On March 3, 2006, the State of Rhode Island notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) that a potential overexposure may have occurred at a fixed radiography location. According to the licensee, a fully qualified radiographer was training a new employee on the components of a radiography camera. They were not aware that the camera they were using for training purposes was actually in use by another radiographer and had a 93 curie iridium-192 source exposed. Preliminary information indicates that both the trainer and trainee touched the guide tube very close to the source for approximately one minute and were in the vicinity of the exposed source for approximately three minutes. Dosimetry results indicated that the trainee received a dose of 48 mSv (4.8 rem) whole body, and that the trainer received a dose of 44 mSy (4.4 rem) whole body. In addition, it is estimated that they received extremity doses in the range of 10-180 Gy (1000-18,000 rads), which is potentially in excess of NRC's annual extremity limit of 0.5 Sv (50 rem). The individuals are being monitored by a doctor. They were admitted to the hospital for observation and released. The State and the licensee are conducting a re-enactment and will use the information to refine dose estimates. Indications are that no redness or swelling had occurred as of the 36-hour milestone.
The provisional rating for this event is Level 2.
Location: North Kingston Event date: Fri, 03-03-2006
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