| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
08/19/2015 - 08/20/2015 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Part 21 | Event Number: 50681 | Rep Org: ASCO VALVE INCORPORATED
Licensee: STERIS ISOMEDIX SERVICES
Region: 1
City: AIKEN State: SC
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: BOB ROYER
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER | Notification Date: 12/16/2014
Notification Time: 09:01 [ET]
Event Date: 12/15/2014
Event Time: [EST]
Last Update Date: 08/19/2015 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
21.21(a)(2) - INTERIM EVAL OF DEVIATION
| Person (Organization):
JOHN ROGGE (R1DO)
KATHLEEN O'DONOHUE (R2DO)
AARON MCCRAW (R3DO)
NEIL OKEEFE (R4DO)
PART 21 GROUP (EMAI)
| Event Text INTERIM REPORT - POTENTIAL PART 21 NOTIFICATION
The following report was received via fax:
ASCO reviewed a Part 21 notification, received from Steris Isomedix Services, to see if the reported non conformance would impact qualification levels. Based on this review, ASCO determined that even if the radiation levels, applied to components, were lower than reported on the original certifications, the additional radiation dose added to meet the 10% margin suggested by IEEE 323 would envelope this variation. Therefore, the qualification levels listed in ASCO qualification reports would not be impacted. Based on this review, ASCO determined that it was not necessary to implement 10 CFR part 21 notifications since the reported qualification levels remain unchanged.
If you have any questions, you can contact Michael Adase at Michael.adase@emerson.com or 803-641-9345.
Note: The NRC has received reports from four (4) other Steris Isomedix customers concerning this issue; EN #50253, #50285, #50359, and #50434.
* * * UPDATE AT 1507 EDT ON 8/19/2015 * * *
The following, in part, was received from Asco Valve, Inc. via fax:
"On December 15, 2014, ASCO Valve Inc. (ASCO) issued an interim report to the USNRC. The interim report was issued because ASCO was awaiting additional information from Steris and was not able to complete their evaluation of Ref B within the 60 day time limit. A December 19, 2014 update from Steris contained no additional substantive information. Although further information from Steris was not received, ASCO has since received the 'Industry Guidance Position Paper Responding to the 2014 Steris 10 CFPR Part 21', from the NUGEQ [Nuclear Utility Group on Equipment Qualification].
"ASCO has completed the review and calculated the minimum radiation exposure applied during qualification of ASCO nuclear qualified products at Steris. Based on this review, ASCO has determined that the minimum dose is less than what was originally reported in the ASCO qualification reports. ASCO is in the process of updating our reports and revising our certifications.
"Since ASCO is not able to determine what, if any impact these reduced radiation dose levels will have on the qualification testing of safety related equipment, we are forwarding this information to allow for a review of applicable qualification documentation and reports."
Notified R1DO (DeFrancisco), R2DO (Heisserer), R3DO (Riemer), R4DO (Hay), and Part 21 Group (email). |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 51310 | Rep Org: KENTUCKY DEPT OF RADIATION CONTROL
Licensee: ISA, INC.
Region: 1
City: LOUISVILLE State: KY
County:
License #: GL 401-838-42
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: CURT PENDERGRASS
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER | Notification Date: 08/11/2015
Notification Time: 15:16 [ET]
Event Date: 01/01/2011
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/11/2015 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RAY POWELL (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFIC (EMAI)
ILTAB (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3 " level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN THERMO ELECTRON XRF ANALYZER
The following report was received from the Commonwealth of Kentucky via fax:
"On 8/7/15, [the licensee] reported that [sometime] in 2011, a Thermo Electron XRF Analyzer Model XLp818 (serial number 17620) was stolen from their facility in Louisville, KY. The device contained a QSA Global AMCL Am-241 source (serial number 5588CW) that was 30 mCi on 3/13/2007. The KY RHB [Kentucky Radiation Health Branch] has requested additional information."
KY Report: KY150004.
