Information Notice 1989-34, Disposal of Americium Well-Logging Sources
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
March 30, 1989 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 89-34:
DISPOSAL OF AMERICIUM WELL-LOGGING
SOURCES
Addressees
All holders of a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) specific license
authorizing well-logging activities.
Purpose
This information notice is provided to inform well-logging licensees of the
potential problems and costs that may be incurred in disposing of americium
sources, when they are no longer needed.
Such disposal costs may be an unan- ticipated financial hardship for some well-logging companies.
It is expected
that licensees will review this information for applicability to their programs, distribute the notice to responsible licensee management, and radiation safety
staff; and consider plans to ensure that special attention is paid to this area.
However, suggestions contained in this notice do not constitute any new NRC
requirements, and no written response is required.
Description of Circumstances
Numerous licensees who provide well-logging services using americium sources are
experiencing financial problems because of the depressed oil and gas industry.
Many of these licensees have terminated licensed activities, and some have under- gone bankruptcy proceedings. In addition, after July 14, 1989, certain sources
will no longer be permitted to be used in well-logging, unless the sources con- form to new performance criteria outlined in 10 CFR Section 39.41 (see 52 FR 8225, March 17, 1987). These factors may increase the number of non-usable sources, and, consequently, may increase source storage and disposal problems.
With respect to disposal, most americium well-logging sources contain americium
in sufficient concentrations that they are not generally acceptable for disposal
as waste at low-level waste disposal facilities. The U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE) is responsible for disposal of such waste but a DOE disposal facility will
not be available for several years. Thus, there are few choices available to a
licensee who has no further need for americium sources.
Discussion:
Licensees are responsible for ensuring the health and safety of the public and
workers with respect to nuclear materials in their possession, in accordance
with NRC regulations and requirements of their licenses.
Unsafe storage,
,?/ 8903240063
IN 89-34 March 30, 1989 abandonment, or unauthorized disposal of a radioactive source or any licensed
material will result in enforcement action by NRC, and may constitute a criminal
activity prosecutable by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The following summarizes the choices that may be available to licensees with
surplus radioactive sources:
(1) Transfer the source to another licensee (NRC or Agreement State)
that is willing and authorized to take the source.
(2) Return the source to the manufacturer.
The licensee should deter- mine if the manufacturer has provisions for accepting returned
sources, and is willing to accept returns.
(3) Transfer the source to a private contractor which is licensed to
permanently store or reprocess the source.
NRC staff is currently
aware of only one contractor in this type of business, and under- stands that the fees for the service can be up to tens of thousands
of dollars per source.
(4) Continue licensee storage of the source.
If a well-logging licensee plans to remain in business, but will no longer use
licensed material and cannot find an authorized recipient for licensed sources, the licensee may request that NRC amend the license to authorize "storage only"
of sealed sources.
The license status will result in reduced program responsi- bilities and associated NRC licensing and inspection fees.
Licensees thatneed
informationr about-the-storage of sources, or-who are expe-riencing difficulty in
maintaining safe storage of any radioactive source should immediately contact
their NRC Regional Office by telephone.
No written response is required by this information notice.
If you have any
questions about this matter, please call a technical contact listed below or
the appropriate NRC Regional Office.
Richard E. Cunningham, Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety, NMSS
Technical Contacts: Jack R. Metzger, NMSS
(301) 492-3424 Dale A. Powers,- Region IV
(817) 860-8195 Attachments:
1. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices
2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
Attachment I
March 30, 1989
Page I of I
LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED
NMSS INFORMATION NOTICES
Information
Date Of
Notice No.
Subject
Issuance
Issued to
89-25 Unauthorized Transfer of
03/07/89 All NRC source, Ownership or Control of
byproduct, and
Licensed Activities
special nuclear
material licensees.
89-24 Nuclear Criticality Safety
03/06/89
All fuel cycle
licensees and other
licensees possessing
more than critical mass
quantities of special
nuclear material.
89-13 Alternative Waste Management
02/08/89
All holders of NRC
Procedures In Case of Denial
specific licenses.
of Access to Low-Level Waste
Disposal Sites
89-12 Dose Calibrator Quality
02/09/89
All NRC medical
Control
licensees.
89-03 Potential Electrical
01/11/89
All fuel cycle and
Equipment Problems
major nuclear materials
licensees.
89-02 Criminal Prosecution of
01/09/89
All holders of NRC
Licensee's Former President
specific license.
for
Intent
ional Safety
Violations88-100
Memorandum of Understanding
12/23/88
All major nuclear
Between NRC and OSHA Relating
materials licensees
to NRC-Licensed Facilities
and utilities holding
(53 FR 43950, October 31
1988)
88-93 Teletherapy Events
12/2/88
All NRC medical
licensees.
