Event Notification Report for April 08, 2019

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SHUTTER STUCK IN OPEN POSITION

The following was received by e-mail from the state of Louisiana:

On 4/8/19, Georgia Pacific Consumer Products (GA-PAC) reported that an additional level density gauge malfunction was discovered during process unit decommissioning. The first gauge was reported on 3/11/19 via a phone call to Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) - see EN 53927. This second gauge was reported via e-mail on 4/8/19 to LDEQ as part of the written follow-up to the first gauge.

"A level density gauge on a process [unit] had a shutter malfunction. GA-PAC was attempting to inventory and package [the gauge] for disposal. In the lock-out/tag-out process, they discovered the shutter handle would not turn to completely close the shutter. The gauge is a RONAN SA8-C5 device/source holder, S/N 9775GG with a 50 mCi Cs-137 source.

"GA-PAC called a service contractor, BBP Sales, to evaluate the situation and determine the best course of action to correct the problem. The sources and gauges were packaged by BBP Sales and sent to QSA Global for disposal on 4/2/19. GA-PAC is decommissioning this unit. This is not a radiation exposure hazard and does not pose a health and safety situation for the GA-PAC employees or the general public.

"This event is considered closed by LDEQ. This event is being reported to the NRC as required by 10 CFR 30.50(b)(2) and LAC 33:XV341.B."

LA Event Report ID No.: LA-190005.

* * * RETRACTION AT 1155 EDT ON 4/10/19 FROM JOSEPH NOBLE TO JEFF HERRERA * * *

The following information was reported by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality via email:

"The reported information was not a new event. This was follow up information for two previously reported events."

Notified the R4DO (Werner) and NMSS_Events (via email).

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST DENSITY GAUGE

The following report was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via fax:

"On April 8, 2019, the [Department of Environmental Protection] DEP was notified of a Cs-137 source that was discovered at a metal recycler, reportable per 10 CFR 20.2201(a)(1)(i).

"On April 8, 2019, a radiation portal monitor alarmed at a metal recycling facility in Slippery Rock, PA. The load was reading approximately 4 mR/hr at a distance of 4 ft through scrap metal. The load was transferred back to its origin at Mercer Lime and Stone where it could be off-loaded and sorted. DEP representatives oversaw the emptying of the load at Mercer Lime and Stone. An intact gauge was found bolted to a plate. A representative noted bolts for another gauge, but no gauge was found. The found gauge, Nuclear Chicago, series: PNA, model: 5193, serial number: 219, manufactured: 2/8/74, containing 200 mCi of Cs-137, was secured in a building on site. The current activity is 70.7 mCi. The remaining site has been cleared except for a few remaining buildings.

"Mercer Lime and Stone has a general license with DEP but did not notify the DEP of intent to terminate their license nor to vacate their licensed location. Upon later review of their license, it was noted they possessed two of the same model gauges, serial numbers 219 and 220. The whereabouts of serial number 220 are unknown at this time. The DEP is currently working to locate the owner of the site, and location of the (still) missing gauge. The DEP will update this event as soon as more information is provided."

Event Report ID No.: PA190012

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

Note: This device is assigned an IAEA Category 3 value based on the actual radioactivity of the source, not on the device type. (Reference IAEA RG-G-1.9)