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Event Notification Report for November 02, 2003

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

EVENT REPORTS FOR
11/01/2003 - 11/02/2003

EVENT NUMBERS
402884028941166

Power Reactor
Event Number: 40288
Facility: NINE MILE POINT
Region: 1     State: NY
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] GE-2,[2] GE-5
NRC Notified By: BRIAN CRAIG
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY
Notification Date: 11/02/2003
Notification Time: 20:40 [ET]
Event Date: 11/02/2003
Event Time: 18:30 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/02/2003
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
Person (Organization):
DAVID SILK (R1)
Power Reactor Unit Info
Unit SCRAM Code RX Crit Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation
2 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation
Event Text
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION TONE ALERT RADIOS OUT OF SERVICE/RESTORED TO SERVICE

The National Weather Service was unable to activate the Tone Alert Radios. The allowable out of service time was exceeded. The Tone Alert Radios were out of service for greater than one hour. In accordance with site procedures, this is a major loss of notification capability.

Oswego County reported that the Tone Alert Radios were returned to service.

The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.


Power Reactor
Event Number: 40289
Facility: FITZPATRICK
Region: 1     State: NY
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] GE-4
NRC Notified By: HANK VERWAY
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY
Notification Date: 11/02/2003
Notification Time: 20:47 [ET]
Event Date: 11/02/2003
Event Time: 18:30 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/02/2003
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
Person (Organization):
DAVID SILK (R1)
Power Reactor Unit Info
Unit SCRAM Code RX Crit Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation
Event Text
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION TONE ALERT RADIOS OUT OF SERVICE/RESTORED TO SERVICE

"The Tone Alert System (Radio/EAS) has been out of service for greater than 1 hour.

"The Tone Alert Radio/EAS was returned to service."

The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.


Other Nuclear Material
Event Number: 41166
Rep Org: MALLINCKRODT
Licensee: MALLINCKRODT
Region: 3
City: ST LOUIS   State: MO
County:
License #: 24-04206-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ROLAND SAWYER
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Notification Date: 11/02/2004
Notification Time: 09:45 [ET]
Event Date: 11/02/2003
Event Time: 00:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/02/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(ii) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>10X
Person (Organization):
PATRICK LOUDEN (R3)
STEPHEN CAHILL (R2)
JOHN HICKEY (NMSS)
DAVID SILK (R1)
Event Text
MISSING DEPLETED URANIUM SHIPPING SHIELD

"The licensee reported that an empty 18kg depleted uranium shipping shield could not be located. The shield was supposedly shipped from North Carolina Pharmacy in Greensboro, NC to Mallinckrodt (NRC Materials License #24-04206-01 Docket Number 030-00001), however, no record of delivery was found. After one year of searching, Mallinckrodt has declared the material "lost" as of 11/02/04.

"Description of the lost source of licensed material Radionuclide: Depleted Uranium shield
Physical Form: Solid (Mo-99 generator shielding encased in stainless steel housing)
Activity: 18 kilograms
Manufacturer: Manufacturing Science Corporation (Oakridge, TN)
Model Number: L33200, Serial Number: 002771

"The depleted Uranium shield described above was incorporated into a Mo-99 DTE generator and subsequently distributed to the North Carolina Nuclear Pharmacy located in Greensboro, North Carolina (North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Radioactive Materials license #041-0780-1). As of the date of this letter the shield containing the depleted Uranium has not been located. All efforts, including contacting couriers and searches at both Maryland Heights and the Greensboro pharmacy have been unsuccessful.

"With the tracking system that is currently in place at Maryland Heights as well as the delinquency notification program, we are able to track the shield when assigned to a shipment and upon its return. Based on these facts, the shield receipt by the customer has been verified, however the shipment from the pharmacy to Maryland Heights could not be verified. The in house tracking system at Maryland Heights shows that the shield was not returned and its disposition at this time is unknown with any degree of certainty.

"Exposure of individuals and the possible Total Effective Dose Equivalent to persons within unrestricted areas, as a result of the loss of the licensed material, is deemed minimal due to the relatively low activity, and physical nature of the source (i.e., solid, steel-encased source).

"Site personnel will continue searching for the missing depleted Uranium shield by conducting additional search exercises. In the spirit of ALARA, searching through containers of long-lived radioactive waste materials is not being considered at this time. Additionally, the VP of regulatory affairs for Cardinal Health was contacted concerning this issue. His efforts were also unsuccessful in locating the shield.

"A full evaluation of the Depleted Uranium accountability and tracking program is in progress through a team approach. This six sigma approach will result in corrective actions that will strengthen the return process and prevent reoccurrence. The scheduled completion of this six sigma project is March 2005."