Information Notice 1993-50, Extended Storage of Sealed Sources
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
20555
July 8, 1993
NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 93-50: EXTENDED STORAGE OF SEALED SOURCES
Addressees
All licensees authorized to possess sealed sources.
PurDose
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is issuing this information notice to
inform addressees of what information NRC considers necessary for placing a
license into a possession-only status, if extended storage of sealed sources is
necessary. It is expected that recipients will review the information for
applicability to their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to provide
all necessary information when requesting possession-only licenses. However, suggestions contained in this information notice are not new NRC requirements;
therefore, no specific action or written response is required.
Description of Circumstances
A number of licensees who possess sealed sources have gone out of business or
allowed their licenses to expire for various reasons. These licensees are finding
it difficult, and sometimes impossible, to dispose of their radioactive sources.
There have been several incidents where licensees having financial difficulty have
abandoned their sources in violation of NRC regulations.
Disposal is especially difficult for greater-than-Class-C (GTCC) sealed sources.
The requirements for classifying waste for near-surface disposal are provided in
10 CFR 61.55. This regulation states that GTCC waste is generally not acceptable
for near-surface disposal and must be disposed of in a geologic repository, pursuant to Part 60, unless another disposal method is approved by NRC. Many
sealed source users have discovered that they have no place to ship their GTCC
sources for disposal, because no geologic repository is currently available.
The Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985 designates the
Federal Government as responsible for disposal of GTCC wastes. Congress has
designated the Department of Energy (DOE) as the responsible agency for disposal
of GTCC waste. NRC has been working with DOE to establish an interim storage
facility for GTCC waste, until a geologic repository is available. DOE estimates
that a storage facility may be available by the end of 1997.
However, further
delays in meeting this schedule may occur.
9307010129I.
93"0Os
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July 8, 1993 Discussion
If a licensee with sealed sources wishes to terminate its license, but cannot find
any way to dispose of its sources, the licensee can request an amendment to
restrict its license to possession-only, incident to license termination. Under
current annual fee regulations, this will exempt the licensee from the requirement
to pay an annual fee under 10 CFR Part 171 for the fiscal year following issuance
of the license amendment authorizing possession only, and each year thereafter.
(Each fiscal year begins on October 1.)
The licensee will continue to be subject
to licensing and inspection fees under 10 CFR Part 170.
The inspection frequency
for possession-only licenses is once every 3 years under current NRC inspection
procedures.
The annual fee waiver is intended for licensees who have permanently ceased
licensed operations. The annual fee will not be waived for licensees who wish to
put their licenses, certificates, approvals, or registrations in an inactive
status, on a temporary basis, with the intent of reactivating them as needed.
The
following information is needed to process requests for possession-only licenses:
1. Identification of each sealed source to be placed in storage, including the
manufacturer's name, model number, serial number, isotope, and activity.
2. A detailed description of efforts made to dispose of the sources, including
telephone calls, letters, facsimiles, personal contacts, etc.
3. A statement that the licensee has permanently ceased licensed operations and
a commitment not to use the sources for any purpose pending disposition and
license termination.
4. A physical description of the facilities where the sealed sources will be
stored, if it is different from storage facilities already approved in the
license.
Identify any facility changes that are planned after the sources
are placed in storage and provisions to maintain exposure to radiation as low
as reasonably achievable (ALARA).
5.
Identification of the individual who will be responsible for maintaining
control of the stored sources.
Provide a resume of training and experience, if this information has not already been provided.
6. A description of the accountability program to be implemented by the licensee
to ensure that its sources remain in secure storage and are not used.
The
program should provide reasonable assurance that the licensee can maintain
security and account for the sources (inventory at least annually).
K-"
VJuly 8, 1993 7. A description of planned changes to the licensee's radiation safety program
as a result of placing the sources in storage.
These changes may include, but are not limited to, the following:
a.
dosimetry services
b.
worker training programs
c.
instrument calibration services
d.
quarterly inventories
e.
internal audits
f.
maintenance and visual inspection of equipment and storage facilities
g.
maintenance of utilization logs
8. A commitment to leak-test the sources at least once every 3 years and
immediately before transfer to an authorized recipient.
9. A commitment to maintain the license in an active state.
(Note that
amendment, renewal, and inspection fees will continue to apply.)
When a storage/disposal facility becomes available, it is expected that licensees
with possession-only licenses will transfer their sealed sources and request
license termination.
This information notice requires no specific action or written response.
If you
have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact one of the
contacts listed below or the appropriate regional office.
Carl J. Paperiello, Director
Division of Industrial and O.i.nal Sgnedby
Medical Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical contacts:
Jack Whitten, RIV
(817) 860-8197
Kevin Ramsey, NMSS
(301) 504-2534 Fee contact:
Attachments:
1. List of Recently
2. List of Recently
Tech Editor
EKraus*
5/20/93
- See nrevious concurrence
Doug Weiss, OC
(301) 492-7225
Issued NMSS Information Notices
Issued NRC Information Notices
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as a result of placing the sources in storage. These changes may include, but are not limited to, the following:
a.
dosimetry services
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worker training programs
c.
instrument calibration services
d.
quarterly inventories
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internal audits
f.
maintenance and visual inspection of equipment and storage facilities
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maintenance of utilization logs
8. A commitment to leak-test the sources at least once every 3 years
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immediately before transfer to an authorized recipient.
9. A commitment to maintain the license in an active state.
(Not that
amendment, renewal, and inspection fees will continue to app .)
When a storage/disposal facility becomes available, it is expe ed that licensees
with possession-only licenses will transfer their sealed sour s and request
license termination.
This information notice requires no specific action or wr ten response. If you
have any questions about the information in this notice, lease contact one of the
contacts listed below or the appropriate regional offi .
Richard E. Cun ngham, Director
Division of I dustrial and
Medical N lear Safety
Office of
clear Material Safety
and Saf uards
Technical contacts: Jack Whitten, RIV
(817) 860-8197
Kevin Ramsey, NMSS
(301) 504-2534 Fee contact:
Doug Weiss, OC
(301) 492-7225 Attachments:
1. List of Recently Issued NMSS I formation Notices
2. List of Recently Issued NRC I formation Notices
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IN 93- June
, 1993 8. A commitment to leak-test the sources at least once every 3 years and
immediately before transfer to an authorized recipient.
9. A commitment to maintain the license in an active state.
(Note t
amendment, renewal, and inspection fees will continue to apply.)
When a storage/disposal facility becomes available, it is expected hat licensees
with possession-only licenses will transfer their sealed sources nd submit==z- app1-ieat1dhfn
r license termination. This information notice
quires no specific
action or written response. If you have any questions about
e information in
this notice, please contact one of the contacts listed bela or the appropriate
regional office.
Richard E. nningham, Director
Division
Industrial and
Medic
Nuclear Safety
Office f Nuclear Material Safety
an Safeguards
Technical Contacts: Jack Whitten, Re on IV
(817) 860-8197
Kevin Ramsey NMSS
(301) 504- 34 Fee Contact:
Doug We s, OC
(301) t2-7225 Attachments:
1. List of Recently I ued NMSS Information Notices
2. List of Recently
sued NRC Information Notices
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IN 93- May
, 1993 8. A commitment to leak-test the sources at least once every 3 years and
immediately before transfer to an authorized recipient.
9. A commitment to maintain the license in an active state and to p
any
amendment, renewal, or inspection fees until the license is ter nated.
When a storage/disposal facility becomes available, it is expec d that licensees
with possession-only licenses will transfer their sealed sour s and submit an
application for license termination. This information notic requires no specific
action or written response. If you have any questions abo
the information in
this notice, please contact one of the technical contact listed below or the
appropriate regional office.
Richar
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Divi on of Industrial and
dical Nuclear Safety
0 ice of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contacts: Jack Whitten Region IV
(817) 860- 97 Kevin
sey, NMSS
(301
04-2534 Attachments:
1. List of Recently ssued NMSS Information Notices
2. List of Recent
Issued NRC Information Notices
Tech Editor
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IN 93- May
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8. A commitment to leak-test the sources at least once every 3 year and
immediately before transfer to an authorized recipient.
9. A commitment to maintain the license in an active state an to pay any
amendment, renewal, or inspection fees until the license s terminated.
When a storage/disposal facility becomes available, it is pected that licensees
with possession-only licenses will transfer their sealed
urces and submit an
application for license termination. This information
tice requires no specific
action or written response. If you have any questions bout the information in
this notice, please contact one of the technical con cts listed below or the
appropriate regional office.
Richa
E. Cunningham, Director
Dlvi ion of Industrial and
dical Nuclear Safety
0<fice of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contacts: Jack Whitten, egion IV
(817) 860-81
Kevin Ram y, NMSS
(301) 50 -2534 Attachments:
1. List of Recently Iss d NMSS Information Notices
2. List of Recently Is ed NRC Information Notices
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amendment, renewal, or inspection fees until the license is rminated.
When a storage/disposal facility becomes available, it is exp ted that licensees
with possession-only licenses will transfer their sealed so ces and submit an
application for license termination. This information no ce requires no specific
action or written response. If you have any questions eout the information in
this notice, please contact one of the technical cont 'ts listed below or the
appropriate regional office.
