable under 32 Ill. Adm. Cod 340.1220(c)(2). No items of non-compliance resulted from the reactive inspection. Agency inspectors verified that the gauge user maintained adequate visual surveillance of the gauge and followed the licensee's emergency procedures. The licensee was advised of the requirement to submit a written report within 30 days.

"Pending additional information, this matter may be considered closed."

Illinois Reference Number: IL250025

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN GAUGE

The following is a summary of information provided by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) via email:

On June 9, 2025, at 0310 CDT, licensee employees discovered that a work trailer had been forcibly entered, and several items stolen including a moisture density gauge. The gauge, a Humboldt 5001 EZ (serial number 10103) containing 11 mCi of Cs-137 and 44 mCi of Am-241/Be, had last been verified onsite on June 6, 2025, around 1730. The theft was reported to KDHE and Kansas City Police Department.

Kansas Event Number: KS250005

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 - FOUND RADIOACTIVE SOURCE

"On 6/16/2025, at 1000 EDT, Radius Recycling in Everett, MA, reported that portal monitors detected radioactive contamination in a scrap load. The load was shipped back to the origin of the load, Second Street Iron and Metal in Everett, MA, on the same day.

"On 6/24/2025, Atlantic Nuclear identified a static eliminator [in the scrap load which is] containing a Ra-226 source. The source measured 50 mR/hr on contact and 1.5 mR/hr at one foot from the source. Given this information, the source activity is estimated to be 0.2 mCi. This quantity is immediately reportable to NRC pursuant to 105 CMR 120.281.

"The device is now located in a drum in a locked room at the facility with no access to personnel.

"The model number and serial number of the source and the device are unknown at this time."

MA Event Number: N/A

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

LOSS OF THE PUBLIC PRIMARY ALERT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM

The following information was provided by the licensee via phone and fax:

"On 6/29/2025, at 1641 CDT, the National Weather Service reported to Cooper Nuclear Station that the National Warning System (NAWAS) radio tower near Shubert, Nebraska was non-functional. The Shubert Tower transmitter activates the Emergency Alert System (EAS)/tone alert radios used for public prompt notification which is part of Cooper's primary alert and notification system (ANS). On 6/30/2025, at 1641 CDT, the Shubert Tower transmitter remained non-functional for 24 hours.

"This primary ANS equipment was not restored to service within 24 hours, and therefore this condition is reportable under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii), since the backup alerting methods do not meet the primary system design objective. The backup notification system is available to use for notifications if needed.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."