Event Notification Report for March 01, 2021

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

EVENT REPORTS FOR
02/26/2021 - 03/01/2021

EVENT NUMBERS
55108 55110 55111 55114 55115
Agreement State
Event Number: 55108
Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: Pacific Calibration Specialties
Region: 4
City: Antioch   State: CA
County:
License #: 5634-07
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Nika Hewdikaram
HQ OPS Officer: Howie Crouch
Notification Date: 02/19/2021
Notification Time: 17:02 [ET]
Event Date: 02/13/2021
Event Time: 00:00 [PST]
Last Update Date: 02/19/2021
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
JOHN DIXON (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
Event Text
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SOURCE ROD LEAKING

The following information was obtained from the state of California, Department of Public Health - Radiologic Health Branch (RHB) via email:

"On 2/16/21, the licensee contacted RHB to report that a contamination incident occurred during cutting of a source rod of a moisture density gauge. The gauge involved is a Troxler Model 3440, S/N 17263, originally containing 8 mCi of Cs-137 and 40 mCi of Am-241. The source serial number is 50-6634 and the 'IAEA Certificate of Competent Authority Special Form Radioactive Materials' that was provided by the licensee identifies the source as QSA Global Models XN30/0, XN 30/1, or 30XN/2, and states that the sources are single encapsulated.

"On 2/13/21, the licensee was attempting to replace a source rod on a customer's nuclear gauge. After removing the source rod tip, licensee surveys of the area detected contamination. Wipes of the rod and work area were counted using a Ludlum 3030, S/N 222793, calibrated 10/12/20, and indicated low levels of beta contamination (approximately 25 nCi total) apparently due to a leaking source. It is not believed the cutting of the source rod breached the Cs-137 source. The contamination was confined to a small portion of a countertop, a vise, a hack saw blade and the floor directly below the work area. The contaminated area was wiped with damp rags and contaminated items and rags were collected into plastic bags and then placed into a 5-gallon bucket. The source and the piece of the source rod cut off were placed into a large lead container. The area was subsequently surveyed again, and no radioactivity was detected. No contamination was detected on clothes or shoes."

California Report ID: 5010-021621


Agreement State
Event Number: 55110
Rep Org: FLORIDA BUREAU OF RADIATION CONTROL
Licensee: N/A
Region: 1
City: Defuniak Springs   State: FL
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Paul Norman
HQ OPS Officer: Thomas Herrity
Notification Date: 02/21/2021
Notification Time: 22:52 [ET]
Event Date: 02/21/2021
Event Time: 00:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 02/22/2021
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
LALLY, CHRISTOPHER (R1)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
ILTAB (EMAIL)
Event Text
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RADIOACTIVE SOURCE FOUND AT PRIVATE HOME

Florida Bureau of Radiation Control (BRC) provided the following initial report via email:

"[A] Department of Health Regional Emergency Management (EM) Supervisor reported a call from Walton County EM advising of potential hazardous materials at a private residence in Defuniak Springs. Caller stated that several containers appear to be medical materials discovered in a storage shed near the residence. The containers are marked with a "radiological material" symbol. Local Fire Rescue (FR) and Walton County Sheriff's Office (SO) are on scene and Bay County FR has their HazMat unit in-route."

Florida Incident Number: FL-21-025

The following is a synopsis of the post HAZMAT investigation report:

The material was discovered in a storage shed on a rented property nearby. The renter does not know how long the material had been there or where it originated. Personnel at the scene were surveyed. No contamination was revealed.

Detailed investigation of the material showed no leakage. Only one lead pig registered slightly above background radiation. The source within the pig was determined to be Thorium-232 'hot source' in a sealed vial. The vial was not leaking. BRC took possession of the Thorium source. Hazmat took possession of the remainder of the material. Area was cleared at 0015 EST, 22 February 2021.


