| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
09/03/2015 - 09/04/2015 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Agreement State | Event Number: 51346 | Rep Org: ALABAMA RADIATION CONTROL
Licensee:
Region: 1
City: BIRMINGHAM State: AL
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: MYRON RILEY
HQ OPS Officer: NESTOR MAKRIS | Notification Date: 08/26/2015
Notification Time: 10:08 [ET]
Event Date: 08/25/2015
Event Time: 00:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/26/2015 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
PAUL KROHN (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFIC (EMAI)
| Event Text ABANDONED GAUGE FOUND IN SCRAP METAL
The following report was received from the State of Alabama Department of Public Health Office of Radiation Control via fax:
"On August 25, 2015, Sam Price, Environmental Health & Safety for Nucor Steel, Birmingham, Alabama notified the Office of Radiation Control that a load of scrap received from Covington, Georgia had set off radiation monitors and was reading 11.0 mR/hr and had been identified as Cs-137.
"Representatives from the Office of Radiation Control investigated the load and confirmed all measurements that were previously taken. The load was segregated and a single fixed type gauge was discovered in the load. The gauge contained only an unreadable general license label which was still attached. No other labels or markings were identified. The shutter appeared intact, but partially open.
"The gauge has been secured in place and is awaiting pick-up by an appropriate driver being provided by the scrap metal dealer in Covington, Georgia.
"The State of Georgia has been notified of the incident.
"As of today [August 26, 2015], 8:45 a.m. CDT, the gauge remains secure in place at Nucor Steel, Birmingham, Alabama."
Alabama Incident 15-38 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 51350 | Rep Org: OK DEQ RAD MANAGEMENT
Licensee: TRACERCO
Region: 4
City: TULSA State: OK
County:
License #: 03096
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KEVIN SAMPSON
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF HERRERA | Notification Date: 08/26/2015
Notification Time: 17:23 [ET]
Event Date: 08/25/2015
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/28/2015 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
VIVIAN CAMPBELL (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFIC (EMAI)
JAMES RUBENSTONE (NMSS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - CONTAMINATION IN AN UNCONTROLLED AREA
The State of Oklahoma reported that contamination from a leaking Ba-137 generator was discovered in a 'shed' at the University of Tulsa. It is estimated that approximately 1 milliCurie of Cs-137, used in the generator, was leaked. The licensee, Tracerco, licensed by the State of Texas, was using the generator for tracer studies on University of Tulsa equipment under a reciprocity agreement with the State of Oklahoma. The contamination occurred between October and November of 2014. Tracerco discovered the generator leakage at their Texas facility in May, 2015 but only recently informed the University of Tulsa. The Radiation Safety Officer at the University of Tulsa surveyed the area on 8/25/15 and obtained count rates as high as 100,000 cpm inside the shed. Contamination was also found outside of the shed's location. According to Tracerco, it is estimated that approximately 1 milliCurie of Cs-137 was leaked at the University of Tulsa.
The University of Tulsa reported that approximately eight individuals work in the area at least some of the time, however, the University is working on obtaining occupancy information at the contaminated location. The shed has been quarantined.
The Ba-137 generator, which contained 50 milliCuries of Cs-137, was manufactured by the China Institute of Atomic Energy.
The State of Oklahoma will be investigating the event and will be determining the amount of exposure to the individuals. Tracerco is continuing evaluating the event.
The State of Texas reported the leaking generator under NRC EN #51102
* * * UPDATE FROM KEVIN SAMPSON TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1640 EDT ON 8/28/2015 * * *
The following information was received via facsimile:
"On August 27, 2015 the Oklahoma Environmental Agency Radiation Management Section performed a reactive inspection of this facility. The facility consists of a closed flow-loop pipeline which water or petroleum was pumped through. A port was used to inject radioactive tracers into the material to study its behavior in the flow-loop. Normally the crew from Tracerco would set up the generator at the injection port which was located on a platform about 12 feet above grade. However for some reason, possibly bad weather, the crew that performed the work last year decided to set up in an enclosed pump house immediately adjacent to the pipeline. At some point during the procedure an estimated 0.1 mCi of Cs-137 (not 1 mCi as previously reported) was released in the interior of the structure. The material was in the form of small resin spheres, about the size of a poppy seed, with the Cesium coating the surface. Sometime around May of this year, after Tracerco discovered that the generator was leaking and their own facility was contaminated, they sent staff back to the University to survey for contamination. However, they were unaware that the previous crew had used the pump house, and only surveyed around the injection port where they found no contamination. No further action was taken until August 24 when Tracerco employees again visited the site and surveyed the pump house. After finding the contamination they decontaminated the area using adhesive tape to pick up the material. Two office chairs and a floor mat were also found to be contaminated and removed to an area the university uses for radioactive storage. None of the University employees who worked at the facility were badged.
