Event Notification Report for February 21, 2002
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
02/20/2002 - 02/21/2002
Fuel Cycle Facility
Event Number: 38715
Facility: PADUCAH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT
Region: 3 State: KY
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY
Comments: 2 DEMOCRACY CENTER
6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
BETHESDA, MD 20817 (301)564-3200
NRC Notified By: M.C. PITTMAN
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE NORRIS
Region: 3 State: KY
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY
Comments: 2 DEMOCRACY CENTER
6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
BETHESDA, MD 20817 (301)564-3200
NRC Notified By: M.C. PITTMAN
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE NORRIS
Notification Date: 02/21/2002
Notification Time: 13:18 [ET]
Event Date: 02/21/2002
Event Time: 08:15 [CST]
Last Update Date: 02/21/2002
Notification Time: 13:18 [ET]
Event Date: 02/21/2002
Event Time: 08:15 [CST]
Last Update Date: 02/21/2002
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
BRUCE JORGENSEN (R3)
JOHN HICKEY (NMSS)
TIM MCGINTY (IRO)
BRUCE JORGENSEN (R3)
JOHN HICKEY (NMSS)
TIM MCGINTY (IRO)
4-HOUR NRC BULLETIN 91-01 REPORT INVOLVING DISCOVERY OF ADDITIONAL MATERIAL DURING WALKDOWN
"At 0815, on 02-21-02, the Plant Shift Superintendent (PSS) was notified that a fissile material operation was identified without an approved NCS evaluation. As a result of the event reported in NRC Event Report PAD-2001-045, event worksheet number 38428, walk downs are being performed to determine if other fissile material operations exist that are not covered by NCSAs. The C-310 East and West MgF2 traps between cells 7 and 9 on the cell floor have been identified as a fissile material operation without an approved NCS evaluation. At 1200 CST the PSS was notified by the Non-Destructive Analysis Group that the West trap contains a Planned Expeditious Handling (PEH) mass of material.
"SAFETY SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS: The MgF2 traps are separated from the purge cascade by air gaps. The traps have not been previously identified as a fissile material operation. This operation has not been evaluated for nuclear criticality safety. Therefore, double contingency was not maintained. The traps are located more than two feet inside the cell housing and fissile material is not stored inside the cell housing. Therefore, it is not feasible to have spacing violations.
"POTENTIAL CRITICALITY PATHWAYS INVOLVED (BRIEF SCENARIO(S) OF HOW CRITICALITY COULD OCCUR): The traps are of favorable geometry for the plant maximum assay at the time the traps were cut from the cascade.
"CONTROLLED PARAMETERS (MASS, MODERATION, GEOMETRY, CONCENTRATION, ETC.): Since this equipment does not have an NCSA for it, there is no controlled parameter.
"ESTIMATED AMOUNT, ENRICHMENT, FORM OF LICENSED MATERIAL (INCLUDE PROCESS LIMIT AND % WORST CASE CRITICAL MASS): West Trap - <446 lbs U with an enrichment of 2.0% U-235. East Trap - <250 lbs U with an enrichment of 2.0% U-235.
"NUCLEAR CRITICALITY SAFETY CONTROL(S) OR CONTROL SYSTEM(S) AND DESCRIPTION OF THE FAILURES OR DEFICIENCIES: The MgF2 traps are separated from the purge cascade by air gaps. The traps have not been previously identified as a fissile material operation. This operation has not been evaluated for nuclear criticality safety. Therefore, double contingency was not maintained.
"CORRECTIVE ACTIONS TO RESTORE SAFETY SYSTEMS AND WHEN EACH WAS IMPLEMENTED: The area is being controlled per CP2-EG-NS1031. No fissile or potentially fissile material will be moved into or within the area without NCS and PSS approval."
The NRC Resident has been notified of this event.
"At 0815, on 02-21-02, the Plant Shift Superintendent (PSS) was notified that a fissile material operation was identified without an approved NCS evaluation. As a result of the event reported in NRC Event Report PAD-2001-045, event worksheet number 38428, walk downs are being performed to determine if other fissile material operations exist that are not covered by NCSAs. The C-310 East and West MgF2 traps between cells 7 and 9 on the cell floor have been identified as a fissile material operation without an approved NCS evaluation. At 1200 CST the PSS was notified by the Non-Destructive Analysis Group that the West trap contains a Planned Expeditious Handling (PEH) mass of material.
"SAFETY SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS: The MgF2 traps are separated from the purge cascade by air gaps. The traps have not been previously identified as a fissile material operation. This operation has not been evaluated for nuclear criticality safety. Therefore, double contingency was not maintained. The traps are located more than two feet inside the cell housing and fissile material is not stored inside the cell housing. Therefore, it is not feasible to have spacing violations.
"POTENTIAL CRITICALITY PATHWAYS INVOLVED (BRIEF SCENARIO(S) OF HOW CRITICALITY COULD OCCUR): The traps are of favorable geometry for the plant maximum assay at the time the traps were cut from the cascade.
"CONTROLLED PARAMETERS (MASS, MODERATION, GEOMETRY, CONCENTRATION, ETC.): Since this equipment does not have an NCSA for it, there is no controlled parameter.
"ESTIMATED AMOUNT, ENRICHMENT, FORM OF LICENSED MATERIAL (INCLUDE PROCESS LIMIT AND % WORST CASE CRITICAL MASS): West Trap - <446 lbs U with an enrichment of 2.0% U-235. East Trap - <250 lbs U with an enrichment of 2.0% U-235.
"NUCLEAR CRITICALITY SAFETY CONTROL(S) OR CONTROL SYSTEM(S) AND DESCRIPTION OF THE FAILURES OR DEFICIENCIES: The MgF2 traps are separated from the purge cascade by air gaps. The traps have not been previously identified as a fissile material operation. This operation has not been evaluated for nuclear criticality safety. Therefore, double contingency was not maintained.
"CORRECTIVE ACTIONS TO RESTORE SAFETY SYSTEMS AND WHEN EACH WAS IMPLEMENTED: The area is being controlled per CP2-EG-NS1031. No fissile or potentially fissile material will be moved into or within the area without NCS and PSS approval."
The NRC Resident has been notified of this event.
General Information or Other
Event Number: 38716
Rep Org: UTAH DIVISION OF RADIATION CONTROL
Licensee: ENVIROCARE OF UTAH, INC.
Region: 4
City: SALT LAKE CITY State: UT
County:
License #: UT 2300249
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JULIE FELICE (VIA FAX)
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
Licensee: ENVIROCARE OF UTAH, INC.
Region: 4
City: SALT LAKE CITY State: UT
County:
License #: UT 2300249
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JULIE FELICE (VIA FAX)
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
Notification Date: 02/22/2002
Notification Time: 13:58 [ET]
Event Date: 02/21/2002
Event Time: 00:00 [MST]
Last Update Date: 02/22/2002
Notification Time: 13:58 [ET]
Event Date: 02/21/2002
Event Time: 00:00 [MST]
Last Update Date: 02/22/2002
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
LINDA HOWELL (R4)
DOUG BROADDUS
LINDA HOWELL (R4)
DOUG BROADDUS
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT INVOLVING POTENTIAL SALE OF CONTAMINATED TOOLS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality issued an Information Notice on February 21, 2002, (text below) concerning the potential of radiologically contaminated tools in Tooele County.
