Event Notification Report for March 06, 2024
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
03/05/2024 - 03/06/2024
!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Non-Agreement State
Event Number: 57012
Rep Org: Curium US LLC
Licensee: Curium US LLC
Region: 3
City: Maryland Heights State: MO
County:
License #: 24-04206-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Dan Szatkowski
HQ OPS Officer: Adam Koziol
Licensee: Curium US LLC
Region: 3
City: Maryland Heights State: MO
County:
License #: 24-04206-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Dan Szatkowski
HQ OPS Officer: Adam Koziol
Notification Date: 03/06/2024
Notification Time: 17:05 [ET]
Event Date: 03/06/2024
Event Time: 06:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 07/15/2024
Notification Time: 17:05 [ET]
Event Date: 03/06/2024
Event Time: 06:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 07/15/2024
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
20.2202(b)(2) - Excessive Release 1xALI 30.50(b)(1) - Unplanned Contamination
10 CFR Section:
20.2202(b)(2) - Excessive Release 1xALI 30.50(b)(1) - Unplanned Contamination
Person (Organization):
Ruiz, Robert (R3DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
Ruiz, Robert (R3DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
EN Revision Imported Date: 7/16/2024
EN Revision Text: CONTAMINATION IN RESTRICTED AREA
The following is a summary of information provided by the licensee via telephone:
On March 6, 2024, around 0600 CST, a technician found loose molybdenum (Mo-99) / technetium (Tc-99m) contamination inside a restricted area. Prior to the discovery, a production hot cell inside the restricted area had been deep cleaned as part of the regular maintenance program.
A thorough investigation of the area was conducted which revealed additional loose contamination on the lab floor. Surveys of surrounding areas did not reveal any spread of contamination outside of the restricted lab area.
Due to (1) the existing access controls, (2) personal protective equipment requirements for lab access, and (3) the absence of contamination identified by body scans of personnel exiting the lab; the licensee does not suspect any spread of contamination outside of the restricted area or personnel intake. Biological samples will be collected to confirm that no intake occurred.
The highest contamination level identified was 260 mrem/hr on contact and 2.3 mrem/hr at 1 foot. The contamination has been remediated to below licensee action levels. Overall, 2.4 mCi of Mo-99 was identified outside of the production hot cell. The 10 CFR 20 Appendix B limit for Mo-99 is 1 mCi. The licensee is investigating the root cause of this event.
* * * RETRACTION ON 07/15/24 AT 1205 EDT FROM DANEIL SZATKOWSKI TO KERBY SCALES * * *
The following retraction is a summary of information provided by the licensee via telephone:
Due to performing additional air samples and biological assays, the licensee determined that they did not exceed any thresholds, and the event is not reportable.
Notified R3DO (Nguyen) and NMSS Events Notification via email.
EN Revision Text: CONTAMINATION IN RESTRICTED AREA
The following is a summary of information provided by the licensee via telephone:
On March 6, 2024, around 0600 CST, a technician found loose molybdenum (Mo-99) / technetium (Tc-99m) contamination inside a restricted area. Prior to the discovery, a production hot cell inside the restricted area had been deep cleaned as part of the regular maintenance program.
A thorough investigation of the area was conducted which revealed additional loose contamination on the lab floor. Surveys of surrounding areas did not reveal any spread of contamination outside of the restricted lab area.
Due to (1) the existing access controls, (2) personal protective equipment requirements for lab access, and (3) the absence of contamination identified by body scans of personnel exiting the lab; the licensee does not suspect any spread of contamination outside of the restricted area or personnel intake. Biological samples will be collected to confirm that no intake occurred.
The highest contamination level identified was 260 mrem/hr on contact and 2.3 mrem/hr at 1 foot. The contamination has been remediated to below licensee action levels. Overall, 2.4 mCi of Mo-99 was identified outside of the production hot cell. The 10 CFR 20 Appendix B limit for Mo-99 is 1 mCi. The licensee is investigating the root cause of this event.
* * * RETRACTION ON 07/15/24 AT 1205 EDT FROM DANEIL SZATKOWSKI TO KERBY SCALES * * *
The following retraction is a summary of information provided by the licensee via telephone:
Due to performing additional air samples and biological assays, the licensee determined that they did not exceed any thresholds, and the event is not reportable.
Notified R3DO (Nguyen) and NMSS Events Notification via email.
Agreement State
Event Number: 57015
Rep Org: Alabama Radiation Control
Licensee: World Testing, Inc.
Region: 1
City: Russellville State: AL
County:
License #: AL RML 1573
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Cason Coan
HQ OPS Officer: Adam Koziol
Licensee: World Testing, Inc.
