Morning Report for July 19, 2000

                       Headquarters Daily Report

                         JULY 19, 2000

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                    REPORT             NEGATIVE            NO INPUT
                    ATTACHED           INPUT RECEIVED      RECEIVED

HEADQUARTERS        X
REGION I                               X
REGION II           X
REGION III                             X
REGION IV                              X
PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED  MORNING REPORT - HEADQUARTERS JULY 19, 2000

MR Number: H-00-0044

                           NRR DAILY REPORT ITEM
                           GENERIC COMMUNICATIONS



Subject: Issuance of Information Notice 2000-10

Information Notice 2000-10, "RECENT EVENTS RESULTING IN EXTREMITY
EXPOSURES EXCEEDING REGULATORY LIMITS," was issued on July 18, 2000.

This notice was issued to all material licensees who prepare or use
unsealed radioactive materials, radiopharmaceuticals, or sealed sources
for medical use or for research and development to alert them of recent
events that resulted in personnel receiving occupational doses in excess
of the 0.5 Sv (50 rem) shallow dose equivalent limit specified in 10 CFR
20.1201(a)(2)(ii).  Licensees were reminded of the importance of various
practices that should be followed to prevent occurrence at their
facilities.

Accession Number: ML003732340

Contacts:   Jamnes L. Cameron, RIII          Mohamed M. Shanbaky, RI
            630-829-9833                     610-337-5209
            Email: jlc@nrc.gov               E-mail: mms1@nrc.gov
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REGION II  MORNING REPORT     PAGE  2          JULY 19, 2000

Licensee/Facility:                     Notification:

                                       MR Number: 2-00-0016
Columbia Pulaski Community Hospital    Date: 07/19/00
Pulaski,Virginia
Dockets: 03019931 License No: 45-21206-01

Subject: RECEIVED A PACKAGE OF DAMAGED I-125 SEEDS

Discussion:

On July 18, 2000, Columbia Pulaski Community Hospital notified the NRC
that they had received a package of iodine-125 seeds that were damaged.
The packaged contained 25.7 millicuries in 67 seeds. The licensee had
opened the package to conduct an inventory of the seeds. During the
inventory, the licensee observed that 17 seeds in two of seven cartridges
had been damaged.

The licensee did not observe any damage to the inner packagings or outer
package. Upon observing the damaged seeds, the licensee conducted a wipe
test/smear of the seeds and did not observe any removable radioactive
contamination above background.

The licensee is following up on how the seeds were damaged. Based on
their observations of the package and contents, the licensee concluded
that the seeds had been damaged before they were shipped to them. The
licensee has contacted the distributor and manufacturer of the damaged
seeds. In addition, the licensee and NRC has contacted the State of
Maryland regarding this incident.

Regional Action:

Region II will review the circumstances during the next routine
inspection.

Contact:  Thomas R. Decker           (404)562-4721
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