ML19208C317
| ML19208C317 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | University of New Mexico |
| Issue date: | 09/12/1979 |
| From: | Seyfrit K NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | Whan G NEW MEXICO, UNIV. OF, ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7909260051 | |
| Download: ML19208C317 (1) | |
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NUCL' EAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ilC
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REGION IV IISIC
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September 12, 1979 In Reply Refer To:
Docket No. 50-252 The University of New Mexico ATTN:
Dr. G. A. Whan Reactor Supervisor Chemical & Nuclear Engineering Department Albuquerque New Mexico 87131 Gentle =en:
Enclosed is IE Information Notice No. 79-21, "Transparation and Coe=erical Burial of Radioactive Material," which provides infor=ation on packaging and disposal of radioactive material.
Sincerely, c
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Director r
Enclosures:
1.
IE Information Notice No. 79-21 2.
List of Information Notices Issued in Last Six Months s
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,1015 123
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UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C.
20555 IE Information Notice No. 79-21 September 7, 1979 Page 1 of 2 TRANSPORTATION AND COMMERCIAL BURIAL OF RADI0 ACTIVE MATERIAL On July 10, 1979, the Governors of the Agreement States of Nevada, South Carolina, and Washington notified NRC Chairman Hendrie of the serious and repeated disregard for the rules governing the shipments of low-level radioactive wastes to their burial facilities. The problems causing the Governors' concern may be su=marized as contaminated packages; improper loading of packages which results in unneces-sary radiation exposure; packages containing liquids when liquids or free-standing water are not authorized to be buried; leaking packages; improper labeling of packages; and improper paperwork for shipments.
Recently, you should have received either IE Bulletin No. 79-19 or 79-20 on this subject. The enclosures to this Notice provide information regarding the reg-ulatory requirements for the packaging, transportation and disposal of radioactive material. The requirements for packaging and transport referenced herein are applicable to shipments of all radioactive material.
The enclosed summary of radioactive waste burial criteria defines the current burial-site license and State requirements on waste form and packaging. A summary of the requirements for transportation is in the enclosed DOT publication, "A Review of the DOT Regulations for Transportation of Radioactive Materials."
The enclosures are intended only as a convenient reference; they are neither a substitute for the actual regulations nor a copy of the burial site license or other burial site documents. The DOT regulatory requirements can be found in 49 CFR Parts 170-179 (Oct. 1, 1977). The NRC requirements are in 10 CFR Part 71.
To conduct your waste disposal operations properly you must comply with NRC and DOT requirements for packaging and transportation, and the waste packaged for eventual disposal at any of the three operating waste-burial sites must be in a form authorized in the particular burial-site license and State requirements. To assure that the latter requirements are met, you should coordinate your waste disposal activities with the waste collection companies and/or the waste burial site operators. The sites receiving wastes for burial are operated either by the Nuclear Engineering Co., Inc. (502-426-7160), or Chem-Nuclear Systems, Inc.
(206-827-0711).
Questions about licensing requirements for NRC packages can be addressed to the NRC's Transportation Branch (301-427-4122).
Questions about DOT packaging and 790822010(,.
1015 124
7 IE Information Notice No. 79-21 September 7, 1979 Page 2 of 2 No writter response to this Information Notice is required.
Enclosures:
1.
Burial Criteria 2.
DOT Publication 66*
1015
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IE Information.Hotice No. 79-21" Enclosure #1 September 7, 1979 Page 1 of 2 LOW-l.EVEL RADIDACTIVE WASTE BURIAL CRITERIA AS OF JULY 11, 1979 WASTE FOPJ4 SITE
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South Carolina Nevada Washingte 1.igtaid sci ~ntillation f
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packed'in 2x absorbent}uids (a) vermiculita as Disposal not Disposal permitted Disposal permit-absorbent
' permitted but specific but specific approval required approval requir.
(b) diatenaceous aarth as Not permitted Permitted Permitted absorbent (c) other absorbents (not t[otperritted Specific approval Specific approvc rags, tissue etc.)
required required 2.
Other liggids packed in 2x Not permitted Not Permitted Permitted, but absorbent for immobilization no free standin; liquid
't.
Unpackaged bulk solids (e.g.
Permitted but Permitted but Not Permitted ores, rubble) specific approval specific. approval required required 4.
Solidi fIcation media:
(a) cement, urea for for-Permitted for Permitted Permitted maidehyde, Oow media, aqueous wastes Delaware custom (b) o ther Not permitted Permitted Permitted i S.
Radiological hazard greater Permi tted Permitted Permitted than chemical unless spe-cifically approved G.
