Event Notification Report for November 05, 2021
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
11/04/2021 - 11/05/2021
Agreement State
Event Number: 55562
Rep Org: Louisiana DEQ
Licensee: Source Production & Equipment Co.
Region: 4
City: St. Rose State: LA
County:
License #: LA-2966-L01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Richard S Blackwell
HQ OPS Officer: Mike Stafford
Licensee: Source Production & Equipment Co.
Region: 4
City: St. Rose State: LA
County:
License #: LA-2966-L01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Richard S Blackwell
HQ OPS Officer: Mike Stafford
Notification Date: 11/05/2021
Notification Time: 12:24 [ET]
Event Date: 11/05/2021
Event Time: 10:45 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 11/05/2021
Notification Time: 12:24 [ET]
Event Date: 11/05/2021
Event Time: 10:45 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 11/05/2021
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
Kozal, Jason (R4)
NMSS_Events_Notification, (EMAIL)
Kozal, Jason (R4)
NMSS_Events_Notification, (EMAIL)
EN Revision Imported Date: 12/3/2021
EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - IMPROPER SOURCE SHIPMENT
The following was received from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) via email:
"Louisiana DEQ was notified by Source Production & Equipment (SPEC) Radiation Safety Officer, via the DEQ Radiation Hotline at approximately 1045 CDT on November 5, 2021, concerning an industrial radiography camera shipment from Nigeria. According to the RSO, Dynaquest Energy Limited in Nigeria wanted to exchange three Industrial Radiography Ir-192 sources. When the package was received, two of the drums had the Industrial Radiography cameras (SPEC 150) and the other drum did not have a camera just the unshielded source. The unshielded source was in the type B container without a camera. The source is an Ir-192 with 0.06987 Ci. The reading on the side of the drum was 300 mR/hr and the reading from the top of the drum with the lid off was 40 - 50 mR/hr. SPEC retrieved the source and put it in a shield. The individual that was handling the package and retrieval received 5 mR exposure. The two cameras were a SPEC 150 (s/n 2619) with Ir-192 source s/n AF2815 and SPEC 150 (s/n 2618) with Ir-192 source s/n AF2814 and were locked. SPEC 150 (s/n 2618) did not have a locking cap on it even though the camera was locked. SPEC stated that they will hold on to the devices and terminate their relationship with Dynaquest Energy Limited."
Louisiana Event Report ID Number: LA 202100010
EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - IMPROPER SOURCE SHIPMENT
The following was received from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) via email:
"Louisiana DEQ was notified by Source Production & Equipment (SPEC) Radiation Safety Officer, via the DEQ Radiation Hotline at approximately 1045 CDT on November 5, 2021, concerning an industrial radiography camera shipment from Nigeria. According to the RSO, Dynaquest Energy Limited in Nigeria wanted to exchange three Industrial Radiography Ir-192 sources. When the package was received, two of the drums had the Industrial Radiography cameras (SPEC 150) and the other drum did not have a camera just the unshielded source. The unshielded source was in the type B container without a camera. The source is an Ir-192 with 0.06987 Ci. The reading on the side of the drum was 300 mR/hr and the reading from the top of the drum with the lid off was 40 - 50 mR/hr. SPEC retrieved the source and put it in a shield. The individual that was handling the package and retrieval received 5 mR exposure. The two cameras were a SPEC 150 (s/n 2619) with Ir-192 source s/n AF2815 and SPEC 150 (s/n 2618) with Ir-192 source s/n AF2814 and were locked. SPEC 150 (s/n 2618) did not have a locking cap on it even though the camera was locked. SPEC stated that they will hold on to the devices and terminate their relationship with Dynaquest Energy Limited."
Louisiana Event Report ID Number: LA 202100010
!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Fuel Cycle Facility
Event Number: 55564
Facility: Louisiana Energy Services
Region: 2 State: NM
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type:
Comments: Uranium Enrichment Facility
Gas Centrifuge Facility
NRC Notified By: Blake Bixenman
HQ OPS Officer: Michael Bloodgood
Region: 2 State: NM
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type:
Comments: Uranium Enrichment Facility
Gas Centrifuge Facility
NRC Notified By: Blake Bixenman
HQ OPS Officer: Michael Bloodgood
Notification Date: 11/05/2021
Notification Time: 18:06 [ET]
Event Date: 11/05/2021
Event Time: 12:07 [MDT]
Last Update Date: 01/07/2022
Notification Time: 18:06 [ET]
Event Date: 11/05/2021
Event Time: 12:07 [MDT]
Last Update Date: 01/07/2022
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
70.50(b)(2) - Safety Equipment Failure
10 CFR Section:
70.50(b)(2) - Safety Equipment Failure
Person (Organization):
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
Miller, Mark (R2DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
Miller, Mark (R2DO)
EN Revision Imported Date: 2/7/2022
EN Revision Text: LOSS OF HIGH RADIATION AUDIBLE ALARM
"On November 5th, 2021, [1207 MDT] it was identified that a portable Area Radiation Monitor (ARM), which was performing the 10 CFR 70.24 safety function of the Criticality Accident Alarm System (CAAS) to energize clearly audible alarm signals if accidental criticality occurs, had been removed from the area in error.
