| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
09/02/2010 - 09/03/2010 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | General Information or Other | Event Number: 46213 | Rep Org: COLORADO DEPT OF HEALTH
Licensee: UNKNOWN
Region: 4
City: GRAND JUNCTION State: CO
County:
License #: N/A
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: PHILLIP PETERSON
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH | Notification Date: 08/30/2010
Notification Time: 13:03 [ET]
Event Date: 08/03/2010
Event Time: [MDT]
Last Update Date: 08/30/2010 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RICK DEESE (R4DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL FOUND IN SCRAP SHIPMENT
"On August 3, 2010, the Department [Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment] received a phone call from the Utah Division of Radiation Control. A steel mill in Utah was returning a shipment of scrap metal to Colorado due to the portal monitor indicating radioactive material present in the shipment The shipment origin was Van Gundy Ampco at 1018 S. 5th Street, Grand Junction, Colorado (a scrap metal company, not a radioactive materials licensee).
"On August 12, 2010, the DOT paperwork was faxed from Utah to the Department. The DOT special permit indicated the material was a railcar with a side which scanned at 22 [micro]R/hr (background = 0.005 mrem/hr).
"On August 19, 2010, the railcar was returned to Van Gundy Ampco in Grand Junction. The Department made the determination using an IdentiFinder that the material was an oilfield pump contaminated with Ir-192 with a dose rate of 0.34 mrem/hr. The pump was isolated from public and workers with barrier tape.
"On August 25, 2010, Protechnics (license CO-545-01) agreed to take possession of the pump to decay in storage. Protechnics is licensed for Ir-192, so no provisional license will need to be issued to Van Gundy Ampco or Protechnics. On August 27, 2010, Protechnics took possession of the oilfield pump. Personnel from Protechnics cleaned an oily residue out from the oilfield pump. The pump at this point scanned as indistinguishable from background and was released for unrestricted disposal. The oily rags and materials used to decontaminate the pump were taken to the Protechnics site in Fruita, Colorado for decay in storage.
"The source of the Ir-192 is unknown as the oilfield pump was in a railcar full of scrap metal and the pump bore no identifying marks. Therefore, no Notice of Violation has been issued in regards to this incident. Additionally, the public dose in regards to this incident is also unknown as it is not known how long the pump was in public and the route the pump took from the oilfield to the scrap yard.
"This incident is considered closed."
Colorado Incident I10-11 |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 46214 | Rep Org: OHIO BUREAU OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: BBC&M ENGINEERING, INC.
Region: 3
City: LIMA State: OH
County:
License #: OH31210250006
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: MICHAEL SNEE
HQ OPS Officer: ERIC SIMPSON | Notification Date: 08/30/2010
Notification Time: 13:24 [ET]
Event Date: 08/26/2010
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/30/2010 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
TAMARA BLOOMER (R3DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
| Event Text OHIO AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
The following was received from the State of Ohio via e-mail:
"Ohio Department of Health (ODH) was informed on 8/27/10 of an incident involving a portable moisture density gauge. The incident occurred on 8/26/10 at a work site in Lima, Ohio. The incident occurred due to operator error on behalf of a BBC&M Engineering, Inc. (BBCM) employee - the employee backed over the gauge with a BBCM truck. BBCM staff followed established company emergency procedures - the area was cordoned off, all other site personnel were kept more than 20 feet away from area, and a BBCM employee stayed in the area until further notice.
"BBCM obtained a Radiation Alert Monitor and a lead 'pig' from CTS, Inc. and used the monitor at the project site in the area of the damaged gauge, truck, and original testing location of the gauge. The reading near the gauge (at 1 meter) was 2.0 mrem/hr. All other readings taken at the sire measured only background level readings. The gauge was damaged but the radiation sources were not comprised and/or leaking. As the source rod would not retract into the gauge, BBC&M installed a lead cap ('pig') over the rod tip/source end. The gauge was then transported to BBCM's Dublin, Ohio office to be stored until it can be transported to CTS, Inc. for further inspection."
