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

Radiactive Waste Facility Taken Over

Print View Posted on: 19 March 2025

Event Date: 02 March 2025 Event Type: Radiation Waste Facility Event Location: Mexico, Temascalapa, Mexico State, Mexico INES Rating: 0 (Final)

On Sunday March the 2nd, 2025, at approximately 6:30 AM (UTC-06:00), personnel from the municipality of Temascalapa forcibly took over the Low and Medium Level Radioactive Waste Storage Center (CADER), property of the National Institute of Nuclear Research (ININ), evicting the personnel who were 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 was no way to know the status inside the Center.
Negotiations took place 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 kept in the facility, work tools from a foreign company were also retained inside it.
Federal Authorities were 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

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

Lost Radiography Device

Print View Posted on: 19 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: 1 (Final)

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.

Update: On March 13, 2025, a member of the public contacted the licensee stating they had found the exposure device. The device was recovered by and is in the possession of the licensee. The device had remained in a locked shed since being found. The exposure device was found to be intact and no attempt was made to operate or tamper with the device. Exposure levels were normal and no individual would have received any significant exposure due to this event.

NRC EN57596

INES Rating: 1 – Anomaly (Final) as per 19 March 2025

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

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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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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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