Information Notice 2007-22, Recent Hydrogen Fluoride Exposures at Fuel Cycle Facilities
| ML071410230 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/19/2007 |
| From: | Pierson R NRC/NMSS/FCSS |
| To: | |
| References | |
| IN-07-022 | |
| Download: ML071410230 (7) | |
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 June 19, 2007 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 2007-22: RECENT HYDROGEN FLUORIDE EXPOSURES
AT FUEL CYCLE FACILITIES
ADDRESSEES
All fuel cycle licensees and certificate holders.
PURPOSE
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice (IN) to alert
addressees about recent hydrogen fluoride (HF) exposures. It is expected that recipients will
review the information for applicability to their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to
avoid similar problems. However, suggestions contained in this IN are not new NRC
requirements; therefore, no specific action nor written response is required.
DESCRIPTION OF CIRCUMSTANCES
Recently, two events occurred at NRC-licensed fuel cycle facilities, involving occupational
exposures to accidental releases of HF. These events highlight the need for fuel cycle facilities
and their workers to be alert about the dangers of accidental releases of HF into the workplace, and for offsite medical facilities to be properly equipped and trained to handle medical incidents
involving HF. If left untreated, or improperly treated, severe HF exposures may be fatal. Thus, immediate and continuous first-aid care and medical treatment are critical.
In the first event, a worker was hospitalized for the treatment of an HF chemical burn to the
right forearm. Because the nitrogen eduction system was inoperable, a cylinder containing
uranium hexafluoride (UF6) had to be disconnected. A ventilation tent was placed over the
cylinder so that a worker could disconnect and reconnect the pigtail. While removing the valve
cap from the cylinder, the worker was exposed to a release of UF6 and HF. The worker was
wearing a supplied-air respirator; chemically resistant, wrist-length gloves; and long-sleeved
coveralls. Within a short time, the worker noticed a blister forming on his arm in an area that
was not covered by chemically resistant material. He was treated onsite with topical
applications of calcium gluconate and taken to the hospital. Treatment at the hospital was
initially delayed because personnel were unfamiliar with the specialized treatment for HF
chemical burns and the hospital did not have a supply of calcium gluconate. This event
illustrates the need to (1) ensure employees are provided appropriate personal protective
clothing and equipment, and (2) for facilities to coordinate with their local hospitals, before an
HF exposure occurs, to ensure prompt treatment.
The second event involved HF vapor and resulted in the hospitalization of a worker for
inhalation exposure. Two workers noted an unusual odor and immediately evacuated the
process area. The workers obtained respiratory protection equipment and returned to the
location to collect air samples, to determine the source of the leak. Air sample results showed
that HF levels were elevated. The physical condition of both workers was evaluated by a
supervisor. Because of latent symptoms, one worker later went to the hospital for further
evaluation. Facilities and first-aid providers need to be aware that the onset of symptoms of an
HF exposure may be delayed, especially in the case of exposure at low concentrations, and
that treatment must be immediate.
DISCUSSION
Under 10 CFR Part 70, licensees are required to establish and maintain a safety program to
protect workers, the public, and the environment from releases of hazardous chemicals
resulting from the processing of licensed special nuclear material. In addition, certain Part 70
licensees are required to conduct an integrated safety analysis (ISA), to identify and evaluate
hazards and potential accident sequences, including hazardous chemicals. Also, 10 CFR 70.22 requires certain licensees to prepare an emergency plan for responding to radiological and
chemical hazards. For hazardous chemicals, the emergency plan must certify that the licensee
has met its responsibilities under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.
HF presents a hazard in different stages of the nuclear fuel cycle. During conversion, HF is
used in the production of UF6. During fuel fabrication, UF6 is sublimed and hydrolyzed. The
hydrolysis products include uranyl fluoride and HF. In addition, when UF6 is exposed to moist
air, HF is produced.
HF is a colorless, fuming liquid or gas, with a strong, irritating odor. HFs unique properties
make it much more hazardous than many other acids. Fluoride ions can penetrate the skin, causing deep-tissue destruction and possible acute fluoride toxicity. Thus, HF exposure
requires immediate and specialized first-aid care and medical treatment.
