On July 11 at
approximately 0300 hours, the EPA Region 7 spill line received a call from the
Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reporting a potential
release of radioactive materials at three locations in the Kansas City Metropolitan area. The potential release
originated from a container of triuranium octoxide that was
purchased by a private resident, along with a Geiger Mueller radiation probe. KDHE requested that EPA assume the
response lead to evaluate the situation and assess the extent of impacts.
Upon notification, two EPA Region 7 On-Scene Coordinators (OSC) mobilized to the Overland Park Children's Mercy Hospital during the morning hours of July 11, 2023. EPA OSCs arrived at Overland Park Children's Mercy at 0515 hours, met with facility personnel, and initiated assessment of the potentially impacted area. The OSCs conducted a screening of potentially impacted areas and items with radiation survey equipment. The surface of the bagged vial of radioactive material screened above background levels, all other readings did not exceed background levels. The vial was within a cardboard cover and was labeled as triuranium octoxide. The vial was secured in a sealed 3.5-gallon plastic bucket and placed in the hospital chemical storage room. No other impacts as a result of the incident were identified at the hospital. A second hospital was deemed unimpacted based on information gathered during the response.
At 0745 hours, EPA OSCs arrived at the private residence in Shawnee, Kansas, to assess for impacts as a result of the incident. The residence was also screened with radiation survey equipment. A vial of radioactive material, labeled as U-350 triuranium octoxide, was stored in a locked safe in the bedroom of the 15 year old male. A box with a radiation survey instrument was also identified in the bedroom. The surface of the vial of radioactive material screened above background levels, all other readings from inside the residence did not exceed background levels.
Assessment of the exterior of the residence identified a plastic cup and fork that were used to mix the radioactive material and water for ingestion, as well as a small area of impacted vegetation where the mixture of radioactive material and water was poured out. The cup, fork, and vegetation exhibited radiation levels above background. The materials were removed, bagged, and secured, and follow-up screening confirmed that the impacted vegetation had been removed. The vial, contaminated plastic cup and fork, and 2-gallon plastic bag of removed vegetation were placed in 2 5-gallon buckets with secure lids. No other impacts as a result of the incident were identified at the residence.
On July 13, 2023, EPA collected, screened, and transferred the secured radioactive materials to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) office in Kansas City, Missouri, for temporary storage until FBI evidence and the EPA disposal needs were determined.
On October 18, 2023, the impacted fork, plastic cup, and vegetation were transported off-site for disposal. The FBI is retaining responsibility for radioactive source materials. No additional EPA activities are planned.
