| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
12/04/2008 - 12/05/2008 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | General Information or Other | Event Number: 44690 | Rep Org: OHIO BUREAU OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: UNKNOWN
Region: 3
City: HARRISON State: OH
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: STEVE HELMER
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD | Notification Date: 12/01/2008
Notification Time: 12:18 [ET]
Event Date: 11/22/2008
Event Time: 14:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/01/2008 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MICHAEL KUNOWSKI (R3)
M. BURGESS (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RADIUM VIALS DISCOVERED IN HOME
"The Bureau of Radiation Protection (BRP) received a call through our 24-hour answering service, at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 22, 2008. The caller, from Harrison, Ohio indicated that she purchased birth stones from an internet auction house a couple of weeks ago. However, it wasn't until Friday evening, November 21, 2008 that she opened a plastic drawer (part of what was purchase) and found 3 vials indicating radium. The caller then proceeded to do some research of radium on the internet and decided to call ODH the next day. She indicated the vials have been isolated and will not be touched until BRP staff can assess the radiological hazard (if any.) BRP indicated that we would like to send a health physicist to her house in the next couple of hours to survey the vials, her home, and assess her exposure.
"Health Physicist 3, Eric Denison was contacted. He picked up the response vehicle and survey equipment. He arrived at the caller's home ([Deleted], Harrison, Ohio 45030) at approximately 7:00 PM.
"Survey results showed no radioactive contamination on the caller and none found on her clothes, in her bathroom, and none found in other areas where there would have been the possibility/expectation of radioactive contamination. The HP3 indicated that the 1" reading on the side of the vials located in the garage indicates 15mR/hr.
"It appears from the surveys there is not a spread of radioactive contamination that had us concerned from the onset of the first phone call. The impact appears to be minimal and limited to the radium vials. The 3 radium vials are to be isolated, locked in a tool box in the garage, until an appropriate disposal can be arranged. The HP 3 finished remaining surveys and provided the caller a summary of what he has found, including bureau contact information.
"Attached are two pictures from our response to the radium discovery. The first gives an idea of the size of the vials as compared to the metal case and the nitrile glove under the case. The second gives a closer view of the third vial. The case is approximately 7 inches long and perhaps 2.5 inches wide. I apologize for not getting a ruler or coin into the pictures for size comparison.
"The label on the first vial is almost completely gone, and the label on the second is partially gone. The label on the third is almost intact. I did not notice any writings or markings other than the printing, but did not take time to examine them closely. The labels read: 'Radium - Chimie', 'Teufen - App.', 'Qual. No.', 'Nuance'.
"When presented by the owner, the vials were contained in the metal watch case shown in the photos. Dose rate as measured with a Bicron MicroRem was approximately 15 mRem/hr at a distance of 1 inch from the top center of the case. Smear wipes showed no removable contamination on the exterior of the case. On opening the case, HP3 found the vials wrapped loosely in a plastic zipper bag (but not inside the bag). HP3 removed the vials and arranged them for the photographs. HP3 did not smear the vials or the inside of the case.
"[Individual] told BRP she has no way of paying for the appropriate disposal of the radium vials. BRP told [Individual] at the time we would try to get USEPA to take possession at no cost to her. ODH BRP contacted USEPA orphan sources program to see if they would be willing to dispose of the radium vials. USEPA confirmed that they will take possession and dispose of the radium vials found at a residence in Harrison, Ohio. ODH informed the resident, [Individual], and indicated that she could expect a call from USEPA.
"ODH-BRP contacted Jim Mitchell at USEPA (orphan sources unit) Chicago, to follow-up on our email we sent them on Monday. We indicated to Jim that ODH will need to be involved in this as they move forward. USEPA agreed and looks forward to the cooperation.
"USEPA has contacted [Individual] and arranged for USEPA to take possession on Thursday 12/4/08 at 10:00 AM. ODH is currently still investigating where the radium came from. USEPA response will also include their investigation unit as they want to pursue how and where the radium was obtained. ODH indicated to USEPA we have the same concern and will need to be included when they meet the resident on Thursday.
