Information Notice 2001-01, the Importance of Accurate Inventory Controls to Prevent the Unauthorized Possession of Radioactive Material

the Importance of Accurate Inventory Controls to Prevent the Unauthorized Possession of Radioactive Material

ML010710110
Person / Time
Issue date:	03/26/2001
From:	Cool D NRC/NMSS/IMNS
To:
Brown F
References
IN-01-001
Download: ML010710110 (5)

UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 March 26, 2001 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 2001-01: THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCURATE INVENTORY

CONTROLS TO PREVENT THE UNAUTHORIZED

POSSESSION OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

Addressees

All material licensees.

Purpose

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice (IN) to alert

addressees to potential hazards associated with the failure to maintain accurate inventories of

licensed material. The circumstances described below involve the failures to maintain accurate

inventories of licensed material, which led to unauthorized possession of several sealed and/or

unsealed sources of radiation. In one case, an unsealed source created a significant

contamination problem at a small university. The contamination apparently had been present

for several years.

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

consider actions, as appropriate. However, information contained in this IN does not constitute

new NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action nor written response is required.

Description of Circumstances

NRC recently performed a routine inspection of a small university authorized to possess and

use millicurie (megabecquerel) quantities of phosphorous-32, sulfur-35, carbon-14, hydrogen-3, and iodine-125, and a 20-millicurie (740 megabecquerel) strontium-90 sealed source. During

the inspection, a locked safe labeled as containing radioactive materials was identified. When

the safe was opened, several radionuclides were found, including a small empty vial labeled as

5 millicuries (185 megabecquerel) of americium-241, and two americium-241 sealed sources.

Surveys of the safe and the floor around the safe identified removable contamination.

Additional contamination was identified in an unrestricted area outside the room where the safe

was stored. The licensee reported the contamination to NRC and indicated that it suspected the

radionuclide to be americium-241. Using alpha detection equipment, extensive contamination

was identified in several areas outside the storage room and in a classroom on the second

floor. Using gamma spectroscopy, NRC confirmed the radionuclide to be americium-241. The

university has had to expend significant resources in assessing and remediating contaminated

areas. Preliminary assessments of personnel exposure indicate that at least two individuals

have had intakes of americium-241.

The inspection identified that 5 millicuries (175 megabecquerel) of unsealed americium-241 had

been authorized on the universitys license in 1970. The material had been placed in storage

and not used since 1980. University staff apparently failed to maintain an accurate inventory of

the licensed material, and University management was not aware it was still in possession of

the material in the safe. In 1991 a license amendment removed the americium-241 and several

other radionuclides from the license.

A separate inspection at a different university also identified radioactive material that was not

identified on current inventories, and was not authorized on the universitys NRC license. In this

case, the licensee had maintained physical control of the material and no contamination

was identified.

Discussion:

In the cases discussed here, NRC believes that the licensees relied on specific individuals

involved with using radioactive material as the basis for source accountability. The failure to

maintain accurate accountability of the material led to removal of authority to possess the

material from subsequent licenses. Possession of unauthorized material is a violation of NRC

regulations. Loss of control can result in significant accidental radiation exposure to

occupational workers and members of the public, as well as affect public confidence in licensee

programs.

Licensees are required to perform an annual review of their radiation safety programs

(10 CFR 20.1101). Such a review should include an inventory of radioactive material to verify

that possession (both types and quantities) of material is as authorized on the NRC license.

Maintaining accurate running inventories of licensed material is always a prudent practice, and

is required by many types of NRC licenses.

This IN requires no specific action nor written response. If you have any questions about the

information in this notice, please contact the technical contact 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

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 inspection identified that 5 millicuries (175 megabecquerel) of unsealed americium-241 had

been authorized on the universitys license in 1970. The material had been placed in storage

and not used since 1980. University staff apparently failed to maintain an accurate inventory of

the licensed material, and University management was not aware it was still in possession of

the material in the safe. In 1991 a license amendment removed the americium-241 and several

other radionuclides from the license.

A separate inspection at a different university also identified radioactive material that was not

identified on current inventories, and was not authorized on the universitys NRC license. In this

case, the licensee had maintained physical control of the material and no contamination

was identified.

Discussion:

In the cases discussed here, NRC believes that the licensees relied too much on specific

individuals involved with using radioactive material as the basis for source accountability. The

failure to maintain accurate accountability of the material led to removal of authority to possess

the material from subsequent licenses. Possession of unauthorized material is a violation of

NRC regulations. Loss of control can result in significant accidental radiation exposure to

occupational workers and members of the public, as well as affect public confidence in licensee

programs.

