Radiation Leakage from Brachytherapy Machine


Print View Posted on: 25 November 2014

Event Date: 12 February 2014 Event Type: Radiation Source
Event Location: Pakistan, Dr. Ziauddin Hospital, Karachi INES Rating: 1 (Final)

The Brachytherapy machine became out of order in September 2009. The Bio-medical Engineering Department of the hospital explored to obtain maintenance support from the manufacturer for the repair of the machine but the same could not be arranged and machine remained out of use and was kept safe and secure in its bunker. In February 2014, during a routine check of the machine condition, the machine showed radiation leakage in the bunker room. It was suspected that the source pellet, while returning from the intermediate safe to the main safe mode, got stuck in the passage. According to the licensee, incident did not result in over exposure to the workers or the general public as the room was vacated promptly after quick radiation survey and the bunker was locked. Outside, the radiation level was within 1 µSv per hour.

As per PNRA directions, Brachytherapy machine is now not in use and measures have been taken to secure the area and strict surveillance is ensured. The management of Dr. Ziauddin Hospital has now decided to dispose-off the machine.

INES Rating: 1 - Anomaly (Final) as per 25 November 2014
Release beyond authorized limits? No
Overexposure of a member of the public? No
Overexposure of a worker? No

Contamination spread within the facility? No
Damage to radiological barriers (incl. fuel damage) within the facility? No

Degradation of Defence In-Depth Yes

Person injured physically or casualty? No
Is there a continuing problem? No

Muhammad Usman
Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA)

m.usman@pnra.org
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