"USEPA currently believes their team to include: Gene Jablonowski - Health Physicist Chicago Office, Bill Ryzek - USEPA investigator Chicago Office, Steve Renninger - Cincinnati Office, John Sherod - Cincinnati Office.
"ODH will meet USEPA at the residence: Eric Denison - HP 3, Stephen Helmer." |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 44696 | Facility: TURKEY POINT
Region: 2 State: FL
Unit: [3] [4] [ ]
RX Type: [3] W-3-LP,[4] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: DEWEY BARROW
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO | Notification Date: 12/04/2008
Notification Time: 16:12 [ET]
Event Date: 12/04/2008
Event Time: 15:15 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/04/2008 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
ROBERT HAAG (R2)
MARVIN SYKES e-mail (R2)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 3 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | | 4 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text OFFSITE REQUEST FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE INVOLVING AN UNDENTIFIED SUBSTANCE
"[A] small plastic bag containing an unknown white powder substance was discovered inside the Turkey Point Nuclear Station protected area. Miami-Dade Police Department was contacted for evaluation of the substance. The contents of the bag were taken into the custody of Miami-Dade Police. At 1515 the site was notified that the substance had been determined to be baby powder and that outside agencies have been notified for threat evaluation.
"Outside agencies that were contacted [by the licensee] include Miami Dade County Hazardous Material Division, Miami Dade County Emergency Operations Center, State of Florida Emergency Operations Center, Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigations."
The licensee contacted the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Other Nuclear Material | Event Number: 44697 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: SW REGIONAL CANCER CENTER
Region: 4
City: AUSTIN State: TX
County:
License #: 06052
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO | Notification Date: 12/04/2008
Notification Time: 17:53 [ET]
Event Date: 12/02/2008
Event Time: 16:15 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/04/2008 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
DAVID PROULX (R4)
REBECCA TADESSE (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT- SOURCE FAILS TO RETRACT
"On the evening of 12/2/08, Varian, a service contractor, had completed a successful source exchange on a Nordian GammaMedPlus Brachytherapy device, serial # H600447. That same evening, the new source wire became jammed during the third position verification test procedure. The source would not retract using the electronic devices provided on the machine. The source was manually retracted to the shielded position by a service technician within a few minutes of the event. The source, cable, and associated equipment have been removed from the device. They have been packaged for shipment to the manufacturer in England for further examination. The dose estimate to retract the source to the safe position is approximately 35 millirem. The source was a 9.12 curie Iridium (Ir) - 192 source model # VS2000. The source serial number was not available. The source is currently stored in a transportation container. The manufacture believes that a small piece of debris prevented the source from fully retracting.
"The licensee stated that they will provide the state with a written report in by 12/9/08. Additional information will be forwarded to the NRC as it is received."
Texas Incident Number: I-8586 |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 44698 | Facility: FERMI
Region: 3 State: MI
Unit: [2] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: G. MILLER
HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA | Notification Date: 12/05/2008
Notification Time: 00:21 [ET]
Event Date: 12/04/2008
Event Time: 21:18 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/05/2008 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) - ACCIDENT MITIGATION
| Person (Organization):
MICHAEL KUNOWSKI (R3)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text UNPLANNED HPCI INOPERABILITY
"On December 4. 2008 at 1735 during steam line warming as part of a planned HPCI pump and valve surveillance a 4 hour Limiting Condition for Operation was entered for the E4150F600 (HPCl Steam Supply Outboard Isolation Valve Bypass Valve) per LCO 3.6.1.3 with the action being to isolate the penetration. This was due to abnormal indications observed from the Main Control Room during movement of the valve.
"On December 4, 2008 at 2118 unplanned HPCI inoperability occurred due to isolating the E4150F002 (HPCI Steam Supply Inboard Isolation Valve) to satisfy LCO 3.6.1.3 1 the E4150F600 (HPCI Steam Supply Outboard Isolation Valve Bypass Valve) inoperability. A 14 day LCO was entered for HPCI per LCO 3.5.1. This report is being made pursuant to 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) as a condition that at the time of discovery could have prevented the fulfillment of a safety function to mitigate the consequences of an accident based on loss of a single train safety system.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified." | |