Defense Health Agency Fined for Losing Radioactive Material
WASHINGTON — A federal agency that oversees medical treatment facilities within the U.S. Department of Defense is facing a potential civil penalty of $3,500 for losing radioactive material used to treat prostate cancer victims.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission proposed the civil penalty for the Defense Health Agency, based in Falls Church, Virginia, after it reported it had lost four brachytherapy seeds containing iodine-125 that were to be implanted during radiation therapy procedures at the center.
“In weighing the appropriate enforcement action in this case, we took into consideration the comprehensive steps taken by DHA to prevent a repeat occurrence. During a future inspection, we will verify the effectiveness of these changes,” said NRC Region I Administrator Dave Lew in a written statement.
In a Dec. 9, 2021, inspection report, the NRC identified the apparent violation. Under the lost source policy described in the NRC Enforcement Policy, a civil penalty is considered for all violations involving the loss of regulated material.
Officials at the DHA believe the seeds, contained in a shielded box, were inadvertently disposed of as normal waste and weren’t recovered, despite search efforts.
The commission said the seeds are unlikely to cause permanent injury to a member of the public if encountered.
Earlier this year, DHA responded to the inspection report and did not contest the apparent violation. The agency provided comprehensive information regarding corrective and preventative actions for the loss of the seeds, including the cessation of all brachytherapy procedures pending a root cause analysis, the enhanced training of personnel and a revision of procedures.
The DHA has 30 days to pay or contest the fine.
Dan can be reached at [email protected] and at https://twitter.com/DanMcCue
