NRC proposes $7,000 fine for Mistras Group

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has proposed a $7,000 fine for Mistras Group Inc., following two violations of requirements.

The company was found to have exported two sources of iridium-192 to a Canadian company. The NRC found this apparent violation in March, when the company was given a chance to submit a written response explaining their actions.

The company did not obtain an export license from the commission and failed to notify the Canadian government and the NRC prior to exporting the radioactive material. The NRC states that this is a Severity Level III violation. The scale of these violations is between Severity Levels I to IV, with the most severe violations being rated at Level I.

The NRC states that in considerations of their findings and the written response from the company is sufficient to pursue the payment of a civil penalty. There is no requirement for the company to submit an additional response because the pertinent corrective actions and corresponding results have already been submitted.

The company has since achieved the required license; it will have 30 days to pay the fine.

Iridium-192 is commonly used in industrial radiography and radio therapy. It has a half-life of 73.83 days.