ML19256C588
| ML19256C588 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/01/1979 |
| From: | Sly D, Sniezek J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-79-134, NUDOCS 7910100537 | |
| Download: ML19256C588 (2) | |
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PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION June 1, 1979 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE--PNO-79-134 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of event of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance.
The information presented is as initially received without verification or evaluation and is basically all that is known by IE staff on this date.
Facility:
Privately Owned Landfill Norton, Massachusetts
Subject:
RADI0 ACTIVE MATERIAL IN PRIVATE SECTOR
Reference:
Previous PN0's78-190 - A,B,C,&D, November - December 1978 Based on an allegation, in October thru December, 1978, Region I (Philadelphia) conducted surveys of several landfills in the Norton/Attleboro, Massachusetts area.
Two sites, one in Norton and one in Attleboro, were identified as con-taining radioactive material. The one in Attleboro (Finberg Field) was found to contain radium, and Massachusetts assumed responsibility for followup actions at this site.
The site in Norton was found to contain various forms of uranium. Region I gave this data to both Massachusetts and the town of Norton. Region I also conducted a separate investigation as to the source of the material. A report of that investigation has been completed and is being reviewed.
At this time the responsibility for any remedial action is not clear.
However, the NRC intends to continue to provide technical assistance to the Commonwealth and
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the town of Norton. Also, additional surveys are being arranged so as to better define the extent of the radioactive material with depth prior to any further action.
Recently, Brown University students went to the Norton site and obtained several water samples which they had analyzed by a private laboratory.
The results of these samples were-several hundred times higher than the samples taken by Region I in October and November, 1978.
The Brown /Interex results were:
Area Gross Alpha Gross Beta Marsh adjacent to landfill 280 pCi/l 1,227 pCi/l Puddle in landfill 48,500 pCi/l 162,800 pCi/l Private well 690 pCi/l 577 pCi/l To put these results in perspective, assuming the gross alpha activity to be valid and to be due to uranium, a comparison with NRC's 10 CFR 20 Appendix B, Table II, Maximum Permissible Concentrations for Water (MPCw) in unrestricted areas may be made.
1447 162 CONTINUED 7910100 6.3 7
Continued PNO-79-134 Page 2 June 1, 1979 Element Isotope MPCw (alpha)
Uranium (234, 234, 238) 30,000 pCi/l The Brown /Interex results were conveyed to the news media and a resultant article in the June 1, 1979 Boston Globe has generated considerable public and other media interest.
Region I had arranged with Massachusetts to have additional water samples taken at the Norton site. These samples were taken today and will be analyzed by both the Idaho Radiological and Environmental Services Lab and Interex.
Results should be available in approximately two weeks. At that time the subsequent course of action will be decided.
Additional media interest is expected because of the article which appeared in the Boston Globe on June 1, 1979. Other news media inquiries have been received.
It was also reported that a TV crew went to the Norton site.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is being kept informed. A press release is not planned by the NRC.
Contact:
DSly, IE x28188 JESniezek, IE x28098 Transmitted H St f_) rJ/)'
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Distribution:
Chairman Hendrie Commissioner Bradford S. J. Chilk, SECY Commissioner Kennedy Commissioner Ahearne C. C. Kammerer, CA Commissioner Gilinsky ACRS (For Distribution)
Transmitted:
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P. Bldg ' ' f C' J. G. Dayis, IE M,.
L. V. Gossick, EDO H. R. Denton, NRR Region [
H. L. Ornstein, EDO R. C. DeYoung, NRR J. J. Fouchard, PA R. J. Mattson, NRR N. M. Haller, PPA V. Stello, NRR (MAIL)
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G. Ryan, OSP R. S. Boyd, NRR J. J. Cummings, OIA H. K. Shapar, ELD SS Bldg ; ~, f,M '3)/.
R. Minogue, SD W. J. Dircks, NMSS S. Levine, RES PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION 1447 163
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