Information Notice 1999-33, Management of Wastes Contaminated with Radioactive Materials
ML993510053 | |
Person / Time | |
---|---|
Issue date: | 12/21/1999 |
From: | Cool D NRC/NMSS/IMNS |
To: | |
Cool D | |
References | |
IN-99-033 | |
Download: ML993510053 (7) | |
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 December 21, 1999 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 99-33: MANAGEMENT OF WASTES CONTAMINATED WITH
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
Addressees
- All medical licensees.
Purpose
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice to remind
medical use licensees to carefully monitor all waste that may be contaminated with radioactive
materials. Waste management facilities not authorized to receive licensable materials are
finding wastes contaminated with detectable levels of radioactive materials in waste shipments
from hospitals and other medical facilities. It is expected that recipients will review this
information for applicability to their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to address
these issues. However, suggestions contained in this information notice are not new NRC
requirements; therefore no specific action nor written response is required.
Description of Circumstances
In January 1991, NRC issued Information Notice 91-03, entitled "Management of Wastes
Contaminated with Radioactive Materials ("Red Bag" Waste and Ordinary Trash)". Since the
1991 information notice, many operators of medical waste incinerators and landfills have been
monitoring waste shipments for radioactivity. In several cases, waste shipments from hospitals
have contained radioactive materials, with radiation levels that exceeded the waste disposal
operators' preset detection levels. In some cases, operators of landfills or medical waste
incinerators have rejected the shipments and returned them to the generators. In general, operators of landfills and medical waste incinerators are not authorized to receive or manage
radioactive waste.
Case 1: Incident involving a medical waste incinerator
A representative from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CTDEP)
notified the NRC Region I staff that radioactive material had been detected in a dumpster at an
incinerator facility. The personnel at the incinerator notified CTDEP that waste in the dumpster, measuring 20 milliroentgen per hour, had tripped their radiation monitors. CTDEP personnel
determined that the radioactive waste was localized in a small area within the dumpster and
identified the radioactive material as iodine-131. CTDEP personnel tracked the source of the
waste to an NRC medical licensee. Because all sources were accounted for during the previous
week, the licensee believed that the material was patient generated and not therapeutic. After
being contacted by NRC Region I, the licensee segregated the waste from the dumpster and
brought the radioactive material back to its facility.
IN 99-33 December 21, 1999 Case 2: Incident involving a landfill
Browning Ferris Industries (BFI) received a load of solid waste from a hospital in New York City
and took it to a transfer station in Brooklyn, NY. The waste was then moved to a landfill in
Pennsylvania, where it set off a radiation portal monitor alarm. The waste was rejected by the
landfill and returned to the BFI transfer station in Brooklyn. Personnel determined that the waste
contained approximately 11.1 gigabecquerel (300 mCi) of technetium-99m and returned it to the
hospital.
Case 3: Incident involving housekeeping
The University of Pittsburgh reported the loss of a brachytherapy ribbon containing
0.15 gigabecquerel (4 mCi) of iridium-192 seeds. A Patient Service Technician removed soiled
linen from the room of a brachytherapy patient and placed them in the hallway. The linen
contained the ribbon with the iridium-1 92 seeds, which had become displaced from the patient.
The technician stated that she was not familiar with the standard precautions of keeping trash
and linen in the room until they have been surveyed. For corrective actions, the licensee
retrained the nursing staff who have primary care responsibilities for patients receiving
brachytherapy in the applicable radiation safety policies, procedures, and precautions. In
addition, a written test was administered to each individual to evaluate and assure
comprehension of the training information.
Case 4: Incident involving a transfer station
The Virginia Bureau of Radiological Health reported that a radiation monitor at a trash transfer
station, located in Washington, D.C., had alarmed, indicating the presence of radioactive
material. The waste hauler contractor stated that the waste was from a hospital licensee. The
material was identified as a paper cup and a crushed bed pan contaminated with iodine-1 31.
The waste hauler contractor took custody of the radioactive material and held it for decay.
Case 5: Incident involving a transfer station
The licensee reported that a BFI truck in Delray Beach, Florida set off a radiation portal monitor
alarm at a transfer station. The container was returned to the licensee, who found a bag
containing radioactive medical waste. The radioactive waste was inadvertently placed in the
container because of a mix-up during a survey of trash bags. The mix-up occurred when two
bags were being transferred to the waste container and the licensee monitor alarm tripped. The
first bag was surveyed and found to contain radioactive waste. The employee set both bags
aside and went to find a supervisor. While he was gone, another staff member placed the bags
into the normal trash container and the container was taken to the transfer station.