"A recent investigation involving Envirocare of Utah, a commercial low-level radioactive waste site in western Tooele County, has revealed that a former employee of Envirocare's contractor, Broken Arrow Inc., removed contaminated tools that were to be disposed of as waste from the Envirocare facility and eventually sold the tools to Oquirrh Trading Company, a pawn shop located in Tooele, Utah. Records of the Trading Company have revealed the potential for a number of tools to have been sold to the public. The period of time of concern is from January to December 2001. The tools involved may include large ratchet and socket sets, large crescent wrenches and other hand tools. The tools may or may not be marked with U.S., U.S. CCC, US EC and may be painted red. Some of these contaminated tools were recently recovered by inspectors of the Division of Radiation Control at the Trading Company. Citizens who may have purchased tools at the Trading Company during the period January 2001 - December 2001 may have their tools assessed at the Tooele County Health Department, 151 North Main, Tooele beginning Wednesday, February 27, 2002, from 10:00 am. - 5:00 p.m., Thursday, February 28, 2002, and Monday, March 4, 2002, from 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.. Tools suspected to be contaminated should be handled as little as possible and wrapped in a plastic bag to be brought to the Health Department offices for assessment. Persons handling suspected tools should wash their hands afterwards. If tools are determined to be contaminated, local and state environmental health officials will arrange for their proper disposal.
"'While we do not believe these contaminated tools present any significant health threat to members of the public, it is prudent to make sure that these tools are rounded up and properly disposed,' said Bill Sinclair, Director of the Division of Radiation Control. 'We are happy to provide facilities and cooperate with the Department of Environmental Quality in assuring that our Tooele citizens can have the opportunity to assess if there is a problem with tools that may have been purchased at the Trading Company,' stated Myron Batman of the Tooele County Health Department.
"Division of Radiation Control inspectors have visited all pawn shops in Tooele County and are satisfied that this problem is confined to the one business. The investigation is continuing and if the problem is more widespread, additional information will be issued as necessary."
UT Event Report ID No.: UT-02-0001. Call the Headquarters Operations Officer for contact information.
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality issued an Information Notice on February 21, 2002, (text below) concerning the potential of radiologically contaminated tools in Tooele County.
"A recent investigation involving Envirocare of Utah, a commercial low-level radioactive waste site in western Tooele County, has revealed that a former employee of Envirocare's contractor, Broken Arrow Inc., removed contaminated tools that were to be disposed of as waste from the Envirocare facility and eventually sold the tools to Oquirrh Trading Company, a pawn shop located in Tooele, Utah. Records of the Trading Company have revealed the potential for a number of tools to have been sold to the public. The period of time of concern is from January to December 2001. The tools involved may include large ratchet and socket sets, large crescent wrenches and other hand tools. The tools may or may not be marked with U.S., U.S. CCC, US EC and may be painted red. Some of these contaminated tools were recently recovered by inspectors of the Division of Radiation Control at the Trading Company. Citizens who may have purchased tools at the Trading Company during the period January 2001 - December 2001 may have their tools assessed at the Tooele County Health Department, 151 North Main, Tooele beginning Wednesday, February 27, 2002, from 10:00 am. - 5:00 p.m., Thursday, February 28, 2002, and Monday, March 4, 2002, from 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.. Tools suspected to be contaminated should be handled as little as possible and wrapped in a plastic bag to be brought to the Health Department offices for assessment. Persons handling suspected tools should wash their hands afterwards. If tools are determined to be contaminated, local and state environmental health officials will arrange for their proper disposal.
"'While we do not believe these contaminated tools present any significant health threat to members of the public, it is prudent to make sure that these tools are rounded up and properly disposed,' said Bill Sinclair, Director of the Division of Radiation Control. 'We are happy to provide facilities and cooperate with the Department of Environmental Quality in assuring that our Tooele citizens can have the opportunity to assess if there is a problem with tools that may have been purchased at the Trading Company,' stated Myron Batman of the Tooele County Health Department.
"Division of Radiation Control inspectors have visited all pawn shops in Tooele County and are satisfied that this problem is confined to the one business. The investigation is continuing and if the problem is more widespread, additional information will be issued as necessary."
UT Event Report ID No.: UT-02-0001. Call the Headquarters Operations Officer for contact information.