Most HF exposures occur by dermal contact with an aqueous solution. Because of its volatility, HF also poses an inhalation hazard. On contact, HF produces immediate tissue destruction
and pain at high concentrations, but effects are delayed at low concentrations. HF is readily
absorbed into the skin. Once absorbed, it forms toxic, soluble salts. Absorption of substantial
amounts of HF by any route may be fatal. The NRC concern is that fuel cycle facilities be aware of the hazards of HF releases and protect
workers against adverse effects from exposure to accidental releases of HF. Appropriate
personal protective clothing and equipment must be carefully selected, used, and maintained.
Recommendations for appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) can be found in the
manufacturers Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) and other references, such as the
Hydrogen Fluoride Industry Practices Institutes Personal Protective Equipment Guideline for
Anhydrous Hydrogen Fluoride and Hydrofluoric Acid. Workers should be trained in the
hazards of HF and understand the PPE requirements.
In conducting the ISA, licensees should identify items relied on for safety to prevent potential
accidents that could exceed the performance requirements of 10 CFR 70.61. In evaluating
potential accident sequences in their ISAs, licensees should consider both catastrophic
releases, such as the rupture of a cylinder, and smaller releases, such as materials handling
mishaps, that could lead to HF exposure to a worker. Licensees should also consider all routes
of exposure that could lead to health effects.
In addition, fuel cycle facilities should consider mitigation of accidental releases through
emergency response planning as well as protective measures such as adequate PPE. The
Occupational Safety and Health Administrations regulations in 29 CFR 1910.120, Hazardous
Waste Operations and Emergency Response, address the selection, use, and maintenance of
PPE for emergency response to chemical hazards. Also, Appendix B to this regulation provides
guidance on PPE protection levels.
In case of an HF exposure in the workplace, first-aid care must be applied immediately. To
facilitate appropriate first-aid care, fuel cycle facilities should provide information and training, including first-aid procedures, to employees before they begin working with HF. First-aid
information can be found in the MSDSs and in other references, such as the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Medical Management Guidelines for HF.
Calcium-containing gels, solutions, and medications, such as calcium gluconate gel, should be
readily accessible in areas where a potential for HF exposure exists. Depending on the route of
exposure, first-aid providers and onsite medical personnel should ensure timely and appropriate
administration of gel or nebulized solution.
Because the treatment of an HF exposure is specialized and differs from the treatment of other
strong acid exposures, fuel cycle facilities should coordinate their emergency plans with their
local hospitals and appropriate emergency responders. This coordination is necessary to
ensure that local hospitals are capable of promptly administering the appropriate emergency
treatment. In addition, fuel cycle facilities should consider other actions they can take to ensure
that local hospitals have the appropriate information and initial treatment materials when an
employee is sent to the hospital for an HF exposure. Additional information about emergency
medical treatment can be found in various references, including the ATSDR Medical
Management Guidelines for HF and the Honeywell Speciality Materials Recommended
Medical Treatment for Hydrofluoric Acid Exposure.
CONTACT
This IN requires no specific action nor written response. If you have questions about the
information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed below or the Region II
Office.
/RA/
Robert C. Pierson, Director
Division of Fuel Cycle Safety
and Safeguards
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contact:
Breeda Reilly, NMSS
Phone: (301) 415-8103 E-mail: bmr@nrc.gov
Enclosures:
1. List of Useful Chemical Safety Information
for Hydrogen Fluoride
2. Recently Issued FSME/NMSS Generic
Communications
Note: NRC generic communications may be found on the NRC public Web site, http://www.nrc.gov, under Electronic Reading Room/Document Collections.
CONTACT
This IN requires no specific action nor written response. If you have questions about the
information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed below or the Region II
Office.
/RA/
Robert C. Pierson, Director
Division of Fuel Cycle Safety
and Safeguards
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contact:
Breeda Reilly, NMSS
Phone: (301) 415-8103 E-mail: bmr@nrc.gov
Enclosures:
1. List of Useful Chemical Safety Information
for Hydrogen Fluoride
2. Recently Issued FSME/NMSS Generic
Communications
Note: NRC generic communications may be found on the NRC public Web site, http://www.nrc.gov, under Electronic Reading Room/Document Collections.
