ML19209B687
| ML19209B687 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 05000077 |
| Issue date: | 10/04/1979 |
| From: | Jordan E CATHOLIC UNIV. OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, DC |
| To: | Ramos S Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7910100321 | |
| Download: ML19209B687 (6) | |
Text
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CATHJUC yNIVERSITY WASHINGTON D.C. 20064 OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF LNFORMATION SYSTLMS AND PLANNING 202 635-5212 October 4, 1979 Mr. Steve Ramos, Proj ect Manager Operating Reactors Branch #4 Division of Operating Reactors US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Room 330, Phillips Building Washington, DC 20555
Dear Mr. Ramos:
Enclosed are copies of the allegations made by Ms. Kelly Fitzpatrick (a student at the University) in her handwriting, Dr. Pellegrino's charge to me to investigate these allegations and my report to Dr. Pellegrino.
If you need additional information please let me know.
Sincerely yours, Edward D. Jordan Reactor Administrator ll35 258 O
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CATHOUC UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON D.C. 20064 OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMNGON SYSTEMS AND Pl.ANNING 202 635 5212 Septe=ber 26, 1979 SUBIECT:
Radiation and Reactor Safety MEMO TO:
Dr. Ed=und D. Pellegrino President In respcnse to the enclosed statement:
1.
A shipment of five millicuries of radioactive (tritium) thymidine was ordered on June 18 by Drs. Nardone and Todhunter (Department of Biology) for research use. The material was shipped by New England Nuclear Corporation on June 20 and received (and receipted f,r) by the University Radiation Safety Officer on June 21.
It wa: wipetested and delivered by the Radiati'sn Safety Officer to Dr. Todhunter. Due to an error on the part of New England Nuclear Corporation, a duplicate shipment was sent on July 2 and received by the Radiation Safety Officer on July 3.
This shipment was also routinely wipetested.
There was less than 60 picocurries of wipable activity on both the exterior and interior surfaces of this package -- below the limits established by Federal law. The Radiation Safety Officer advised New England Nuclear Corporation of receipt of the duplicate shipment.
New England Nuclear Corporation requested its return by collect air freight.
The package was picked up from the Radiation Safety Officer by Emery Air Freight for shipment to New England Nuclear Corporation.
Emery Air Freight subsequently returned the package to the University due to an error in the bill of lading.
On this occasion, because the Radiation Sa'fety Officer was unavailable, it was delivered to the Office of Ca= pus Security according to s:andard procedure.
It was receipted for by Ms. S. Harris, Admininrative Assistant to the Director of Security.
Ms, Harris' call ts the Radiation Safety Office was taken by Dr. D. Ebert and at his request Ms. Harris promptly delivered the package to him.
He placed it in the Radiation Safety Laboratory for the Radiation Safety Officer's action. On July 11 it was again picked up by E=ery Air Freight and shipped to New England Nuclear Corporation.
2.
The University does not have a Dean of Civil Engineering nor is there a record of any radioactive material received by the Civil Engineering Department during the Summer.
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3.
Classes are held for new guards, at the request of *;he Director of Security, which include use of pocket dosimeters. Although, there are accuracy problems with all perscial devices for recording low level radiation exposures, these devices are acceptable to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The guards are shown that erroneously high readings can be induced by physical shock (such as dropping) and hence, the dosimeters should be handled with care, nevertheless they are instructed to record any reading which is observed.
Instructions for proper use are also posted at the check-in desk of the Reactor Room.
We believe that the Nuclear Kegulatory Commission would approve replacing the regular (about 10 visits per day) guard inspections with an intrusion alarm system.
This would eliminate frequent visits to the Reactor Room by the guards and would also be cost-effective.
I recocsend that this be
.one as soon as possible.
4.
An unusual odor was reported in the Reactor Room early in the morning of August 9.
About 10:30 AM the Radiation Safety Officer determined that the odor was due to a gasoline powered compresser which had been stored over-night in the adjacent Thermal Science Laboratory, incident to construction work being conducted by a contractor in the Thermal Science Laboratory.
The Radiation Safety Officer requested that the compressor be stored elsewhere when not in use which was complied with by the contractor.
S.
The approved radwaste storage is at present in two locations, vi.
the Reactor Room and the Radiochemical Laboratory.
Radwaste is not stored unsafely but a more suitable storage location should be found as soon as possible.
The university radiation safety program and the reactor program are regularly inspected by the Nuclear Regulatory Cocsission.
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r Edward D. Jordan, Director Infor=ation Systems 4 Planning Office cc:
Mr. Steven P. Frankino Dean, Columbus School of Law bb. Warren E. Keene Radiation Safety Officer Dr. David D. Ebert Senior Reactor Operator Dr. Mario Casarella ii3b 260 Acting Chr=n, Mechanical Engrg
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September 26, 1979 9:00 a.m.
Dr. Edward D. Jordan Director Information Systems and Planning Office Executive Offices
Dear Dr. Jordan:
This ccrning Miss Kelly Fitzpatrick and her legal cotnsel visited ce to register concern about certain aspects about the operation of our reactor.
I am att3ching the statement of the conditions which have concerned Miss Fitzpatrick in her own hand, together with the conditions she has de~,anded.;e conply with by Friday of this week.
I am personally concerned about the facts in this case and I am asking you with this letter to investigate these ratters ire.ediately and to have a report in my office before the end of this day.
Please send a report also to Cean Frankino, our University Counsel.
Dean Frankino will represent the University's interest in all further conversations and discussions with Miss Fit: patrick and her lawyer.
! 5;;uld appreciate your personal at' _ntion tu this matter.
You will notice in Miss Fitz strick's hand.;riting that nu~ber five is missing.
This is because Miss Fitzpatrick has decided to eliminate this in
~ list of concerns and hence this has not been forwarded to jou.
Sincerely, Sna E "und D. Fdlegrino ll)b Nbl
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