"On July 20th, 2021, during routine CAAS maintenance, UUSA [Urenco USA] staff identified an area in which a CAAS alarm was not clearly audible. UUSA arranged the ARM as a compensatory measure which achieves an equivalent 10 CFR 70.24 safety function in the affected area. UUSA reported this event to the NRC under Event Notification 55480 in accordance with 10 CFR 70.50(b)(2) in which equipment is disabled or fails to function as designed when required by regulation.
"Removal of this ARM resulted in an inability for radiation detectors to energize clearly audible alarm signals if accidental criticality occurs in the affected area. UUSA hereby reports this event in accordance with 10 CFR 70.50(b)(2), in which equipment is disabled or fails to function as designed when required by regulation (10 CFR 70.24)."
The licensee will notify the NRC Region 2 office.
* * * RETRACTION ON 1/7/22 AT 1552 EST FROM BLAKE BIXENMAN TO THOMAS KENDZIA * * *
"On November 5th, 2021, Louisiana Energy Services, LLC, dba Urenco USA, submitted Event Notification (EN) 55564 to the NRC Emergency Operations Center. This event notified the NRC of a 24 hour reportable event where a portable Area Radiation Monitor (ARM) performing a 10 CFR 70.24 safety function of the Criticality Accident Alarm System (CAAS) was removed from service. UUSA reported this event in accordance with 10 CFR 70.50(b)(2), in which equipment is disabled or fails to function as designed when required by regulation (10 CFR 70.24).
"Following this event, UUSA staff revised the calculations defining the Immediate Evacuation Zone (IEZ). The location of the ARM was near the edge of the IEZ boundary and the original calculation was completed prior to construction of the facility. The calculation was reviewed to ensure the boundary was still adequate. UUSA determined the boundary remains adequate with the area in question no longer inside the IEZ. The affected location is now outside of the IEZ. The IEZ is an area where personnel could be subject to an excessive radiation dose in the event of a criticality, required by 10 CFR 70.24(b)(1). Therefore, CAAS equipment subject to the event described in EN 55564 was not required to prevent exposures to radiation and radioactive materials exceeding regulatory limits, or to mitigate the consequences of an accident and does not meet the criteria for a reportable event UUSA herby retracts EN 55564.
"Details related to the revised IEZ boundary determination can be found in UUSA document CALC-S-00150, Rev 1, Immediate Evacuation Zone Calculations at UUSA. "
The following additional information was obtained from the licensee in accordance with Headquarters Operations Officers Report Guidance:
The licensee will notify the NRC Region 2 office.
Notified the R2DO (Miller) and NMSS Events Notification (email)
EN Revision Text: LOSS OF HIGH RADIATION AUDIBLE ALARM
"On November 5th, 2021, [1207 MDT] it was identified that a portable Area Radiation Monitor (ARM), which was performing the 10 CFR 70.24 safety function of the Criticality Accident Alarm System (CAAS) to energize clearly audible alarm signals if accidental criticality occurs, had been removed from the area in error.
"On July 20th, 2021, during routine CAAS maintenance, UUSA [Urenco USA] staff identified an area in which a CAAS alarm was not clearly audible. UUSA arranged the ARM as a compensatory measure which achieves an equivalent 10 CFR 70.24 safety function in the affected area. UUSA reported this event to the NRC under Event Notification 55480 in accordance with 10 CFR 70.50(b)(2) in which equipment is disabled or fails to function as designed when required by regulation.
"Removal of this ARM resulted in an inability for radiation detectors to energize clearly audible alarm signals if accidental criticality occurs in the affected area. UUSA hereby reports this event in accordance with 10 CFR 70.50(b)(2), in which equipment is disabled or fails to function as designed when required by regulation (10 CFR 70.24)."
The licensee will notify the NRC Region 2 office.
* * * RETRACTION ON 1/7/22 AT 1552 EST FROM BLAKE BIXENMAN TO THOMAS KENDZIA * * *
"On November 5th, 2021, Louisiana Energy Services, LLC, dba Urenco USA, submitted Event Notification (EN) 55564 to the NRC Emergency Operations Center. This event notified the NRC of a 24 hour reportable event where a portable Area Radiation Monitor (ARM) performing a 10 CFR 70.24 safety function of the Criticality Accident Alarm System (CAAS) was removed from service. UUSA reported this event in accordance with 10 CFR 70.50(b)(2), in which equipment is disabled or fails to function as designed when required by regulation (10 CFR 70.24).
"Following this event, UUSA staff revised the calculations defining the Immediate Evacuation Zone (IEZ). The location of the ARM was near the edge of the IEZ boundary and the original calculation was completed prior to construction of the facility. The calculation was reviewed to ensure the boundary was still adequate. UUSA determined the boundary remains adequate with the area in question no longer inside the IEZ. The affected location is now outside of the IEZ. The IEZ is an area where personnel could be subject to an excessive radiation dose in the event of a criticality, required by 10 CFR 70.24(b)(1). Therefore, CAAS equipment subject to the event described in EN 55564 was not required to prevent exposures to radiation and radioactive materials exceeding regulatory limits, or to mitigate the consequences of an accident and does not meet the criteria for a reportable event UUSA herby retracts EN 55564.
"Details related to the revised IEZ boundary determination can be found in UUSA document CALC-S-00150, Rev 1, Immediate Evacuation Zone Calculations at UUSA. "
The following additional information was obtained from the licensee in accordance with Headquarters Operations Officers Report Guidance:
The licensee will notify the NRC Region 2 office.
Notified the R2DO (Miller) and NMSS Events Notification (email)
Agreement State
Event Number: 55594
Rep Org: New York City Bureau of Rad Health
Licensee: Suffolk Co. Public & Environmental Health Lab
Region: 1
City: Hauppauge State: NY
County: Suffolk
License #: 1801
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Daniel Samson
HQ OPS Officer: Bethany Cecere
Licensee: Suffolk Co. Public & Environmental Health Lab
Region: 1
City: Hauppauge State: NY
County: Suffolk
License #: 1801
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Daniel Samson
HQ OPS Officer: Bethany Cecere
Notification Date: 11/19/2021
Notification Time: 13:56 [ET]
Event Date: 11/05/2021
Event Time: 00:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/19/2021
Notification Time: 13:56 [ET]
Event Date: 11/05/2021
Event Time: 00:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/19/2021
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
Deboer, Joseph (R1)
NMSS_Events_Notification, (EMAIL)
Deboer, Joseph (R1)
NMSS_Events_Notification, (EMAIL)
EN Revision Imported Date: 12/17/2021
EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LEAKING SOURCE
The following was received by fax from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH):
"NYSDOH received a written report by mail of a leaking source. Suffolk Co. Public and Environmental Health Laboratory, [redacted], 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY (NYSDOH Radioactive Materials License No. 1801) conducted routine leak testing on their two Agilent Technologies 8890 (03540A) GC [Gas Chromatograph] System (S/N US2106A027) ECO containing a 15 mCi (approx.) [Ni-63 source] G2397A (S/N U34601). Leak test samples were taken by the RSO on November 5th and sent to Agilent Technologies for analysis. The sample was processed on November 9th and preliminarily reported by Agilent to the Licensee on November 10th indicating that one of the ECO sources was leaking above the 0.005 uCi threshold. The Licensee RSO immediately obtained information from Agilent on the leaking source and copies of the preliminary reports. The Licensee provided NYSDOH with a written notification and report on November 10th by mail (received November 15th). The leaking quantity assessed at 45660 +/- 214 pCi. The GC unit was shut down and isolated. Agilent was notified (Radiation Safety Officer - RSO) to follow up on the leaking source and determine next steps. The system is less than one year old and still under service contract with Agilent.
"NYSDOH spoke with RSO upon receipt of this letter and GC/ECD was new as of March 2021. The defective detector (entire unit) has been isolated from service and Agilent is scheduled to arrive on 11/23/2021 to package and prepare unit for shipment. A radiological survey (contamination survey) was completed upon the isolation of the device showing radiation levels were consistent with background levels, indicating no fixed or removable contamination present.
"No further information on device or incident is available."
NY State Event Report ID No. NY-21-04
EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LEAKING SOURCE
The following was received by fax from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH):
"NYSDOH received a written report by mail of a leaking source. Suffolk Co. Public and Environmental Health Laboratory, [redacted], 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY (NYSDOH Radioactive Materials License No. 1801) conducted routine leak testing on their two Agilent Technologies 8890 (03540A) GC [Gas Chromatograph] System (S/N US2106A027) ECO containing a 15 mCi (approx.) [Ni-63 source] G2397A (S/N U34601). Leak test samples were taken by the RSO on November 5th and sent to Agilent Technologies for analysis. The sample was processed on November 9th and preliminarily reported by Agilent to the Licensee on November 10th indicating that one of the ECO sources was leaking above the 0.005 uCi threshold. The Licensee RSO immediately obtained information from Agilent on the leaking source and copies of the preliminary reports. The Licensee provided NYSDOH with a written notification and report on November 10th by mail (received November 15th). The leaking quantity assessed at 45660 +/- 214 pCi. The GC unit was shut down and isolated. Agilent was notified (Radiation Safety Officer - RSO) to follow up on the leaking source and determine next steps. The system is less than one year old and still under service contract with Agilent.
"NYSDOH spoke with RSO upon receipt of this letter and GC/ECD was new as of March 2021. The defective detector (entire unit) has been isolated from service and Agilent is scheduled to arrive on 11/23/2021 to package and prepare unit for shipment. A radiological survey (contamination survey) was completed upon the isolation of the device showing radiation levels were consistent with background levels, indicating no fixed or removable contamination present.
"No further information on device or incident is available."
NY State Event Report ID No. NY-21-04