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The Swidish Radiation Protection Authority has
Press release
2002-01-10 Radiation source from
Studsvik Facility in Sweden emitted a high dose-rate on arrival to
USA. A package containing radioactive material transported from Studsvik Nuclear AB, Irradiation Services in Sweden, 27 December 2001 to New Orleans, USA, emitted a high dose-rate on arrival 2 January 2002. The container is shaped like a barrel lying on its side and measures 0.43 x 0.54 m. Directly upon arrival to SPEC measurements were carried out to determine the dose rate. According to information from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the measured dose rate from the side of the barrel (perpendicular to the barrel axis) was 1 Roentgen per hour at 15 feet. The reading from the lid of the barrel was 300-400 milliroentgen per hour at 75 feet. Readings at the bottom (opposite the lid) were minimal. The radiation source was the isotope iridium-192 and was transported by air and reloaded in Paris for transport to Memphis. Representatives from FedEx in Paris found no excess radiation in their measurements of the cargo. SSI has regular contacts and exchange of information with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, US Department of Transportation, and Louisiana State Department of environmental Quality. SSI has been in contact with French authorities who commented that radiation measurements were performed on the plane’s cargo deck, but no package was individually measured. Although the measurements showed normal radiation levels, it cannot be completely ruled out that the package did not emit excess radiation to the environment. The pilots transporting the cargo from Paris to Memphis used radiation dosimeters and these dosimeters were evaluated and did not show an excess dose. Experts from FedEx in USA continue to make dose assessments for personnel involved in the incident, but SSI has received no further information as of today. Blood samples taken the 8th of January from 15 persons who have been in contact with the package have been analysed and show normal values. SSI’s Director General, Lars-Erik Holm, has decided today to partly revoke the transport prohibition for Studsvik Nuclear AB, Irradiation Services. The company thus has a limited permit to resume transportation. The permit does not include the type of package presently under investigation. SSI will carefully examine the procedures at the Studsvik facility and also intends to be present in the USA when the container is being opened. Further information can be obtained from Ulf Bäverstam, Deputy DG, Britt Ekman, Information Head, 366 TBq is a very high activity, that's mean 100 times more than the Common Ir-192 used in Industrial Radiography 3.7 TBq (100 Ci). Could W. G. Nabor give the complete information and site It's interesting the investigation result taking into account a) The radiation source left Studsvik December 27, 2001, and the cargo did not show irregularities at that time. b) was transported by air and reloaded in Paris for transport to Memphis. Representatives from FedEx in Paris found no excess radiation in their measurements of the cargo. c) According to information from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the measured dose rate from the side of the barrel (perpendicular to the barrel axis) was 1 Roentgen per hour at 15 feet. Jose de Julio Rozental
Israel
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