Date: 2 September 1982

Location: Institute of Energy Techonology, Kjeller, Norway

Type of event: accident at industrial irradiator

Description:

A technician was maintaining an industrial irradiator used for sterilizing instruments. He did not realize the 65,000-curie cobalt-60 source was exposed and was found ill outside the building after less than 25 minutes exposure. Radiation exposure was not immediately recognized, however, and he was hospitalized for treatment for heart attack. Shortly before he died on 15 September it was recognized he was suffering radiation sickness from a dose later estimated at 2,200 rem.

Consequences: 1 fatality.

References:

• Regulla, D. F. and U. Deffner, 1989, "Dose estimation by ESR spectroscopy at a fatal radiation accident," Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 40:1039-1043.
• Reitan, J. B., L. Brinch, and K. Beiske, 2005, "Multi-organ failure aspects of a fatal radiation accident in Norway in 1982," British Journal of Radiology Supplement, 27:36-40.
• IAEA, 1988, The Radiological Accident in Goiania, IAEA (Vienna, Austria), on line at IAEA [http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub815_web.pdf].
• Ortiz, P., M. Oresegun, and J. Wheatley, 2000, "Lessons from major radiation accidents," on line, Internationl Radiation Protection Association [http://www.irpa.net/irpa10/cdrom/00140.pdf].

© 2004-2007, 2008 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 26 October 2008.
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