The following is a summary of information provided by SABIC via email:
SABIC reported the loss of a Nuclecel ionizer air nozzle on lease from NRD, LLC containing 10 mCi of polonium-210.
The device was noticed to be missing on December 10, 2025, when preparing to send the device back to NRD. The last known use was in May 2025.
This device was used to clean static-sensitive printed circuit boards. SABIC assumes that an employee used it and did not return it or mistook it for a general use air nozzle and it is among their tools. SABIC has searched the building and interviewed employees who would have had access to the device in their secure facility.
SABIC is discontinuing the work requiring use of the device.
Model number: P02021-8001
S/N: A2NJ342
NRD lease: 083488
THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A 'Less than Cat 3' LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Sources that are "Less than
IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as
moisture density gauges or thickness
gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf