Event Notification Report for July 09, 2010

OFFSITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO ELEVATED LEVELS OF TRITIUM FOUND IN A WELL SAMPLE

"Entergy Pilgrim Station has twelve groundwater monitoring wells used to sample for tritium and other radioactive nuclides in accordance with the Nuclear Energy Institute's (NEI) voluntary Groundwater Protection Initiative (GPI). One of the wells, MW-205, located in the vicinity of the Condensate Storage Tanks (CST) indicated an elevated level of tritium, however well below the limits established by the NEI Groundwater Protection Initiative, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) limits for liquid effluent release and the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) limits for tritium in drinking or non-drinking water wells. The latest sample taken on June 21, 2010, returned a test result of 11,072 picocuries per liter of tritium. To date, tritium is the only isotope detected in the samples collected at the site. This information has been communicated to federal, state and local stakeholders and a press advisory is expected to be issued by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). On that basis and the anticipated interest to the general public this notification is being made.

"This event has no impact on the health and/or safety of the public.

"The NRC Resident Inspector is on-site and has been notified."

* * * UPDATE FROM MERT PROBASCO TO HOWIE CROUCH @ 1808 EDT ON 7/20/10 * * *

"Entergy Pilgrim Station has received the results of its most recent weekly tritium sample taken on July 7, 2010 for groundwater monitoring well, MW-205. The sample results have shown an increase in the tritium concentration to 25,552 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) from the previous sample taken on June 30, 2010 which had a test result of 8,477 pCi/L. The latest results remain below any regulatory reporting requirements and the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) limits for tritium in non-drinking water wells. This information has been communicated to federal, state and local stakeholders. There remains no threat to drinking water sources and no impact on the health and/or safety of the public.

"The NRC Resident Inspector is on-site and has been notified of this update.

"This is an update to the 4-hour non-emergency notification made in accordance with 50.72(b)(2)(xi) on July 9, 2010 at 1555 hours."

Notified R1DO (Doerflein).

MANUAL REACTOR TRIP DUE TO A FEEDWATER REGULATING VALVE FAILURE

"On 07/09/10 at 0647 [CDT] hours, control room personnel initiated a manual reactor trip of Unit 2 from approximately 64% power as a result of a failure of the "A" feedwater regulating valve (FRV). All [other] systems functioned as expected. All rods fully inserted into the core. The unit is stable in MODE 3 at normal RCS [Reactor Coolant System] pressure and temperature. The cause of the FRV failure is being investigated.

"This event is being reported in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) and 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A)."

The unit electrical power is lined up to offsite power in a normal configuration. Decay heat is being removed from the steam generator through the steam dumps to the main condenser. The FRV failed open and the valve controller was unable to place the FRV into the correct position. The steam generator HI-Hi level provided a feedwater isolation signal and a high level lockout of the FRV. Currently, the feedwater bypass valve is controlling steam generator level. There was no impact on Unit 1.

The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

AGREEMENT STATE - STOLEN MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE

The following was received via email from the state of Texas:

"On July 9, 2010, the Agency [Texas Department of Health] was notified by the licensee that one of their technicians had reported that a moisture/density gauge had been stolen from his truck that morning. The gauge is a Humboldt model 5001 EZ (serial # 4438) containing a 40 millicurie Americium (Am) 241 source, and a 10 millicurie Cesium (Cs) 137 source. The technician had completed testing on concrete rebar and returned to his truck. He found the tailgate down and the two locked chains used to secure the gauge in the truck bed had been cut. The gauge and additional equipment were missing. The technician searched the area for the gauge and when he could not find it, contacted the company Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). The RSO stated that the truck was parked in a position where the technician could not see it while he was performing his testing. The RSO contacted Local Law Enforcement and informed them of the event. A reward will be offered for the gauges return. The RSO stated that he will have the technician provide a written report, which he will forward to this Agency [Texas Department of Health]. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with Reporting Material Events - SA-300."

Texas Incident #: I-8761

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

This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source

AGREEMENT STATE - BRACHYTHERAPY TREATMENT DOSE DELIVERED DIFFERS FROM PRESCRIBED

The following was received via fax from the State of Wisconsin:

"On July 8, 2010, the licensee's Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) reported the preliminary identification of six medical events involving permanent implants of I-125 for prostate brachytherapy where the total dose delivered differs from the prescribed dose by 20% or more. During recent routine inspection, DHS [Department of Health Services] inspectors determined that the licensee was not reviewing prostate brachytherapy cases against the medical event criteria. The licensee is currently evaluating all 269 prostate implants performed since August 2003. This review is ongoing and will include an assessment of whether any implants involved doses to an organ or tissue above 0.50 Sv and 50% more than the expected dose. The licensee is in the process of notifying the affected patients and referring physicians.

"The reported medical events involve two locations of use. One facility identified three under doses (74.8%, 75.2%, and 76.5%) and one overdose (121.4%). The second facility identified one under dose (78.2%) and one overdose (121.0%). DHS inspectors are investigating these medical events and will send a special inspection team following completion of the licensee's review"

Event Report No.: WI100012

A Medical Event may indicate potential problems in a medical facility's use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient.

* * * UPDATE FROM MEGAN SHOBER TO HOWIE CROUCH VIA FACSIMILE ON 7/20/10 @ 1709 EDT * * *

"This is an update to Event Notification 46082. On July 20, 2010, the licensee's Radiation Safety Officer reported the identification of three additional medical events involving permanent implants of I-125 for prostate brachytherapy where the doses to all organ or tissue is above 0.50 Sv and 50% more than the expected dose. The licensee increased the cases reviewed to 275 prostate brachytherapy cases against the medical event criteria. The licensee is in the process of notifying the affected patients and referring physicians.

"The three additional medical events were overdoses to the urethra (159.7%, 161.3% and 151.6%). DHS inspectors are investigating these medical events and will send a special inspection team."

Notified R3DO (Stone) and FSME (Ries).

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - TRITIUM EXIT SIGN WITH BROKEN TUBES DISCOVERED

Received the following report from the State of Utah via facsimile:

"On July 9, 2010, while working under reciprocity to package and ship 70 H-3 [Tritium] exit signs for Canyons School District, Philotechnics, Ltd. discovered a Tritium exit sign with broken tubes. The broken sign was manufactured in November, 1992 by Safety Sign Technologies and contained 20 Ci of H-3 ( Model #13200, S/N 550047). It is unknown when or how the sign was broken. At the time of discovery, Philotechnics, Ltd. was not equipped to conduct surveys or decontamination procedures, so the sign was placed in a secure area. The school district has appropriate control over the broken sign and is seeking contract for decontamination."

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - PATIENT EXPOSURE TO AN UNINTENDED AREA

On July 9, 2010, a cervical cancer brachytherapy study was being performed using a Cs-137 source (44.2 mCi). The physician failed to place the source in the afterloader and the source fell on the patient's buttocks. The source was later recovered from the trash before it left the facility. The licensee estimates the maximum dose received was 1050 centiGray. The patient's physician and the patient were notified of this event. No reddening of the skin has been noticed. The state was notified on 7/12/2010 and a written report was received from the licensee on 7/26/2010.

A Medical Event may indicate potential problems in a medical facility's use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient.