ML19352C041
| ML19352C041 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/17/1994 |
| From: | Liza Cunningham Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Cline W, Joyner J, Pederson C NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I), NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II), NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19352C042 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9403080158 | |
| Download: ML19352C041 (2) | |
Text
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WASHINGTON, D.C, 20 % 5 0001 g m., f 7F31 171F MEMORANDUM FOR: James H. Joyner, Chief, EPRFB, DRSS, Region I William E. Cline, Chief, i.PRPB, DRSS, Region 11 Cynthia D. Pederson, Chief, RPB, DRSS, Region III Dwight D. Chamberlain, Director, RPSS, DRSS, Region IV James H. Reese, Chief, EPRPB, DRSS, Region V FROM:
LeMoine J. Cunningham, Chief Radiation Protection Branch Division of Radiation Safety and Safeguards Office of the Nuclear Reactor Regulation
SUBJECT:
POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH ELECTRONIC DOSIMETERS As you are aware, some of the current generation of electronic dosimeters (EDs) are being actively considered as replacements for thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs) and film badges (fBs) to provide workers' " dose of record".
Although the NRC has taken the position that EDs may be so uwd (see enclosed letters), we are not aware of any such use at this time. Obviously, EDs could be used at all types of facilities i.e., nuclear power plants and medical, materials, and fuel facilities.
It is our understanding that where EDs are being used as personnel monitors at nuclear power plants, each of the monitored individuals is also wearing a TLD or FB from which each individual's dose of record is determined.
EDs are also used as dose rate and cumulative dose alarms where they can be especially valuable under relatively high dose rate conditions e.g.,
in high and very high radiation areas.
We have just received information indicating that there may be a problem with personnel dose data from some EDs of the type being considered as replacements for TLDs and FBs.
It appears that these EDs may be easily deactivated and reactivated by the wearer without the knowledge of those within the licensee's organization responsible for maintaining records of personnel dose and complying with the dose limits of 10 CFR 20.
The validity of this report has not been confirmed.
However, if the ED is used to determine the dose of record, user deactivation of the ED could, of course, result in a false, low dose being recorded. Such user deactivation is alleged to include those EDs with internal magnetic switches which can be operated from outside the ED case with the use of a small magnet such as a " refrigerator magnet."
This information was received in the form of an allegation which states, in part:
"At some plants where I have worked...they use an electronic dosimeter...that the user can turn on and off at will....The dosimeter has a magnetic switch and users can turn it on and off with a common refrigerator magnet....The magnet is attached to the side of the dosimeter by an elastic q
band and the dosimeter stops working until the magnet is removed. Afterwards, (j there is no indication that the dosimeter has been off " ' 1// 4 C 2-7
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We are working to define the scope of this situation and are considering the issuance of an Information Notice should one be appropriate. Although reactive inspections do not appear justified at this time, it would be appropriate to contact the plants in your Region to make each of them aware of this and provide any pertinent feedback to us as to each plant's assessment of the situation. Note that contacts outside of the NRC should not be told that the source of this information is an alleaer and that althouah the alleaer's l
statements may be caraohrased. thev should not be cuoted lest the cuote's syntax reveal the identity of the alleaer.
Each licensee is, of course, responsible for the security and validity of its personnel monitoring data and compliance with the dose limits of 10 CFR 20.
In view of this, each licensee may wish to include a description of this situation (consistent with its findings at its particular plant) in its training program (s) and be especially diligent in comparing its TLD and/or FB results with its ED results.
Original s?;nd ty Lc"in J. Cennin; ham LeMoine J. Cunningham, Chief Radiation Protection Branch Division of Radia+1on Safety and Safeguards Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation l
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Enclosure:
November 9,1993, letter NRC to Pearce June 10, 1992, letter NRC to Ohlhaber cc:
B. Murray, RIV F. Combs, IM08, NMSS C. Jones, IM08, NMSS C. Hehl, DRSS, RI J. Stohr, DRSS, RII W. Axelson, DRSS, RIII D. Chamberlain, DRSS, RIV R. Scarano, DRS, RV DISTRIBUTION:
B. Murray, RIV F. Congel L. Cunningham Central 4 File,'Plc37-J. Wigginton, NRR PRPB R/F T. Essig, NRR JLee, NRR l
PRPB:gRSS RP]:DRSS:SC Rgfk:DRSpC OFC NAME JB JL Ji INTON LC\\
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/94 DATE OFFICIAL RECORD COPY 1
Document Name:BRCHSED