Event Notification Report for August 07, 2024

POSSIBLE OVEREXPOSURE DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL

The following information was provided by the BWXT Nuclear Operations Group, Inc. (BWXT NOG-L) via email:

"At approximately 1025 EDT on Monday, July 29, 2024, a BWXT NOG-L recycle vendor notified the licensee that a shipment of scrap aluminum machining chips was identified as being potentially radioactive and/or contaminated. The shipment of material activated the recycle vendor's portal detectors. BWXT NOG-L responded to the vendor's facility and performed a preliminary assessment, exterior smears of the shipping container and inside the transport vehicle confirmed no contamination. The recycle vendor obtained a special permit, from the Commonwealth of Virginia, to return the container back to BWXT NOG-L for evaluation of uranium contamination. Upon return of the container, the contents were re-packaged into drums, values established through non-destructive assay (NDA), and stored within a radiation-controlled area.

"No one was exposed and the material did not pose a risk to the public or the environment during its transportation to and from the recycle vendor. BWXT NOG-L recognizes the potential exposure implications had this material processed through the recycler's facility and is reporting accordingly under 10 CFR 20.2202(b). BWXT NOG-L also recognizes the failure to properly ship radioactive material in accordance with 10 CFR 71.5.

"The resident inspector has been notified. "

The following additional information was obtained from the licensee in accordance with Headquarters Operations Officers Report Guidance:

As a corrected action the licensee has suspended shipments until an evaluation is completed.

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - POTENTIAL LEAKAGE FROM MEDICAL SOURCE

The following is a summary of information received from the Washington State Department of Health via email:

An inspection was conducted on July 25, 2024 at the licensee facility for the use of Alpha DaRT. The inspection team noted that on November 15, 2023, records indicated that two of the applicators had alpha contamination inside of the sterile packaging with readings of 10,000 counts per minute (cpm) and 6000 cpm, with average background of 23 cpm using an alpha meter.

Washington Incident No.: WA-24-018