Event Notification Report for November 20, 2019

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DENSITY GAUGE DAMAGED

The following was received from the State of Washington via email:

"A portable gauge (CPN MC-1 DRP, S/N MD10306057, last leak test 7/18/2019) was run over by a skid-steer at a temporary job site. The gauge operator stated that he was performing measurements and set the gauge down when the skid-steer operator did not fully check his surroundings and backed over the gauge. The gauge operator immediately had everyone move to the edge of the site and they are holding there until the gauge is removed from the site and it is verified that the sources were not compromised. [WA State Department of Health] personnel arrived to the location and assisted in performing surveys to verify whether the sealed sources had been compromised. Field screening of wipes found no removable contamination, and the source rod was able to be retracted. An inspector will perform an investigation with the licensee during the routine inspection scheduled for 11/21/2019. More information to follow in an update."

Washington Incident No.: 19-032

UNIT 2 AUXILIARY FEED PUMPS INOPERABLE

"At 2144 EST, on 11/20/2019, all three auxiliary feedwater pumps for Unit 2 were declared Inoperable due to check valve leakage causing the turbine driven auxiliary feedwater pump to rotate backwards and subsequently trip. At this time, two of the Unit 1 motor driven auxiliary feedwater pumps were still able to provide cross-tied feedwater in the event of a design basis accident.

"At 2203 EST, the two motor driven auxiliary feedwater pumps on Unit 2 were declared operable once the discharge isolation valves for the turbine driven auxiliary feedwater pump were closed, thus preventing backflow through the turbine driven auxiliary feedwater pump and ensuring forward flow of the motor driven auxiliary feedwater pumps.

"This condition is being reported as an eight-hour, non-emergency notification per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) for an event or condition that could have prevented the fulfillment of a safety function.

"There is no impact on the health and safety of the public or plant personnel.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."

Unit 2 is in a 72-hour LCO 3.6.F.1 for turbine driven auxiliary feedwater pump inoperability.

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - IODINE 125 SEED MIGRATED FROM IMPLANT LOCATION

The following was received from the State of New York via fax:

"The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) was notified by a NYS medical licensee that they had an incident where an lodine-125 seed (200 microCi assayed on 11/12/2019) had migrated from the original implant location in the left breast of a female patient.

"According to the licensee, two seeds were implanted on 11/18/2019 for localization during an 11/20/2019 procedure. During this procedure on 11/20/2019, it was noticed by the surgeon that one of the seeds had migrated about 2 inches from its original implant location. The surgeon and radiologist concluded that any attempt to retrieve the seed in question would compromise patient care. The seed was not retrieved as a result.

"The facility contacted the New York State Department of Health two hours after the licensee determined that the lodine-125 localization seed could not be retrieved from the patient and will be submitting a written report within the required timeframe.

"DOH will continue to monitor this incident."

New York State incident No.: 19-07

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.

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - AIRCRAFT INSTRUMENT WITH RADIUM-226 PAINTED DIAL FOUND

The following information was received via E-mail:

"On 11/20/2019, Massachusetts Radiation Control Program (MARCP) was informed by Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc., that a scrap metal shipment from Devens Recycling in Danvers, MA set off the radiation monitor alarm. The vehicle was redirected back to Devens Recycling for follow-up survey and mitigation in accordance with MA RCP DOT Special Permit MA-MA-19-11. On 11/21/2019, the material was identified and segregated from the scrap metal load by an independent radiation consultant. The radioactive material discovered was radium-226 painted on the dial of an abandoned (lost), old Aircraft Altimeter instrument. The dose rate at 6 inches from the instrument was 150 microR/hr. The background dose rate was 20 microR/hour. The radiation survey instrument used to locate the source was a Ludlum Model 193-6. A Ludlum Model 9DP-1 ion chamber was used for direct measurements on the instrument. A Ludlum Model 702 Multi Channel Analyzer was used to identify the radioisotope. The radium-226 activity was estimated to be approximately 4.73 microCuries based on the dose rate measured. This material is being stored in a sealed polyethylene bag placed in a sealed 55 gallon drum and labeled as radioactive material held for disposal.

"This activity meets the 30-day event report requirement for lost or abandoned radioactive material greater than 10 times the quantities specified in 10 CFR 20 Appendix C, or the Massachusetts equivalent, 105 CMR 120.297 Appendix C, which is ten times reportable quantity for Radium-226 (1 microCurie).

"The Agency [MARCP] considers this event to be open until proper disposal of this instrument is confirmed."

Massachusetts Docket No.: TBD

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