Event Notification Report for October 10, 2003
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
10/09/2003 - 10/10/2003
General Information or Other
Event Number: 40239
Rep Org: NC DIV OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: UNKNOWN
Region: 1
City: GASTONIA State: NC
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: GEORGE L. ACCATTATO
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
Licensee: UNKNOWN
Region: 1
City: GASTONIA State: NC
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: GEORGE L. ACCATTATO
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
Notification Date: 10/10/2003
Notification Time: 12:30 [ET]
Event Date: 10/10/2003
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/10/2003
Notification Time: 12:30 [ET]
Event Date: 10/10/2003
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/10/2003
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
RONALD BELLAMY (R1)
RONALD BELLAMY (R1)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT INVOLVING DISCOVERY OF NUCLEAR GAUGE IN SCRAPYARD
"This is to inform you that North Carolina Radiation Protection Section has discovered a fixed nuclear gauge that was scrapped and is now being held by a North Carolina scrap dealer from Gastonia, NC.
"Radioactive Materials Branch Incident 03-13 has been open pending further investigation of a device, originally described as an X-Ray head, having been found in a returned scrap load sent to a South Carolina scrap steel processor and returned under a CRCPD exemption.
"A Section representative performed a field inspection on October 9, 2003 on the undetermined item being held in secure isolation at the scrap-yard since its discovery in March 2003.
"At present our investigation has determined that:
"- Device is a Fixed Nuclear Gauge. K-Ray model 7107-6. This device is inactive per the SS&D registry sheet and is considered for both GL [General Licensing] and Specific Licensing.
"- Contains isotope Cs-137 in the amount of 50 millicuries. Reference year from gauge label is March 1983.
"- Highest general area (about 1[meter]) dose rate is approx 0.1 [millirem per] hr with 200 [millirem per] hr on contact. It is unknown whether the shutter is open or closed but dose rates when compared to SS&D [Sealed Source & Device] information for the general model indicate it may be open.
"- Labeling has been painted over and also appears as if a deliberate attempt had been made to destroy the device identification labeling & serial number(s).
"Corrective Actions So Far:
"Surveys and leak tests have been performed. Analysis on wipes is pending but source does not appear to be leaking.
"Device has been re-secured. Verbal direction has been given to the State Line Manager on its necessary security and continued isolation from the scrap yard workers and other members of the public.
"Additional steps are being taken to determine if any significant exposures could have been received by anyone at State Line who spent time nearby or who may have handled the device since its return to them.
"If/when significant additional information becomes available it will be passed along to you."
"This is to inform you that North Carolina Radiation Protection Section has discovered a fixed nuclear gauge that was scrapped and is now being held by a North Carolina scrap dealer from Gastonia, NC.
"Radioactive Materials Branch Incident 03-13 has been open pending further investigation of a device, originally described as an X-Ray head, having been found in a returned scrap load sent to a South Carolina scrap steel processor and returned under a CRCPD exemption.
"A Section representative performed a field inspection on October 9, 2003 on the undetermined item being held in secure isolation at the scrap-yard since its discovery in March 2003.
"At present our investigation has determined that:
"- Device is a Fixed Nuclear Gauge. K-Ray model 7107-6. This device is inactive per the SS&D registry sheet and is considered for both GL [General Licensing] and Specific Licensing.
"- Contains isotope Cs-137 in the amount of 50 millicuries. Reference year from gauge label is March 1983.
"- Highest general area (about 1[meter]) dose rate is approx 0.1 [millirem per] hr with 200 [millirem per] hr on contact. It is unknown whether the shutter is open or closed but dose rates when compared to SS&D [Sealed Source & Device] information for the general model indicate it may be open.
"- Labeling has been painted over and also appears as if a deliberate attempt had been made to destroy the device identification labeling & serial number(s).
"Corrective Actions So Far:
"Surveys and leak tests have been performed. Analysis on wipes is pending but source does not appear to be leaking.
"Device has been re-secured. Verbal direction has been given to the State Line Manager on its necessary security and continued isolation from the scrap yard workers and other members of the public.
"Additional steps are being taken to determine if any significant exposures could have been received by anyone at State Line who spent time nearby or who may have handled the device since its return to them.
"If/when significant additional information becomes available it will be passed along to you."
