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Event Report Forms (ERFs) are filed to the IAEA. Sometimes there are multiple event reports, updating the rating, the event description. Here you only see the latest event report

ERF send date: Fri, 13-03-2009
ERF description: On December 27 2008 the State Committee for Incomes notified the Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ANRA) that on the customs border of Megri (Armenia – Iran customs border) the customs officers identified a source in scrap metal (lead) that was shipped in the vehicle from the Republic of Armenia. The source was wrapped in lead sheet with 10 centimetre width, 50 centimetre length and 2 mm thickness (a piece of lead cable).
Examinations made by the customs officers of the State Committee for Incomes and the specialists of the ANRA on 28 December 2008 detected neutron flux (132 cps) and gamma radiation (3.2 µSv/h) exceeding the natural background. The measurements were made by Canberra Packard “InSpector-1000” and Target “IDENTIFINDER” equipment.
The source was transported to the Armenian NPP for more detailed laboratory examination. The final results (dated 12 February 2009) of the examinations are as follows:
1. The isotope composition – Americium-241
2. Type of radiation gamma- radiation and n-radiation
3. Activity when the source was detected – 6x104Bq
4. Radiation dose rate – 10 centimetre/45µSv/h
5. Neutron flux rate – 200-260 particles/s.
No person was exposed as a result of the event. The source has been secured and will be transported to the appropriate radioactive waste storage facility. The event rating is level 0.
With the purpose to obtain more specific information about the source the ANRA contacted “Isotop” factory. In response the following information was provided:
1. The source can be identified as sealed fast neutron source of plutonium-beryllium type manufactured in accordance with TU 95 1075-83 (Soviet Union standard).
2. The source was manufactured till 1987.
3. Availability of Americium-241 in the source spectrum is conditioned by the fact that during manufacture of active part of the source, radioactive material in the form of intermetallic compound of plutonium with beryllium was used, at that the isotopic composition of plutonium contains Pu-241 (mass concentration Pu-241 is not more than 0,15%), that during decay transforms into Americium-241.
ERF rating date: 12-02-2009
ERF contact person: Anna Melkumyan
ERF address: Tigran Mats 4 str, 0010 Yerevan, Armenia
ERF affiliation: ANRA

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