Date: 1988

Location: Zhao Xian, P.R. China

Type of event: irradiator accident

Description:

An accident occurred at an irradiation facility which used a cobalt-60 source. An individual accidentally entered the irradiation room for about 40 seconds, resulting in a whole body dose of about 520 rad. The individual suffered acute radiation sickness, recovered, and was still alive three years later.

Consequences: 1 injury (520 rad).

References:

• UNSCEAR, 2000, "Annex E: Occupational radiation exposures," in Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation: United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation UNSCEAR 2000 Report to the General Assembly, with Scientific Annexes, Volume I: Sources, UNSCEAR, on line at UNSCEAR [http://www.unscear.org/docs/reports/annexe.pdf].

© 2004, 2006 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 11 June 2006.
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