Event Notification Report for February 27, 2009
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
02/26/2009 - 02/27/2009
General Information or Other
Event Number: 44884
Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: RADIATION DETECTION COMPANY
Region: 4
City: GILROY State: CA
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KEN PRENDERGAST
HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA
Licensee: RADIATION DETECTION COMPANY
Region: 4
City: GILROY State: CA
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KEN PRENDERGAST
HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA
Notification Date: 02/28/2009
Notification Time: 13:56 [ET]
Event Date: 02/27/2009
Event Time: 00:00 [PST]
Last Update Date: 02/28/2009
Notification Time: 13:56 [ET]
Event Date: 02/27/2009
Event Time: 00:00 [PST]
Last Update Date: 02/28/2009
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
VINCENT GADDY (R4)
PATRICE BUBAR (FSME)
VINCENT GADDY (R4)
PATRICE BUBAR (FSME)
PERSONNEL CONTAMINATION FROM PACKAGE CONTAINING DOSIMETERS
The following was received form the state via facsimile:
"RHB [California Radiologic Health Branch] was informed on 2/27/09 that contamination was detected on 3 packages delivered on the 26th of February at Radiation Detection Company [RDC]. One RDC employee was contaminated with an unknown isotope who received the packages and placed them into the lab for scanning. It is not known if all 3 packages were contaminated or if only 1 was and it cross contaminated the other 2 at Radiation Detection Company. The contamination levels were low, around 100 cpm above background (Ludlum with a pancake). An approximate 10% efficiency is likely reasonably valid, yielding contamination of 1000 dpm per probe area. The resulting contamination level likely exceeded DOT's 2200 dpm/100 cm^2 acceptance criteria for shipments.
"The contamination of the person who handled the packages was low (60 cpm) on her arm and clothes. REAC/TS [Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site] was contacted by the licensee and the contaminated person was decontaminated and her clothes were placed in a drum with the package material and decon supplies and liquids that were used for other decontamination efforts for later inspection if necessary. Nasal smears were negative with regards to contamination. The minor contamination on this person was significantly below levels that would cause negative health effects.
"Two carriers were involved in the 3 packages. One carrier's package originated in San Diego, CA and in Vermont, and another carrier's package originated from Honduras. It is possible that one package was contaminated at the shipper's facility, and cross contaminated the others at Radiation Detection Company. It is also possible that 1 or 2 of the packages was cross contaminated in the shipment stream, and the other 1 or 2 were subsequently cross contaminated at Radiation Detection Company. The 3 facilities that shipped the dosimetry badges will be contacted to check their respective facilities.
"Radiation surveys using alpha, beta, and gamma, and some gross wipes were conducted during the evening of 2/27/09 on the driver and the carrier's truck used to deliver 2 packages to RDC yesterday. The surveys were negative. All readings were at background. Consequently, the carrier's vehicle that delivered one international package from Honduras is suspect regarding the contamination. [The State of CA] has not been able to get the information from that carrier regarding the truck or driver who made the delivery. [DELETED] is also the RSO for one of the carrier's and he is also working on getting the carrier's info to set up some surveys.
"Radiation Detection Company appears to have discarded the contaminated packaging, so it may be difficult to ascertain which of the above scenarios occurred based on the contamination levels (or nuclides) on the packaging."
CA (5010) Number: 022709
The following was received form the state via facsimile:
"RHB [California Radiologic Health Branch] was informed on 2/27/09 that contamination was detected on 3 packages delivered on the 26th of February at Radiation Detection Company [RDC]. One RDC employee was contaminated with an unknown isotope who received the packages and placed them into the lab for scanning. It is not known if all 3 packages were contaminated or if only 1 was and it cross contaminated the other 2 at Radiation Detection Company. The contamination levels were low, around 100 cpm above background (Ludlum with a pancake). An approximate 10% efficiency is likely reasonably valid, yielding contamination of 1000 dpm per probe area. The resulting contamination level likely exceeded DOT's 2200 dpm/100 cm^2 acceptance criteria for shipments.
"The contamination of the person who handled the packages was low (60 cpm) on her arm and clothes. REAC/TS [Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site] was contacted by the licensee and the contaminated person was decontaminated and her clothes were placed in a drum with the package material and decon supplies and liquids that were used for other decontamination efforts for later inspection if necessary. Nasal smears were negative with regards to contamination. The minor contamination on this person was significantly below levels that would cause negative health effects.