- Operating License
CP *
Construction Permit
Attachment 2 IN 89-34
March 30, 1989
Page I of I
LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED
NRC INFORMATION NOTICES
Information
Notice No.
89-33
89-32
89-31
89-30
89-29
89-28
89-27
89-26 Subject
Potential Failure of
Westinghouse Steam
Generator Tube
Mechanical Plugs
Surveillance Testing
of Low-Temperature
Overpressure-Protection
Systems
Swelling and Cracking
High Temperature
Environments at
Nuclear Power Plants
Potential Failure of
ASEA Brown Boveri
Circuit Breakers
During Seismic Event
Weight and Center of
Gravity Discrepancies
for Copes-Vulcan
Air-Operated Valves
Limitations on the Use
of Waste Forms and High
Integrity Containers for
the Disposal of Low-Level
Radioactive Waste
Instrument Air Supply to
Safety-Related Equipment
Unauthorized Transfer of
Ownership or Control of
Licensed Activities
Date of
Issuance
3/23/89
__
Issued to
All holders of OLs
or CPs for PHRs.
3/23/89
All holders of OLs
or CPs for PllRs.
3/22/89
All holders of OLs
3/15/89
All holders of OLs
or CPs for nuclear
power reactors.
3/15/89
All holders of OLs
or CPs for nuclear
power reactors.
3/14/89
All holders of OLs
or CPs for nuclear
power reactors.
3/8/89
3/7/89
3/7/89
All holders of OLs
or CPs for nuclear
power reactors, fuel
cycle licenses and
certain by-product
materials licenses.
All holders of OLs
or CPs for nuclear
power reactors.
All U.S. HlC source, byproduct, and special
nuclear material
licensees.
89-25 OL
- Operating License
- Construction Permit
I
IN 89-34 March 30, 1989 abandonment, or unauthorized disposal of a radioactive source or any licensed
material will result in enforcement action by NRC, and may constitute a criminal
activity prosecutable by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The following summarizes the choices that may be available to licensees with
surplus radioactive sources:
(1) Transfer the source to another licensee (NRC or Agreement State)
that is willing and authorized to take the source.
(2) Return the source to the manufacturer. The licensee should deter- mine if the manufacturer has provisions for accepting returned
sources, and is willing to accept returns.
(3) Transfer the source to a private contractor which is licensed to
permanently store or reprocess the source.
NRC staff is currently
aware of only one contractor in this type of business, and under- stands that the fees for the service can be up to tens of thousands
of dollars per source.
(4) Continue licensee storage of the source.
If a well-logging licensee plans to remain in business, but will no longer use
licensed material and cannot find an authorized recipient for licensed sources, the licensee may request that NRC amend the license to authorize "storage only"
of sealed sources. The license status will result in reduced program responsi- bilities and associated NRC licensing and inspection fees.
Licensees that need
information about the storage of sources, or who are experiencing difficulty in
maintaining safe storage of any radioactive source should immediately contact
their NRC Regional Office by telephone.
No written response is required by this information notice. If you have any
questions about this matter, please call a technical contact listed below or
the appropriate NRC Regional Office.
Richard E. Cunningham, Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety, NMSS
Technical Contacts: Jack R. Metzger, NMSS
(301) 492-3424
Dale A. Powers, Region IV
(817) 860-8195 Attachments:
1. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices
2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
- Editor/NMSS
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- See previous concurrences
03/16/89 (by mail)
OFC: IMOB*
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NAME:JMetzger/ll:DCool
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DATE:03/20/89
- 03/ /89 :03/289 :03/ /89 :03/
/89 :03/ /89 :03/
/89 :03/ /89
OFFICIAL REORD COPY
IN 89- March , 1989 abandonment, or unauthorized disposal of a radioactive source or any licensed
material will result in enforcement action by NRC, and may constitute a
crimUh activity prosecutable by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The following summarizes the choices that may be available to licensees with
surplus radioactive sources:
(1) Tr sfer the source to another licensee (NRC or Agreement State)
that\\ is willing and authorized to take the source.
(2) Returh the source to the manufacturer. The licensee should
determine if the manufacturer has provisions for accepting returned
sources,\\and is willing to accept returns.
(3) Transfer the source to a private contractor to permanently store or
reprocess the source. NRC staff is currently aware of only one
contractor ihk this type of business, and understands that the fees
for the service can be up to tens of thousands of dollars per source.
(4) Continue licensle storage of the source.
