Event Notification Report for January 31, 2002
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
01/30/2002 - 01/31/2002
General Information or Other
Event Number: 38672
Rep Org: WA DIVISION OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
Region: 4
City: PULLMAN State: WA
County:
License #: WN-C003-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: TERRY FRAZEE (email)
HQ OPS Officer: BOB STRANSKY
Licensee: WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
Region: 4
City: PULLMAN State: WA
County:
License #: WN-C003-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: TERRY FRAZEE (email)
HQ OPS Officer: BOB STRANSKY
Notification Date: 02/05/2002
Notification Time: 19:26 [ET]
Event Date: 01/31/2002
Event Time: 00:00 [PST]
Last Update Date: 02/05/2002
Notification Time: 19:26 [ET]
Event Date: 01/31/2002
Event Time: 00:00 [PST]
Last Update Date: 02/05/2002
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
JOHN PELLET (R4)
JOHN PELLET (R4)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT
ABSTRACT: (where, when, how, why; cause, contributing factors, corrective actions, consequences, DOH on-site investigation; media attention) A sealed source was discovered to be leaking and contamination was found on one
researcher and at several locations within the researcher's lab. The contamination from a custom-made sodium-22 source was discovered during a routine survey of the lab. The WSU Radiation Safety Office (RSO) continues
to oversee clean-up of the lab.
The WSU researcher was contaminated on the inside of a knuckle of one hand. The WSU RSO staff estimated about 2 nCi of Na-22 in a 0.5 centimeter wide spot on the contaminated finger. This was about 10,000 cpm when first measured and immediately cleaned to 3000 cpm (0.04 mR/hr) by simple washing. The researcher was taken to the Pullman Hospital for additional cleaning and an X-ray of the finger to rule out the possibility of a metal sliver or other removable contamination. RSO staff were at the hospital to oversee activities.
Contamination was only found in the lab, including on a jacket and the floor. No contamination was found outside the lab. Staff and others who had access to the lab are being checked to see if any contamination was carried out of the lab on shoes or clothing.
What is the notification or reporting criteria involved? WAC 246-221-265
(Special Reports...Leaking Sources)
Activity and Isotope(s) involved: 18 millicuries Na-22
Overexposures? (number of workers/members of the public; dose estimate; body part receiving dose; consequence) One individual was known to have some contamination on a finger but the dose is unknown at this time.
Lost, Stolen or Damaged? (mfg., model, serial number) The Na-22 source was made by Brookhaven National Labs in December 2000. Model and serial number unknown at present.
ABSTRACT: (where, when, how, why; cause, contributing factors, corrective actions, consequences, DOH on-site investigation; media attention) A sealed source was discovered to be leaking and contamination was found on one
researcher and at several locations within the researcher's lab. The contamination from a custom-made sodium-22 source was discovered during a routine survey of the lab. The WSU Radiation Safety Office (RSO) continues
to oversee clean-up of the lab.
The WSU researcher was contaminated on the inside of a knuckle of one hand. The WSU RSO staff estimated about 2 nCi of Na-22 in a 0.5 centimeter wide spot on the contaminated finger. This was about 10,000 cpm when first measured and immediately cleaned to 3000 cpm (0.04 mR/hr) by simple washing. The researcher was taken to the Pullman Hospital for additional cleaning and an X-ray of the finger to rule out the possibility of a metal sliver or other removable contamination. RSO staff were at the hospital to oversee activities.
Contamination was only found in the lab, including on a jacket and the floor. No contamination was found outside the lab. Staff and others who had access to the lab are being checked to see if any contamination was carried out of the lab on shoes or clothing.
What is the notification or reporting criteria involved? WAC 246-221-265
(Special Reports...Leaking Sources)
Activity and Isotope(s) involved: 18 millicuries Na-22
Overexposures? (number of workers/members of the public; dose estimate; body part receiving dose; consequence) One individual was known to have some contamination on a finger but the dose is unknown at this time.
Lost, Stolen or Damaged? (mfg., model, serial number) The Na-22 source was made by Brookhaven National Labs in December 2000. Model and serial number unknown at present.
Power Reactor
Event Number: 38665
Facility: WOLF CREEK
Region: 4 State: KS
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: S. FERGUSON
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN MacKINNON
Region: 4 State: KS
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: S. FERGUSON
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN MacKINNON
Notification Date: 01/31/2002
Notification Time: 17:56 [ET]
Event Date: 01/31/2002
Event Time: 13:45 [CST]
Last Update Date: 02/07/2002
Notification Time: 17:56 [ET]
Event Date: 01/31/2002
Event Time: 13:45 [CST]
Last Update Date: 02/07/2002
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE 50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE 50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
Person (Organization):
CHARLES MARSCHALL (R4)
CHARLES MARSCHALL (R4)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
LOSS OF 6 EMERGENCY SIRENS DUE TO ICE STORMS
AT 1345 it was determined that six of their eleven emergency plant sirens were not operational. An ice storm caused the loss of power to the sirens. The county sheriffs office was contacted and in the event of an actual emergency they will contact personnel in these areas directly (route alerting). The remaining five sirens will alert a majority of the population in the effective ten mile zone. The total ten mile zone is approx. 6099 persons.
The remote telemetry system used to identify siren failures did not function correctly. We determined that at least one siren was unavailable and this information was unavailable from the normal monitoring method. A backup method was used to determine the extent of the problem.
A news statement was issued to the public at approximately 1600 hours, 01/31/02, discusses the loss of the six emergency sirens.
The NRC Resident Inspector was notified of this event by the licensee.
* * * UPDATE 1408EST ON 2/7/02 FROM RICK HUBBARD TO S. SANDIN * * *
The licensee provided the following information as an update:
"On 1/31/2002 @ 1656CST, the NRC Operations Center was contacted, EN #38665, concerning a loss of E-Plan Sirens. As of 1233CST 2/7/2002, all sirens have been restored to operable status. A news release has been prepared and will be made following this notification."
The licensee informed state/local agencies, FEMA and the NRC Resident Inspector.
AT 1345 it was determined that six of their eleven emergency plant sirens were not operational. An ice storm caused the loss of power to the sirens. The county sheriffs office was contacted and in the event of an actual emergency they will contact personnel in these areas directly (route alerting). The remaining five sirens will alert a majority of the population in the effective ten mile zone. The total ten mile zone is approx. 6099 persons.
The remote telemetry system used to identify siren failures did not function correctly. We determined that at least one siren was unavailable and this information was unavailable from the normal monitoring method. A backup method was used to determine the extent of the problem.
A news statement was issued to the public at approximately 1600 hours, 01/31/02, discusses the loss of the six emergency sirens.
The NRC Resident Inspector was notified of this event by the licensee.
* * * UPDATE 1408EST ON 2/7/02 FROM RICK HUBBARD TO S. SANDIN * * *
The licensee provided the following information as an update:
"On 1/31/2002 @ 1656CST, the NRC Operations Center was contacted, EN #38665, concerning a loss of E-Plan Sirens. As of 1233CST 2/7/2002, all sirens have been restored to operable status. A news release has been prepared and will be made following this notification."
The licensee informed state/local agencies, FEMA and the NRC Resident Inspector.