On 27th February 2022, the National Radiation Protection Department (NRPD) of Iran Nuclear Regulatory Authority (INRA) received an alarm from a Radiation Portal Monitoring System (RPMS) installed in west border of the country for monitoring trucks carrying imported goods. Reported count rate from the truck loaded with copper scrap metals was 4 times of the background. After investigation and monitoring of the scrap metals, the tip part of a lightning rod with ten screwed Ra-226 sources was found. The tip part was transported to Iran nuclear waste management company for more analysis and be wasted.
Estimated total activity of Ra-226 is 48 MBq (4.8 E-05 TBq). Considering D value and A/D are 4 E-02 and 1.2 E-03 respectively, it is Category 5 source.
Maximum effective dose to radiation workers was about 61 µSv and doses to members of the public were negligible.
Location: Islamic Republic of, West border Event date: Sun, 27-02-2022
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