Information Notice No. 81-18: Excessive Radiation Exposures to the Fingers of Three Individuals Incurred During Cleaning and Wipe Testing of Radioactive Sealed Sources at a Sealed-Source Manufacturing Facility
SSINS No: 6870
Accession No:
8103300379
IN 81-18
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555
June 23, 1981
Information Notice No. 81-18: EXCESSIVE RADIATION EXPOSURES TO THE
FINGERS OF THREE INDIVIDUALS INCURRED
DURING CLEANING AND WIPE TESTING OF
RADIOACTIVE SEALED SOURCES AT A
SEALED-SOURCE MANUFACTURING FACILITY
Purpose:
This notice provides information about the potential for high radiation
exposures, particularly to fingers or hands, while cleaning or wipe-testing
multicurie sealed sources. It is also intended to inform other individuals
that have hand contact with radioactive materials of the potential for high
exposures to the hands. This information should be brought to the attention
of all persons involved in the administration and operation of sealed-source
manufacture, sealed-source use, or other programs which involve hand
contacts with radioactive materials.
Description of Event:
Three individuals employed at a radioactive sealed-source manufacturing
facility received excessive radiation exposures to their fingers. The
exposures were of a chronic nature, extending over several years for two of
the individuals. The highest exposures appeared to have occurred to the
right thumbs and index fingers. This is based on the degree of visible
radiation injury. The exposures to the individuals were estimated to have
been 1,000, 7,000 and 25,000 rads respectively during 1980.
The individuals were involved in the cleaning and wipe-testing of multicurie
sealed sources. The sources were placed into a "J" shaped cavity in a
shielded pig. The sources were then lifted, lowered, and rotated by hand
against pipe cleaners that were also inserted into the cavity. During the
lifting procedure, the source was lifted from the bottom of the "J" cavity
into an unshielded position. This resulted in a high-intensity pencil-like
beam of radiation out of the cavity.
The excessive exposures resulted because inadequate protective procedures
and methods were used. Failure to perform adequate surveys and failure to
provide adequate finger monitoring devices prevented discovery of the
exposures until there were visible symptoms of radiation injury to the
fingers.
No written response to this information notice is required. If you need
additional information regarding this subject, contact the director of the
appropriate NRC Regional Office.
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