ML19256C661

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PNO-79-368A:hands of Two Technicians Were Overexposed While Unknowingly Using P-32 Instead of P-33.Caused by Inadequate Measurement by Licensee & Mislabeling by Manufacturer.Region 2 Reviewing Licensee Dose Estimates
ML19256C661
Person / Time
Issue date: 08/27/1979
From: Higginbotham L, Metzger J
NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE)
To:
References
45-0048-17, 45-48-17, PNO-79-368A, NUDOCS 7910110646
Download: ML19256C661 (1)


Text

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August 27, 1979 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL CCCURRENCE--PNO-79-368A Tnis oreliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of an event of EC5515LE safety or public interest sicnificance.

The information E-esented is as initially received without verification or evaluation ar.c is basically all that is known by IE staff on this date.

FACILITY:

Virginia Commonwealt'h University Medical College License No. 45-00048-17 Richmond, Virginia SUEJECT:

POSSIBLE HAND OVEREXPOSURE (PNO UPDATE)

The licensee reported that two technicians performing in-vitro research with 5 millicuries of phosphorous-33 later learned that the material was phosphorous-32.

T e error was apparently due to inadequate measurements by the licensee.

It acpeared that the error was. compounded by mislabeling by a New England radiophar-maceutical manufacturer.

The licensee ordered P-33 and all documents indicated that chosphorous-33 had been shipped.

The vendor has acknowledged the error to

ne licensee.

The bremstrahlung dose rate from P-32 in glass is about six times more energetic than that from P-33.

Technicians handling the containers may "a.e received from 10 to 80 rems to their fingertips depending upon the outcome re-enactments.

The regulatory limit for hand exposure in 10 CFR 20.101 is 11.75 rems per quarter.

No whole bocy overexposures are suspectec.

Region II 3

eviewing the licensee's dose estimates for the hand exposures.

An NRC i 3:ector will be on site on August 28.

"ecia interest is not expected and the licensee does not plan a news release.

Tne Cc-Onsealth of Virginia and Region I have been informed.

Regier. II (Atlanta) received notification of this occurrence by telephone frc.-

re licensee at 4:10 p.m. on August 24.

This information is current as cf 9:00 a..

cn August 27.

n:Ect:

J. R. Metzger, IE x28188; L. B. Higginbctham, IE x281SS

" 3 t-i buti or.:

Transmitted H St

.i: mar. nendrie Commissioner Bradford S. J. Chilk, SECY

--issioner Kennedy Commissioner Ahearne C. C. Kammerer, CA
--iss'ener Gilinsky

.ACRS (For Distribution)

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Stello,lE G:ssick, EDO H. R. Denton, NRR Region ;4-Ornstein, EDO R. C. DeYoung, NRR Fcuchard, PA R. J. Mattson, NRR Lancow s.

Haller, MPA D. Vassallc, NRR J. J. Cummings, CIA L

G. Ryan, OSP

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W. J. Dircks, NMSS R Minegue, 5:

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PRELIMINARi NOTI;ICATID' 1448 543 7910110($ly/ ;

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