ML100780450
| ML100780450 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 11/23/2009 |
| From: | Peter Bamford Plant Licensing Branch 1 |
| To: | Rebecca Sigmon NRC/NRR/DIRS/IOEB |
| References | |
| 45514, FOIA/PA-2010-0118, IN-09-027, MD 5.12, RIS-02-001 | |
| Download: ML100780450 (3) | |
Text
,Bamford, Peter From:
Bamford, Peter (iv P-e2 Sent:
Monday, November 23, 2009 12:17 PM To:
Sigmon, Rebecca
ýA-iŽ
Subject:
RE: TMI INES.Rating Attachments:
TMI High Activity Preliminary ERF.doc Rebecca, I made some edits to the event description in the version I sent to the licensee that I didn't see reflected in your latest version. They probably won't make any difference to our decision on whether or not to post. I recommend you cut and paste the event description from the attached file into your master copy.
Peter Bamford NRR/DORL/LPL 1-2 Limerick & TMI-1 Project Manager 301-415-2833 From: Sigmon, Rebecca Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 12:01 PM To: Couret, Ivonne; Burnell, Scott; Screnci, Diane Cc: Brown, Frederick; Cheok, Michael; Thorp, John; Thomas, Eric; Bamford, Peter; Jones, Cynthia
Subject:
TMI INES Rating In accordance with MD 5.12 and as noted in IN 2009-27 and RIS 2002-01, the NRC will submit events to the IAEA International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES) publicly available NEWS website if they are determined to have a rating of Level 2 or higher, or if the rating is specifically requested by the IAEA or another INES member state. The high activity over the weekend reported by TMI-1 in EN 45514 generated sufficient media interest that the IAEA and at least three other countries have requested more information. This event as currently reported is a Level 0, that is, "Below Scale."
The IAEA would like to see the INES scale used not just for significant events, but also to demonstrate the low safety significance of other highly publicized events, a category which would include what happened 11/21 at TMI. Given the usual nature of the postings to the website though, it would not necessarily be seen in that light, and posting it to the IAEA website could instead serve to amplify coverage of an event that has already been covered in detail in the media. We would only want to post this event if, in the opinion of OPA, Region I, and NRR management, the posting would serve to emphasize the low safety significance of an event which has received substantial coverage. I have attached a draft copy of the Event Rating Form (ERF) that would be submitted, which primarily contains information from the licensee's Event Notification, for your review, and would appreciate your opinions on the matter.
- Thanks, Rebecca Sigmon Reactor Systems Engineer NRR/DIRS/IOEB Operating Experience Branch (301) 415-4018 Rebecca Sigmon@nrc.gov 16
EVENT RATING FORM (ERF)
Event No.:
Sent Date:
THE INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR EVENT SCALE (INES)
EVENT RADIATION RELEASE IN CONTAINMENT ASSOCIATED WITH STEAM EVENT DATE TITLE GENERATOR REMOVAL 11/21/2009 RATING RATING OUT OF DEVIATION INCIDENT ACCIDENT FACILITY TYPE PROVISIONAL X
DATE SCALE 0
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 Power Reactor X
Research Reactor E]
FrNAL E]
11/23/2009 l
x
[:] 'll [:]
[IIL Li I] RadWaste Facility 0
Radiation Source 0i COUNTRY FACILITY NAME / PLACE Irradiation
[]
Transportation E]
United States Three Mile Island Unit I/Middletown, PA Fuel Fabrication El Fuel Reprocessing Li Research Facility 0
Mining/Milling Li Enrichment
[] Other El Facility YES NO Off-site impact Release Beyond Authorised Limits X
Overexposure of Members of Public LI X
On-Site Impact Contamination Spread X
Li Worker Overexposure Li X
Damage to Radiological Barriers E]
X Degradation of Defence In-depth E]
X Person Injured Physically or Casualty E]
X Is There a Continuing Problem LI X
Press Release Issued (if yes, please attach)
Li X
Event Description During refueling outage activities, which included operations to replace both of the unit's steam generators, low levels of radiation activity were measured on radiation monitors installed in the reactor building. Personnel were directed to immediately leave the reactor building until the source of the activity could be identified. Monitoring devices at the reactor building steam generator replacement construction opening indicated a slight increase in activity. Levels have since returned to normal. No contamination was identified outside of the reactor building. Of approximately 150 workers monitored for exposure to the radiation activity, about 19 were found to have exposures greater than 0.1 mSv (10 mrem), with the highest exposure estimated to be 0.38 mSv (38 mrem). No worker approached or exceeded any exposure limits. The sources of the activity are believed to be from maintenance tasks related to the removal of the plant's steam generators, though the exact cause of the increase in activity levels is still unknown. The reactor was defueled at the time of the event.
Rating Justification and Difficulties Encountered
,quote relevant user manual paragraphs)
This event has been given a preliminary rating of 0, "Below Scale" based on section 2.3.1 of the Intemational Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale 2008 User's Manual (htti ://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PubDetails.asppubId=8120).
The justification for the rating is that no member of the public was exposed to any excess activity, and all exposures to workers were well within established statutory limits and licensee-established dose constraints. Though increasing the rating based on the number of personnel exposed is indicated for higher levels of exposure, at these levels no such increase is warranted. This event is being submitted due to interest expressed by member states of the-IAEA for the INES rating of the event.
Contact Person for Further Information This form is provided by the IAEA INES Coordinator: Rejane Spiegelberg Planer, Incident and Emergency Centre, Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, Tel: +43 (1) 2600-26074, Fax: +43 (1) 26007-26074, email: r.spieselberg-planer(iaea.or,.
NOTE: This form should not be used for sending information to the LAEA about an actual event!
For this ouroose the Nuclear Events Web-based System (httm://www-news.iaea.or2) should be used instead.
EVENT RATING FORM (ERF)
Name lAffiliation Dr. Cynthia Jones, Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission PAddress: Mail Stop T4-D22A, Washington, DC 20555 Phone:
301-415-0298 1Fax: 301-415-6382 eMail: cynthiajiones~a)nrc.gov This form is provided by the IAEA INES Coordinator: Rejane Spiegelberg Planer, Incident and Emergency Centre, Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, Tel: +43 (1) 2600-26074, Fax: +43 (1) 26007-26074, email: r.spieselberQ-planer0.iaea. or.
NOTE: This form should not be used for sending information to the IAEA about an actual event!
For this touroose the Nuclear Events Web-based System (http://%v'A_-ne\\vs.jiaea.6rc) should be used instead.