Event Notification Report for September 28, 2023

AGREEMENT STATE - LOST THEN FOUND NUCLEAR DENSITY GAUGE

The following information was provided by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Radiation Protection (DEP):

"On September 19, 2023, a licensee vehicle was involved in an automobile accident during which a nuclear density gauge ejected from the vehicle. State Police recovered the device. The licensee reported to the scene and recovered the device. There was no damage to the gauge itself. The only damage incurred was to the transportation box. The side handle was ripped off as a result of the accident. The DEP has been in contact with the licensee and will update this event as soon as more information is provided.

"Troxler Model Number: 3440
Serial Number: 35195
Cesium 137, 9 millicuries; Americium 241:Be, 44 millicuries"

Pennsylvania Report Number: PA230025

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 - LOST EXIT SIGN

The following was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Department) via email:

"On September 6, 2023, the Department was notified of a lost exit sign but did not get detailed information regarding the lost source until September 19, 2023. The licensee reported a tritium exit sign was removed to accommodate a facility renovation, placed in a construction staging area for later disposition, and subsequently was unable to be located on August 15, 2023. The licensee conducted an internal investigation which concluded on September 6, 2023, at which point the Radiation Safety Officer declared that the tritium exit sign was lost. The sign was purchased in 1998 with an initial activity of 25 curies. It is a Betalux, Model SRB S/N 237918. The licensee reported that the integrity of the sign was not compromised and that there is no exposure risk. The Department has requested additional information from the licensee. The investigation into this event is on-going. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."

Texas Incident Number: 10051

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 - LOST RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

The following information was provided by the Maryland Department of the Environment via email:

"On July 12, 2023, the Maryland Department of the Environment Radiological Health Program (MDE/RHP) was contacted via email from a Tesla employee who reported the loss of a device with NRD model number P-2021 Z705 from a Tesla Body and Paint facility located in Maryland.

"The lost device is manufactured by NRD, LLC with model number P-2021-Z705, serial number A2MF439. The device contains 10 mCi of Polonium-210. No reference date is associated with it, but the device was shipped to Tesla, Inc. on March 16, 2021. These devices are generally-licensed and sold to Tesla by NRD, LLC. Tesla, Inc. Maryland Site, NA-US-MD-Owings Mills-Body is located at 9430 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117.

"On July 14, 2023, the Maryland Department of the Environment Radiological Health Program (MDE/RHP) investigation showed that the Po-210 radioactive material is used for alpha ionizer applications at the Tesla paint and body shop to stop dust from clinging to the body panels prior to painting. As per the company's procedure, when the device is no longer in use, the radioactive 'barrel' cartridges will be returned to NRD (or suitable disposer). The device had the 'gun' separated from the 'barrel' cartridge. The 'barrel' cartridge was returned to NRD as per procedure and the non-radioactive 'gun' part was lost or misplaced. In this process, the Po-210 source was not accounted for by NRD, LLC and reported as lost.

"This information is not conclusive as a lost source and needs to be further confirmed. Information on the current activity is required. MDE/RHP will finalize a reactive investigation."

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 - LOST MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE

The following information was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Department) via email:

"On September 20, 2023, the Department received notification of a lost moisture density gauge. The gauge is a Troxler 3430 (serial 39365) with 40 millicuries of americium-241 and 8 millicuries of cesium-137. The gauge was last seen at a job site with the licensee reporting that the handle of the gauge was locked. The gauge was placed inside a transportation case which was also locked. At the job site, the package was placed inside a holding frame in the back of a pickup truck, but the chains were not secured to the case. The tailgate of the truck was also left down. The technician drove about a mile down the road. Someone honking at him alerted him to the fact that the tailgate was down. He pulled over and found the gauge was missing and started searching for it. He alerted his radiation safety officer to the loss and the licensee now has several crews searching for the gauge. The licensee has reported that they believe the gauge might have been picked up by someone and has contacted the state police. This Department has also contacted the State, county, and local city emergency management coordinators. The licensee reported that with the device inside the case they do not expect significant exposure to anyone, but they would expect some exposure in an unrestricted area should someone get near the case. This investigation is ongoing and further information will be provided per SA-300."

* * * UPDATE ON 09/22/23 AT 1912 EDT FROM ART TUCKER TO LAWRENCE CRISCIONE * * *

The following information was received from the Texas Department of State Health Services (the Department) via email:

"The Department was contacted by the licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) who reported the licensee's Regional Director was on-site and had checked with the local pawn shops. The director provided a picture of the device and offered a reward for the return of the gauge. The director did not receive any additional information. RSO stated they had talked to an eyewitness who said they saw the gauge fall out of the truck and then a few minutes later a black pickup truck pulled up and put the gauge in the back of their truck. The RSO stated there is camera footage of the area near where the gauge was dropped (which is at the exit gate to where they were working) and they have viewed the footage for the time they believe the gauge would have been picked up. The gauge did not appear in the video, but the video did help establish an elapsed time of 15 minutes between when the technician left the site until they returned. A second individual stated that there was a contractor working at the same site that had a dark colored truck and had left shortly after the licensee's truck left the site. The licensee has requested additional video footage to see if they can identify that truck."

Notified the R4DO (Groom). Emailed NMSS, ILTAB and Mexico (CNSNS).

Texas Incident Number: 10052

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

EN Revision Imported Date: 9/28/2023

EN Revision Text: ACTUATION OF REACTOR PROTECTION AND CONTAINMENT ISOLATION SYSTEMS

The following information was provided by the licensee via fax:

"[On 09/27/2023] at 1041 CDT, with the plant at 75 percent power and main turbine control valve testing in progress, a reactor pressure transient resulted in a reactor steam dome high pressure scram and subsequent group 1 primary containment isolation of the main steam lines (MSL). All main steam isolation valves closed as a result of the group 1 isolation signal. Additionally, a group 2 containment isolation signal was received due to reactor pressure vessel (RPV) level less than plus 9 inches during the transient. Operations personnel responded and stabilized the plant. The high-pressure coolant injection (HPCI) system was placed in service to control RPV pressure. HPCI did not inject into the RPV and was not needed to control RPV water level. The cause of the initial pressure transient is under investigation."

The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.

***UPDATE ON 9/27/2023 AT 2350 EDT FROM NATHAN PIEPER TO LAWRENCE CRISCIONE***
The utility notified the State of Minnesota and Wright and Sherburne counties.

Notified R3DO (Orlikowski)