Discussion:
Since operators of landfills and medical waste incinerators have installed radiation detection
systems, they have become more aware of radioactive materials being shipped to these
facilities.
IN 99-33 December 21, 1999 NRC medical licensees are advised that operators of most landfills and medical waste
incinerators are not licensed to manage low-level radioactive materials, and may simply reject
any shipment that contains detectable levels of radioactivity, regardless of the source.
If a licensee detects radioactivity in its waste, or if an operator of a landfill or medical waste
incinerator returns a waste shipment containing detectable levels of byproduct, source or special
nuclear material to a licensee, absent an exemption, the licensee must manage the waste as
licensed material. The licensee must evaluate the waste in accordance with 10 CFR 20.1501,
"Surveys," and manage the storage/disposal of the waste in accordance with the applicable
regulations and license conditions. In addition, licensees are reminded that compliance with
NRC regulations does not relieve NRC licensees from complying with other local, state, and
federal requirements on waste disposal.
Medical use licensees should be aware that radioactive materials may enter their waste-handling
process through mechanisms largely beyond their control. Patients undergoing diagnosis and
therapy, who are not required to be hospitalized, may discard contaminated items with low, but
detectable, levels of radioactivity into waste containers. Therefore, detection of radioactive
material in nonradioactive waste streams does not necessarily indicate poor management of
radioactive waste or noncompliance with NRC requirements.
Licensees should be aware of areas in which radiation is used to ensure proper disposal of the
medical radioactive waste generated. When patients are placed in temporary areas of a medical
facility due to unusual circumstances, licensees should have survey systems in place to properly
manage the waste. It is suggested that licensees review their programs to assure that radioactive
waste is secured, and that workers are adequately trained in safety procedures.
Licensees may want to consider taking further precautions in preventing the improper disposal of
radioactive material, since there are still reports of unauthorized recipients receiving nuclear
material. Improper transfer of licensed materials to unauthorized recipients is a violation of NRC
requirements and will be considered for enforcement action.
This information notice requires no specific action nor written response. If you have any
questions about the information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed below, or the appropriate NRC regional office.
Donald A. Cool, Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contact:
Anita L. Turner, NMSS
301- 415 - 5508 E-mail: alt@nrc.gov
Attachments:
1. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices
2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
Attachment 1 IN 99-33 December 21, 1999 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED
NMSS INFORMATION NOTICES
Information Date of
Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to
99-32 The Effect of the Year 2000 12/17 All NRC medical licensees
Issues on Medical Licensees
99-31 Operational Controls to Guard 11/17/99 All NRC licensed fuel cycle
Against Inadvertent Nuclear conversion, enrichment and
Critically fabrication facilities
99-30 Failure of Double Contingency 11/8/99 All fuel cycle licensees and
Based on Administrative certificates performing laboratory
Controls Involving Laboratory analysis to determine uranium
Sampling and Spectroscopic content, in support of
Analysis of Wet Uranium administrative criticality safety
Waste controls
99-29 Authorized Contents of Spent 10/28/99 All power reactor licensees and
Fuel Casks spent fuel storage licensees and
applicants
99-28 Recall of Star Brand Fire 9/30/99 All holders of licenses for nuclear
Protection Sprinkler Heads power, research and test
reactors, and fuel cycle facilities
99-27 Malfunction of Source 9/2/99 All medical licensees authorized
Retraction Mechanism in to conduct teletherapy treatments
Cobalt-60 Teletherapy
Treatment Units
99-26 Safety and Economic 8/24/99 All Distributors and/or
Consequences of Misleading Manufacturers of Generally
Marketing Information Licensed Products
99-24 Broad-Scope Licensees'. 7/12/99 All medical licensees' of broad
Responsibilities for Reviewing scope and master materials
and Approving Unregistered licensees
Sealed Sources and Devices
99-23 Safety Concerns Related to 716/99 All U. S. NRC medical licensees
Related Control Unit Failures of authorized to use brachytherapy
the Nucletron Classic Model sources in Nucletron Classic
High-Dose-Rate Remote Model high-dose-rate remote
Afterloading Brachytherapy afterloaders
Devices
Attachment 2 IN 99-33 December 21, 1999 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED
NRC INFORMATION NOTICES
Information Date of
Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to
99-32 The Effect of the Year 2000 12/17 All NRC medical licensees
Issues on Medical Licensees
99-31 Operational Controls to Guard 11/17/99 All NRC licensed fuel cycle
