RSS feed source: International Atomic Energy Association--Nuclear & Radiological Events

Lost Radiography Device

Print View Posted on: 13 March 2025

Event Date: 06 March 2025 Event Type: Radiation Source Event Location: United States of America, Mentone, Texas / National Inspection Services, LLC INES Rating: 2 (Provisional)

On March 6, 2025, a radiography crew working approximately 16 km (10 mi) east of Mentone, Texas, reported losing a SPEC 150 exposure device containing a 3.53 TBq (95.4 Ci) iridium-192 source. A trainee set the exposure device on the back of the truck but failed to secure the device in the truck. The source was in the fully shielded position. Shortly after leaving the work site, the radiographers realized the exposure device was no longer in the back of the truck. The radiographers retraced the path they had traveled but did not find the device. Two other trucks passing that way were stopped but the drivers had not seen the device. The licensee has offered a cash award for the return of the device and Texas state authorities issued a press release to alert the public (https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/dshs-notifies-public-missing-radiographic-camera-loving-county). U.S. Department of Energy Radiological Assistance Program teams have assisted the licensee and Texas state authorities

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RSS feed source: International Atomic Energy Association--Nuclear & Radiological Events

Stolen Radiography Camera

Print View Posted on: 07 March 2025

Event Date: 27 February 2025 Event Type: Radiation Source Event Location: United States of America, Kernersville, North Carolina / IQS Inspections INES Rating: 2 (Provisional)

On 27 February 2025, a radiography camera containing 2.738 TBq (74 Ci) of Ir-192 was reported stolen from a licensee’s truck. On 26 February 2025, the radiographer stayed the night at a hotel in Kernersville, NC and discovered the next morning that the camera was missing. The radiographer had not followed approved procedures for securing the camera. They immediately notified North Carolina state authorities and local law enforcement. A search of the area was performed but the device could not be located. Hotel surveillance camera footage was reviewed but did not provide any useful information. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services issued a press release (https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/2025/02/28/ncdhhs-issues-alert-missing-radioactive-material-triad-area) to warn the public of the potential danger of the device and to contact authorities if it is found or anyone has knowledge of its location. North Carolina state regulators and law enforcement investigations are ongoing. Based on activity, the source involved was Category 2.
NRC EN57574

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RSS feed source: International Atomic Energy Association--Nuclear & Radiological Events

Radiactive Waste Facility Taken Over

Print View Posted on: 03 March 2025

Event Date: 02 March 2025 Event Type: Radiation Source Event Location: Mexico, Temascalapa, Mexico State, Mexico INES Rating: 2 (Provisional)

On March the 2nd,2025 at approximately 6:30 AM (UTC-6), personnel from the municipality of Temascalapa forcibly took over the
Low and Medium Level Radioactive Waste Storage Center (CADER), evicting the personnel from the National Institute of Nuclear
Research (ININ), who were working at the facility and subsequently placing seals of closure at the entrances.
The video surveillance and environmental radiation monitoring systems that CADER has were disabled and there is no way to
know the current status inside the Center.
Negotiations are being carried out between personnel from the government of the State of Mexico and the Municipality of
Temascalapa, without reaching agreements so far.
In addition to the radioactive material and depleted uranium that are being kept in the facility, work tools from a foreign company
were also retained inside it.
Currently, Federal Authorities are working to regain control of the facility.
The source term of the facility is estimated at approximately 1,041.55 TBq of Co-60 and its surface area is 16.2 HA

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Accidential Exposure of Industrial Radiography Worker

Print View Posted on: 26 December 2024

Event Date: 12 September 2023 Event Type: Radiation Source Event Location: Korea, Republic of, Yeosu INES Rating: 2 (Final)

On September 12, 2023, during industrial radiography, the control cable of the equipment ruptured, causing the radiation source(Ir-192, 1.75 TBq) to detach inside the guide tube. The worker was unable to notice the detachment of the radiation source in time due to the lack of proper radiation safety equipment and continued working. After completing the work, it was confirmed that all the taken film were overexposed, leading to the realization that the radiation source had detached. Although no clinically significant effects, such as blood abnormalities or skin tissue reactions, were observed, the radiation dose assessment indicated an effective dose of 116 mSv and a hand (skin) equivalent dose of 1967 mSv.

INES Rating: 2 – Incident (Final) as per 29 January 2024

Impact on people and the environment Release beyond authorized limits? No Overexposure of a

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