Radioactive material went missing in new jersey shipment, nuclear reglatory report shows

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.”

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.