Radiation Effects Research Foundation Info - Thailand Co-60 Accident

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@earthlink.net>]

SOURCE: Health Physics Society Website

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported on 
the radiological accident in the Samutprakarn province in Thailand. 
The following report was transmitted to the HPS Web Site by Dr. 
Shigenobu Nagataki, Chair, Radiation Effects Research 
Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan. Other information can be found at 
the IAEA Web Site.  

"Radiological Accident Report  

Type of Accident: Unshielded radioactive source. Location: 
Samutprakarn province (about 10 km, south of Bangkok), Thailand. 

Nature of Accident: There are 9 persons admitted to two hospitals 
for treatments for radiation sickness. Two young men are in serious 
but stable conditions. The two young men were unknowingly 
exposed to acute radiation from an unshielded Co-60 source with 
estimated 600-700 Ci. Three other persons in the vicinity were also 
exposed to acute radiation at farther distance, and four others were 
exposed to high level of radiation while being contacted with the 
source container while transporting to a scrap dealer. Serious 
victim were exposed to the radiation on 1 February 2000 and were 
diagnosed as commonly caused symptoms until 18 February 2000 
at which time their radiation sickness were recognized. All the 
victims are under close observation and care by Ratchaveeti 
hospital in Bangkok and a provincial hospital of Samutprakarn.  

Chronology: About 12.00 hrs. local time 18 February 2000, Office 
of Atomic Energy for Peace (OAEP) was alerted by Samutprakarn 
Hospital of two victims of acute radiation exposure being 
hospitalized at the hospital. Within 45 minutes (40 kilometers 
distance), two Health Physicists (HP) from OAEP arrived at the 
hospital and confirmed the symptom to be from high level of 
exposure of radiation. The unshielded source was found under steel 
scrap at a scrap dealer shop. At the front of the shop in a small 
back street. The team found high radiation exposure, up to 1 
mSv/hr (100 mR/hr). The radiation area was confined at 0.3 mSv/hr. 
(30mR/hr). Evacuation was not needed. No contamination was 
found, but very high radiation exposure 1-10 Sv/hr were also 
measured, by using tele-detectors or extended survey meters at 
the vicinity of the source location. The high radiation level prevented 
the team to move close enough to identify the exact location and 
size of the source. The shop was declared the restricted area. The 
next day, 19 February 2000, the source retrieval operation was 
planned by OAEP. The radioactivity of the source was estimated at 
500-1000 Ci of Co-60. The operation started by installing lead wall 
for radiation shielding of 2-inch thick, 1 meter wide and 2 meter 
high. Radiation survey was again carried out and radiation area at 
the ware house gate needed re-established with 30 meters 
extension spot lights, two CCTVs were installed. Finally the exact 
location of the source was found and retrieved into a prepared lead 
container. The operation was completed within about 8 hours and 
thirty minutes (16.00 - 00.30 hrs.) Radiation survey was then 
carried out again around the target area, and it was found normal. 
The source was then transported to OAEP by a special truck (with 
more than 10 inch thick). Again, the radioactivity and 
contamination surveys were then carried out through the shop. No 
other sources and no contamination was found. The source was 
measured to 750 Ci and stored safely at OAEP." 
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