CBRN event in Netherlands on Tue 3rd July 2001

On 3 July, in an open container at the scrapyard a radioactive source was found. After finding the source, the area around the container was roped off and the source was covered by appropriate shielding material. The next day the source was recovered and safely stored. The source was then examined in a radiological facility. The source turned out to be a 16+/- 1 megabecquerel strontium-90 source. It is a cylindrical type source with a diameter of 10 mm and a height of 8 mm. At the surface of the source there was found the inscription "E946". The beta dose rate at 50 cm was about 350 micro-sievert per hour. An investigation to trace the origin of the source was not successful.
Rating Justification:
The rating of this incident, the discovery of a sealed radioactive source, according to part II, III and IV of the manual (INES User's Manual, 2001 edition) was not straightforward. However, similar to the examples of Part V (paragraph V-1.2 and V-3.2), and according to table V of paragraph IV-3.2.2.3. (Maximum potential consequences, INES level 3,4 and number of remaining safety layers: 0) this incident is rated level 2 because of the high dose rate at short distance: 1 sievert per hour at 1 centimeter. Within a few hours this source could cause burninjury. Such could happen if someone would put the source in this pocket.