Licensees are required to perform an annual review of their radiation safety programs

(10 CFR 20.1101). Such a review should include an inventory of radioactive material to verify

that possession (both types and quantities) of material is as authorized on the NRC license.

Maintaining accurate running inventories of licensed material is always a prudent practice, and

is required by many types of NRC licenses.

This IN requires no specific action nor written response. If you have any questions about the

information in this notice, please contact the technical contact 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

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

g:\INaccountRAM.wpd ML010710110

OFFICE RIII NMSS/Editor MSIB MSIB IMNS

NAME KNull/GWright EKraus FBrown JHickey DCool /RA/

DATE 3/5/01 3/7/01 fax 3/6/01 3/7/01 3/12/01

OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

Attachment 1 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED

NMSS INFORMATION NOTICES

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Information Date of

Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to

_____________________________________________________________________________________

2000-22 Medical Misadministrations 12/18/00 All medical use licensees

Caused by Human Errors authorized to conduct gamma

Involving Gamma Stereotactic stereotactic radiosurgery

Radiosurgery (GAMMA KNIFE) treatments

2000-19 Implementation of Human Use 12/05/2000 All medical use licensees

Research Protocols Involving

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory

Commission Regulated

Materials

2000-18 Substandard Material Supplied 11/29/2000 All 10 CFR Part 50 licensees and

by Chicago Bullet Proof applicants

Systems All category 1 fuel facilities

All 10 CFR Part 72 licensees and

applicants

2000-16 Potential Hazards Due to 10/5/2000 All licensees that process

Volatilization of Radionuclides unsealed byproduct material

2000-15 Recent Events Resulting in 9/29/2000 All radiography licensees

Whole Body Exposures

Exceeding Regulatory Limits

2000-12 Potential Degradation of 9/21/2000 All holders of licenses for nuclear

Firefighter Primary Protective power, research, and test

Garments reactors and fuel cycle facilities

2000-11 Licensee Responsibility for 8/7/2000 All U.S. NRC 10 CFR Part 50 and

Quality Assurance Oversight of Part 72 licensees, and Part 72 Contractor Activities Regarding Certificate of Compliance holders

Fabrication and Use of Spent

Fuel Storage Cask Systems

2000-10 Recent Events Resulting in 7/18/2000 All material licensees who

Extremity Exposures prepare or use unsealed

Exceeding Regulatory Limits radioactive materials, radio- pharmaceuticals, or sealed

sources for medical use or for

research and development

Attachment LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED

NRC INFORMATION NOTICES

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Information Date of

Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to

______________________________________________________________________________________

IN 2000-17, Crack in Weld Area of Reactor 02/28/01 All holders of operating licenses

Supp. 2 Coolant System Hot Leg Piping for nuclear power reactors except

at V.C. Summer those who has ceased operations

and have certified that fuel has

permanently removed from

reactor vessel

2000-22 Medical Misadministrations 12/18/00 All medical use licensees

Caused by Human Errors authorized to conduct gamma

Involving Gamma Stereotactic stereotactic radiosurgery

Radiosurgery (GAMMA KNIFE) treatments

2000-21 Detached Check Valve Disc 12/15/00 All holders of OLs for nuclear

not Detected by Use of power reactors except those who

Acoustic and Magnetic have ceased operations and have

Nonintrusive Test Techniques certified that fuel has been

permanently removed from the

reactor

2000-20 Potential Loss of Redundant 12/11/2000 All holders of operating licenses

Safety Related Equipment Due or construction permits for

to Lack of a High-Energy Line nuclear power reactors

Break Barrier

2000-19 Implementation of Human Use 12/05/2000 All medical use licensees

Research Protocols Involving

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory

Commission Regulated

Materials

2000-18 Substandard Material Supplied 11/29/2000 All 10 CFR Part 50 licensees and

by Chicago Bullet Proof applicants. All category 1 fuel

Systems facilities. All 10 CFR Part 72 licensees and applicants

2000-17 S1 Crack In Weld Area of Reactor 11/16/2000 All holders of OLs for nuclear

Coolant System Hot Leg Piping power reactors except those who

At V.C. Summer have ceased operations and have

certified that fuel has been

permanently removed from the

reactor vessel

______________________________________________________________________________________

OL = Operating License

CP = Construction Permit