Missing CNSC sealed source recovered

On November 4 , 2014, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) discovered that a radioactive source used during a police training session at the Canadian Police College had been left behind. The training session took place on August 22, 2014.

As a part of this training session, the source had been placed in a remote location on the college campus in Ottawa, away from public areas by CNSC trainers.

The 3.7-gigabecquerel (GBq) cesium-137 source was retrieved intact on November 4, 2014. There was no impact on the environment. Current information also indicates it is highly unlikely that a member of the public could have been exposed to a radiation dose over the annual public dose limit of 1 milisievert (msv).

An investigation has been initiated and will be reported as required within 21 days.

The International Atomic Energy Agency classifies a 3.7-GBq cesium-137 source as Category 4 (low risk). This means it is considered unlikely to be personally dangerous.

(Source: CNSC)