Event Notification Report for February 20, 2025

AGREEMENT STATE - STUCK OPEN SHUTTER

The following information was provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Department) via email:

"On February 20, 2025, the Department was notified by the licensee that the shutter on a Vega SH-F2 nuclear gauge containing a 800 millicurie (original activity) Cs-137 source was found stuck in the open position during routine testing. Open is the normal position for the shutter. The licensee will try to close the shutter on February 21, 2025, when temperatures are above 32 degrees Fahrenheit to [determine whether] cold temperatures were a factor. It is a possibility that water was in the internals of the source holder, the water became ice, and then caused the shutter to not function as designed. If it is not a temperature issue, the licensee will pursue other options to repair or replace the source holder. The licensee stated there is no risk of additional radiation exposure to members of the general public or radiation workers, due to this shutter mechanism failure. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."

Texas Incident Number: 10170
Texas NMED number: TX250011

* * * UPDATE ON 02/21/25 AT 1508 EST FROM ART TUCKER TO KAREN COTTON * * *

"On February 21, 2025, the licensee stated the gauge shutter was tested and the shutter operated as designed. The licensee reported, 'There must have been ice inside the source holder.' The Department has requested additional information."

Notified R4DO(Dixon) and NMSS Events (email)

AGREEMENT STATE - STUCK OPEN SHUTTER

The following information was provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Department) via email:

"On February 21, 2025, the Department was notified by the licensee that on February 20, 2025, the shutter of a Ronan SA-1 nuclear gauge containing a 20 millicurie (original activity) cesium-137 source was found stuck in the open position during routine testing. Open is the normal position of the shutter. The licensee stated there is no risk of additional radiation exposure to members of the general public or radiation workers, due to this shutter mechanism failure. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."

Texas Incident number: 10171
Texas NMED number: TX250012

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LEAKING SEALED SOURCE

The following information was provided by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) via email:

"On February 20, 2025, an incident involving a sealed radioactive source [leaking source] at the PET/CT Department of Johns Hopkins Imaging, Bethesda was reported to the MDE. The issue was identified during a routine leak test conducted by the facility's health physics consultant, Krueger Gilbert Health Physics. The sealed vial source, Cs-137 (Serial Number 16694, activity 0.199 mCi as of March 1, 2002), was used for quality control of the Capintec CRC dose calibrator.

"Upon detection of the issue, the sealed source was immediately withdrawn from service, placed in a polythene zip-lock bag, and securely stored in the hot lab. A comprehensive contamination survey was conducted by collecting wipe samples from the dose calibrator, handling tools, storage container, storage area, and other relevant locations. The survey results confirmed no detectable radioactive contamination.

"As a precautionary measure, the licensee was instructed to maintain the sealed source in double-sealed polythene packaging within a secure container. The licensee is currently awaiting a return kit for the proper disposal of the source through an authorized agency or supplier. Upon completion of the disposal process, all relevant documentation will be submitted to MDE.

"MDE will provide follow up to this reactive investigation until the source is securely disposed."

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:

Six exit signs, each containing 11.5 curies of tritium (69 curies total), were determined to be lost by the licensee.

Manufacturer: Safety Light Corporation
Model Number: SLX60

Colorado Event Number: CO250003


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