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 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 51311 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
Licensee: CALFRAC WELL SERVICES CORP
Region: 4
City: SAN ANTONIO State: TX
County:
License #: 06710
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KAREN BLANCHARD
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 08/12/2015
Notification Time: 08:43 [ET]
Event Date: 08/11/2015
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/12/2015 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
BOB HAGAR (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED PORTABLE INLINE DENSITY GAUGE
The following report was received via e-mail:
"On August 11, 2015, the licensee notified the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] that during a routine inspection of one of its Berthold model 8010 portable inline density gauges (SN: 10182), that contained a 20 millicurie Cesium-137 source, it found that the shutter handle was bent and the shutter could not be fully operated. The shutter was in the closed position. The gauge was secured at the licensee's facility. The licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) is investigating the cause of the damage. The RSO has contacted the gauge manufacturer and arrangements are being made for repairs. There have been no exposures to any individual as a result of this event. Further information will be provided as it is obtained in accordance with SA-300."
Texas Incident #I-9333 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 51312 | Rep Org: ALABAMA RADIATION CONTROL
Licensee: NEWELL RECYCLING SOUTHEAST
Region: 1
City: PHENIX CITY State: AL
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: MYRON RILEY
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 08/12/2015
Notification Time: 09:09 [ET]
Event Date: 08/05/2015
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/12/2015 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RAY POWELL (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - Sr-90 SOURCE FOUND AT RECYCLING FACILITY
The following report was received via fax:
"On August 5, 2015, while investigating a collection of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) at Newell Recycling Southeast facility in Phenix City, AL, representatives from the Alabama Office of Radiation Control identified what appeared to be a very old gauge containing radioactive material. Initial field analysis measurements identified the isotope as Sr-90.
"A follow-up visit on August 7, 2015 by Alabama Office of Radiation Control personnel confirmed the source of radiation to be a very old device containing a sealed Sr-90 source. Maximum radiation levels of 1500 mR/hr (beta + gamma) and 300 mR/hr (gamma only) at the port opening were measured. The device was secured and placed in storage at the facility. A leak test was performed and the results are pending.
"The origin of the device is unknown. There are no identifying marks on the device. The Alabama Office of Radiation Control continues to investigate to determine the make, model and serial number. It is assumed that the device is a very old, generally licensed device that was abandoned, lost or stolen in the past."
Alabama Incident 15-36 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 51314 | Rep Org: ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: CLEARWATER PAPER CORPORATION
Region: 4
City: MCGEHEE State: AR
County:
License #: ARK-0530-0312
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: SUSAN ELLIOT
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER | Notification Date: 08/12/2015
Notification Time: 16:30 [ET]
Event Date: 08/11/2015
Event Time: 13:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/12/2015 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
BOB HAGAR (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFIC (EMAI)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED KAY-RAY FIXED GAUGES REPAIRED WITH SHUTTER OPEN
The following report was received from the State of Arkansas via email:
"[The licensee] discovered two fixed gauges, manufactured by Kay-Ray, model #GRP-6082, serial #6124 (digester 2) and #6125 (digester 3) with a 5 Curie Cs-137 source were damaged sometime in May 2014.
"The Department [Arkansas Department of Health] became aware of the repair during a routine inspection of the plant. According to the field service report, repairs were performed on June 5, 2014. The repairs were to the lead shielding around source holders which was separated from the original fabrication and needed to be refastened. The field service report indicated the shutter was not closed during the repairs.
"Basic evaluations at the time of inspection, by [licensee] Radiation Control Health Physicists, indicated there were no public exposure levels above the regulatory requirement. The gauges are mounted on a steel metal box. The gauges are located on the 3rd floor 10 feet above the floor. Gauges are in cages inaccessible without a ladder. It is believed a small field of radiation was present but there were no significant exposures to the public.
"The State [Arkansas] is awaiting a written report from the licensee and will continue to investigate this event. The State will update this event as more information becomes available.
"Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Office was notified."
Arkansas Event Number: ARK-2015-011 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 51315 | Rep Org: TENNESSEE DIV OF RAD HEALTH
Licensee: UNKNOWN
Region: 1
City: MURFREESBORO State: TN
County:
License #: NON LICENSE
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ANDREW HOLCOMB
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER | Notification Date: 08/12/2015
Notification Time: 17:14 [ET]
Event Date: 07/13/2015
Event Time: 09:45 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/12/2015 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RAY POWELL (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFIC (EMAI)
ILTAB (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3 " level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - NDC GAUGE RECOVERED FROM LANDFILL
"On July 13, 2015, a load of residential waste set off the radiation alarm at Middlepoint Landfill, in Murfreesboro, TN. The load, originally thought to be personnel medical waste, was set aside to decay. [Tennessee Radiological Health] Division staff returned on July 16, 2015, with a Canberra Inspector 1000 [detector], for identification and to obtain a spectrum for analysis. After review, the material was determined to be Am-241. [Tennessee Radiological Health] Division staff returned to landfill on July 17, to search for item. Separated from residential waste, the item was found to be a NDC Model 100 series backscatter gauge, SN #11755. The activity on the label was 0.93 GBq (25 mCi). The gauge was transported to the [Tennessee Radiological Health] Division field office in a probe down position surrounded by lead bricks; this resulted in dose rate readings to nearest occupant at approximately background levels. The [Tennessee Radiological Health] Division staff monitored the gauge in route to the field office. Upon arrival, the gauge was surrounded by lead bricks and stored in an isolated area with a pre-arrival background level of 6 microR/hr dose rate. The post-arrival dose rate readings were 8 microR/hr.
"Under reciprocity, NDC Technologies personnel are scheduled to pack and remove the gauge on 8/13/2015, for return to the manufacturer."
Tennessee State Event Report ID NO: TN-15-102
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 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 51316 | Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: CONNECTEC, INC.
Region: 4
City: IRVINE State: CA
County:
License #: 7972-30
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ANDREW TAYLOR
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER | Notification Date: 08/12/2015
Notification Time: 20:20 [ET]
Event Date: 08/06/2015
Event Time: [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/12/2015 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
BOB HAGAR (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFIC (EMAI)
ILTAB (EMAI)
MEXICO (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3 " level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST TRITIUM TARGET SIGHTS
The following report was received by the State of California via email:
"On August 12, 2015, [the licensee's], Alternate Radiation Safety Officer, contacted the [State of California Radiologic Health Branch] Brea Radioactive Materials office to report lost Tritium [target sight] sources. After receipt at the [licensee] facility, 18 sources were no longer accountable in the inventory process. [The licensee] noted that, sometime between August 6 and August 10, the loss was discovered by one of the [licensee's] authorized users while performing an inventory of sources in the shipment to ensure that the proper number of sources were received. The lost sources were SRB Technologies, Inc. model AR Tritium [target sights] generally licensed sealed sources (these sources do not have serial numbers) with 0.8 Curies of tritium, for a total of 14.4 Curies.
"After the missing sources were discovered, SRB Technologies was contacted to determine the number of sources that were supposed to be contained in the package. When SRB Technologies personnel notified [licensee] that the package contained 36 sources, as listed in the included packing slip, [licensee] personnel conducted a search of the facility to find the sources. When the search did not find the missing sources, it was determined that the missing sources were likely to have been thrown away with the packaging in their trash bin, which had already been emptied on the morning of August 7, 2015. The Irvine facility of Waste Management was contacted to determine if it was possible to search the trash bin, but they were told that was not possible and the trash was most likely to have been dumped in a landfill. Once the investigation into the loss of sources was completed on August 12, 2015, the licensee determined the sources to be lost, most likely in a landfill. After the determination that the source were lost was made, [the licensee] then contacted the [State of California] Brea Office to make the official report."
California 5010 Number: 081215
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 | |