ML14350B301
| ML14350B301 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Limerick  |
| Issue date: | 12/16/2014 |
| From: | Fred Bower Reactor Projects Region 1 Branch 4 |
| To: | Cuthbert D Alliance For A Clean Environment |
| bower, fl | |
| References | |
| EDATS RI-2014-0375 | |
| Download: ML14350B301 (3) | |
Text
From: Bower, Fred Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2014 3:03 PM To: 'aceactivists@comcast.net' Cc: Bower, Fred; Nieh, Ho; Scott, Michael; Thompson, Margaret; Pinkham, Laurie; Noggle, James; Nimitz, Ronald; DiPaolo, Eugene; Montgomery, Richard; Sheehan, Neil; Screnci, Diane; Tifft, Doug; McNamara, Nancy; Bower, Fred; Ennis, Rick
Subject:
RE: ACE - Higher Radiation Readings This Morning - [EDATS 2014-0375]
Mrs. Cuthbert (ACE),
This is in response to your email dated November 18, 2014, in which you reported that residents at two different locations around Limerick observed higher than normal radiation readings. After we received your email, we shared this information with our Limerick Resident Inspector who performed a review of the circumstances surrounding this matter. He reviewed actual radiation monitoring data from the plant installed instrumentation systems and the number and types of any evolutions likely to generate elevated radiation levels over a few days prior to your email.
One of our regional senior health physics inspectors contacted Limericks senior chemist responsible for effluent and environmental monitoring and confirmed that the licensee was unaware of any plant issues that could cause these elevated readings. Based on their reviews, they concluded that it was very unlikely that either of the Limerick units were the source of the elevated radiation readings you reported; therefore, regarding this instance we believe that we have exhausted possible explanations that would fall within the NRCs regulatory purview.
Nonetheless, we also consulted with our regional radiation protection specialists. They informed us, and you may be aware, that there are known environmental factors that also affect the variation of radiation readings near background levels. Precipitation plays a major role in the natural variations in background radiation. For example, rain can scavenge airborne Radon progeny causing an increase in radiation levels by up to a factor of 2 (or in rare cases 3) for several hours. In addition, Radon gas exhaled from the soil during the night stays near the surface of the earth while the air is relatively cold, with its gamma emitting progeny causing an increase in the radiation background level during this time. As the air grows warmer during the day, vertical diffusion reduces the radon concentration and the ground level radiation decreases. Longer-term temperature inversions also cause the same affect during times that radon gas accumulation is trapped near the surface.
Additionally, both the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are involved with monitoring the environment for radiation.
The PA DEP, Environmental Surveillance Section, monitors the radiological environment around each of Pennsylvania's five nuclear power facilities. Routine sampling of air, milk, surface water, vegetation and fish are performed, both independently and in conjunction with the facility's self-monitoring program. Environmental dosimeters record levels of radiation exposure around each facility. Sample analyses are reviewed, recorded, compared to the facility's and archived. When anomalies are observed, an investigation is performed, including consultation with facility personnel and follow-up sampling to determine the source. Their web address for additional
information is:
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/brp/Decom_and_Env_Sur/Environmental_Monitoring.htm.
The US EPA manages RadNet. RadNet is a national network of more than 200 monitoring stations distributed across all 50 states and the American Territories. These stations regularly sample the nation's air, precipitation, drinking water, or pasteurized milk for a variety of radionuclides (e.g., iodine-131) and radiation types (e.g., gross beta ()). During its operation beginning in1973, RadNet's predecessor, the Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS), collected over a half million high quality environmental samples. The current database primarily provides data that was collected between 1978 and present. Some older "pre-ERAMS" data is included, and additional data will be added soon. Click here to view the RadNet Search User Guide, which provides more detail on the data. More information on RadNet can be found here: http://www.epa.gov/enviro/facts/radnet/index.html Thank you for your questions on this matter.
