Date: 4 February 1971

Location: USA

Type of event: accident at industrial irradiator

Description:

A techician at a seed irradiation facility walked within 0.6 meters of a 7,700-curie cobalt-60 source, unaware that the source was unshielded. When the technician left the irradiation room, it was realized that the source was unshielded. His whole body dose was estimated at 50-400 rad (a dosimeter worn at the belt indicated 260 rad) with exposure to his hand of 600-1200 rad.

Consequences: 1 injury.

References:

• Beck, William L., 1980, "Radiation accident dosimetry," Nuclear Instruments and Methods, 175:150-152.

© 2004 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 21 June 2004.
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