Event Notification Report for September 16, 2003

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT -- MISSING IODINE-125 SEEDS

The following was received via email from the State of Illinois:

"On 9/16/2003, the agency was contacted by [DELETED] RSO at the Chicago Prostate Cancer Center in Westmont, IL (IL-02015-01). He indicated that on 9/11/2003, a package of unused radioactive seeds was being prepared to be returned to Amersham Health/Medi Physics in Arlington Heights, IL. At that time they noted that the package contained only 6 'strands' of sources whereas the paperwork for receipt on 9/4/2003 indicated 7 'strands' of sources to be present.

"The I-125 seeds are contained in a special rigid plastic carrier. This carrier has a marketing name of 'rapid strand'. Each 'strand' contains ten I-125 seeds in a rigid plastic holder which is then placed in a stainless steel holder with an opening at one end. When the seeds are in the holder, radiation readings are at or very near background levels of radiation. This holder has been sterilized at Medi Physics and as a result it is placed in a sealed pouch until it is ready to be used in the operating room. A full description with some diagrams can be found at http://www.hsrd.ornl.gov/sources/pdf/01360338.pdf.

"The package containing the six strands of seeds was picked up by Federal Express and returned to Medi Physics on 9/17/2003. [DELETED], RSO of Medi Physics participated in the inspection of the package to be sure that the problem was not just an administrative error. His inspection did not turn up the missing 7th strand. An inspection of previously used shipping containers from this site that had been returned to Medi Physics did not result in the recovery of the missing strand either. [DELETED] also had production perform an accounting check as well to see if perhaps only 6 strands had been originally shipped as a mistake. The check showed no outstanding seeds or strands from that lot that could not be accounted for, or shipped to another client as a result of a substitution.

"An agency inspector also visited the Chicago Prostate Cancer Center in Westmont on 9/17/2003 and attempted to locate the strand through radiation monitoring. He was not successful in recovering the strand. As a result, one strand containing a total activity of 5.94 [milliCuries] mCi (10 seeds with 594 micro Curie each) is missing. The licensee will continue its attempts to locate the missing seeds and will keep the agency updated with its efforts. The licensee was also advised that a written report is due to the Agency in 30 days."

REACTOR COOLANT SYSTEM PRESSURE INCREASE CAUSED A VALID SIGNAL

"At 1150 hours on 9/15/03 during Reactor Coolant System (RCS) pressure increase to approximately 700 psig, the Core Flood (CF) Tank 1 outlet motor-operated valve (CF1B) opened when the breaker for the valve was closed. Because RCS pressure was not high enough to actuate the pressure switch setpoint of 770 psig to open this valve, it was believed this was an invalid signal, and therefore the valve opening was not reportable under the criteria of 10 CFR50.72

"After further review, at 0030 hours on 9/16/03 it was determined the sensed pressure was within the setpoint range of the switch, making this a valid signal to open the valve. The CF Tank pressure at the time (approximately 600 psig) was less than the RCS pressure of approximately 700 psig, therefore no discharge into the RCS occurred, and this event is not reportable per 10 CFR50.72(b)(2)(iv).

"The CF System is a passive system, but is used in conjunction with other Emergency Core Cooling Systems to mitigate significant events. Therefore, this event involving the opening of the CF Tank discharge valve CF1B is being conservatively reported in accordance with 10 CFR50.72(b(3)(2)(iv)(A) as a valid actuation of a train of the Emergency Core Cooling System.

"Upon opening of this valve, CF Tank 1 level and pressure were observed lowering with a corresponding rise in the Reactor Coolant Drain Tank, most likely due to leakage past a check valve. CF1B was closed according to procedures and the source breaker for the valve opened."

The NRC Resident Inspector was notified by the licensee.

*** RETRACTION on 11/11/03 at 1643 EST by R. Walleman to MacKinnon ****

"The actuation of the interlock for the Core Flood Tank 1 Outlet Isolation Valve did not constitute an actuation of the Core Flood System. The valve opened automatically as designed to ensure the Core Flood System was capable of performing its safety prior to being manually opened by the Operators. As part of the Emergency Core Cooling Systems, the primary function of the Core Flood System is to deliver cooling water to the reactor core in the event of a Loss of Cooling Accident per the Updated Safety Analysis Report. However, plant conditions (namely, Reactor Coolant System pressure lowering below Core Flood Tank pressure) did not exist that would have required the Core Flood System to perform its safety function. Therefore, the automatic opening of this valve does not constitute the actuation of the Emergency Core Cooling System, so this event is not reportable per 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A). Therefore, NRC Event Number 40161 is retracted." R3DO (Anne Marie Stone) & NRR EO (Herb Berkow) notified.

The NRC Resident Inspector will be informed of this retraction by the licensee.

OFFSITE NOTIFICATION TO OSHA AT SEABROOK REGARDING A FATALITY

"A contract employee, apparently suffered a heart attack, while in processing for Refueling Outage 09. The employee was treated by the site EMTs and transported to the hospital. It was subsequently reported that the employee passed away. Notification that the employee expired was at 11:03 EST."

The licensee notified OSHA as required for a heart attack fatality.

The NRC Resident Inspector was notified.

UNUSUAL EVENT AT BRUNSWICK DUE TO HURRICANE WARNING

"Hurricane warning issued. There is no significant impact to the safety of the plant at this time. The plant area is not currently experiencing any unusual winds. Unit 1 is at 94% and Unit 2 is at 96% power."

The wind speed at the site is 14 miles per hour at the time of this report.

The NRC Resident Inspector was notified by the licensee.

* * * UPDATE ON 09/18/03 AT 1753 EDT FROM FRANK RAMPERSAD TO NATHAN SANFILIPPO * * *

Brunswick has terminated the Unusual Event at 1740 EDT. This is based upon the hurricane warning being lifted.

The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

Notified Wessman (DIRO), Boland (R2DO), FEMA (C. Bagwell), DHS (C. Wilson), Calvo (NRR EO).