CBRN event in Massachusetts, Lynn area, United States of America on Fri 10th April 2015

One scrap metal facility, Turner, Inc. in Lynn, MA, received a source from another scrap metal facility, Prolerized, located in Everett, MA. At the Prolerized site, a radiation detector initially detected a dose rate of 0.1 mrem/hr from the source. The Massachusetts Radiation Control Program gave an on-site response, surveying the source with a multi-channel analyzer, where it was discovered that the source contained RA226 with a contact dose rate of 113 mrem/hr. The source is around 7.5 mm long and 2.5 mm wide and has no serialization or observed markings. It may be used for calibrating a liquid scintillation counter, although this is not certain. A radiation safety consultant isolated the source from the truck at Turner, Inc. and secured it. The investigation is ongoing.