"During our inspection we noted that the background radiation level was elevated in the vicinity of the pump house and flow-loop (approx. 100 microR/hr as measured with a Victoreen 450P, this was about 10 X background off the facility). It should be noted the University has it's own license and uses or stores about 25 fixed gauges, with a total possession limit of 15 Ci., either on or near the flow-loop. Surveys inside the pump house showed isolated areas of contamination with radiation levels as high as 500 micro-R/hr. Multiple areas (usually concrete joints or gravel at the edge of the concrete) around the exterior of the pump house were also found to be contaminated with dose rates around 200 microR/hr. One trailer adjacent to the pump house was found to have a small spot of contamination in the carpet just inside the door. This was surveyed at 260 micro-R/hr. This trailer was used for office space for two persons, one of whom is a member of the public. 14 samples were collected at various points and will be counted next week. The University has restricted access to the contaminated areas but has continued to allow essential radiation workers to enter when necessary to operate the flow-loop. They were instructed to require anyone entering to wear disposable gloves and shoe covers.
"Tracerco has arranged for Chase Environmental to characterize and remediate the facility. This will begin on August 31 and is expected to take 5 to 7 days. Tracerco has also arranged for any university staff who desire to be scanned at a full-body counter in Houston."
Notified R4DO (Campbell) and via E-mail the NMSS Events Notification group. |
| Non-Agreement State | Event Number: 51352 | Rep Org: OAKWOOD HOSPITAL
Licensee: OAKWOOD HOSIPITAL
Region: 3
City: DEARBORN State: MI
County:
License #: 21-04515-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: TALJIT SANDHU
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON | Notification Date: 08/27/2015
Notification Time: 13:26 [ET]
Event Date: 08/25/2015
Event Time: 15:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/27/2015 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(ii) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>10X
| Person (Organization):
RICHARD SKOKOWSKI (R3DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
ILTAB (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3 " level of radioactive material. | Event Text LOST I-125 SEED
"Late on 8/25/15, the [Chief Physicist] was informed that the I-125 seed count in storage does not reconcile with the Written Directives and the pathology log. The storage vial is one seed short. Instead of 30 seeds, there are only 29 seeds. Also there is a non-radioactive marker/clip in the storage container along with 29 Iodine-125 seeds. All seeds are of nominal activity of 0.3 mCi. The lead container housing the sources was brought down to Radiation Oncology source storage room on 8/26/2015.
"So far our findings are as follows:
Radiation survey of the pathology lab was performed by the pathology lab supervisor. Survey revealed no presence of radioactivity. Radiation survey of the stored tissue specimens for these cases revealed no radioactivity. [Licensee staff] reviewed the radiographs of each tissue specimen and the count was 30 seeds. It would seem that the pathology assistant mistook the marker/clip to be an iodine seed and put it in storage container and the actual seed somehow got discarded as hazardous waste, in spite of the documented procedure to survey everything which comes in contact with specimen to be surveyed with Geiger counter. By reviewing the radiographs of each specimen we have ruled out the possibility that a source was left in the patient. On 8/26/2015, another independent radiation survey of the Pathology Lab was performed by Nuclear Medicine using a scintillation detector and once again no seed was found."
