| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
11/18/2005 - 11/21/2005 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | General Information or Other | Event Number: 42141 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: TERRA-MAR INC.
Region: 4
City: IRVING State: TX
County:
License #: L03157
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: LATISCHA HANSON
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 11/15/2005
Notification Time: 12:00 [ET]
Event Date: 11/14/2005
Event Time: [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/15/2005 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
JEFFREY CLARK (R4)
TOM ESSIG (NMSS)
MEXICO (VIA E-MAIL) ()
JIM WHITNEY (E-MAIL) (TAS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN TROXLER GAUGE
The State provided the following information via email:
The State of Texas received a call from the Radiation Safety Officer for Terra-Mar Inc. on Tuesday, November 15, 2005, reporting the theft of a moisture/density gauge, Troxler Model # 3430, Serial # 32220, with a 40 milliCurie AmBe source, Serial # 47-28552 and an 8 milliCurie Cs-137, Serial # 750-7360. The licensee went to the gauge storage area of the site on Monday, November 14, 2005, and discovered that the gauge was missing. The licensee checked with personnel to see if any one had removed it from the storage area. When no one acknowledged removing the gauge, the licensee contacted Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Dallas-Ft Worth Department of Public Safety, and the Irving Police Department that the gauge was possibly stolen. The licensee will send in the police report and a written statement to DSHS. The last leak test performed on the missing gauge was performed on July 9, 2005.
Texas Report Number: I-8277
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. |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 42142 | Rep Org: MISSISSIPPI DIV OF RAD HEALTH
Licensee: SHELL LUBRICANTS
Region: 1
City: VICKSBURG State: MS
County:
License #: GL-154
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: BOBBY SMITH
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN MacKINNON | Notification Date: 11/15/2005
Notification Time: 16:27 [ET]
Event Date: 10/13/2005
Event Time: 12:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/15/2005 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RICHARD BARKLEY (R1)
PATRICIA HOLAHAN (NMSS)
TAS (e-mailed) ()
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT FROM MISSISSIPPI
"During routine inspection of general licensed devices at Shell Lubricants, it was discovered that the company could not account for two (2) Metorex X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzers. The facility has changed ownership since the last inspection and records were not well maintained of receipt/transfer and leak tests. The licensee conducted a search of the facility after the inspection and did not locate the devices. They also contacted personnel that had been previously employed in the facility as well as the maintenance supervisor, who had no information of the location or disposal of the devices. The Metorex Models were a HEPS X-ray Fluorescence Analyzer, containing a 60 millicurie Curium-244 source, Serial No. 206734, and a LEPS X-ray Fluorescence Analyzer, containing a 40 millicurie Iron-55 source, Serial No. 206777.
"Describe clean-up actions taken by DRH: After determining all other radioactive devices were accounted for, DRH helped search for the lost devices, but could not locate them.
"Case Closed: No
"Enforcement action taken: Investigation ongoing. Licensee cited violations for lost devices and failure to maintain records of receipt/transfer. Also required to send DRH a report about lost devices and corrective actions."
Mississippi Report Number: MS-05-004
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. |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 42147 | Rep Org: WA DIVISION OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: PACIFIC ECOSOLUTIONS LLC(PECOS)
Region: 4
City: RICHLAND State: WA
County:
License #: WN-I0393-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: MIKE ELSEN
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN MacKINNON | Notification Date: 11/16/2005
Notification Time: 23:33 [ET]
Event Date: 11/10/2005
Event Time: 17:00 [PST]
Last Update Date: 11/16/2005 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
JEFFREY CLARK (R4)
PATRICIA HOLAHAN (NMSS)
| Event Text WASHINGTON AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LEAKING SHIPMENT CONTAINER
"Licensee: Pacific EcoSolutions LLC (PEcoS) - Richland, Washington
"City and State: Richland, Washington
"PEcoS Radioactive Materials license Number: WN-I0393-1
"Type of License: Industrial- Radioactive Waste Processor
"Date and Time of Event: The licensee (PEcoS) notified the Department of Health on November 10, at approximately 5:00pm.
"Location of Event: The leaking container was found on a shipment that arrived at the PEcoS facility at 2025 Battelle Blvd. Richland, Washington
"Involved Persons: Pacific EcoSolutions LLC (PEcoS) - Richland, Washington, ADCO Services, Inc.-Tinley Park, Illinois
"ABSTRACT: (where, when, how, why; cause, contributing factors, corrective actions, consequences, Dept. of Health (DOH) on-site investigation; media attention):
"On Thursday November 10, 2005 the Department of Health was notified by the licensee that a shipment from ADCO Services, Inc. arrived at their facility. During offloading of the packages one drum on the shipment was found to be leaking liquid. The leak was not contained to the inside of the closed trailer. Evidence of the leak was also seen on the underside of the trailer's wood floor and undercarriage. The I beam of the trailer was visibly stained. There was no evidence that the container had tipped over.
"The shipping papers for this load indicated that the shipping date from ADCO was 29 October 2005 and that the drum contained approximately 21.0 millicuries of tritium. The physical and chemical form is listed as solid NETA Plates. The container was shipped as Radioactive Material - Limited Quantity. The generator of the waste was identified as Agouron Pharmaceuticals located in San Diego, California.
"The shipment arrived in Richland and was parked at a local hotel for approximately 5 days prior to arriving at the PEcoS facility. The department identified the location where the trailer was parked and have obtained samples of parking lot material and performed paper smear surveys. The licensee also obtained samples and performed smear surveys. Initial results showed contamination levels in the parking lot and on the frame of the trailer as 3,000 4,000 dpm/100 cm2. The contamination on the trailer floor prior to removal was approximately 118,000 dpm/cm2.
