ABSTRACT
In 2006, a consignment of pillows from a foreign manufacturer triggered a radiation alarm ataUS port, estimated atthe facility to contain on the order of 10s-100s of μCi of penetrating γradiation. Field x-rays of the isolated container veri–ed that no apparently hazardous components were present. Scoping NDA –eld measurements of the questioned cardboard box were performed around its surface, with the following results:
• β-γ survey meter: >60k cpm at contact •α survey meter: negative •Presumptive ELITE kit for HE: negative
The questioned cardboard container was then opened in a hood in a radiochemistry lab at the Livermore Forensic Science Center. Detailed radiation sensing was performed with a β-γ survey meter and pancake probe of ~5-cm diameter active area. The wide probe tip and relatively slow response of the meter made localization of the radioactivity somewhat inef–cient because of the low spatial resolution, and the isolation procedure consequently became iterative in nature. However, it was quickly determined that the entire radioactivity was on or in the cardboard box, with no contamination present on the pillows. Further, the radioactivity was localized on a small portion of the container and was not distributed throughout the cardboard.
