CBRN event in United States of America on Tue 6th January 2026

The following information was provided by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Bureau of Environmental Radiation Protection via email:

"On January 6, 2026, NYSDOH Bureau of Environmental Radiation Protection received a phone notification to report the inability to [affix] the shielding cap as designed on an NDC 103X gauging device containing approximately 150 millicuries of americium-241. According to the licensee, the screws to secure the shielding cover when not in use had broken off due to routine capping and uncapping of the manual shutter. A survey was performed which indicated that the source and source shell were not compromised. The radiation safety officer fabricated a temporary lead cap to cover the source, performed a shielding survey to confirm that dose rates did not exceed background levels, closed off the area to unauthorized personnel, and contacted the manufacturer for repair. NYSDOH required that the device be taken out of service until repaired by the manufacturer.

"In assessing this event, no individual exposures are believed to have occurred, and the source itself does not appear to be compromised. The licensee was able to determine that the cause of [the broken screws] was from the continued use of the manual shutter and natural wear and tear of the device.

"On January 13, 2026, a qualified and licensed third-party entity was able to repair the broken screws on the shielding cap and confirm that such repairs and conditions for the gauge were in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and the sealed source and device registry. The gauge was recommissioned for use on January 14, 2026.

"In accordance with 10 CFR 31.5(c)(5), the licensee will be submitting a written report within thirty (30) days of notification. Additional information will be provided to NMED once available.

"NYSDOH is monitoring this incident under incident 1552."