Information Notice 2000-16, Volatilization of Radionuclides and Emergency Procedures

Volatilization of Radionuclides and Emergency Procedures
	ML003753003
Person / Time
Issue date:	10/05/2000
From:	Cool D; NRC/NMSS/IMNS
To:	;
	Null K
References
	IN-00-016
	Download: ML003753003 (4)
	v • d • e

UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001

October 5, 2000

NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 2000-16:

POTENTIAL HAZARDS DUE TO

VOLATILIZATION OF RADIONUCLIDES

Addressees

All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensees that process unsealed byproduct

material.

Purpose

NRC is issuing this information notice (IN) to alert addressees to the potential hazards

associated with the volatilization of radiochemicals and/or radiopharmaceuticals if containment

is breached during chemical or physical processing.

The incident described below involves the volatilization of technetium-99m (Tc-99m) during the

manufacture of a cardiac imaging agent in a radiopharmacy. However, licensees should be

aware of the potential hazards posed by the volatilization of other radionuclides under similar

conditions and ensure that their emergency procedures adequately address those hazards.

It is expected that recipients will review this information for applicability to their operations and

consider actions, as appropriate. However, suggestions contained in this information notice are

not new NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action nor written response is required.

Background

IN 95-07, issued on January 27, 1995, described the potential for cracking vials and significant

contamination when medical and radiopharmacy licensees heat vials of Cardiolite, a cardiac

imaging agent, as part of the process to label the pharmaceutical with Tc-99m. The IN

described incidents in which vials cracked during the heating phase of the tagging process of

Cardiolite, and the subsequent volatilization of the Tc-99m which resulted in significant facility

contamination.

Description of Circumstances

In August of 1999, NRC conducted a special inspection to review the circumstances of a similar

accident at a radiopharmacy. The incident occurred while the licensee was using a heating

block to process 35 gigabecquerels (950 millicuries) of Tc-99m in 1.3 milliliters of Cardiolite

solution. The vial ruptured, and the heat from the block caused the liquid to volatilize, spreading contamination in the laboratory as well as to unrestricted areas throughout the

pharmacy.

The licensees employees did not immediately recognize the volatilization induced spread of the

contamination, and continued to work in the laboratory. They did not follow their emergency

procedure, which required evacuation of the laboratory in case of a major spill [defined as a spill

involving more than 3.7 gigabecquerels (100 millicuries) of Tc-99m]. In addition, the ventilation

system was not shut down, causing circulation of Tc-99m throughout the pharmacy.

The incident resulted in the contamination of pharmacy staff, as well as packages prepared for

shipment to pharmacy customers. Some of the packages were shipped to customers with

levels of removable contamination that exceeded regulatory limits. The incident did not result in

significant external or internal dose to pharmacy staff.

Discussion:

Volatilization of radiochemicals or radiopharmaceuticals can create an airborne hazard, potentially resulting in internal doses to workers and spread of contamination to unrestricted

areas through ventilation systems.

Licensees should review their procedures for handling radioactive materials to identify

processes that could cause volatilization. In addition to direct heating, as in the example above, exothermic chemical reactions and changes in pH can result in volatilization of some materials.

Some organic compounds may volatilize at room temperature if stored in open containers.

Licensees should ensure that their emergency procedures adequately address this scenario if

they handle or process radioactive materials in a manner that could cause volatilization. The

emergency procedures should include, at a minimum, instructions to immediately evacuate and

secure the affected areas. Licensees should also assess their ventilation systems and

determine whether emergency procedures are appropriate to prevent circulation of radioactive

contamination to other areas within the facility. Licensees may also consider performing heating

procedures or potential volatile processes in a laboratory hood with independent ventilation.

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 regional office.

/RA/

Donald A. Cool, Director

Division of Industrial and

Medical Nuclear Safety

Office of Nuclear Material Safety

and Safeguards

Technical Contact:

Kevin G. Null, Region III

630-829-9854 E-mail: kgn@nrc.gov

Attachments:

1. List of Recently issued NMSS Information Notices

2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices The licensees employees did not immediately recognize the volatilization induced spread of the