The gauge contains 0.010 Ci Cs-137 and 0.050 Ci Am/Be sources.
Ohio incident #2010-051. |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 46215 | Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: CALTRANS
Region: 4
City: SAN LUIS OBISPO State: CA
County:
License #: 1539
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KENT PREDERGAST
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH | Notification Date: 08/30/2010
Notification Time: 15:57 [ET]
Event Date: 08/26/2010
Event Time: 15:30 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/30/2010 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RICK DEESE (R4DO)
BILL VON TILL (FSME)
MEXICO VIA FAX ()
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text CALIFORNIA AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
The following information was obtained from the State of California via email:
"[On August 26, 2010] at 3:30 p.m., [the licensee Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)] received a call from a technician at the Caltrans Paso Robles Construction office, stating that a compaction gauge had been removed from his truck while parked at the construction laboratory. The gauge had been placed in the aluminum metal transportation box adhered to his truck, but unlocked and last seen at 12:30 p.m. [PDT]. He had gone back into the lab to continue work and went to the jobsite at 3:15 p.m. where he discovered the gauge missing. He called [the RSO] immediately and [the RSO] called the local police and filed a report.
"The moisture/density gauge missing is a Troxler 3440, Serial No. 30701, containing 10 mCi of cesium 137 and 40 mCi of americium 241. The Paso Robles Police Report is case No. 1Q-2886.
"[The RSO will be] placing an advertisement in Craigslist and in the local newspaper for the return of the gauge with a cash reward, no questions asked. [The RSO] will also speak personally to authorized gauge users about the importance of keeping the gauges locked up at all times, when not in use. A letter addressing the same will be sent to all."
California Report Number: 5010-082710
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 |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 46216 | Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: GENERAL ATOMICS
Region: 4
City: SAN DIEGO State: CA
County:
License #: CA - 0145-37
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ROBERT GREGER
HQ OPS Officer: ERIC SIMPSON | Notification Date: 08/31/2010
Notification Time: 12:59 [ET]
Event Date: 08/19/2010
Event Time: 10:30 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/31/2010 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RICK DEESE (R4DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
| Event Text CALIFORNIA AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SOURCES DAMAGED BY FIRE
The following information was obtained from the State of California via e-mail:
"Six sources of Am-241 were involved in a fire. Three of the sources were not damaged. The other three are believed to be encased in melted/solidified masses of metal that had encased the sources. Each source was approximately 24 nanocuries. Initial surveys did not identify radiological contamination. Further analysis of the solidified metal believed to contain the three sources is planned. "
The fire was initiated by the spontaneous combustion of charcoal fines used at the facility.
There were no personnel injuries related to the fire event.
Local media carried a story on the fire, but not the radiological component.
The Am-241 sources are used as stabilizing sources in the air monitors.
The sealed sources are not believed to have been breeched. The State and licensee will be performing follow-up investigations into the final disposition of the three sources encased in the solidified metal.
California Report Number: 5010-081910. |
| Other Nuclear Material | Event Number: 46225 | Rep Org: IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY
Licensee: IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY
Region: 4
City: POCATELLO State: ID
County:
License #: 1127380-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: RICHARD BREY
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 09/02/2010
Notification Time: 15:45 [ET]
Event Date: 09/02/2010
Event Time: [MDT]
Last Update Date: 09/02/2010 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(i) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>1000X
| Person (Organization):
RICK DEESE (R4DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
DARYL JOHNSON (ILTA)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text MISPLACED BUTTON SOURCES
On 9/2/2010, the licensee concluded that they were unable to account for two (2) Pu-239 solid sources that are about the size of a quarter each. Each source is estimated to weight about 1 gm with a source strength of 60 milliCuries and is in a non-dispersible form. The licensee noted that these sources were missing as a result of a normal inventory and leak test procedure on 8/19/10. Since that time the licensee has conducted an intensive search for the material both visually and using detection instrumentation but was unable to locate the material.