Against Inadvertent Nuclear conversion, enrichment and
Criticality fabrication facilities
99-30 Failure of Double Contingency 11/8/99 All fuel cycle licensees and
Based on Administrative certificates performing laboratory
Controls Involving Laboratory analysis to determine uranium
Sampling and Spectroscopic content, in support of
Analysis of Wet Uranium administrative criticality safety
Waste controls
99-29 Authorized Contents of Spent 10/28/99 All power reactor licensees and
Fuel Casks spent fuel storage licensees and
applicants
99-01, Rev. 1 Degradation of Prestressing 10/7/99 All holders of operating licensees
Tendon Systems in for nuclear power reactors
Prestressed Concrete
Constrainments
99-28 Recall of Star Brand Fire 9/30199 All holders of licenses for nuclear
Protection Sprinkler Heads power, research and test
reactors, and fuel cycle facilities
99-27 Malfunction of Source 9/2/99 All medical licensees authorized
Retraction Mechanism in to conduct teletherapy treatments
Cobalt-60 Teletherapy
Treatment Units
99-26 Safety and Economic 8/24/99 All Distributors and/or
Consequences of Misleading Manufacturers of Generally
Marketing Information Licensed Products
99-25 Year 2000 Contingency 8/10/99 All holders of OLs for nuclear
Planning Activities power plants and fuel cycle
facilities
OL = Operating License
CP = Construction Permit
IN 99-33 December 21, 1999 NRC medical licensees are advised that operators of most landfills and medical waste
incinerators are not licensed to manage low-level radioactive materials, and may simply reject
any shipment that contains detectable levels of radioactivity, regardless of the source.
If a licensee detects radioactivity in its waste, or if an operator of a landfill or medical waste
incinerator returns a waste shipment containing detectable levels of byproduct, source or special
nuclear material to a licensee, absent an exemption, the licensee must manage the waste as
licensed material. The licensee must evaluate the waste in accordance with 10 CFR 20.1501,
"Surveys," and manage the storage/disposal of the waste in accordance with the applicable
regulations and license conditions. In addition, licensees are reminded that compliance with
NRC regulations does not relieve NRC licensees from complying with other local, state, and
federal requirements on waste disposal.
Medical use licensees should be aware that radioactive materials may enter their
waste-handling process through mechanisms largely beyond their control. Patients undergoing
diagnosis and therapy, who are not required to be hospitalized, may discard contaminated items
with low, but detectable, levels of radioactivity into waste containers. Therefore, detection of
radioactive material in nonradioactive waste streams does not necessarily indicate poor
management of radioactive waste or noncompliance with NRC requirements.
Licensees should be aware of areas in which radiation is used to ensure proper disposal of the
medical radioactive waste generated. When patients are placed in temporary areas of a
medical facility due to unusual circumstances, licensees should have survey systems in place to
properly manage the waste. It is suggested that licensees review their programs to assure that
radioactive waste is secured, and that workers are adequately trained in safety procedures.
Licensees may want to consider taking further precautions in preventing the improper disposal
of radioactive material, since there are still reports of unauthorized recipients receiving nuclear
material. Improper transfer of licensed materials to unauthorized recipients is a violation of NRC
requirements and will be considered for enforcement action.
This information notice requires no specific action nor written response. If you have any
questions about the information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed below, or the appropriate NRC regional office.
Donald A. Cool, Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contact:
Anita L. Turner, NMSS
301- 415 - 5508 E-mail: alt@nrc.gov
Attachments:
1. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices
2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
G:\TURNERX99-33.in - OFFICIAL RECORD COPY - *See Previous concurrence
OFC MSIB* I MSIB Editor* I MSIB* I IMNS* I
NAME ATurner/Lucy SMoore EKraus JWHickey DACool
DATE 9/12/99 12/ /99 8/12/99 10128/99 12/12/99
IN 99-XX
October, 1999 This information notice requires no specific action nor written response. If you have any
questions about the information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed below, or the appropriate NRC regional office.
Donald A. Cool, Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contact:
Anita L. Turner, NMSS
301- 415 - 5508 E-mail: alt@nrc.gov
Attachments:
1. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices
2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
G:\Turner~waste .wpd
To receive a copy of this document, indicate in the box: "C"=Copy
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OFC MSIB TechED * H7l. D/IMNS
NAME ATurner SoIra'rs I k ey Ac
DATE F2-/99 1J0/499 1"'/699 1Id hIf99 1I//1- /99 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY