Event Notification Report for April 27, 2021

This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material.

EN Revision Imported Date: 4/27/2021

EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN PORTABLE GAUGE

The following was received from the Arkansas Department of Health (the Department) via email:

"The Department received notification on January 12, 2021, from licensee Mid-Continent Laboratories, Inc., that a Troxler gauge model 3411-B [(S/N: 4794; Activity: Am-241 (44 mCi); Cs-137(9 mCi))] had been stolen from a licensee while at his residence.

"Upon review of the event, the Authorized User checked the portable gauge out of its permanent storage location at approximately 0600 CST to travel to Colorado for work. Before leaving, the Authorized User returned to his place of residence. While at his residence the chains securing the gauge to the truck were cut and the portable gauge was stolen from the vehicle.

"This event has been reported to Law Enforcement, in addition, Arkansas Department of Health inspectors are currently working with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Radiological Health, to investigate and report. [West Memphis, AR is on the border with Tennessee]. Arkansas Department of Health will be issuing a Press Release.

"The Arkansas Department of Health considers this investigation open pending receipt and review of any further information that may become available."

Arkansas Event Report ID No.: AR-2021-001


* * * UPDATE ON 01/13/2021 AT 1401 EST FROM CHRIS TALLEY TO OSSY FONT * * *

The following update was received from the Department via email:

"The Authorized User was allowed to store the gauge overnight in his vehicle at his place of residence. The theft occurred between 2130 CST, January 11, 2021 and 0730 CST, January 12, 2021. The Authorized User noticed the disappearance of the gauge while leaving his residence to go to work."

Notified R4DO (O'Keefe) and NMSS Events Notification and ILTAB via email.

* * * UPDATE ON 04/26/2021 AT 1030 EST FROM CHRIS TALLEY TO JOANNA BRIDGE * * *

The following update was received from the Department via email:

"The serial number for the missing gauge should be changed from 4794 to 7689. Law enforcement has received the updated information. In addition, the gauge is still missing and no other new information has been received. Arkansas has received the event report from the Licensee and still considers this event open due to the gauge having not been found."

Notified R4DO (Azua) and NMSS Events Notification and ILTAB via email.


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 REPORT - MEDICAL EVENT

The following was received from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (the Agency) via email:

"[The licensee] contacted the Agency this afternoon to report a medical underdose of Y-90 that occurred today, April 19, 2021. Although information provided was preliminary, no untoward medical impact is expected to the patient.

"[The] Radiation Safety Officer for the licensee contacted the Agency at 1515 CDT on April 19, 2021, to report a patient scheduled to receive Y-90 microsphere therapy (Theraspheres) for hepatocellular cancer received only 63 percent of the dose prescribed in the written directive. The Agency understands this to be one of three fractions delivered. Additional data is forthcoming.

"Reportedly, the underdosing was due to a leakage of Y-90 microspheres in the connection between the Therasphere tubing and the microcatheter. The leakage resulted in area and personnel contamination which was promptly and successfully addressed by on-site radiation safety staff. No skin doses are reported or anticipated.

"[The Agency] will dispatch staff to the site tomorrow for a reactionary inspection."

A Medical Event may indicate potential problems in a medical facility's use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient.

SEISMIC MONITORING SYSTEM OUT OF SERVICE FOR PLANNED MAINTENANCE

"At 1200 EDT on April 25, 2021, planned maintenance activities on the Harris Nuclear Plant Seismic Monitoring System will be performed. The work includes performance of preventive maintenance and system upgrades. The work duration is approximately 10 days and compensatory measures will be in place for seismic monitoring.

"This is an eight-hour, non-emergency notification for a planned loss of emergency assessment capability. This event is reportable in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii). There is no impact on the health and safety of the public or plant personnel. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."

FITNESS-FOR-DUTY REPORT - EMPLOYEE SUPERVISOR CONFIRMED POSITIVE FOR ILLEGAL DRUGS

A non-licensed employee supervisor had a confirmed positive for illegal drugs during a random fitness-for-duty test. The employee's access to the plant has been terminated.
The NRC Resident has been notified.