Event Notification Report for November 01, 2011

ALERT DECLARED DUE TO AN AMMONIA LEAK

On November 1, 2011 at 1450 PDT, San Onofre Unit 3 declared an ALERT and entered EAL HA3.1 due to an ammonia leak that prevented access to local areas. The plant is in a stable condition while the leakage is being secured. The turbine building on Unit 3 has been evacuated. Plant personnel are in the process of verifying no presence of ammonia in the turbine building. There was no impact on Unit 2.

* * * UPDATE FROM KEN HOUSEMAN TO JOHN KNOKE AT 2115 EDT ON 11/01/11 * * *

At 1807 PDT licensee exited the ALERT and EAL HA3.1. The leak was at the Ammonia day tank and was flowing through an overflow vent into the berm. The high level in the Ammonia day tank was due to a leaking closed valve between the Demineralizer system and the ammonia bulk storage. The berm area was drained of all fluids. The wind direction caused the ammonia fumes to travel to the Unit 3 turbine deck. No off-site HAZMAT personnel came on-site. At 1756 PDT the precautionary evacuation of on-site personnel was terminated. Unit 2 was not affected from this event.

The NRC Resident Inspector was notified. Notified NRR EO (Fredrick Brown), R4DO (Vincent Gaddy, IRDMOC (Jeff Grant), DHS (Hill), DOE (Doyle), USDA (Krauf), FEMA (Fuller) and HHS (Fajardo).

* * * UPDATE FROM LEE KELLY TO VINCE KLCO AT 2228 EDT ON 11/01/11 * * *

"On November 1, 2011, Southern California Edison notified the California Emergency Management Agency at 1755 PDT and the San Diego Department of Environmental Health at 1810 PDT that approximately 25 gallons of Ammonium Hydroxide was spilled under the Ammonium Hydroxide day tank located outside the Unit 3 turbine building. The spill was contained in a berm under the tank and subsequently cleaned up.

"Both Units 2 and 3 were at approximately 100% power at the time of the event."

Notified the R4DO (Gaddy).

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - NUCLEAR GAUGE SHUTTER STUCK CLOSED

The following information was received via fax:

"On November 2, 2011, the Agency [Texas Department of Health] was notified by a general licensee that the shutter on a NITON XLp818 nuclear gauge containing 30 milliCuries of americium (Am) - 241 used for metal analysis was stuck in the closed position. The gauge appeared to have suffered an impact locking the shutter closed. The screen displays this error. The licensee has sent gauge to the manufacturer for repairs. The serial number is #7625. There is no exposure since the shutter failed in the closed position. The investigation in to this incident is ongoing. Further details will be provided in accordance with SA 300."

Texas report: I-8896

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SHUTTER ACTUATOR FAILED TO CLOSE SHUTTER

The following was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via facsimile:

"During the monthly shutter test, the licensee recognized the actuator that controls the shutter failed on both gauges. The handle that connects the actuator to the shutter snapped on both, rendering the shutter inoperable and in an open position, which is the normal operating position. A service provider was contacted to make necessary repairs. No exposure have been reported and none are expected. The device is identified as: Manufacturer (BSI Instruments), Model (7224), Serial # (ED355A), Isotope (Co-60), Activity (100 mCi), and Model (7440), Serial # (2498-11-87), Isotope (Cesium-137), Activity (20 mCi).

"A service provider has been contacted and they are planning on making repairs as soon as parts are available. A departmental reactive inspection is planned to investigate this event further."

PA Report #: PA110035

CONTAMINATED PACKAGE

Providence Park Hospital received an externally contaminated package from Hot Shots Nuclear Pharmacy (HSNP). Upon receipt of the package, the Nuclear Medical Technologist (NMT) performed a routine wipe test and determined the package was externally contaminated. Wipe test indicated surface contamination of 60,608 dpm (disintegrations per minute). The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) was notified and the package was bagged and stored in a hot lab for decay. The package contained approximately 70 mCi of technetium-99m. There was no indication of any personnel contamination or exposure. The package will be shipped back to HSNP, after isotope decay is complete, for follow up investigation and recommendation.

HOO Note: See EN #47392 for similar report.

UNPLANNED MEDICAL TREATMENT OF AN INDIVIDUAL INVOLVING CONTAMINATION

"A person working in an office area began feeling excessive heartburn and nausea. The individual was taken to the site dispensary for evaluation. An ambulance was requested to take the employee to the hospital for further evaluation. The employee had contamination on his coveralls and boots. Before leaving the site for the hospital, the employee's plant clothing was removed and the individual was surveyed. There was no detectable contamination on the employee when he was transferred to the hospital.

"Isotope, Quantities and Chemical Form: Uranium Ore Concentrates, U308

"NRC Region II informed: Richard Gibson- Senior Fuel Cycle Inspector"

FLORIDA AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - POTENTIAL OVEREXPOSURE TO PATIENT

"Patient presents in May, 2012 with a 1 cm x 3 cm oval necrotic tissue [on the] inner thigh consistent with radiological overexposure. Patient received radiation treatment in November, 2011 at the incident hospital. Hospital physicist and the RSO [are] investigating the incident and calculating whole body/skin dose based on assumption of released source scenario."

Incident Number: FL12-043

A Medical Event may indicate potential problems in a medical facility's use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient.