| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
08/11/2004 - 08/12/2004 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | General Information or Other | Event Number: 40929 | Rep Org: COLORADO DEPT OF HEALTH
Licensee: COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
Region: 4
City: GOLDEN State: CO
County:
License #: 627-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: STEVE TARITON
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 08/06/2004
Notification Time: 11:35 [ET]
Event Date: 08/03/2004
Event Time: [MDT]
Last Update Date: 08/06/2004 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MIKE RUNYAN (R4)
TOM ESSIG (NMSS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT INVOLVING DETECTION OF A PLATED SOURCE LEAK
"This report is sent in compliance with RH 4.58. On August 3, 2004, we received notification from our monitoring service that a wipe of a licensed plated source tested positive for leakage. The wipe was taken on June 30, 2004. The source is a 3 milliCurie, Curium 244, plated source, manufactured by Isotope Products Lab, model number AFR244-3M. We inspected the source and confirmed that it was leaking. The plated surface appears to be slightly corroded. A leak test conducted on December 30, 2003, did not detect any leakage, so the leakage started sometime during the ensuing 6 months.
"The source was stored inside a plastic box. The box was in a plastic baggy. The baggy was in a storage cabinet in Meyer Hall Laboratory 147. We removed the plastic baggy and all its contents including the leaking source. This material was placed in a sealed plastic jar and is in storage in our Hazardous Material Management Facility.
"We surveyed the area around the storage location with a thin window pancake GM detector and found no obvious contamination. We have also taken numerous wipes in and around the storage location. These will be analyzed by Liquid Scintillation Counting to determine if further decontamination is necessary. The storage cabinet has been placed off-limits until analysis of wipes is completed.
"Interviews with faculty members and graduate students indicate that no one has touched the source during the last six months.
"We will report the leak to the manufacturer." |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 40930 | Rep Org: ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: UNKNOWN
Region: 4
City: DUMAS State: AR
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JARED THOMPSON
HQ OPS Officer: BILL GOTT | Notification Date: 08/06/2004
Notification Time: 14:01 [ET]
Event Date: 08/05/2004
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/06/2004 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MIKE RUNYAN (R4)
TRISH HOLAHAN (NMSS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE - RECOVERED DEVICE CONTAINING RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
"On August 5, 2004, the Arkansas Department of Health, Radioactive Materials Program, recovered a device containing radioactive material from a scrap metal yard in Dumas, Arkansas. Radiation readings at contact with the port opening are 60-70 mR/hour. It appears that the shutter is open and the source is in the open position. Radiation readings at one meter from the port opening are 0.15 mR/hour.
"Analysis by the Department's Radiochemistry Laboratory identify the isotope as Krypton-85. The activity is unknown. The device is 4 inches (wide) by 3.5 inches (height) by 6.5 inches (length). The device is mounted on 10 inch diameter steel plate. There are no radiation markings or labeling on the device." |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 40931 | Rep Org: TENNESSEE DIV OF RAD HEALTH
Licensee: AEROJET ORDNANCE TENNESSEE INC
Region: 1
City: JONESBORO State: TN
County:
License #: S-90009
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: BILLY FREEMAN
HQ OPS Officer: BILL GOTT | Notification Date: 08/06/2004
Notification Time: 15:11 [ET]
Event Date: 08/04/2004
Event Time: 13:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/06/2004 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MOHAMED SHANBAKY (R1)
TOM ESSIG (NMSS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT
"Event description: The licensee called to report a fire in the depleted uranium (DU) machining bay. The fire spread into the ventilation duct and filter housing. The fire was contained inside the ventilation duct and filter housing. The fire blistered the paint on the ventilation ducting and Torit filter housing and breached the ventilation system filters (bag and HEPA). A minor release to the environment occurred through the stack. Visible smoke was observed coming through the stack for a 6 - 8 minute period until the ventilation blast gate was closed. Air sample data indicated the uranium in air concentration in the machining area was 2% DAC. The air effluent concentration through the stack was 15% of the effluent limit. Personnel were evacuated from the DU machining area and from the office areas. Production at the grinder will not restart until the cause of the fire is known and corrective actions can be taken to prevent reoccurrence. A written report will be submitted to the Division.
Report number: TN-04-105 |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 40934 | Rep Org: WA DIVISION OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: PLSA ENGINEERING AND SURVEYING
Region: 4
City: YAKIMA State: WA
County:
License #: WN-I0143-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ARDEN C. SCROGGS
HQ OPS Officer: ARLON COSTA | Notification Date: 08/09/2004
Notification Time: 17:53 [ET]
Event Date: 08/08/2004
Event Time: 18:00 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/09/2004 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
LINDA SMITH (R4)
JOSEPH HOLONICH (NMSS)
AARON DANIS (TAS)
CANADA (EP)
| Event Text WASHINGTON AGREEMENT STATE REPORT ON LOST TROXLER GAUGE
"Licensee reported a theft of a Troxler Nuclear moisture/density gauge model 3430, serial number 23717. The theft occurred at approximately 6:00 p.m. Sunday August 8, 2004 at the Licensee's address, 1120 West Lincoln Avenue, Yakima, Washington.
