CBRN event in Italy on Mon 1st March 2004

On March 1th 2004, four devices used for industrial gammagraphy and an X-ray apparatus were stolen from premises of an industrial non destructive test company near Taranto, in South Italy.
As referred by the company responsible, the devices are all equipped with Ir-192 sealed radiation sources, with the following identification number, type and activity respectively:
Matr. 1727, GAMMAMAT TI/F, 207.2 GBq;
Matr. 1117, GAMMAMAT TI/F, 124.69 GBq;
Matr. 1228, GAMMAMAT TI/F, 1055.56 GBq;
Matr. 130, GAMMAMAT TSI/F, 467.62GBq.

The event has been promptly reported to Local Authorities and to the National Agency for Environment Protection and Technical Services – APAT (Nuclear Safety Authority) by the operating company.
APAT alerted all local authorities on the potential radiological risk that could result from improper use of the sources and recommended adequate precautions in case the sources would be found.
The stolen sources were recovered and secured on July 27, 2004 by police authority, assisted by fire brigade experts specifically equipped with tools for radiological protection and measurements.

Radioactive sources were found to be properly sealed as in their initial condition, such to not represent any risk for people or environment.

Initial and residual (on July 27, 2004) activities (Ir192 GBq) were evaluated for the four sources respectively as in the following:

Matr. 1727, GAMMAMAT TI/F, 207.2 initial, 51.82 residual

Matr. 1117, GAMMAMAT TI/F, 124.69 initial, 31.20 residual

Matr. 1228, GAMMAMAT TI/F, 1055.56 initial, 363,97 residual

Matr. 130, GAMMAMAT TSI/F, 467.62, 116.94.

External surface contaminations and doses (µSv/h, respectively at contact and at 1 meter) were measured on July 30, 2004 as in the following:

Matr. 1727,