After all the Plugging & Chugging is completed, the correct answer should be "F"!
Approximatly 6 Cubic Inches and a total weight of about two pounds.
I tossed in the # 2 pencil for bait!
On the Lighter Side of Co-60,At approximately 2200 hrs. on 9/14/07 during radiography work at a jobsite in Vidor, TX (30 miles north of Beaumont), two radiographers noticed that their
pocket dosimeters read off-scale high (range 0- 200 m R).
They were using a
94 curie Co-60 camera to take radiographic shots of a 6 inch thickness steel ladle and had just changed the film in the holder which was located about 7 inches from the exposed source behind the steel ladle. It appeared that the source had not retracted into its shielded volume.
A
SPECIALIST in source retrieval was brought to the jobsite and the source successfully returned to its stowed position. During retrieval the
SPECIALIST"S pocket dosimeter also went off-scale high (range 0-5 R)
...........................
Hummm...............What do you think the
SPECIALIST did next?
.............at which time he switched to a higher reading dosimeter (range 0-20 R) completing the task with an indicated dose of 13 R.
The State of Texas was notified of the incident at 1804 hrs. on 9/15/07 and confirmed that the licensee was sending the individuals dosimetry off for emergency reading. Further, the State contacted REAC/TS (Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site) who recommended that these individuals be immediately medically examined with followup blood chemistry tests, i.e., CBC (complete blood cell), performed the following day to document any cytogenic changes.
The State will conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the overexposures. * * * UPDATE PROVIDED BY XXXXXX TO XXXXXX VIA EMAIL AT 0927 ON 09/17/07 * * *
The State provided the following information via email:
"The two workers 200 mR dosimeters were off scale and it appears that they were working with the source not fully retracted as a crimp in the source tube was noted approximately 1.5 feet from the camera. A ladder was used to enter the ladle from one side and the source was positioned on the opposite side with a magnetic hold on device. It has been conveyed that the hold on device fell off at some time and damaged the source tube restricting the full retraction of the source for two shots with a survey being taken on the second shot and thus the source being discovered in the exposed position. The source retrieval was difficult apparently requiring the source to be fully extended so that the source tube could be manually stripped from the drive cable. This took reportedly 12 one minute maneuvers, lead shot bags used when possible."
"Blood was drawn Saturday and twice Sunday for CBC the results of which are to be faxed to REACTS. On Monday blood will be drawn with heparin/lithium for transport to REACTS for cytogenic analysis. Our inspector in the area is to conduct a recreation on the event today and more details will follow in a formal report."
RG!
