Event Notification Report for November 29, 2024

EN Revision Imported Date: 11/29/2024

EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN SOIL DENSITY GAUGE

The following report was received via email from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE):

"On October 9, 2024, at 1549 EDT, the MDE emergency response center received a telephone report of a suspected stolen soil density gauge was captured by police. The report came from the Prince George's County Police to get guidance on the subject. MDE has called the Prince George's County Police contact person and are waiting for a response. Details about the gauge are not yet available.

"This report is based on 10 CFR 20.2201(a)(1)(i) because soil density gauges have a typical activity of 9 mCi of Cs-137 and/or 44 mCi of Am-241.

"An investigation will be conducted and follow up reports are to be expected."

* * * UPDATE ON 11/27/24 AT 16:13 FROM ATNATIWOS MESHESHA TO KAREN COTTON * * *

"This is a follow up report to the initial notification concerning the suspected stolen soil density gauge on October 9, 2024 that was recovered by Prince George's (P.G.) County Police.

"The P. G. County police contact person reported on October 16, 2024, detailing the gauge identifications.

"The gauge is a Troxler Model 3440, Serial Number 17114; which contains 8 mCi of Cs-137 and 40 mCi of Am-241/Be sources.

"The gauge owner is North East Technical Services, Inc., a Maryland RAM licensee with RAML number: MD-13-020-01 which provides technical services to gauge users; and the gauge was rented to the Soil and Land Use Technology, Inc. (RAML number MD-03-045-01) and transferred on March 4, 2024. Soil and Land Use Technology, Inc. is a Maryland RAM licensee. It was reported by the police that the gauge was found locked in the rear of the vehicle that was carjacked, just as it was prior to the theft of the vehicle and it was returned to the owner on the same day, October 9, 2024, by the police. The gauge was last leak tested on September 3, 2024 with negative results, (i.e. no leakage).

"The gauge owner, Soil and Land Use Technology, Inc. is in violation by not reporting the incident to the MDE as per the requirements in the regulations and on failure to secure the gauge.

"No further substantive information is expected, and the notified event will be closed."

Notified R1DO (Ferdas), NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL), ILTAB (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 - STUCK SHUTTER

The following information was provided by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) via email:

"On November 20, 2024, LDEQ was notified by Blue Cube Operations LLC, that during a semi-annual equipment inspection, it was determined that a level density gauge shutter was malfunctioning and would not fully close.

"The density gauge was a TN Technologies Inc. Model: 5201 serial number: B465, and equipped with a TN Technologies Inc. Cs-137 100 mCi source - serial number: GK-9492.

"No release or exposure to personnel [occurred]. Blue Cube Operations called the vendor to service the level density gauge. The vendor removed the fixed gauge from operations. The fixed gauge with source was secured and is waiting for disposal."

LA Event Report ID Number: LA20240012

POTENTIAL ORPHANED SOURCE

The following is a summary of information obtained from the Puerto Rico Division of Radiological Health (DRH) via phone and email:

On November 4, 2024, the DRH received a report of a metal device with radiation symbols in a vacant lot in the town of Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico. At 1550 EST, on November 4, 2024, the DRH visited the area with the site engineer and found medical equipment, such as ultrasound machines. Upon viewing radiation symbols on one of the devices found, they decided to move the device to an area away from personnel and instructed everyone to stay away from the object.

The DRH proceeded to take background radiation measurements before approaching the device. Photos and radiation measurements of the device were taken. The radiation levels do not exceed background. The radiation symbol was removed on the understanding that, if there was no emission present, it does not pose any risk and should not be labeled. The object is buried in the same place where it was found.

Based on the information and photos provided, the following was determined by the DRH: the device is part of the Elekta microSelectron Digital equipment (brachytherapy equipment for high-dose cancer treatment). The potential radioactive material is an Ir-192 source; however, it is still unknown if the source remains in the device. The only equipment of this type in Puerto Rico has the serial number 10866 with a radioactive source with serial number D36R2352. The source with serial number D36R2352 would have a remaining calculated activity of 0 mCi if that source is present in the device. The DRH will determine how to proceed after determining if the device still contains a source.

DIVISION 3 DIESEL GENERATOR INOPERABLE

The following information was provided by the licensee via phone and email:

"At 1158 EST on 11/26/24, the Division 3 diesel generator was declared inoperable due to failure of the right bank air start motor during a planned monthly surveillance run. Troubleshooting of the issue is in progress. This condition could prevent the fulfillment of a safety function; therefore, this condition is being reported as an eight-hour, non-emergency notification per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v). All other emergency core cooling systems were operable during this time.

"There was no impact on the health and safety of the public or plant personnel. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."

The following additional information was obtained from the licensee in accordance with Headquarters Operations Officers Report Guidance:
The Division 3 diesel generator supports high pressure core spray, a single train system.

EN Revision Imported Date: 11/27/2024

EN Revision Text: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ABNORMAL OCCURRENCE

The following report was provided by the licensee via email:

"This event is being reported as an 'Abnormal Occurrence,' per the University of Missouri Research Reactor technical specification (TS) 6.6.c, which requires 'Abnormal Occurrences,' defined by TS 1.1, be promptly reported to the NRC Operations Center within one working day.

"At approximately 1440 CST on 11/25/24, during the banking of all four control rods at 50 kW, the '1S3' control blade selector switch became inoperable. The control blade selector switch allows selection of the control blades for manual operation. The inability to select control blades for manual operation resulted in a violation of TS 3.2.a, which requires all control blades, including the regulating blade, be operable during reactor operation.

"The reactor was immediately scrammed and placed in a safe shutdown condition. All applicable safety functions were completed as expected. As a result, there was no impact on the health and safety of the public or facility staff due to this condition. Investigation determined that the internal spring of the '1S3' switch had failed, preventing the switch from selecting a specific control blade for manual control. The spring was replaced and approval to proceed per TS 6.4.c was obtained from the reactor facility director. Post-maintenance testing was completed at 1525 CST on 11/25/24, prior to returning the reactor to normal operations."

The NRC project manager has been notified.