Print View Posted on: 13 March 2025
On March 6, 2025, a radiography crew working approximately 16 km (10 mi) east of Mentone, Texas, reported losing a SPEC 150 exposure device containing a 3.53 TBq (95.4 Ci) iridium-192 source. A trainee set the exposure device on the back of the truck but failed to secure the device in the truck. The source was in the fully shielded position. Shortly after leaving the work site, the radiographers realized the exposure device was no longer in the back of the truck. The radiographers retraced the path they had traveled but did not find the device. Two other trucks passing that way were stopped but the drivers had not seen the device. The licensee has offered a cash award for the return of the device and Texas state authorities issued a press release to alert the public (https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/dshs-notifies-public-missing-radiographic-camera-loving-county). U.S. Department of Energy Radiological Assistance Program teams have assisted the licensee and Texas state authorities in searching for the device. State authorities have also contacted Federal and local law enforcement for assistance. NRC EN57596