Pyrophoric. material Not permitted Not permitted Not permitted unless specif-unless specif-l ically approved ically approved f 8eatty, Nevada, operated by NECO.
Barnwell, S.C., operated by Chem-Huclear.
I Itanford, Wshington, operated by NECO.
l4 Liquids alternated with layers of absorbent form the most effective packaging j
(2x absorbent for liquid present or likely to be formed in transit).
I i
1015 126
1 IE.Yn~ formation Notice No. 79-21 September 7, 1979 Enclosure #1 Page 2 of 2 LOW-LEVEL RADI0 ACTIVE WASTE BURIAL CRITERIA AS OF JULY 11, 1979
-Continued-
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WASTE FORM SITE l
2 3
South Carolina Nevada Washington 7.
Biological' was tes (e.g.',
Permitted, but Perre.tted Permitted carcasses) packed in rock salt to pre-4 equivalent to 2x absorbent serve is preferred.
8.
Oil Content
'No more than 1%
No specification No specificatic:
by volume.
9.
Dewatered resins Permitted Permitted Permitted
- 10. Evaporator bottems Must be solidi-Hust be a solid Must be a solid fied with agents in #4.
- 11. XE 85 and Xe 133 Permitted in DOT Permitted in 00T Permitted in DC-pkg, 1.5 atm, pkg, 1 atm, 100 pkg, 1.5 atm, 100 Ci/pkg.
Ci/pkg, 1000 Ci Ci/pkg.
in special pkg.
Curie content por package for Special if >
Special if >
Special handling radiation control and hand-2500 Ci.
1600 Ci for for large ling.
dispersed or if quantities.
> 50 Ci for sealed sources.
- 13. Transuranics greater than 10 Not permitted Not permitted Permitted nanocuries/ gram
- 14. SNM package content Special if >
350 g U-235 or 100 g U-232 or 50 g.
200 g U-233 or 60 g U-233 or ratio < 1.
Pu or ratio < 1;
< 15g/ft.
~
- 15. 00T containers as received Permitted Permitted except Permitted at the site.
fiberboard or cardboard or similar materials
- 16. Liners removed from COT Permi tted
'ermitted Permittad shipping containers
.s-1015 127-
IE Information Notice No. 79-21 September 7,1979 LISTING OF IE INFORMATION NOTICES ISSUED IN 1979 Info rmation Subject Date Issued To Notice No.
Issued 79-10 Nonconforming Pipe 4/16/79 All power reactor Support Struts facilities with a Constructica Permit (CP) 79-11 Lower Resctor Vessel Head 5/7/79 All Holders of Reactor Insulation Support Problem Operating Licenses (0Ls)
Construction Permits (cps) 79-12 Attempted Damage to New 5/11/79 All fuel facilities, Fuel Assemblies research reactors, and power reactors with an Operating Licensee (OL) or a Construct' n Permit (CP) 79-13 Indication of Low Water 5/29/79 All Holders of Operating level'in the Oyster Creek License (OL) or Reactor Construction Permit (CP) 79-14 NRC Position of Electrical 6/11/79 All Power Reactor Cable Support Systems facilities with a Construction Pennit (CP) and applicants 79-15 Deficient Procedures 6/7/79 All Holders of Reactor Operating Licenses (0Ls) and Construction Permits (cps) 79-16 Nuclear Incident at Three 6/22/79 All Research Reactors Mile Island and Test Reactors with Operating Licens s (OLs) 79-17 Source Holder Assembly 6/20/79 All Holders of Reactor Damage From Misfit Between Operating Licenses (0Ls)
Assembly and Reactor Upper and Construction Grid Plate Permits (cps)
Enclosure Page 1 of 2 1015 128
a IE Information Notice No. 79-21 September 7, 1979 79-18 Skylab Reentry 7/5/79 All holders of Reactor Operating Licenses (OLs) 79-19 Pipe Cracks in Stagnant 7/17/79 All Holders of Reactor Boratei Water Systems at Operating Licenses (OLs)
PWR Plants and Construction Permits (cps) 79-20 NRC Enforcemt at Policy 8/14/79 All Holders of Reactor NRC Licensed Individuals Operating Licenses (OLs) and Construction Permits (cps), Research Reactors, Test Reactors Licensees with Licensed Operators 79-20 NRC Enforcement Policy 9/7/79 All Holders of Reactor Rev. 1 NRC Licensed Individuals Operating Licenses (OLs) and Construction Permits (cps), Research Reactors, Test Reactors Licensees with Licensed Operators h
m i
Enclosure i
Page 2 of 2 1015 129
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