Date: 1989

Location: Witbank, Transvaal, South Africa

Type of event: radiography accident

Description:

A radiographer failed to properly attach an iridium-192 industrial radiography source, which became detached and went undetected. One worker received a whole-body dose of 78 rad or 225 rem. Localized exposure required amputation of the right leg at the hip 6 months after exposure and amputation of three fingers one year after exposure. Two other workers whole-body doses of 9 and 10 rad, respectively.

Consequences: 1 injury.

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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