Co60 source discovered in a scrap metal delivery

Print View Posted on: 22 March 2019

Event Date: 11 January 2019 Event Type: Transportation
Event Location: Germany, Port of Hamburg INES Rating: 1 (Final)

A Co60 source was found in a container on the site of a metal recycling company near the Port of Hamburg. It was part of a scrap metal delivery originating from Western Africa. The source was finally identified as a metal cylinder of approx. 1 cm radius and 10 cm length packed in a cloth bag. The gamma dose rate detected at the outer container wall was 83 mSv/h at most; at the source 693 mSv/h were measured in contact with the metal cylinder corresponding to a total activity of approx. 25 GBq. The source is now safely stored in the federal state collecting facility.
The event is rated INES level 1 based on the radioactivity of the recovered source.
This event is considered highly relevant, especially in the light of very similar finding recently reported from The Netherlands.

INES Rating: 1 - Anomaly (Final) as per 21 March 2019
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

Michael Maqua
Gesellschaft für Anlagen und Reaktorsicherheit
michael.maqua@grs.de
http://grs.de
Site Sponsors
Site Sponsors: IAEA, NEA and WANO
This site is hosted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and co-sponsored by the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organization of Economic Cooperation Development (OECD/NEA) and World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO).
Disclaimer
This site is hosted by the IAEA, however, event reports are filed and updated by authorities in participating countries, which remain responsible for all related content. Read more >