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 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 51354 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
Licensee: TEXAS A & M ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
Region: 4
City: COLLEGE STATION State: TX
County:
License #: L-00448
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KAREN BLANCHARD
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON | Notification Date: 08/27/2015
Notification Time: 18:33 [ET]
Event Date: 08/27/2015
Event Time: 17:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/27/2015 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
VIVIAN CAMPBELL (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)
ILTAB (EMAI)
CNSNS (MEXICO) (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3 " level of radioactive material. | Event Text TEXAS AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - COBALT-57 SOURCE LOST DURING SHIPMENT
The following information was received from the State of Texas via email:
"On August 27, 2015, the licensee notified the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] that a 100 milliCurie cobalt-57 source had been ordered by one of its investigators and shipped to the proper address for the licensee, but the source had not been received. The licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) reported that the investigator had checked around noon on the status of the order with the radiation safety office. The radiation safety staff learned that the investigator had ordered it without following procedure and going through their office, so they had not been aware that the source was supposed to be coming. The RSO reported that upon checking with the common carrier handling the package, the carrier showed the package had been delivered on August 21, 2015, 'in College Station' (no other information documented by the driver), and the carrier provided the name of the person who signed for receipt. The carrier opened an investigation. The RSO contacted the company from whom the source was purchased and verified the shipping address was correct. A search was conducted of the building it should have been delivered to, staff was questioned if they had seen/received it or knew the person who signed for it, and the RSO searched staff and student directories and checked through the university's police department for the signer's name with negative results. At approximately 1630 [CDT], the RSO made the determination the package was missing and reported to the Agency. The RSO stated that a team will begin canvasing other buildings in the morning and efforts will continue to locate the package and identify the signer. Further information will be provided as it is obtained in accordance with SA-300."
Texas Incident #: I-9335
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 |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 51364 | Facility: QUAD CITIES
Region: 3 State: IL
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-3,[2] GE-3
NRC Notified By: ALAN MEURS
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 09/02/2015
Notification Time: 22:11 [ET]
Event Date: 09/02/2015
Event Time: 21:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 09/03/2015 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
RICHARD SKOKOWSKI (R3DO)
|
| 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 PLANNED TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTER (TSC) MAINTENANCE
"Planned maintenance activities will commence today (September 2, 2015) on the Quad Cities Station TSC. The activity involves inspection and replacement of the TSC charcoal absorber trays and canisters on the filtration portion of the Air Handling Unit (AHU). Work on the charcoal absorbers affects habitability of the TSC during a declared emergency when radiological conditions require activation of the filtration portion of the AHU. The duration of maintenance is currently planned to begin on September 2, 2015 at 2100 hours [CDT] and is estimated to be completed by September 3, 2015 at 1100 hours [CDT], depending on any conditions discovered during the inspections. Since restoration from this maintenance activity is expected to take longer than the required activation time of the TSC, this notification is being made.
"If an emergency is declared requiring TSC activation during this period, the TSC will be staffed and activated using existing emergency planning procedures unless the TSC becomes uninhabitable due to ambient temperature, radiological, or other conditions. If relocation of the TSC becomes necessary, the Station Emergency Director will relocate the TSC staff to an alternate location in accordance with applicable site procedures.
"This event is reportable per 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(xiii) since the maintenance activity affects an emergency response facility.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified [and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency]."
* * * UPDATE PROVIDED BY ALAN MEURS TO JEFF ROTTON AT 1625 EDT ON 09/03/2015 * * *
"At 1430 CDT on September 3, 2015, the maintenance activity was completed and the TSC ventilation was restored."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
Notified R3DO (Skokowski). |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 51368 | Facility: LIMERICK
Region: 1 State: PA
Unit: [ ] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: MARK ARNOSKY
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON | Notification Date: 09/03/2015
Notification Time: 22:04 [ET]
Event Date: 09/03/2015
Event Time: 19:01 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/03/2015 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) - ACCIDENT MITIGATION
| Person (Organization):
JOHNATHAN LILLIENDAH (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 | Event Text HIGH PRESSURE COOLANT INJECTION (HPCI) DECLARED INOPERABLE
"At 1901 EDT on 9/3/2015, the Unit 2 HPCI system inboard steam supply valve isolated due to a high steam flow instrument failure. The inboard steam supply valve closed and isolated as expected. There were no indications of a steam leak. Drywell parameters and affected Reactor Enclosure rooms and piping areas were inspected with no indications of a steam leak. In addition, the steam leak detection system did not indicate any rising temperatures for any of the affected areas. The issue has caused Unit 2 HPCI to be declared inoperable and unavailable. Unit 2 has entered into a 14 day [Technical Specification] Limited Condition of Operation per T.S. 3.5.1."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | |