The following was provided by the state via facsimile:
On January 30, 2007 it came to [the licensee's] attention that a radioactive source on Paper Machine #3 is leaking. This source is listed on [the] Materials license (25709) under condition 9 : "Sealed Krypton 85 (85 Kr) sources ". The source is an ABB Industrial Systems Model TG-4, 1 Ci, s/n K-1331-R.
The source is used as part of a scanning system on the paper machine. It is in a location not readily accessible to employees working in the area. Radiation levels at one foot around the source head are 0.1 mR/hour. The gas is leaking very slowly, as evidenced by a decrease over time in the process variable that it measures. The source has been labeled well with caution tape and a barricade tag is affixed to the tape.
The plan for remediation is as follows:
- A replacement source (loaner from ABB) is being shipped (2/1/07) and should arrive by overnight delivery (2/2/07). Upon arrival, [the] shipping department has been instructed to secure the new unit in a designated holding area for radioactive sources. The storage location is a heavy metal cabinet which is locked with a padlock to ensure the safety of the unit and of the workers. The cabinet is in an area not readily accessible to employees, in a building away from production areas.
- The damaged source will stay in place in its frame on the paper machine until early next week when a specialist from ABB will arrive, repackage it and ship it back to ABB. The replacement source will be installed at that time.
- A new source is in the process of being purchased. Delivery is expected in 8-12 weeks. At that time, [the state's] department will be notified there is a new source onsite.
ME report number: ME070002