General Information or Other
Event Number: 40240
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: GREATER KELLY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Region: 4
City: SAN ANTONIO State: TX
County:
License #: NO LICENSE
Agreement: Y
Docket: I-8061
NRC Notified By: JIM OGDEN
HQ OPS Officer: BILL GOTT
Licensee: GREATER KELLY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Region: 4
City: SAN ANTONIO State: TX
County:
License #: NO LICENSE
Agreement: Y
Docket: I-8061
NRC Notified By: JIM OGDEN
HQ OPS Officer: BILL GOTT
Notification Date: 10/13/2003
Notification Time: 10:16 [ET]
Event Date: 10/10/2003
Event Time: 08:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/13/2003
Notification Time: 10:16 [ET]
Event Date: 10/10/2003
Event Time: 08:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/13/2003
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
WILLIAM JOHNSON (R4)
JOSEPH HOLONICH (NMSS)
WILLIAM JOHNSON (R4)
JOSEPH HOLONICH (NMSS)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - CONTAMINATION AT FORMER KELLY AIR FORCE BASE
"A hangar formerly used by the U.S. Air Force was under re-construction for transformation to a corrosion control facility. The unlicensed facility had been contaminated by radium during use as a paint shop during 1922-1929, and as a paint removal facility during later years. Supposedly this facility has been deed recorded as a site of contamination with Ra-226 [Radium-226]. The facility is not Licensed by the State of Texas. At this time it is unclear if this facility was released for unrestricted use when turned over to the Greater Kelly Development Authority. This Agency can find no record of the site contamination. Contractors from the Boeing Corporation were working on the facility to be remodeled to a corrosion control facility. Digging around the foundation (slab) they hit a 2-inch galvanized pipe that was contaminated with radium-226. Background levels at the facility were measured at 10,000 counts per minute and after the incident at 10 times that level. An Agency inspector will be on site for soil sampling. It is estimated that 10-20 Boeing employees may have come in contact with the material. Urine analysis has been ordered by the contractor for personnel suspect of working in the contamination. Initial reports from both Greater Kelly Development Authority and the Boeing Corporation have been received - but are inconclusive."
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the EPA, and the U.S. Air Force have been notified.
"A hangar formerly used by the U.S. Air Force was under re-construction for transformation to a corrosion control facility. The unlicensed facility had been contaminated by radium during use as a paint shop during 1922-1929, and as a paint removal facility during later years. Supposedly this facility has been deed recorded as a site of contamination with Ra-226 [Radium-226]. The facility is not Licensed by the State of Texas. At this time it is unclear if this facility was released for unrestricted use when turned over to the Greater Kelly Development Authority. This Agency can find no record of the site contamination. Contractors from the Boeing Corporation were working on the facility to be remodeled to a corrosion control facility. Digging around the foundation (slab) they hit a 2-inch galvanized pipe that was contaminated with radium-226. Background levels at the facility were measured at 10,000 counts per minute and after the incident at 10 times that level. An Agency inspector will be on site for soil sampling. It is estimated that 10-20 Boeing employees may have come in contact with the material. Urine analysis has been ordered by the contractor for personnel suspect of working in the contamination. Initial reports from both Greater Kelly Development Authority and the Boeing Corporation have been received - but are inconclusive."
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the EPA, and the U.S. Air Force have been notified.
General Information or Other
Event Number: 40241
Rep Org: SC DIV OF HEALTH & ENV CONTROL
Licensee: COASTAL ENGINEERING AND TESTING CO
Region: 1
City: CHARLESTON State: SC
County:
License #: 368
Agreement: Y
Docket: SC030007
NRC Notified By: ANDREW ROXBURGH
HQ OPS Officer: BILL GOTT
Licensee: COASTAL ENGINEERING AND TESTING CO
Region: 1
City: CHARLESTON State: SC
County:
License #: 368
Agreement: Y
Docket: SC030007
NRC Notified By: ANDREW ROXBURGH
HQ OPS Officer: BILL GOTT
Notification Date: 10/13/2003
Notification Time: 10:48 [ET]
Event Date: 10/10/2003
Event Time: 15:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/13/2003
Notification Time: 10:48 [ET]
Event Date: 10/10/2003
Event Time: 15:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/13/2003
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
JOSEPH HOLONICH (NMSS)
RONALD BELLAMY (R1)
JOSEPH HOLONICH (NMSS)
RONALD BELLAMY (R1)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST/STOLEN GAUGE
"The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control was notified on October 10, 2003, at 7:45 pm [EDT] by Coastal Engineering and Testing, Co. that a Troxler Model 3430 gauge, s/n 33695 was stolen from the back of a company pickup truck while at a temporary jobsite in Charleston, SC. The gauge contained an Am: Be [Americium: Beryllium] source with an activity of 44 mCi [millicuries] and a Cs-137 [Cesium-137] source with an activity of 9 mCi [millicuries]. The licensee has called the local police department to file a report. The licensee in its official report will provide further information to the Department."
"The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control was notified on October 10, 2003, at 7:45 pm [EDT] by Coastal Engineering and Testing, Co. that a Troxler Model 3430 gauge, s/n 33695 was stolen from the back of a company pickup truck while at a temporary jobsite in Charleston, SC. The gauge contained an Am: Be [Americium: Beryllium] source with an activity of 44 mCi [millicuries] and a Cs-137 [Cesium-137] source with an activity of 9 mCi [millicuries]. The licensee has called the local police department to file a report. The licensee in its official report will provide further information to the Department."