NRC Reports Loss Of Radioactive Material In New Jersey

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced the loss of a radioactive Ge-68 pin used for medical imaging during transit in Newfield, New Jersey. The material disappeared on December 2 when its container arrived damaged and empty at its intended destination.

The Ge-68 pin, manufactured by Eckert & Ziegler, has an activity level of 0.267 mCi and is classified as “less than Category 3” by the NRC. This classification means the material poses minimal risk to public health. It had been used at the Nazha Cancer Center to calibrate PET/CT scanners before being sent for disposal.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) reported the loss to the NRC on December 3. Federal rules require incidents involving missing radioactive materials to be reported immediately, with a detailed explanation submitted if the item is not recovered within 30 days.

Unverified reports of drone activity in Newfield have raised questions about whether the sightings are connected to the missing material. Authorities have not confirmed any such link.

The NRC stated that the risk of harm is low due to the material’s small radioactive quantity. The licensee has filed a claim with the shipper and is cooperating with state and federal agencies to locate the missing pin source.

Eckert & Ziegler is a leading supplier of radioactive materials for medical, industrial and research applications.

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