"Two carriers were involved in the 3 packages. One carrier's package originated in San Diego, CA and in Vermont, and another carrier's package originated from Honduras. It is possible that one package was contaminated at the shipper's facility, and cross contaminated the others at Radiation Detection Company. It is also possible that 1 or 2 of the packages was cross contaminated in the shipment stream, and the other 1 or 2 were subsequently cross contaminated at Radiation Detection Company. The 3 facilities that shipped the dosimetry badges will be contacted to check their respective facilities.
"Radiation surveys using alpha, beta, and gamma, and some gross wipes were conducted during the evening of 2/27/09 on the driver and the carrier's truck used to deliver 2 packages to RDC yesterday. The surveys were negative. All readings were at background. Consequently, the carrier's vehicle that delivered one international package from Honduras is suspect regarding the contamination. [The State of CA] has not been able to get the information from that carrier regarding the truck or driver who made the delivery. [DELETED] is also the RSO for one of the carrier's and he is also working on getting the carrier's info to set up some surveys.
"Radiation Detection Company appears to have discarded the contaminated packaging, so it may be difficult to ascertain which of the above scenarios occurred based on the contamination levels (or nuclides) on the packaging."
CA (5010) Number: 022709
Power Reactor
Event Number: 44881
Facility: PERRY
Region: 3 State: OH
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] GE-6
NRC Notified By: KEN RUSSELL
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
Region: 3 State: OH
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] GE-6
NRC Notified By: KEN RUSSELL
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
Notification Date: 02/27/2009
Notification Time: 04:37 [ET]
Event Date: 02/27/2009
Event Time: 05:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 02/27/2009
Notification Time: 04:37 [ET]
Event Date: 02/27/2009
Event Time: 05:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 02/27/2009
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
Person (Organization):
HIRONORI PETERSON (R3)
HIRONORI PETERSON (R3)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N | N | 0 | Refueling | 0 | Refueling |
EMERGENCY RESPONSE DATA SYSTEM (ERDS) OUT OF SERVICE
"The Perry Nuclear Power Plant will be taking the Plant Computer out of service for scheduled maintenance which will take ERDS out of service. From 0500 hours EST on February 27, 2009 for approximately 15 hours, personnel will be performing inspection and cleaning activities on the Plant Computer power center panel. During the planned maintenance, the Safety Parameter Display System (SPDS) and the automatic mode calculation of the Computer Aided Dose Assessment Program (CADAP) will be unavailable.
"In the event of an emergency, plant parameter data will be orally transmitted to the facilities through the Status Board Ring Down circuit with back-up by the Private Branch Exchange, the Off Premise Exchange, and various redundant intra-facility circuits throughout the emergency facilities. The dose assessment function will be maintained during the out of service time period by manual input of data into CADAP and, if required, by manual calculation. The ability to open and maintain an 'open line' using the Emergency Notification System will not be affected and will be the primary means of transferring plant data to the NRC as a contingency until the ERDS can be returned to service during the period of unavailability.
"This event is being reported in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii), as a condition that results in a major loss of offsite communications capability. A follow-up notification will be made when the maintenance activities are completed and the equipment is restored.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."
* * * UPDATE FROM TOM MORSE TO JOE O'HARA AT 1910 EST ON 2/27/09 * * *
The Perry Plant computer and the ERDS have been restored to service as of 1845 EST this evening.
The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector.
"The Perry Nuclear Power Plant will be taking the Plant Computer out of service for scheduled maintenance which will take ERDS out of service. From 0500 hours EST on February 27, 2009 for approximately 15 hours, personnel will be performing inspection and cleaning activities on the Plant Computer power center panel. During the planned maintenance, the Safety Parameter Display System (SPDS) and the automatic mode calculation of the Computer Aided Dose Assessment Program (CADAP) will be unavailable.
"In the event of an emergency, plant parameter data will be orally transmitted to the facilities through the Status Board Ring Down circuit with back-up by the Private Branch Exchange, the Off Premise Exchange, and various redundant intra-facility circuits throughout the emergency facilities. The dose assessment function will be maintained during the out of service time period by manual input of data into CADAP and, if required, by manual calculation. The ability to open and maintain an 'open line' using the Emergency Notification System will not be affected and will be the primary means of transferring plant data to the NRC as a contingency until the ERDS can be returned to service during the period of unavailability.
"This event is being reported in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii), as a condition that results in a major loss of offsite communications capability. A follow-up notification will be made when the maintenance activities are completed and the equipment is restored.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."
* * * UPDATE FROM TOM MORSE TO JOE O'HARA AT 1910 EST ON 2/27/09 * * *
The Perry Plant computer and the ERDS have been restored to service as of 1845 EST this evening.
The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector.