ENS 40385
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
06:00 Dec 9, 2003 | |
| Title | Texas Agreement State Report Involving Fire with Radioactive Material |
| Event Description | On December 10, 2003, [the licensee's RSO at] Waste Control Specialist reported a fire involving radioactive material that occurred on December 9, 2003. There was no excessive exposure to individuals nor was there any off-site airborne release.
The waste processing company believes reactive metals (lithium, sodium, potassium) oxidized in water to start the fire. Packing materials were placed in a shredder that feeds into a hopper containing mixed waste. The system is closed with HEPA filters in place. Vibrations from the hopper may have resulted in the ignition. The material burned for about 20 seconds and was extinguished. When more materials were poured into a mix pan, the fire reignited and again was quickly extinguished. According to the Licensee's preliminary calculations, the affected or burned radioactive material exceeded the reportable quantity of five times an ALI [annual limit on intake]. The total radioactive material in the mix pan was under 50 microcuries. The shredder contained about 2.4 microcuries. There were 12 to 14 radionuclides involved. The Licensee will send a detailed written report within 30 days to include specifics on radionuclides and activities. The most serious consequence was the unplanned fire. The building is pressurized and the smoke from the fire was pulled through HEPA filters and a monitored exhaust system. The workers wear PPE [personal protective equipment) and airlines with protection factors of 1000. Texas Incident # I-8024.
The following information was provided in a letter dated 1/6/2004 from Waste Control Specialists (WCS) to the Texas Department of Health: On December 9, 2003 at approximately 1400 hrs a small fire occurred in the Permacon building at our facility located 30 miles West of Andrews, Texas. This fire occurred in the hopper beneath the waste shredder. There was a small quantity of untreated water reactive radioactive waste (WP-019224) that caught fire after passing through the shredder above. Two employees at the scene quickly extinguished the fire within the hopper using hand-held halon fire extinguishers. The hopper was pulled from underneath the shredder and then the waste was put into the mix pan where it re-ignited. It was extinguished by dropping water on the materials using the prentice arm. The personnel who were in the immediate area were wearing anti-contamination clothing and respiratory protection equipment in accordance with the Radiation Work Permit. The air sample that was being collected at the time of the incident indicated approximately 85% of the DAC for Th-228. The respiratory protection equipment used has a protection factor of 1000. There was no significant internal or external radiological exposure to personnel. The radioactive distribution of the material involved is enclosed. Additionally, the licensee provided the following information to the State in response to a question about any action the licensee may have taken to prevent a reoccurrence of a fire. The licensee stated the following in an email to the State: WCS issued a Stop Work Order on December 9, 2003. The Stop Order included a corrective action of 'Evaluate the treatment methodology for reactive metals prior to receipt of new shipments of reactive metals for processing.' WCS will not receive any new shipments of reactive metals for processing until such time that a different treatment methodology is developed to process these wastes without subsequent ignition of waste materials. Notified R4DO (L. Howell) and NMSS EO (L. Kokajko) |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Waste Control Specialist Andrews, Texas (NRC Region 4) | |
| License number: | L04971 |
| Organization: | Texas Department Of Health |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+53.5 h2.229 days <br />0.318 weeks <br />0.0733 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Helen Watkins 11:30 Dec 11, 2003 |
| NRC Officer: | Jeff Rotton |
| Last Updated: | Jan 22, 2004 |
| 40385 - NRC Website | |
Waste Control Specialist with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 403852003-12-09T06:00:0009 December 2003 06:00:00
[Table view]Agreement State Texas Agreement State Report Involving Fire with Radioactive Material 2003-12-09T06:00:00 | |