NEWFIELD, N.J. — A small amount of radioactive material has gone missing in transit from a New Jersey cancer treatment center, according to a report by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The material, a Ge-68 pin source used in medical imaging, was shipped from the Nazha Cancer Center in Newfield on Dec. 2 but arrived at its destination damaged and empty, officials said.
The shipment, which contained 0.267 millicuries (mCi) of the isotope Ge-68, was being sent for disposal when the container was found compromised. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) was notified the following day, and the incident was formally reported to the NRC on Dec. 5. Officials have classified the event as “Less than Category 3,” meaning it is considered unlikely to cause significant harm to individuals.
Category 3 is the highest level of radioactive material.
The NJDEP stated that the licensee, Nazha Cancer Center, has filed a claim with the shipping company to locate the missing material.
If the radioactive source is not recovered within 30 days. In that case, the center will be required to submit a full written report, detailing the root causes and any corrective actions to prevent future incidents.
“This event is reportable under 10 CFR 20.2201(a)(1)(ii),” the NJDEP confirmed in an email to federal regulators, referring to the NRC regulation requiring immediate notification of lost or stolen radioactive materials.
According to the Department of Energy, “Category 3. As defined by the IAEA, an amount of radioactive material which, if not safely managed or securely protected, could cause permanent injury to a person who handled it, or were otherwise in contact with it for some hours.”
Although the incident involves a small amount of radioactive material, which is unlikely to cause harm unless improperly handled for an extended period, officials are working to ensure public safety and accountability. The NRC is monitoring the situation in coordination with the NJDEP and other authorities.
GE Healthcare identifies the GE-68 pinsource as, “GE-68 Pin Source is utilized to calibrate PET scanner systems. Used as a transmission standard to provide a tissue density correction to permit accurate diagnostic scanning of patients.”
