Event Notification Report for November 20, 2015

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN MOISTURE-DENSITY GAUGE

The following information was received from the State of Arizona by facsimile:

"At approximately [0800 MST], November 20, 2015, the Agency [Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency] was informed that the Licensee had a Campbell-Pacific Model MC-3, Serial Number MC310700331, portable moisture- density gauge stolen from a truck at an apartment parking lot. The theft occurred before [0500 MST], November 20, 2015. The gauge was the only thing stolen from the truck which had expensive tools in it. The sources were Cs-137, 10 millicuries and Am-241:Be, 50 millicuries.

"The Agency continues to investigate the event.

"The AZ Governor's Office, U.S. NRC, the States of CA, CO, NV, and NM are being notified of this event [by the Agency]."

Arizona First Notice: 15-025

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

INOPERABLE VENT STACK RADIATION MONITOR

"At 0823 EST on 11/17/2015, the Unit 1 'A' Vent Stack radiation monitor, 1-VG-RI-179, was declared non-functional due to a faulty heat trace circuit. Compensatory measure to perform grab samples every 6 hours was implemented. At 0823 EST on 11/20/2015, the Unit 1 'A' Vent Stack radiation monitor, 1-VG-RI-179, had been out-of-service for 72 hours. The loss of 1-VG-RI-179 is being reported per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii) as a loss of emergency assessment capability. Corrective actions continue to be pursued to restore 1-VG-Ri-179 to functional status.

"The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified by the licensee."


* * * UPDATE FROM PATRICK FRENCH TO JOHN SHOEMAKER AT 0931 EST ON 11/22/15 * * *

The Unit 1 'A' Vent Stack radiation monitor, 1-VG-RI-179, was returned to service at 1440 EST on 11/21/15.

The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

Notified R2DO (Ernstes).


* * * RETRACTION FROM MICHAEL WHALEN TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1509 EST ON 1/11/2016 * * *

"The purpose of this report is to retract the event notification report made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii) on November 20, 2015 at 1534 EST (EN# 51557). After further review it has been determined that the performance of grab samples is an approved back-up method for radiological assessment capabilities as described in the North Anna Emergency Plan implementing procedure EPIP-4.24 Gaseous Effluent Sampling During Emergency. During non-emergencies, VPAP-2103N Offsite Dose Calculation Manual governs grab sampling and is tracked by Operations using 1-LOG-14 Non-Routine Surveillance Log. As such, a loss of radiological assessment capability did not exist and the ability to assess EAL RU1.4 was not affected. This is consistent with NUREG 1022, Rev.3, Supplement 1 and NEI 13-01, Rev. 0. The action was cleared at 1440 hours on 11/21/15 and the Unit 1 'A' Vent Stack radiation monitor, 1-VG-RI-179, was returned to functional status.

"The NRC Senior Resident lnspector has been informed of this event notification retraction."

Notified R2DO (Masters).

METEOROLOGICAL TOWER OUT OF SERVICE

"On [11/20/2015 at 1808] CST it was noted that the MET tower (both primary and backup) was offline and not communicating with the Plant Management Information System(PMIS). This results in a major loss of emergency assessment capabilities with respect to meteorological conditions and is reportable under 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(xiii). Communications technicians responded to the plant and the MET Tower communications were restored to PMIS on [11/20/2015 at 1937]."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST RADIOACTIVE SEED

The following was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via email:

"The licensee discovered the event on November 23, 2015 and notified the Department [Commonwealth of Pennsylvania] on November 25, 2015. It is reportable as per 10 CFR 20.2201(a)(1)(ii).

"An iodine-125 (I-125) seed was used for radioactive seed localization of a breast lesion. After surgical excision of the breast tissue at an outpatient surgical center, the specimen was placed in a plastic bag and imaged radiographically to confirm the presence of the seed. The seed was noted to be at the edge of the specimen. The specimen was then transferred to a plastic container for transport to the main hospital pathology department. When the specimen was received at pathology, a survey indicated that there was no seed present.

"Radionuclide: I-125 Seed
"Manufacturer: Best Medical
"Model No.: 2301
"Activity: 113 microCi

"The licensee assumes the seed became separated from the specimen and remained in the plastic bag which was disposed as biohazardous waste. A survey of the surgical center was performed, but the seed was not able to be located.

"A reactive inspection is planned by the Department. More information will be provided upon receipt."

Event Report ID No: PA150030


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