Rich d E. Cunningham, Director
Di sion of Industrial and
edical Nuclear Safety
ffice of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contacts: Jack Whitt ,
Region IV
(817) 86 8197 Kevi
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504-2534 Attachments:
1. List of Recent y Issued NMSS Information Notices
2. List of Rece ly Issued NRC Information Notices
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July 8, 1993 7. A description of planned changes to the licensee's radiation safety program
as a result of placing the sources in storage.
These changes may include, but are not limited to, the following:
a.
dosimetry services
b.
worker training programs
c.
instrument calibration services
d.
quarterly inventories
e.
internal audits
f.
maintenance and visual inspection of equipment and storage facilities
g.
maintenance of utilization logs
8. A commitment to leak-test the sources at least once every 3 years and
immediately before transfer to an authorized recipient.
9. A commitment to maintain the license in an active state.
(Note that
amendment, renewal, and inspection fees will continue to apply.)
When a storage/disposal facility becomes available, it is expected that licensees
with possession-only licenses will transfer their sealed sources and request
license termination.
This information notice requires no specific action or.written response.
If you
have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact one of the
contacts listed below or the appropriate regional office.
Carl J. Pape elloDirector
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical contacts: Jack Whitten, RIV
(817) 860-8197
Kevin Ramsey, NMSS
(301) 504-2534 Fee contact:
Doug Weiss, OC
(301) 492-7225 Attachments:
1. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices
2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
\\J~
Attachmont I
IN 93-SO
July s, zm
Pag I of I
Attachment 2
1N 23-S
July 8. 1293
- -
Page I of I
LIST OF RECENTLY
ISSUED
MKS INFORMATIN NOTICES
lIiomtion
Date or
Notice No.
Subject
Issuance
Issued to
93-36 Notificatlonl. Reports.
05/07/93
All U.S. Nuclear R Iutory
and Records of Nisadmin- Ctr1ssuo
medical
istratisos
licensees.
93-S1 Traininr
of Nurses
04/13/93
All U.S. Nuclear Reglatery
Responsible for the
Coeiissioe medical
Care of Patients with
licensees.
Brachytherapy Implants
93-30
RC Retquir
ts for
04/12/93
All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Evaluation of Wipe
Commissise medical
Test Results; Cali- licensees.
brttien of Ceunt Rate
Survey Instruments
93-19 Slab Hopper Bulging
03/17/93
All nuclear fuel cycle
licensees.
93-1S
Portable Nuistere-Density
03/19/93 All U
Nlulear Relatery
Cauge User Responsibilities
Co1ssioe licensees that
durirf Field Operations
possess smisture-density
93-14 Clarificatien of
02/1/93
All Licensees who possess
19 CFR 40.22, Smell
seurce material.
Quantities of Source
Materiel
- 3-10
Dose Calibrator Quality
0/02/93
All Nuclear Regulatory
Control
Ctumissice medical
1 icones.
93-07 Classification of Trans-
02/01/93
All Licensees reqired to
portatien Emergeecies
have amergency plan
9-OS
Locking of Radiography
01/14/93
All luclear Regulatory
Exposure Devices
Comission industrial
radiography 1icersees.
LIST OF RECENTLY
ISSUED
NRC INFORlATION
NOTICES
leborution
Date of
Notice no.
Subject
Issuance
Issued te
93-49 Iproper letegretion
ef
07/09/93
All holders of Os or CPs
Software iota Operating
for nuclear posr reactors.
Prectices
93-44 Failure of Turbine-
7/6/93
All holders of OLs or CPs
Driven Main Feedwator
for nuclear power reactors.
Puip to Trip Because of
Contaminated Oil
92-06.
Reliability of ATDS
07/01/93
All holders of OLs or CPs
Supp. I
Nitigatine Systeme and
for nuclear power reactors.
Other NtR-Required Equip- ment not Controlled by
Plant Techoical Specifica- tion
93-47 Unrecognized Loss of
06/18/93 All holders of
zs or CPs
Control Romw Annunciators
for nuclear per reactors.
93-46 Potential Problme with
6/10/I 3
All holders of Us or CPs
Westinghouse Rod Control
for Westinghouse (p)-
Systme and Inadvertent
designed nuclear power
Withdrawal of A Single
reactors.
Rod Control Cluster Asseably
3-45 Degradation of Shutdowe
06/16/93
All holders of OUs or CPs
Cooling Systm Performance
for nuclear power reactors.
3-44 Operational Challenges
0615/3"
All holders of Ots or Cp
Dring A Duel-Unit
for nuclear power reactors.
Trans
nmt
93-43 Use of Inappropriate
06/10/93
All holders of Os or CPs
Lubrication Oils i
for nuclear power reactors.
Safety-Related Applications
93-42 Failure of Asti-Rotatime
06/09/93
All holders of Us or CPs
Keja in Moter-Operated
far nuclear power reactors.
Yz wos N m factored by
ol an
IN
- Operating License
ConstructIen Permit
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001
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