Event Notification Report for December 07, 2010
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
12/06/2010 - 12/07/2010
General Information
Event Number: 46462
Rep Org: MA RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM
Licensee: EXCELLIMS COPORATION
Region: 1
City: ACTON State: MA
County: MIDDLESEX
License #: 55-0588
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JOHN SUMARES
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER
Licensee: EXCELLIMS COPORATION
Region: 1
City: ACTON State: MA
County: MIDDLESEX
License #: 55-0588
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JOHN SUMARES
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER
Notification Date: 12/07/2010
Notification Time: 15:01 [ET]
Event Date: 12/07/2010
Event Time: 13:30 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/24/2010
Notification Time: 15:01 [ET]
Event Date: 12/07/2010
Event Time: 13:30 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/24/2010
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
CHRISTOPHER CAHILL (R1DO)
DIANA DIAZ-TORO (FSME)
CHRISTOPHER CAHILL (R1DO)
DIANA DIAZ-TORO (FSME)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LEAKING ECKERT & ZIEGLER MODEL NER-004 NI-63 SOURCE
"Excellims Corporation in Acton, MA, (license # 55-0588) telephoned to inform the Agency [Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Radiation Control Program] that a 6 month wipe test of a stored Ni-63 source foil yielded 0.0061 uCi. The Eckert & Ziegler model NER-004 source is stored in the container in which the manufacturer sent the source. The RSO stated that a previous wipe test of the same Ni-63 source yielded higher results and he concluded that he had wiped the 'hot' side. This wipe test (0.0061 uCi) was a wipe of the 'inactive' side, however, he thought that he may have spread contamination to the inactive side during the previous inadvertent wipe test of the 'hot' side.
"ACTION REQUESTED: The RSO will send to the Agency an initial written notification of this wipe test result and the technical data sheet of the NER-004 source that he received from the manufacturer. He stated that he could complete this request in a few days.
"ACTION TAKEN: Document this telephone notification; inform Agency supervision; submit a report to US NRC."
The source has been secured in the original container and stored in a secure location. A Eckert & Ziegler model NER-004 is used in a Gas Chromatograph and has a Ni-63 source of less that 50 milliCuries.
* * * UPDATE FROM JOHN SUMARES TO VINCE KLCO ON 12/24/10 AT 1004 EST * * *
The following information was received by facsimile:
"Analysis results of a Ni-63 source foil wipe test indicated 0.0061 uCi, which is above 0.005 uCi limit.
"The original wipe test sample registered a high reading because the swab test was accidentally performed incorrectly when the active side and inactive side were swabbed. The leak test procedure was reviewed and the test was repeated using the correct procedure. The repeat test indicated 0.0061 uCi and the licensee concluded that some of the Ni-63 from the active side had been transferred to the inactive side during the initial wipe test. The licensee reported this wipe test result to the Agency. The source foil was kept in storage. To address the issue, the leak test procedures for the Ni-63 foil provided by the manufacturer and testing facility was reviewed again, and the leak test instructions were incorporated into the licensee's radiation safety manual. The foil was decontaminated using appropriate safety and control measures and all decontamination materials were placed in waste storage. After decontamination of the inactive side of the foil, the wipe test was repeated using the correct procedure, and the results were <0.00005 uCi. The Ni-63 source was considered ready for use.
"The Agency was provided written notification of this event, initial wipe test results, the technical data sheet for the source involved, and the final wipe test results after foil decontamination.
"The Agency considers this event to be closed."
Notified R1DO (Perry) and FSME (Lewis).
"Excellims Corporation in Acton, MA, (license # 55-0588) telephoned to inform the Agency [Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Radiation Control Program] that a 6 month wipe test of a stored Ni-63 source foil yielded 0.0061 uCi. The Eckert & Ziegler model NER-004 source is stored in the container in which the manufacturer sent the source. The RSO stated that a previous wipe test of the same Ni-63 source yielded higher results and he concluded that he had wiped the 'hot' side. This wipe test (0.0061 uCi) was a wipe of the 'inactive' side, however, he thought that he may have spread contamination to the inactive side during the previous inadvertent wipe test of the 'hot' side.
"ACTION REQUESTED: The RSO will send to the Agency an initial written notification of this wipe test result and the technical data sheet of the NER-004 source that he received from the manufacturer. He stated that he could complete this request in a few days.
"ACTION TAKEN: Document this telephone notification; inform Agency supervision; submit a report to US NRC."
The source has been secured in the original container and stored in a secure location. A Eckert & Ziegler model NER-004 is used in a Gas Chromatograph and has a Ni-63 source of less that 50 milliCuries.
* * * UPDATE FROM JOHN SUMARES TO VINCE KLCO ON 12/24/10 AT 1004 EST * * *
The following information was received by facsimile:
"Analysis results of a Ni-63 source foil wipe test indicated 0.0061 uCi, which is above 0.005 uCi limit.
"The original wipe test sample registered a high reading because the swab test was accidentally performed incorrectly when the active side and inactive side were swabbed. The leak test procedure was reviewed and the test was repeated using the correct procedure. The repeat test indicated 0.0061 uCi and the licensee concluded that some of the Ni-63 from the active side had been transferred to the inactive side during the initial wipe test. The licensee reported this wipe test result to the Agency. The source foil was kept in storage. To address the issue, the leak test procedures for the Ni-63 foil provided by the manufacturer and testing facility was reviewed again, and the leak test instructions were incorporated into the licensee's radiation safety manual. The foil was decontaminated using appropriate safety and control measures and all decontamination materials were placed in waste storage. After decontamination of the inactive side of the foil, the wipe test was repeated using the correct procedure, and the results were <0.00005 uCi. The Ni-63 source was considered ready for use.
"The Agency was provided written notification of this event, initial wipe test results, the technical data sheet for the source involved, and the final wipe test results after foil decontamination.
"The Agency considers this event to be closed."
Notified R1DO (Perry) and FSME (Lewis).
Power Reactor
Event Number: 46463
Facility: MCGUIRE
Region: 2 State: NC
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: RICK JACKSON
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO
Region: 2 State: NC
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: RICK JACKSON
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO
Notification Date: 12/07/2010
Notification Time: 18:19 [ET]
Event Date: 12/07/2010
Event Time: 15:32 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/07/2010
Notification Time: 18:19 [ET]
Event Date: 12/07/2010
Event Time: 15:32 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/07/2010
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
Person (Organization):
JAMES MOORMAN (R2DO)
JAMES MOORMAN (R2DO)
| 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 |
OFFSITE NOTIFICATION DUE TO SEWAGE SPILL
"An approximate 14,000 gallon sewage spill was identified outside the plant protected area [coming] from a sewage manhole. The spill was suspected to have begun on 12/6/10. Site personnel have responded and the upstream lift station has been secured which has stopped the spill. The manhole is presently being pumped down at this time. It appears at this time that the spill occurred from a severely corroded clean-out pipe cap. This sewage spill has no effect on safe operation of McGuire Units 1 and 2."
The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Mooresville, NC.
"An approximate 14,000 gallon sewage spill was identified outside the plant protected area [coming] from a sewage manhole. The spill was suspected to have begun on 12/6/10. Site personnel have responded and the upstream lift station has been secured which has stopped the spill. The manhole is presently being pumped down at this time. It appears at this time that the spill occurred from a severely corroded clean-out pipe cap. This sewage spill has no effect on safe operation of McGuire Units 1 and 2."
The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Mooresville, NC.