Region: 1
City: Russellville State: AL
County:
License #: AL RML 1573
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Cason Coan
HQ OPS Officer: Adam Koziol
Notification Date: 03/07/2024
Notification Time: 18:22 [ET]
Event Date: 03/06/2024
Event Time: 00:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 03/07/2024
Notification Time: 18:22 [ET]
Event Date: 03/06/2024
Event Time: 00:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 03/07/2024
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
10 CFR Section:
Agreement State
Person (Organization):
Arner, Frank (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
Arner, Frank (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SOURCE DISCONNECT
The following is a synopsis of information received via email from the Alabama Department of Public Health, Office of Radiation Control:
On the evening of March 6, 2024, the licensee experienced a source disconnect at a job site in Russellville, Alabama. The source connector appeared to have not been connected properly, and the source apparently disconnected from the drive cable while outside the exposure device (camera). The source was retrieved and secured in a 650L model source changer about 45 minutes later when a source retrieval team arrived on site. The two source retrieval personnel received 45 milliroentgens and 15 milliroentgens of exposure respectively. The radiography crew dosimetry had not yet been retrieved for emergency processing at the time of the report.
The camera and source information is as follows: Sentinel 880D, D1120, about 78.9 curies of iridium-192 in a model A424-9 source.
Alabama Incident Number: TBD
The following is a synopsis of information received via email from the Alabama Department of Public Health, Office of Radiation Control:
On the evening of March 6, 2024, the licensee experienced a source disconnect at a job site in Russellville, Alabama. The source connector appeared to have not been connected properly, and the source apparently disconnected from the drive cable while outside the exposure device (camera). The source was retrieved and secured in a 650L model source changer about 45 minutes later when a source retrieval team arrived on site. The two source retrieval personnel received 45 milliroentgens and 15 milliroentgens of exposure respectively. The radiography crew dosimetry had not yet been retrieved for emergency processing at the time of the report.
The camera and source information is as follows: Sentinel 880D, D1120, about 78.9 curies of iridium-192 in a model A424-9 source.
Alabama Incident Number: TBD
Power Reactor
Event Number: 57013
Facility: Columbia Generating Station
Region: 4 State: WA
Unit: [2] [] []
RX Type: [2] GE-5
NRC Notified By: James Darling
HQ OPS Officer: Kerby Scales
Region: 4 State: WA
Unit: [2] [] []
RX Type: [2] GE-5
NRC Notified By: James Darling
HQ OPS Officer: Kerby Scales
Notification Date: 03/07/2024
Notification Time: 02:30 [ET]
Event Date: 03/06/2024
Event Time: 16:35 [PST]
Last Update Date: 03/07/2024
Notification Time: 02:30 [ET]
Event Date: 03/06/2024
Event Time: 16:35 [PST]
Last Update Date: 03/07/2024
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - Offsite Notification
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - Offsite Notification
Person (Organization):
Gaddy, Vincent (R4DO)
Gaddy, Vincent (R4DO)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
The following information was provided by the licensee via email:
"On March 6, 2024, at 1635 PST, with Columbia Generating Station operating at 100 percent power in Mode 1, there was a malfunction in the halogenation/dehalogenation system. This system is used for continuous control of the biological growth in the circulating water and plant service water systems as well as to prevent discharge of halogens to the Columbia River during continuous blowdown. The result of this malfunction was exceeding the established limits of 0.1 milligrams/liter (mg/L) for total residual halogen (TRH) in the station's national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permit. At the time of discovery, the local indication for TRH was 3.20 mg/L. This was confirmed via a local grab sample. This maximum daily effluent limit is the highest allowable daily discharge, measured during a calendar day. The station NPDES permit requires notification to the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC).
"The automatic isolation function of the system failed to isolate the continuous blowdown line as did the emergency trip push button. The system was manually secured, and the continuous blowdown line to the Columbia River was isolated. The cause of the issue is under investigation.
"Notification was made to EFSEC on March 6, 2024, at 2303 PST. This event is being reported as a four hour report made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi) due to a "News Release or Notification of Other Government Agency" related to protection of the environment.
"The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified."
The following information was provided by the licensee via email:
"On March 6, 2024, at 1635 PST, with Columbia Generating Station operating at 100 percent power in Mode 1, there was a malfunction in the halogenation/dehalogenation system. This system is used for continuous control of the biological growth in the circulating water and plant service water systems as well as to prevent discharge of halogens to the Columbia River during continuous blowdown. The result of this malfunction was exceeding the established limits of 0.1 milligrams/liter (mg/L) for total residual halogen (TRH) in the station's national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permit. At the time of discovery, the local indication for TRH was 3.20 mg/L. This was confirmed via a local grab sample. This maximum daily effluent limit is the highest allowable daily discharge, measured during a calendar day. The station NPDES permit requires notification to the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC).
"The automatic isolation function of the system failed to isolate the continuous blowdown line as did the emergency trip push button. The system was manually secured, and the continuous blowdown line to the Columbia River was isolated. The cause of the issue is under investigation.
"Notification was made to EFSEC on March 6, 2024, at 2303 PST. This event is being reported as a four hour report made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi) due to a "News Release or Notification of Other Government Agency" related to protection of the environment.
"The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified."