Date: 10 December 1998-8 January 1999
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Type of event: lost radiotherapy sources
Description:
Two cobalt-60 radiotherapy sources were stored in a warehouse in Istanbul which transferred ownership. The sources were not recognized for what they were and sold for scrap to purchasers who broke open the shielded containers in a residential area on 10 December. On 13 December, 10 individuals fell ill (including some children) with 6 vomiting. They sought medical treatment, but the cause of the illness was not recognized (they were released from a clinic on 14 December). One source (of 88 curies) had been transferred to a scrapyard on 28 December where it was recovered. On 8 January 1999 two individuals sought treatment at a private hospital. Suspicion of radiation injury was reported to authorities, and within hours recovery efforts began at the scrapyard. The second source was not recovered; records indicate it was a 636 curie source. Estimated doses to those injured were, in rem: 310, 250, 250, 230, 220, 180, 90, 80, 60, and 60. Five individuals exhibited acute radiation injury, and one person had radiation injuries to the skin on fingers of one hand.
Consequences: 10 injuries.
References:
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Last modified 15 September 2006.
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