INES-event
INES 2

Overexposure to 15 members of the public

On November 28, the State of California notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) that 15 members of the public received committed effective dose equivalents ranging from approximately 1.5 to 18 mSv (0.15 to 1.8 rem), doses in excess of the NRC’s annual limit of 1 mSv (100 millirem).

During a routine inspection, the California Department of Health Services revealed that the licensee injected workers with F-18 and Tc-99m for training purposes and equipment testing, a use that is not authorized. The investigation concluded that nine individuals were injected with F-18 and received committed doses ranging from 15.5 to 18.1 mSv (1.55 to 1.81 rem). In addition, another six individuals were injected with Tc-99m and received committed doses ranging from 1.5 to 4.7 mSv (152 to 466 millirem).

The State issued the licensee a Notice of Violation, and the licensee signed a voluntary cease and desist agreement, that precludes the licensee from performing nuclear medicine activities until adequate corrective actions are accepted and implemented. The State of California is still investigation this incident, and the licensee has not been authorized to resume the human use of any radioactive material at this time.

Location: Hi-Desert PET & Nuclear Medicine Imaging Center / Victorville
Event date: Thu, 09-11-2006
Nuclear event report
Legenda & explanation