For immediate release: October 4, 2006 (06-158)

Contacts:
Donn Moyer, Communications Office 360-236-4076; pgr 360-786-2537

OLYMPIA ? A container carrying material used in nuclear medicine was damaged today in a transportation accident at a shipping terminal at Spokane International Airport. State Department of Health Radiation Protection staff responded to the scene this morning and found small levels of contamination in the immediate area around the damaged package. The contamination did not pose any threat to the public and airport operations were not affected.

The radioactive material involved is used to help treat prostate cancer. The package held a small amount of cesium-131 ? about enough to treat one patient. It contained a very low level of radioactivity and did not present a general risk to human health. The material was shipped from the manufacturer in Richland to Spokane International Airport where similar packages are routinely shipped around the country.

State health staff coordinated response work with the manufacturer, the shipper and other state and federal agencies. Parts of the damaged container were quickly isolated after the incident and will be properly disposed of; crews are surveying the area for additional debris. Workers who were in the area have been checked and no exposure to radioactivity has been detected. Once the incident was discovered, the area was cordoned off to prevent distribution of debris from the container and its contents. Work will continue to ensure decontamination of the small area affected is complete.

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