"Discussions with ADCO indicated that a container from the same lot of drums was found leaking at the time of shipment preparation. That drum was over-packed (put into a larger drum and filled with sorbent material) and shipped. ADCO had also indicated that the drums from this generator were new and not reconditioned. According to ADCO, the generator of this waste is no longer in business. It was sold to another pharmaceutical company. ADCO also indicated that the containers from this company was picked up in California and trucked to the Illinois facility. The drums were at the Illinois facility for approximately 4-5 months after arrival.
"This shipment entered the state of Washington through the Spokane Port of Entry, however personnel at the Port who conducted an inspection of the truck, including the undercarriage did not observe any leakage.
"Corrective Actions:
"The shipper (ADCO) has been notified that they are not to ship to the state of Washington until further notice. They must submit a root cause analysis, and a quality assurance program acceptable to the department that assures further shipments into the state of Washington will be in full compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations, as well as the PEcoS license.
"No known media attention yet.
"Notification Reporting Criteria: WAC 246-221-160.
"Isotope and Activity involved: Tritium, 7.9039 E+2 MBq (21.362 millicuries).
"Overexposures? (number of workers/members of the public; dose estimate; body part receiving dose; consequence): None
"Lost, Stolen or Damaged? Not Applicable.
"Disposition/recovery: Unknown
"Leak test? Not Applicable
"Vehicle: Not Applicable.
"Release of activity ? Exact amount unknown
"Activity and pharmaceutical compound intended: Not applicable.
"Misadministered activity and/or compound received: Not applicable.
"Device (HDR, etc.) Mfg., Model; computer program: Not applicable.
"Exposure (intended/actual); consequences: Not applicable.
"Was patient or responsible relative notified? Not applicable.
"Was written report provided to patient? Not applicable
"Was referring physician notified? Not applicable
"Consultant used? No." |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 42153 | Facility: OYSTER CREEK
Region: 1 State: NJ
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-2
NRC Notified By: STEVE FULLER
HQ OPS Officer: BILL GOTT | Notification Date: 11/18/2005
Notification Time: 01:16 [ET]
Event Date: 11/17/2005
Event Time: 23:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/18/2005 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
RICHARD BARKLEY (R1)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text LOSS AND RECOVERY OF COMMUNICATIONS
The Emergency Notification System (ENS) was lost due to the loss of offsite telephone communications. Troubleshooting to determine the cause is in progress. Offsite telephone communications were restored at 0040 EST on 11/18/05.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 42155 | Facility: OYSTER CREEK
Region: 1 State: NJ
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-2
NRC Notified By: GLEN HUTTON
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 11/18/2005
Notification Time: 23:33 [ET]
Event Date: 11/18/2005
Event Time: 21:19 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/18/2005 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
RICHARD BARKLEY (R1)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 89 | Power Operation | Event Text LOST POWER TO CIRCULATING WATER DILUTION PUMP ELEVATING DISCHARGE TEMPERATURES TO BAY
At 2235 the licensee notified the New Jersey Environmental Protection (NJEP) Agency that their circulating water discharge temperature to Barnegat Bay was elevated. This is due to the fact that the licensee lost power to their non-safety related circulating water dilution pump. The licensee is currently working to restore power to the dilution pump and reducing reactor power to minimize the temperature difference between the discharge water and Bay water.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 42157 | Facility: DIABLO CANYON
Region: 4 State: CA
Unit: [ ] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: JAMES M. WELSCH
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 11/19/2005
Notification Time: 20:21 [ET]
Event Date: 11/19/2005
Event Time: 15:51 [PST]
Last Update Date: 11/19/2005 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION
| Person (Organization):
REBECCA NEASE (R4)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text UNPLANNED DIESEL GENERATOR STARTS ON A VAILD BUS UNDERVOLTAGE SIGNAL
"On November 19, 2005 at 1551 Pacific Standard Time Diablo Canyon Unit 2 [was] in Mode 1 (Power Operation) at approximately 100% power when the 230kv offsite power supply breaker (#212) opened. Diesel generators 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 auto-started on a valid bus undervoltage signal.
"The immediate cause of the event was the opening of the 230kv breaker (#212) due to a valid (but unintentional) startup transformer 1-1 sudden pressure switch activation due to maintenance being performed on the Unit 1 Startup Transformer 1-1.
"All equipment performed as expected."
None of the diesel generators picked up load since the buses remained energized. The safety buses were powered by offsite power. Unit 1 is in a refueling outage and was not adversely affected. The diesel generators are currently being returned to a standby condition.
The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Other Nuclear Material | Event Number: 42158 | Rep Org: STS CONSULTANTS LTD
Licensee: STS CONSULTANTS LTD
Region: 3
City: MAPLE GROVE State: MN
County:
License #:
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: SCOTT MOTTLOW
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY | Notification Date: 11/20/2005
Notification Time: 10:25 [ET]
Event Date: 11/20/2005
Event Time: 09:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/20/2005 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(ii) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>10X
| Person (Organization):
ANNE MARIE STONE (R3)
PATRICIA HOLAHAN (NMSS)
CANADA CNSC (FAX) ()
TAS (EMAIL) ()
| Event Text STOLEN TROXLER MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
A Troxler Model 3420 moisture density gauge (nominally 40 milliCi Am-241/Be and 8 milliCi Cs-137) was stolen from the back of an employee technician's pickup truck while parked in a parking garage in Minnetonka, MN. The gauge was in its case inside a gang box. The gang box was double-locked and secured to the truck by cables or chains attached to the gang box handles which were found cut.
The licensee's license number, the gauge serial number, and the address of the parking garage were not available at the time of the report. The licensee stated that the theft has been reported to the local police department. There are no current plans for either a reward or a press release.
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. | |