Feds investigate radiation exposure at Idaho nuclear plant


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IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is investigating a recent incident at a plant that manufactures radioactive products in Idaho Falls.

The Post Register reports (http://bit.ly/1N4Hv6h ) that a technician at International Isotopes was exposed to more radiation on Aug. 20 than is allowed over the course of a year.

He has since returned to work in areas without possible radiation exposure.

NRC's Texas office spokesman Victor Dricks said the worker was transferring a radioactive material out of a storage cask when it slipped to the ground, leaving its shielded container.

"He quickly recovers, lifts it, and inserts it (back) into the lead cask," Dricks said. "Because it was briefly freed from its shielded container, he gets a brief exposure."

A preliminary NRC report says the worker did not have any immediate adverse health effects, but was sent to a local hospital for blood tests.

"Analysis of blood samples provided by the individual were normal with no indication of excessive radiation exposure," the report said. "Monitoring of the individual's hands revealed no signs of radiation damage to tissues."

International Isotopes manufactures radioactive products used for cancer treatment, research and industrial purposes.

Dricks said it's still unclear whether the NRC will fine the manufacturer, but that more inspections are planned.

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Information from: Post Register, http://www.postregister.com

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