Event Notification Report for January 27, 2021

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LEAKING CALIBRATION SOURCE

The following information was received via E-mail:

"On 1/4/2021, a leak test was performed on an Isotope Products Laboratories Cs-137 sealed source vial, serial number 1074-19-20, used as a dose calibrator constancy source. The current calculated activity at the time of the leak test measured 147.49 microcuries from the reference date of 9/1/2004. The measured results of the leak test revealed an activity of 0.012 microcuries on 1/4/2021 at 1253 EST.

"The Cs-137 sealed source was promptly sealed within its lead container and firmly taped closed. This taped pig was then placed inside of several nitrile gloves, which were also generously taped closed, adorned with radioactive material stickers and the source was placed into the facility's radioactive material waste storage closet. The visible label includes the isotope, date of storage, current activity, and signature of the individual who stored it. The same documentation was also entered into the sealed source inventory. The RSO was then promptly notified of the event.

"The source leak test was conducted by Alliance Medical Physics."

Georgia Incident Number: 35

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST TRITIUM EXIT SIGNS

The following information was received via E-mail:

"The licensee's facility management group was going through their records and inventory. They discovered that six tritium exit signs at the Church in Blair, NE had been replaced with non-tritium signs in 2007. They are unable to find the documentation regarding the signs' disposal and therefore are unable to determine if they were disposed of properly. The building and storage buildings were searched and the signs were not found. Due to the lapse in time and purchase date of 10/25/1993, serial numbers were not available and no further follow-up will be conducted."

Nebraska Item Number: NE210002

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

NON-AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SHUTTER NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY

The following is a summary of a call received from the licensee:

The licensee reported a shutter stuck open on a DMC-19 gauge, s/n: 7759LX, with a 1,000 microCi AM-241 source. The shutter is currently closed and locked. There were no overexposures. Global Gauge was working on the shutter and is expected to conduct repairs on 01/20/2021.

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN MOISTURE / DENSITY GAUGES

The following information was received via E-mail:

"On 1/19/21, The California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) contacted the Radiologic Health Branch (RHB) to report an incident involving five stolen moisture / density gauges. The initial report to Cal OES was made by the Santa Clara Fire Department. Upon receipt of the Cal OES incident report, RHB contacted the licensee and learned the following:

"The licensee became aware of this theft on 1/19/21, when one of their staff members attempted to collect a gauge from the authorized storage unit located at 3033 Lafayette Street, Unit A133, in Santa Clara, CA. The licensee had five gauges stored at this location.

"According to the Public Storage facility personnel, the theft occurred late at night on Friday, 1/15/2021, when eight units were burglarized that day. The licensee stated that they did not receive any notification from the storage unit personnel regarding the theft on Friday. On 01/19/21, the licensee notified the Santa Clara Police Department of the theft (case number: 21-115042) and dispatchers were able to recover five transport cases near De La Cruz and Hwy 101 in Santa Clara, but the gauges were all missing.

"The gauges that were stolen include:

"1. CPN International MC-3, S/N M380709085, 50mCi of AmBe 241 and 10mCi of Cs 137
2. InstroTek MCE-3, S/N 30380, 50mCi of AmBe 241 and 10mCi of Cs 137
3. InstroTek MCE-3, S/N 30958, 50mCi of AmBe 241 and 10mCi of Cs 137
4. InstroTek Explorer 3500, S/N 3375, 44mCi of AmBe 241 and 11mCi of Cs 137
5. InstroTek Explorer 3500, S/N 3826, 44mCi of AmBe 241 and 11mCi of Cs 137

"RHB will be following up on this investigation."

California 5010 Number: 011921

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

FITNESS FOR DUTY REPORT

A licensed operator had a confirmed positive alcohol test during a random fitness-for-duty test. The employee's access to the plant has been terminated.

The NRC Resident Inspectors have been notified.

EN Revision Imported Date: 1/21/2021

EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL PACKAGE LOST IN TRANSIT

The following information was received via E-mail:

"The licensee reported [to the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program (the Agency)] at 1326 EST on January 20, 2021 that they had discovered on the same day at 0937 EST that a package (White 1, Type A, UN 2915) containing 583 milliCuries of C-14 in the form of solid barium cyanamide with the consistency of table salt is missing. That package was further described as being one piece with a gross weight of 4 kilograms. The White 1 package is expected to have a dose rate of less than 0.5 mrem/hour at the package surface.

"The package was imported from Berlin, Germany from a company named IUT and was reported to have last been observed to be at John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Jamaica, New York, yesterday, January 19, 2021, where it was said to have cleared U.S. Customs.

"The carrier intended to send the package from JFK to Logan Airport, Boston, MA where it was supposed to be picked up by the licensee's representative on January 20, 2021 and delivered to the licensee's Boston, Massachusetts facility.

"The licensee reported that when its representative went to Logan Airport to pick up the package, the [carrier] claimed that the package had not arrived at Logan Airport and that the [carrier] was actively searching for the package.

"The reporting requirement is immediate and is of 105 CMR 120.281(A)(1), missing licensed radioactive materials in aggregate quantity equal to or greater than 1,000 times the quantity specified in 105 CMR 120.297, Appendix C.

"The Agency considers this event to be open."

Massachusetts Report Number: N/A


* * * UPDATE FROM TONY CARPENITO TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1150 EST ON 1/21/2021 * * *

The following information was received via E-mail:

"Yesterday, the Agency reported to NRC/NMED that an incoming package shipped from Germany, containing 583 mCi C-14 and destined for a licensee located in Boston MA, was reported by the licensee as 'missing in transit.' The carrier reported to the licensee the last known location of the package was JFK Airport, New York, NY.

"At approximately 1045 EST this morning, 1/21/2021, the MA licensee reported that the carrier notified the MA licensee that the missing package had been found at Logan Airport in Boston MA. The licensee has dispatched a vehicle to retrieve the package and transfer it to the licensee's Boston facility."

Notified R1DO (Bickett), NMSS Events Notifications, ILTAB, and CNSC (Canada).

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