The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has launched a special inspection to review the circumstances surrounding the loss of control of licensed material that impacted two workers at the Curium US radiopharmaceutical facility in Noblesville, Indiana.
The inspection follows an April incident involving two employees who entered an area inside the production facility to perform routine radiological work and found an unaccounted for source of radiation. The company secured the area and was able to recover and regain control of the material.
“The facility is safe and all material was contained within the facility with no release to the environment,” NRC said. “However, the event led to both workers receiving a higher-than-expected radiation dose, potentially causing one of them to exceed an annual occupational limit.”
NRC determined that a special inspection was needed to develop a clear understanding of the circumstances, assess the company’s response and to evaluate their abilities to track and control radioactive material while ensuring worker safety. Inspectors from the agency will conduct observations, interviews and document reviews onsite at the facility and in the office.
“We expect licence holders to ensure workers are protected and maintain appropriate control of licensed material,” said Region III Administrator Jack Giessner. “Our inspectors will look closely at the company’s radiation safety program to assess their compliance with NRC requirements.”
