NRC Reports Radioactive Waste Missing In New Jersey
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has confirmed the loss of a radioactive Ge-68 pin source during transportation for disposal in New Jersey. The material, used for calibrating medical imaging equipment, was last accounted for on December 2.
The shipment, intended for disposal, arrived at its destination damaged and empty. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) reported the incident to the NRC on December 3, citing that the container may have been mishandled in transit.
The missing pin, classified as “less than Category 3” by the NRC, is unlikely to cause permanent harm due to its minimal radioactive content. It was identified as an Eckert & Ziegler model with a 0.267 mCi activity level.
Federal regulations mandate immediate reporting of lost radioactive materials that exceed specific thresholds. The licensee involved must submit a detailed account of the incident and corrective actions within 30 days if the material remains unrecovered.
The pin was previously used at the Nazha Cancer Center for calibrating PET/CT scanners. Some speculate the recent drone activity reported in New Jersey could be related to efforts to locate the missing material, though officials have not confirmed any connection.
The licensee has filed a claim with the shipping company and is coordinating with federal and state agencies to resolve the matter.
