On March 3, 2016, at approximately 1745 [EST], a radioactive material shipment was received at
NFS from the
Westinghouse Electric Company in Hopkins,
South Carolina. Receipt contamination and radiation surveys were completed at approximately 1905. Results indicated removable surface contamination on two of the nine radioactive material packages that exceeded the criteria of the cited regulations.
The radioactive material shipment left the Westinghouse Electric Company facility at 1300 [EST] on March 3, 2016. It was received at the NFS receiving facility at approximately 1745 on March 3, 2016. Surface contamination and radiation surveys were initiated immediately upon receipt. Removable surface contamination in excess of 10 CFR 20.1906(d) limits was verified to be present on the external surface of two of the nine shipping containers in the shipment at 1905. Contamination was controlled at the receiving facility and successfully decontaminated below criteria of 10 CFR 20.1906(d) by approximately 2030 on March 3, 2016.
This was an exclusive shipment. The alpha contamination measured 4278 dpm/100 sq. cm. and 6345 dpm/100 sq. cm., respectively. The licensee informed Westinghouse who is conducting an investigation into this incident.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
- * * RETRACTION ON 07/15/16 AT 1243 EDT FROM RANDY SHACKELFORD TO DONG PARK * * *
On 3/4/2016, NFS made an event report to the NRC Operations Center regarding receipt of containers with removable contamination that exceeded the criteria of the cited regulations. Based on a recent determination by NRC that the materials of concern are considered to be low toxicity alpha emitters, the contamination limits for low toxicity alpha emitters were not exceeded. Therefore, NFS is retracting the event report.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R2DO (Rich) and
NMSS Events Notification via email.