"A gauge operator working for the licensee placed the transport box with the gauge in the bed of an open pick-up truck and secured the handle of the gauge to a tie-down in the truck with a single lock and chain. The operator was also the driver of the transport vehicle. The vehicle was parked near the rear entry of the Licensee's facility. The driver went back inside the facility and left the truck unattended for approximately 20 minutes. When he returned, he discovered the chain had been cut and the locked transport box with the locked gauge inside had been stolen.
"At approximately 6:30 p.m. the Licensee notified both the local police department and the Washington State Department of Health, Office of Radiation Protection emergency hotline to report the event.
"The Licensee reported that they performed a visual search in the immediate area of their facility in case the perpetrator dropped the box with gauge in a dumpster or other concealed location.
"No media attention.
Isotope and Activity involved: 1.48 GBq (40 mCi) Am-241:Be and a 0.296 GBq (8 mCi) Cs-137 source. The Cs-137 source serial number is 75-5803 and the Am-241Be: source serial number is 47-1963.
"Police notified 6:30 p.m. August 8, 2004 of the theft of the gauge. The police report number is 04-13612. The gauge has not been recovered.
"The licensee reported the last leak test performed was March 29, 2004.
"The gauge was stolen from the bed of an open 2002 Chevy S-10 pick-up truck. The gauge was in the manufacture's Type A transport box."
Washington Event Report No.WA-04-046. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 40940 | Facility: POINT BEACH
Region: 3 State: WI
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-2-LP,[2] W-2-LP
NRC Notified By: JIM FOUSE
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON | Notification Date: 08/11/2004
Notification Time: 10:15 [ET]
Event Date: 08/11/2004
Event Time: 08:30 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/11/2004 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
MARK RING (R3)
TERRY REIS (NRR)
|
| 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 | Event Text OFFSITE NOTIFICATION OF STATE AGENCY REGARDING POTENTIALLY OIL CONTAMINATED SOIL
"On August 11, 2004, at approximately 0830 AM CDT, a non-Emergency notification was made to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources regarding a discovery, on August 4, 2004, of diesel fuel odor in soil at the Point Beach Nuclear Plant [PBNP]. The source of the odor is believed to be oil contaminated soil caused by a past accidental environmental release of fuel oil.
"This condition was identified while digging holes for a new fence on the northwest side of the plant as part of the PBNP security upgrade. During the excavation, an odor reminiscent of diesel fuel was noted to be emanating from the dirt that was dug up in one area. The dirt from the holes was dry with no obvious fuel oil present. No diesel fuel odor was noted from water and soil at the outfall of a drain in the vicinity of this area.
"The quantity of diesel contaminated soil is unknown. NMC plans to conduct an investigation to determine the nature and extent of contamination and to ultimately conduct remediation as appropriate."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Other Nuclear Material | Event Number: 40941 | Rep Org: US ARMY
Licensee: US ARMY
Region: 3
City: ROCK ISLAND State: IL
County:
License #: 12-00722-06
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: THOMAS GIZICKI
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY | Notification Date: 08/11/2004
Notification Time: 12:06 [ET]
Event Date: 07/28/2004
Event Time: 09:20 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/11/2004 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
30.50(b)(1) - UNPLANNED CONTAMINATION
| Person (Organization):
MARK RING (R3)
RAYMOND LORSON (R1)
CAUDLE JULIAN (R2)
JOHN HICKEY (NMSS)
| Event Text MARINE CORP TRITIUM DEVICE INCIDENT
"On 28 July 2004, at approximately 0920 hours, the installed Tritium-in-Air monitor for the Tritium Instrument Repair Room (TIRR) at Maintenance Center Albany [(MCA), Georgia] abruptly alarmed.
"On 27 July 2004, the six counter sources (0.45 Curies each/2.7 Curie total) contained within the gear box of an M137 panoramic telescope had been replaced. The M137 unit was placed on an alignment fixture on the morning of 28 July.
"Upon alarm actuation, the TIRR and the Optics/Fire Control Shop were evacuated. Assembly of personnel was in a common area exterior to the shop. The MCA radiation protection assistant (RPA) and the Base radiation safety officer (BRSO) were summoned. Entry into the TIRR was made with the use of a Johnston Labs Model 111 portable tritium-in-air monitor. Suspicions were satisfied when the portable tritium-in-air monitor indicated 30-microCuries/m3 of tritium gas in the immediate vicinity of the test fixture and mounted M137 panoramic telescope. The TIRR utilizes a negative pressure ventilation system, which is directly ducted to the environment. The door to the TIRR was opened and within approximately one-half hour, the gaseous tritium levels had been reduced to background. The M137 was double bagged and placed within the TIRR vent hood.
"Two workers were present in the TIRR when the evacuation alarm sounded. The shop supervisor entered the area to assess the accuracy of the alarm condition. These three individuals were sent to the on-base medical clinic for urine collection. Samples were taken at time zero plus four hours, time zero plus eight hours, and for the-twenty-four hour period immediately following the time zero plus eight hour sample. The primary worker received a slight uptake of gaseous tritium. Dose calculations for that uptake proved the uptake to be [statistically] less than 0.0 milliRem. The other worker and the supervisor showed no evidence of any tritium uptake. Contamination wipes revealed no contamination of the test fixture or the wall." | |