The licensee discovered that the lost sources were last checked out of their storage location as part of a group of 10 such sources in April 2010. In July 2010 records indicate that only 8 of 10 sources were checked out since only 8 were available at the time.
The licensee has restricted access to the sources and implemented additional controls for being able to check out the sources that include using a two man rule.
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
This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 46226 | Facility: INDIAN POINT
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [2] [3] [ ]
RX Type: [2] W-4-LP,[3] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: TIM BUCHAL
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 09/02/2010
Notification Time: 18:01 [ET]
Event Date: 09/02/2010
Event Time: 18:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/02/2010 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
OTHER UNSPEC REQMNT
| Person (Organization):
RICHARD CONTE (R1DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | | 3 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text HURRICANE WITHIN 500 NAUTICAL MILES OF THE FACILITY
"A hurricane is within 500 nautical miles from Indian Point Energy Center with wind speed in excess of 87 knots. The National Weather Service has issued a hurricane warning for a hurricane with wind in excess of 87 knots (approximately 100 mph) within 500 nautical miles of the facility. Per the Technical Requirement Manual a prompt report shall be made to the NRC Incident Response Center within 1 hour of receipt of that hurricane warning."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 46227 | Facility: HATCH
Region: 2 State: GA
Unit: [ ] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: BILL DUVALL
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD | Notification Date: 09/02/2010
Notification Time: 23:45 [ET]
Event Date: 09/02/2010
Event Time: 22:50 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/03/2010 | Emergency Class: UNUSUAL EVENT
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
| Person (Organization):
EUGENE GUTHRIE (R2DO)
JEFFERY GRANT (IRD)
MIKE CHEOK (NRR)
BILL FLINTER (DHS)
GENE CENUPP (FEMA)
|
| 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 NOTIFICATION OF UNUSUAL EVENT DECLARED DUE TO HIGH WATER LEVEL IN THE RCIC INSTRUMENT SUMP
"This is a one-hour report for the discovery of a condition that met an emergency action level (EAL) for a Notification of Unusual Event (NOUE). EAL HU1 - Natural and Destructive Phenomena Affecting the Protected Area Threshold Value 6 states: 'Exceeding Max Normal Operating Values specified in EOP 31EO-EOP-014-1(2) SC - Secondary Containment Control Table 5 Secondary Containment Operation Water Levels.'
"On September 2, 2010 Plant Hatch Unit 2, as part of an on-going RCIC [Reactor Core Isolation Cooling] system outage, was restoring a tagout which un-isolated the CST [Condensate Storage Tank] from the RCIC system. The shift crew received several alarms in a short period of time for RCIC Northwest Diagonal Instrument Sump levels culminating with receiving the RCIC N-W DIAG INSTRSUMP LVL HIGH HIGH HIGH alarm at 2240. There was a report of water on the floor of the diagonal and 2E51-FV005 (a vent valve on the discharge of the barometric condensate pump) was identified as the source. The shift crew closed 2E51-F010 [suction isolation valve to the CST] to isolate the CST from the RCIC system. The Shift Manager declared an NOUE at 2250 for HU-1 Natural and Destructive Phenomena Affecting the Protected Area. At 2255 the Triple High alarm cleared."
Plant personnel have visually confirmed that the sump level has been pumped down to normal level. The water level in the RCIC room did not rise to a level such that any equipment was adversely affected. Plant Hatch notified the following agencies: Georgia EMA, Appling County EMA, Jeff Davis County EMA, Tattnall County EMA, and Toombs County EMA.
At the time of this notification, exit criteria for exiting the NOUE had been met and Hatch personnel were in the process of officially terminating the NOUE. The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector.
* * * UPDATE FROM BILL DUVALL TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 0022 EDT ON 9/3/2010 * * *
The licensee officially terminated the NOUE at 0013 EDT on 9/3/2010. | |