IR 05000712/2009010
| ML20132D288 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 03000652, 05000712 |
| Issue date: | 09/24/1985 |
| From: | Axelson W, Burgin R, Wiedeman D NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20132A479 | List: |
| References | |
| 30-00652-85-01, 30-652-85-1, NUDOCS 8509300134 | |
| Download: ML20132D288 (4) | |
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U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
REGION III
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. Allegation Followup Report No. 030-00652/85001(DRSS)
Docket No. 030-00652 j License No. 12-00330-05 Priority 2 Category F(1)A Licensee: University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign (UIUC) -
317 Mc Kinley Hospital 1109 South Lincoln Avenue Urbana, IL 61801 Licensee Investigati 3du ed: July 12 - September 10, 1985 !
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NRC Inspector: R'ob'elt' E. Burgin '" m /
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Reviewed By: DalrelG.Wiedean, Chief Y/ r Nucle r e als Safety Section 1 I Date[' /
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Approved By: 9 , hief c[/? d / 6 Nuclear Materials Safety Date and Safeguards Branch Allegation Followup Summary
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Areas Inspected: This report contains the findings of the licensee' investigation into safety practices in their Microbiology Department, and j was initiated.by a request from this office following the receipt of
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allegations concerning mouth pipetting of radioactive materials. The
- licensee's investigation included a review of pertinent procedures and interviews of University Radiation Laboratory Supervisors and researchers.
- Results
- The licensee's investigation identified one apparent item of
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. noncompliance: License Condition No. 28 - mouth pipetting of radioactive materials (Section 3.A.).
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8509300134 850925 REC 3 LIC30 12-00330-05 PDR s
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DETAILS Persons Contacted 2 Henry H. Koertge, Director, Division of Environmental Health & Safety 2 Hector Mandel, Head, Health Physics
'Dr. George Konisky, Laboratory Head
'Dr. Stanley Maloy, Lab Supervisor Several researchers were contacted (observed / interviewed) during investigatio Contacted by letter dated July 12, 1985 (Attachment B).
- Contacted by phone during the course of the investigation and during exit interview on September 18, 198 ' Contacted by UIUC personnel during investigation.
, Purpose of Investigation I
The investigation was initiated by an anonymous caller.who alleged unsafe handling of radioactive materials in campus laboratories (phone log is included as Attachment A). The NRC Region III office requested (by letter dated July 12, 1985; Attachment B) that the University perform an investigation into these matters and report their findings and corrective actions (if appropriate) for evaluation to determine whether adattional investigation by the NRC was warranted. The UIUC Health Physics Office responded in letter (with attachment) dated September 10, 1985 (Attachment C). The specific allegations and UIUC findings follo . Specific Allegations and Findings Allegation: Individuals in the Microbiology Department routinely mouth pipette radioactive material (primarily P-32).
Findings: The licensee determined that mouth pipetting of radio-active material (as well as non-radioactive material) did occur in radioisotope laboratories. Their investigation report (letter dated September 10, 1985, Attachment C) indicates that all pipetting in Dr. Konisky's laboratory is performed mechanically. Dr. Maloy indicated that no " direct" mouth pipetting (i.e., direct contact
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of the mouth to a standard glass pipette tube) takes place; however,
the UIUC investigation revealed that some researchers employ " mouth actuated techniques" whereby small quantities of radioactive material
are transferred by capillary tubes connected to rubber hoses which contact the mouth for suctio These " mouth actuated techniques" constitute mouth pipetting and are in noncompliance with License Condition.No. 28 (referencing Radiation Safety Manual, Page 5, Section C.10 received May 11, 1983) which
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t specifically prohibits pipetting by mouth in any radioisotope j laboratory.
i This allegation was substantiated; one item of noncompliance was
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i l Corrective Actions: UIUC Health Physics personnel discussed their
- findings / concerns with those researchers contacted, and distributed
- a memora'ndum dated September 10, 1985 (Attachment D) to all users of radioactive material. This memorandum focused on the hazards of mouth pipetting'and reinforced the University's policy that "all
' mouth actuated techniques,' including pipetting by mouth, either directly or indirectly, in the vicinity of radioactive materials are prohibited at UIUC."
! Allegation: The alleger stated that he/she has ingested radioactive i
solutions while mouth pipetting and is sure that most others in the department have also.
! Findings: VIUC's investigation could-not identify any researchers i nor lab members who were aware of any incidents of radioactive material ingestion occurring in their labs. Since the alleger
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maintained anonymity, no further followup could be mad I This allegation could not be substantiated; no items of noncompliance were identifie . Conclusions
! One of two allegations regarding mouth pipetting of radioactive materials was substantiated and resulted in one item of noncompliance. The licensee's investigation and corrective' actions were evaluated by this office and were found to be adequat . Attachments:
1 Telephone Log, dtd 07/08/85 (Anonymous alleger .to J. L. Lynch)
- Letter, dtd 07/12/85 (Hind to Koertge)
1 Letter (Report) dtd 09/10/85 (Mandel to Hind) Memorandum, dtd 09/10/85 (Kaplan, Chairman, UIUC Radiation Hazards Committee-to all users of radioactive materials).
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ATTACHtENT A
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