16 Dec (NucNet): An incident on 2 December 2013 that resulted in three workers in Hungary being contaminated when they opened metal drums containing compacted radioactive waste has been provisionally rated as Level-2 on the International Atomic Energy Agency’s International Nuclear and Radiological Events Scale (INES).
According to a report filed with the IAEA by Hungary’s National Research Institute for Radiobiology and Radiohygiene (Osski), the workers at the radioactive waste treatment and disposal facility at Püspökszilágy opened four metal drums filled with compacted radioactive waste containing americium-241 (Am-241), the most prevalent isotope of americium in nuclear waste.
Am-241 is made in nuclear reactors and is a decay product of plutonium-241.
The report said the workers opened the drums so they could sort the waste and compact it at higher pressure. It was during this operation that contamination occurred.
Readings taken following the incident showed the worker’s hands, clothing, and the waste compactor room were contaminated.
According to whole-body measurements taken on 12 December 2013, the amounts of incorporated Am-241 for the three workers were 0.9 kilobecquerels (kBq), 1.8 kBq and 9.0 kBq.
The Am-241 content in a typical smoke detector is about 30 to 40 kBq. Most smoke detectors which operate alarms contain Am-241.
The report said further whole-body measurements and urine analysis are being taken to get more accurate data and to confirm the first measurements.
There was no radioactive release beyond authorised limits as a result of the incident and no danger to the public, the report said.
Most of the radioactive waste, including used radiation sources, handled at Püspökszilágy is generated by medical, industrial and research facilities.
The facility is operated by the Public Limited Company for Radioactive Waste Management (Puram).
