This issue was identified[1] by NMSS after Cobalt-60 radiography sources were stolen from a bankrupt licensee (Larpen of Texas) and sold to a scrap yard where one source fell out of its housing and exposed several individuals. The Bureau of Radiation Control of the Texas Department of Health reported that cytogenetic tests performed on all exposed individuals indicated a whole-body dose of less than 25 rems. All harmful material was later recovered.
An NRC Working Group established to study the incident found that the material may have been recovered sooner and public exposure may have been reduced, if there had been better communications between all organizations and a press release had been issued earlier. However, the Working Group concluded that existing guidance documents, such as NRC Manual Chapter 87103 and NMSS Guidance Directive 8-11, adequately addressed the NRC incident response and no additional guidance was necessary. Thus, this issue was
resolved.[2]
Page Last Reviewed/Updated 06/24/2025