Sincerely, Fred Bower Chief l Projects Branch 4 l Division of Reactor Projects l Region I l U.S. NRC 2100 Renaissance Boulevard, STE 100, King of Prussia, PA 19406 l : (610) 337-5200 l BB: (610) 731-1920 l
- Fred.Bower@nrc.gov From: Bower, Fred Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 2:55 PM To: aceactivists@comcast.net Cc: Bower, Fred (Fred.Bower@nrc.gov); Nieh, Ho; Scott, Michael; 'Margaret Thompson'; 'Laurie Pinkham'; Noggle, James; Nimitz, Ronald; Eugene DiPaolo (Eugene.DiPaolo@nrc.gov); Richard Montgomery (Richard.Montgomery@nrc.gov); Neil Sheehan (Neil.Sheehan@nrc.gov); Diane Screnci (Diane.Screnci@nrc.gov); Tifft, Doug; Nancy McNamara (Nancy.McNamara@nrc.gov);
RA-EPBRPEnvPrt@pa.gov
Subject:
RE: ACE - Higher Radiation Readings This Morning Mrs. Cuthbert (ACE),
Thank you for notifying me of the higher than normal radiation readings documented by residents at two different locations around Limerick. I contacted the resident inspectors regarding this issue and confirmed that we are unaware of any plant events, operational issues or problems at Limerick that could be causing these higher than normal readings.
One of our regional senior health physics inspectors contacted Limericks senior chemist responsible for effluent and environmental monitoring and confirmed that the licensee was unaware of any plant issues that could cause these elevated readings. Additionally, the resident inspectors reviewed plant ventilation exhaust radiation monitor (plant gaseous effluent monitors) readings for the past several days and no anomalies were noted. Therefore, after consulting with health physics specialists in our regional office, we determined that the following additional information is required for us to investigate this issue further:
- Locations where the readings were taken
- The date(s) and time(s) of that the higher radiation readings were obtained
- If the readings have returned to normal, provide the duration of the elevated readings (if the readings have not returned to normal, please inform us of that as well)
- The value or range of values of the higher radiation readings taken (number and units of measure)
- Information on the radiation monitoring devices including: manufacturers name, model number, date of most recent calibration and calibration standard used
- The numerical value and units of measure of the normal or background radiation at the monitoring location(s)
- Any additional information that leads you to believe that the readings are abnormal or are from Limerick operations Once we receive this additional information from you, we will begin our investigation and will respond to your concern as soon as we are able and likely within 30 days from the receipt of the additional information.
Additionally, you may want to consult the following information from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
The PA DEP, Environmental Surveillance Section, monitors the radiological environment around each of Pennsylvania's five nuclear power facilities. Routine sampling of air, milk, surface water, vegetation and fish are performed, both independently and in conjunction with the facility's self-monitoring program. Environmental dosimeters record levels of radiation exposure around each facility. Sample analyses are reviewed, recorded, compared to the facility's and archived. When anomalies are observed, an investigation is performed, including consultation with facility personnel and follow-up sampling to determine the source. Their web address for additional information is:
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/brp/Decom_and_Env_Sur/Environmental_Monitoring.htm.
Information for contacting the PA-DEP can be located on the BRP Information Page here: http://www.dep.state.pa.us/brp/BRP_Info/BRP_Info_Homepage.htm The US EPA manages RadNet. RadNet is a national network of more than 200 monitoring stations distributed across all 50 states and the American Territories. These stations regularly sample the nation's air, precipitation, drinking water, or pasteurized milk for a variety of radionuclides (e.g., iodine-131) and radiation types (e.g., gross beta
()). During its operation beginning in1973, RadNet's predecessor, the Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS), collected over a half million high quality environmental samples. The current database primarily provides data that was collected between 1978 and present.. Some older "pre-ERAMS" data is included, and additional data will be added soon. Click here to view the RadNet Search User Guide, which provides more detail on the data. More information on RadNet can be found here:
http://www.epa.gov/enviro/facts/radnet/index.html The NRC Region I staff look forward to your response with the above requested additional information.
Sincerely,
Fred Bower Chief l Projects Branch 4 l Division of Reactor Projects l Region I l U.S. NRC 2100 Renaissance Boulevard, STE 100, King of Prussia, PA 19406 l : (610) 337-5200 l BB: (610) 731-1920 l : Fred.Bower@nrc.gov From: aceactivists@comcast.net [1]
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 10:48 AM To: Bower, Fred
Subject:
Higher Radiation Readings This Morning Mr. Bower, Higher than normal radiation readings have been documented this morning by residents at two different locations around Limerick.
We urge you to look into this since we want timely notice or information if there is a problem at Limerick.
Thank you, Donna Cuthbert