If a well-logging licensee pans to remain in business, but will no longer use
licensed material and cannot id an authorized recipient for licensed sources, the licensee may request that
C amend the license to authorize "storage only"
of sealed sources. The license tatus will result in reduced program
responsibilities and associated
C licensing and inspection fees. Licensees
that need information about the st rage of sources, or who are experiencing
difficulty in maintaining safe stor e of any radioactive source should
immediately contact their NRC Region M Office by telephone.
No written response is required by thi
Information Notice.
If you have any
questions about this matter, please cal a technical contact listed below or
the appropriate NRC Regional Office.
Rich d E. Cunningham, Director
Divisi n of Industrial and
Medic
Nuclear Safety, NMSS
Technical Contacts: Jack R. Metzger, NMSS
(301) 492-3424
Dale A. Powers, Region IV
(817) 860-8195 Attachments:
1. List of Previously Issued
NMSS Information Notices
2. List of Previously Issued
NRC Information Notices
Editor/NMSS
EKraus
03/16/89
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IN 89- March , 1989 storage and disposal of unneeded well-logging sources. Unsafe storage, a andonment, or unauthorized disposal of a radioactive source or any licensed
material will result in enforcement action by NRC, and may constitute a
crimnal activity prosecutable by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The fo sowing summarizes the choices that may be available to licensees with
surplus Nadioactive sources:
(1) TVansfer the source to another licensee (NRC or Agreement State)
tha't is willing and authorized to take the source.
(2) Retuen the source to the manufacturer. The licensee should
determUne if the manufacturer has provisions for accepting returned
sourcesand is willing to accept returns.
(3) Transfer Wthe source to a private contractor to permanently store or
reprocess the source.
NRC staff is currently aware of only one
contractor inWthis type of business, and understands that the fees
for the service can be up to tens of thousands of dollars per source.
(4) Continue licensee\\storage of the source.
If a well-logging licensee planps to remain in business, but will no longer use
licensed material and cannot find an authorized recipient for licensed sources, the licensee may request that NRCxamend the license to authorize "storage only"
of sealed sources. The license status will result in reduced program
responsibilities and associated NRC licensing and inspection fees.
Licensees
that need information about the storage of sources, or who are experiencing
difficulty in maintaining safe storage of any radioactive source should
immediately contact their NRC Regional Office by telephone.
No written response is required by this Info nation Notice.
If you have any
questions about this matter, please call a technical contact listed below or
the appropriate NRC Regional Office.
Richard E. Cunningham, Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety, NMSS
Technical Contacts: Jack R. Metzger, NMSS
(301) 492-3424
Dale A. Powers, Region IV
(817) 860-8195 Attachments:
1. List of Previously Issued
NMSS Information Notices
2. List of Previously Issued
NRC Information Notices
Editor/NMSS
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IN 89- March , 1989 storage and disposal of unneeded well-logging sources. Unsafe storage, abandonment, or unauthorized disposal of a radioactive source or any licensed
material will-result In enforcement action by NRC, and may constitute a
criminal activity prosecutable by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The following summarizes the choices that may be available to licensees with
surplus radioactive sources:
(1) Transfer the source to another licensee (NRC or Agreement State)
that is willing and authorized to take the source.
(2) Return the source to the manufacturer. The licensee should
determine if the manufacturer has provisions for accepting returned
sources, and is willing to accept returns.
(3) Transfer the source to a private contractor to permanently store or
reprocess the source. NRC staff is currently aware of only one
contractor in this type of business, and understands that the fees
for the service can be up to tens of thousands of dollars per source.
(4) Continue licensee storage of the source.
If a well-logging licensee plans to remain in business, but will no longer use
licensed material and cannot find an authorized recipient for licensed sources, the licensee may request that NRC amend the license to authorize "storage onlys
of sealed sources. The license status will result in reduced program
responsibilities and associated NRC licensing and inspection fees. Licensees
that need information about the storage of sources, or who are experiencing
difficulty in maintaining safe storage of any radioactive source should
immediately contact their NRC Regional Office by telephone.
No written response is required by this Information Notice. If you have any
questions about this matter, please call a technical contact listed below or
the appropriate NRC Regional Office.
Richard E. Cunningham, Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety, NMSS
Technical Contacts: Jack R. Metzger, NMSS
(301) 492-3424
Dale A. Powers, Region IV
(817) 860-8195 Attachments:
1. List of Previously Issued
NMSS Information Notices
2. List of Previously Issued
NRC Information Notices
Editor/NMSS
EKraus jK_
03/16/89'
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DATE:O 20/89
- 03/
/89 :03Z&89 :03114189 :03/ /89 :03/
/89 :03/
/89 :03/ /89 UttILIAL KELUKU COPY