ENS 43767
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
04:00 Oct 29, 2007 | |
| Title | Loss of Control of Am-241 Sources in Static Eliminator Bars |
| Event Description | The State provided the following information via facsimile:
On October 29, 2007, the Agency received notification from a metal recycling facility that unexpected radioactive material had been detected in an incoming load of scrap. Agency representatives responded to the site and determined, by using a radioisotope identifier, the presence of Americium-241. The load was returned to its originator under DOT SP 10656, MA-MA-07-01, where an investigation into the type, quantity and form of Am-241 could be performed under controlled conditions. Telephone interviews with the scrap recycler indicated the scrap had originally come from two facilities, one that had already been contacted by him, and had acknowledged possession and use of process gauges at their facility. The Agency contacted the responsible individual and requested an inventory of their sources be performed to determine whether any were lost or missing. On October 30, the general licensee reported none of their sources were unaccounted for. Consequently, an agency responder met with the scrap recycler later that day, and on separating the device from other materials, identified the source was a static eliminator bar. The licensee representative was contacted again, and he and another individual responded to the site, where on visual inspection they promptly took responsibility for disposing of the bar from their facility. The Agency's investigation to date indicates the initial bar found was one of 12 that had been transferred to the North Andover facility from another of the company's facilities located in Somerville, MA. An additional five bars were discovered the following day in a pile of aluminum scrap at the recycler's yard, where they have been temporarily secured. Six bars were found installed in process equipment at the North Andover facility. The static eliminator bars are not registered with the Agency, and current facility management claims no knowledge that these bars, originally distributed to Sweetheart Cup between 1993 and 1995 by NRD, Grand Island, NY, are required to be registered and controlled under equivalent general license regulations to other devices currently registered with the Agency. Sweetheart Cup was purchased by the Solo Cup Company approximately four years ago, and further investigation is necessary before determinations may be made on where, and how, the breakdown in communication regarding these devices occurred, and on the scope of the problem in Massachusetts, or in other jurisdiction where Solo Cup has had, or maintains, manufacturing facilities. The static eliminator bars are NRD Model No. A-2003 and contain up to 20.25 mCi Am-241 each. The licensee has committed to hiring a qualified consultant to assist them with fully characterizing the scope of this event, establishing a plan of correction, and implementing corrective actions if needed. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Sweetheart Cup (Dba Solo Cup Company) North Andover, Massachusetts (NRC Region 1) | |
| License number: | G-0285 |
| Organization: | Ma Radiation Control Program |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+106.57 h4.44 days <br />0.634 weeks <br />0.146 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Kathleen Mcallister 14:34 Nov 2, 2007 |
| NRC Officer: | Jeff Rotton |
| Last Updated: | Nov 2, 2007 |
| 43767 - NRC Website | |
Sweetheart Cup (Dba Solo Cup Company) with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 437672007-10-29T04:00:00029 October 2007 04:00:00
[Table view]Agreement State Loss of Control of Am-241 Sources in Static Eliminator Bars 2007-10-29T04:00:00 | |