DISTRIBUTION:
FCSS r/f FFLD r/f DDiaz-Toro JDowns TMarenchin RGibson, RII
MBaker
OFC FFLD Tech ED FSME FFLD FFLD RII FCSS
NAME BReilly EKraus AMcIntosh PHabighorst GJanosko DCollins RPierson
DATE 05/21/07 05/22/07 05/22/07 06/01/07 06/04/07 06/14/07 06/19/07 via fax via email via email
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
Enclosure 1 List of Useful Chemical Safety Information for Hydrogen Fluoride
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Medical Management Guidelines for
Hydrogen Fluoride (HF), 2006, http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/MHMI/mmg11.html.
Honeywell Specialty Materials, Recommended Medical Treatment for Hydrofluoric Acid
Exposure, 2006, http://www.honeywell.com.
Hydrogen Fluoride Industry Practices Institute, Personal Protective Equipment Guideline for
Anhydrous Hydrogen Fluoride and Hydrofluoric Acid, 2005, http://www.hfipi.org/guides.asp.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Hazard Information Bulletin: Use of
Hydrofluoric Acid in the Petroleum Refining Alkylation Process, 1993, http://www.osha.gov.
Enclosure 2 Recently Issued FSME/NMSS Generic Communications
Date GC No. Subject
Addressees
02/02/07 IN-07-03 Reportable Medical Events Involving All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Patients Receiving Dosages of Sodium medical use licensees and NRC Master
Iodide Iodine-131 less than the Materials Licensees. All Agreement State
Prescribed Dosage Because of Radiation Control Program Directors and
Capsules Remaining in Vials after State Liaison Officers.
Administration
02/28/07 IN-07-08 Potential Vulnerabilities of Time-reliant All U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Computer-based Systems Due to Change in licensees and all Agreement State
Daylight Saving Time Dates Radiation Control Program Directors and
State Liaison Officers.
03/15/07 IN-07-10 Yttrium-90 Theraspheres and Sirspheres All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Impurities (NRC) Medical Licensees and NRC Master
Materials Licensees. All Agreement State
Radiation Control Program Directors and
State Liaison Officers.
04/04/07 IN-07-13 Use of As-Found Conditions to Evaluate All licensees authorized to possess a
Criticality-related Process Upsets at Fuel critical mass of special nuclear material.
Cycle Facilities
05/02/07 IN-07-16 Common Violations of the Increased All licensees who are implementing the
Controls Requirements and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Related Guidance Documents (NRC) Order Imposing Increased Controls
(EA-05-090), issued November 14, 2005 and December 22, 2005.
03/01/07 RIS-07-03 Ionizing Radiation Warning Symbol All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
licensees and certificate holders. All
Radiation Control Program Directors and
State Liaison Officers
03/09/07 RIS-07-04 Personally Identifiable Information All holders of operating licenses for nuclear
Submitted to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory power reactors and holders of and
Commission applicants for certificates for reactor
designs. All licensees, certificate holders, applicants, and other entities subject to
regulation by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission of the use of source, byproduct, and special nuclear material
03/20/07 RIS-07-05 Status and Plans for Implementation of NRC All NRC materials licensees, Radiation
Regulatory Authority for Certain Naturally- Control Program Directors, State Liaison
occurring and Accelerator-produced Officers, and NRCs Advisory Committee
Radioactive Material on the Medical Uses of Isotopes
04/05/07 RIS-07-07 Clarification of Increased Controls for All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Licensees That Possess Collocated (NRC) licensees issued NRCs Order
Radioactive Material During Transportation Imposing Increased Controls and all
Activities Radiation Control Program Directors and
State Liaison Officers
Note: A full listing of generic communications may be viewed at the NRC public website at the following address:
http://www.nrc.gov/Electronic Reading Room/Document Collections/Generic Communications.