ENS 46462
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
18:30 Dec 7, 2010 | |
| Title | Agreement State Report - Leaking Eckert & Ziegler Model Ner-004 Ni-63 Source |
| Event Description | Excellims Corporation in Acton, MA, (license # 55-0588) telephoned to inform the Agency [Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Radiation Control Program] that a 6 month wipe test of a stored Ni-63 source foil yielded 0.0061 uCi. The Eckert & Ziegler model NER-004 source is stored in the container in which the manufacturer sent the source. The RSO stated that a previous wipe test of the same Ni-63 source yielded higher results and he concluded that he had wiped the 'hot' side. This wipe test (0.0061 uCi) was a wipe of the 'inactive' side, however, he thought that he may have spread contamination to the inactive side during the previous inadvertent wipe test of the 'hot' side.
ACTION REQUESTED: The RSO will send to the Agency an initial written notification of this wipe test result and the technical data sheet of the NER-004 source that he received from the manufacturer. He stated that he could complete this request in a few days. ACTION TAKEN: Document this telephone notification; inform Agency supervision; submit a report to US NRC. The source has been secured in the original container and stored in a secure location. A Eckert & Ziegler model NER-004 is used in a Gas Chromatograph and has a Ni-63 source of less that 50 milliCuries.
The following information was received by facsimile: Analysis results of a Ni-63 source foil wipe test indicated 0.0061 uCi, which is above 0.005 uCi limit. The original wipe test sample registered a high reading because the swab test was accidentally performed incorrectly when the active side and inactive side were swabbed. The leak test procedure was reviewed and the test was repeated using the correct procedure. The repeat test indicated 0.0061 uCi and the licensee concluded that some of the Ni-63 from the active side had been transferred to the inactive side during the initial wipe test. The licensee reported this wipe test result to the Agency. The source foil was kept in storage. To address the issue, the leak test procedures for the Ni-63 foil provided by the manufacturer and testing facility was reviewed again, and the leak test instructions were incorporated into the licensee's radiation safety manual. The foil was decontaminated using appropriate safety and control measures and all decontamination materials were placed in waste storage. After decontamination of the inactive side of the foil, the wipe test was repeated using the correct procedure, and the results were <0.00005 uCi. The Ni-63 source was considered ready for use. The Agency was provided written notification of this event, initial wipe test results, the technical data sheet for the source involved, and the final wipe test results after foil decontamination. The Agency considers this event to be closed. Notified R1DO (Perry) and FSME (Lewis). |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Excellims Coporation Acton, Massachusetts (NRC Region 1) | |
| License number: | 55-0588 |
| Organization: | Ma Radiation Control Program |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+-3.48 h-0.145 days <br />-0.0207 weeks <br />-0.00477 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | John Sumares 15:01 Dec 7, 2010 |
| NRC Officer: | John Shoemaker |
| Last Updated: | Dec 24, 2010 |
| 46462 - NRC Website | |
Excellims Coporation with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 464622010-12-07T18:30:0007 December 2010 18:30:00
[Table view]Agreement State Agreement State Report - Leaking Eckert & Ziegler Model Ner-004 Ni-63 Source 2010-12-07T18:30:00 | |