Agreement State
Event Number: 55111
Rep Org: COLORADO DEPT OF HEALTH
Licensee: University of Colorado Hospital
Region: 4
City: Aurora   State: CO
County:
License #: CO 828-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Derek Bailey
HQ OPS Officer: Thomas Herrity
Notification Date: 02/22/2021
Notification Time: 14:52 [ET]
Event Date: 02/22/2021
Event Time: 12:30 [MST]
Last Update Date: 02/22/2021
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
ILTAB, (EMAIL)
O'KEEFE, NEIL (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION, (EMAIL)
Event Text
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LUTETIUM-177 IN STOLEN VEHICLE RECOVERED

The State of Colorado, Radioactive Materials Unit reported the following via email:

"On February 22, 2021, at approximately 1230 [MST], the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) was notified that a shipment of lutetium-177 dotatate was involved in a stolen vehicle incident. The incident occurred during a shipment via courier to the University of Colorado Hospital, CO 828-01; the shipment originator is Advanced Accelerator Applications. The courier's vehicle was recovered by the Aurora Police Department and the vial of lutetium-177 dotatate was found on the driver's seat of the vehicle and had been removed from the shipping container. The University of Colorado Hospital will be taking possession of the material. Isotope: lutetium-177. Activity: 200 mCi.

"Aurora Police Case Number: 2021-7342. The situation is currently unfolding and more information will be available at a later date."

Colorado Event Report ID No: Unassigned.

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: 55114
Facility: Palo Verde
Region: 4     State: AZ
Unit: [2] [] []
RX Type: [1] CE,[2] CE,[3] CE
NRC Notified By: Tanner Goodman
HQ OPS Officer: Donald Norwood
Notification Date: 02/26/2021
Notification Time: 15:24 [ET]
Event Date: 02/26/2021
Event Time: 10:33 [MST]
Last Update Date: 02/26/2021
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS Actuation - Critical
Person (Organization):
O'KEEFE, NEIL (R4)
Power Reactor Unit Info
Unit SCRAM Code RX Crit Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
2 A/R Y 100 Power Operation 0 Hot Standby
Event Text
EN Revision Imported Date: 3/1/2021

EN Revision Text: REACTOR TRIP DUE TO LOSS OF TWO REACTOR COOLANT PUMPS

"The following event description is based on information currently available. If through subsequent reviews of this event additional information is identified that is pertinent to this event or alters the information being provided at this time a follow-up notification will be made via the ENS or under the reporting requirements of 10 CFR 50.73.

"At 1033 MST on February 26, 2021 the Unit 2 reactor automatically tripped due to a loss of two Reactor Coolant Pumps stemming from a loss of a 13.8 kV non-class bus during maintenance.

"Following the reactor trip, all Control Element Assemblies inserted fully into the core. All systems operated as expected. No emergency plan classification was required per the Emergency Plan. Unit 2 is stable and in Mode 3. Decay heat is being removed by the Steam Bypass Control System and Main Feedwater System.

"The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been informed."

Unit 1 and Unit 3 were not affected by the Unit 2 reactor trip.


Power Reactor
Event Number: 55115
Facility: LaSalle
Region: 3     State: IL
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] GE-5,[2] GE-5
NRC Notified By: Eric Pratt
HQ OPS Officer: Donald Norwood
Notification Date: 02/26/2021
Notification Time: 22:52 [ET]
Event Date: 02/26/2021
Event Time: 16:45 [CST]
Last Update Date: 02/26/2021
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
26.719 - Fitness For Duty
Person (Organization):
JOHN HANNA (R3DO)
FFD GROUP (EMAIL)
Power Reactor Unit Info
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 N 0 Refueling 0 Refueling
Event Text
FITNESS-FOR-DUTY REPORT

"This telephone notification is provided in accordance with 10 CFR 26.719(b), to report a significant fitness-for-duty event under 10 CFR 26.719(b)(2)(ii).

"A contractor supervisor was found in violation of the fitness-for-duty policy. The employee's access to the plant has been revoked. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."

In addition, the licensee notified the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.