ML20006E233

Mgt Meeting Rept 70-0687/90-01 on 900102.Major Areas Discussed:Status of Actions Taken to Identify Source of Contamination in Onsite Storm Drain on 891128 & Plan of Action for Continued Corrective Measures

ML20006E233
Person / Time
Site:	07000687
Issue date:	02/06/1990
From:	Bores R, Roth J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
To:
Shared Package
ML20006E231	List: ML20006E230 ML20006E233
References
70-0687-90-01, 70-687-90-1, NUDOCS 9002220350
Download: ML20006E233 (10)

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i U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REGION I i

1 Report No. 70-687/90-01 l

Docket No.70-687 1

License No.

SNM-639 i

Licensee: Cintichem Incorporated i

P. O. Box 816 Tuxedo. New York 10987 Facility Name:

Sterling Forest Research Center l

Type of Meeting: Management Meetino l

Meeting Date: January 2. 1090 l

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Inspectors:

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l JfjRoth, Project Engineer, Effluents

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Radiation Protection Section, FRSSB 1

Approved by; ul/

I R. J. Boffs, Chief', Ef fluents Radiation date i

Protect 16n Section, Facilities Radiological 4

l Safety and Safeguards Branch j

i Meeting Summary: Meeting on January 2. 1990 (Inspection Report l

s No. 70-687/90-01).

This meeting was held to discuss the status of actions taken by the licensee to identify the source of contamination found in the onsite storm drain, the actions taken to verify and/or correct these sources and the plan of action for continued corrective measures.

Subsequent to this meeting on January 9, 1990, the licensee was requested telephonically to

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provide details of specific engineering evaluations in the 30-day report which l-was scheduled to be issued on January 16, 1990 and to install an ion exchange J

column or other similar water treatment equipment at or near the storm drain l

l outlet.' These requests were committed to by licensee representatives.

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DETAILS 1.0 Meeting Attendees 3.1 Cintichem. Incorporated D. J. Gallaher, President l

J. J. McGovern, Plant Manager W. G. Ruzicka, Manager, Nuclear Operations T. Vaughn, Manager, Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs i

F. Morse, Manager, Engineer and Technology Sales J. Guenther, Staff Health Physicist 1.2 Nuclear Regulatory Commission M. Knapp, Director, Division of Radiation Safety and Sefeguards R. Bores, Chief. Effluents Radiation Protection Section, FRSSB G. Comfort, Licensing Project Manager, NMSS J. Roth, Project Engineer, ERPS, FRSSB 1.3 State of New York R. M. Pratt, Associate Radiophysicist, Department of Labor, Division of Safety and Health L. S. Cabasino, Associate Radiophysicist, Department of Labor, Division of Safety and Health W. T. Varcasio, Environmental Radiation Specialist I, Department of Environmental Conservation, Bureau of Radiation S. Zobel, Environmental Radiation Specialist II, Department of Environmental Conservation, Bureau of Radiation J. Jones, Geologist, Department of Environmental Conservation, Bureau of Radiation

2.0 Background

On December 12, 1989, and by letter (Attachment 1) dated December 14, 1989, the licensee, Cintichem, Inc., reported the discovery, on November 28, 1989, of slightly contaminated water in an onsite storm drain. A regional inspector was sent to the site on December 19, 1989, to review the licensee's actions and analytical results. On the basis of that review, other actions taken by the licensee, and discussions with Region I management, the licensee issued a second letter (Attachment 2) dated December 28, 1989 which confirmed commitmer,ts made with respect to the continuation of investigative and corrective actions to correct the identified onsite storm drain water contamination problem.

3.0 Summary of Discussion Mr. McGovern provided information on the status of activities to identify the source of the contamination and discussed the potential

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sources of the contamination, the actions being taken to verify and/or correct these sources; provided a plan of action for continued corrective measures; and identified some of the skills and resources needed to accomplish the planned actions.

He also indicated that there was still no evidence of offsite releases as a result of the contaminated water i

found in the storm drain.

4.0 Conclusions Dr. Knapp concluded the meeting by stating that the information provided by the licensee was useful in understanding the actions being taken by the licensee. He also stated that the NRC will continue to follow the commitments made in the December 14 and December 28, 1989 letters.

These commitments contained in these letters were identified as Inspector Followup Items 687/90-01-01 and 687/90-01-02.

In addition, the licensee was expected to continue reporting daily analytical results for iodine-131 r

and iodine-133 at the S-4 sampling location until further notice.

Subsequent to this meeting, during a telephone discussion between Dr. Knapp and Mr. Gallaher on January 9,1990, the licensee was requested to provide detailed cngineering evaluations of liquid gaseous material balances, water makeup vs evaporation rate with regarj to the transfer canal and the gamma pit, and available hydrological evaluations in the 30-day report to be issued on January 16, 1990. The licensee was also requested to install an ion exchange column or other similar water treatment equipment at or near the storm drain outlet to the onsite holding pond.

Licensee representatives committed to conduct the requested evaluations and install the water treatment system.

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ClNTICHEM, INC.

i a wholly owned subsidsaty of Medi-Physics, Inc.

p.a. sox e,s. Tuxeoo. NEW YOAK 10987

[G14) 351-2131 L

December 14, 1989 i

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U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission j

Region I 475 Allendale Road

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j King of Prussia, PA 19406 I

Attention:

Mr. J. Roth l

f Gentlemen This is a brief report of an unusual situation at our facility I

that we discussed by telephone yesterday.

A leak has developed in the hot cell exhaust duct between the hot 5

cell filter bank and the main filter bank for the hot lab.

This leak allowed contaminated air to flow through a cavity between the T-1 room and the hot cell filter bank foundation under Building

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There is evidence of soil contamination in this cavity and also water contamination that has also contacted this cavity.

A close surveillance of environmental water samples and other surface and ground water samples of opportunity indicated the followings j

(Refer to the enclosed site map)

I Initial radioactivity was found in water in a manhole in the i

parking lot (sampling point S-4) as follows:

November 28 December 6 December 11 1-131 approx. 3 x 10-6 uci/cc 2.5 x 10-7 10-7 Other

. approx.10-8 uCi/cc approx. 10-8 10-8 i

I (The age of the radioiodine as determined by the change in the I-131/I-133 ratio is approximately 2 to 4 days),

i The discharge pipe from the manhole was uncovered at sampling point S-5 and a water and sediment sample collected on December 12, 1989 contained I-131 at approximately 10-0 uCi/cc and other l

gamma emitting isotopes at 10-7 uCi/cc.

The extent of L

radioactivity from this discharge pipe seems to be limited to within a 10 ft. radius from the end of the pipe.

A water sample i

l collected on December 6, 1989 at approximately /cc of10 feet from the

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10 gall (S-5) contained approximately out 10-7 uCi I-131 and j

uCi/cc for other isotopes.

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JJM/262.89B F

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r-L U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ATTENTION:

MR. J. ROTH PAGE 2 DECEMBER 14, 1989 Water samples from the 002 outfall (sampling point S-1) contained

< 10-8 uCi/cc of I-131 and 6 x 10-9 uCi/cc

(+ 20%) of Cs 137.

This sample is at background.

Samples taken at sampling point S-3 contained background levels.

Immediate corrective measures have been taken as follows:

The leak in the exhaust duct that is causing the contamination was located at the downstream end at the point where it enters the main filter bank plenum.

The air flow has been re-directed by venting the cavity close to the leak and thus keeping the contaminated air inside of the hot i

cell duct upstream of the hot cell filter bank (December 8,

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1989).

It is believed that this is evident in the reduction of the I-131 concentration in the manhole water between December 6 and December 11.

The duct is being excavated at the suspected point of leakage.

It is anticipated that this will be completed by December 18.

The entire inside surface of the duct will be inspected remotely by video camera on December 15.

1 An increased frequency of water samples at points S-1 through S-7 l

will be accomplished to monitor for trends.

l A more detailed investigation of the contamination beyond the S-5 sampling point will be initiated.

l Three wells will be dug on the west edge of the parking lot between Buildings 3 and 5 and any water that is found will be l

analyzed.

A more detailed report of these findings and progress toward correcting the problem will be sent 30 days from this date as requested.

Any significant change of status will be reported immediately.

Very truly yours, W

.D EC N Yh.S cGovern Plant Manager pr!

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CINTICHEM, INC.

6 a whoHy owned subsidery of Medi-Physics, Inc.

p.o sox sie. Tuxeoo. NEW YORK 10GB7 (G14) 351-2131 December 28, 1989 U.,S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region 1

'475 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 Attention:

Mr. M. Knapp

Dear Sir:

This letter is to confirm commitments for conducting investigation and corrective actions to correct a

water contamination problem that was reported in our letter of December 14, 1989.- It also confirms the telephone conference of today.

Since December 22, 1989, daily samples of water have been taken at locations S-4, S-3 and S-1 and 2 (composite).

(Refer to site map provided in our December 14, 1989 letter for location of sampling points).

Results are reported daily to NRC and NYDEC.

This practice will continue until it is mutually agreed to change.

~ Weekly samples of water are being analyzed from locations S-5, S-6 and S-7.

Results of analyses will be reported weekly.

The use of all hot drains in the Hot Lab has been suspended.

A temporary line that can be monitored visually has been installed to T1.

A method for testing all buried piping will be devised and tests will be conducted in the near future.

If radioactive concentrations above background are detected at S-1 and 2, further steps for controlling effluent beyond S-1 and 2 such as closing the gate at S-1 and 2 and/or treating the effluent at S-4 by Ion exchange will be initiated.

A status report will be submitted to NRC by January 16, 1990 that will include the following information:

1. A listing of potential sources of contamination

~2. Actions taken or planned to verify or negate potential sources.

3. Results of actions under 2.

4. Actions taken to correct or eliminate sources.

5. Results of actions under 4.

6. Plans and schedules of future actions.

7. Summary of sampling and aqalysis of H20, soil, etc.

JJM/ 271. 89B

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l U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION DECEMBER 28, 1989 PAGE 2 1

As agreed in our telephone conference of today, we will prepare for a meeting with NRC and NYDEC on Tuesday, January 2, 1990 at 1300 to discuss the following items:

1. Tour of site and pertinent facilities.

2. Review of potential sources.

3. Review of actions to verity and/or correct potential sources.

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4. Presentation of Plan of Action for continued corrective i

measures addressing each potential source of contamination.

5. Review of skills and resources needed to accomplish planned j

actions.

Very truly yours, 7-L, if nww

. O. McGovern Plant Manager i

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1 cc NYDEC - S.

Zoebel NYDOL - F. Bradley

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~ OUTLINE OF PLAN TO INVESTIGATE CAUSE AND ELININATE CONTAMINATION IN S-4 WATER Based on Isotopic Content, the potential _ sources are limited to those in contact with relatively f resh fission products (predominantly Iodines).

POTENTIAL SOURCE INVESTIGATION POSSIBLE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS

1. Gamma & Canal Compare isotopic distribution.

Inspect for obvious or apparent leaks in canal and water system at S4 and Evap. hole gamma Conduct water loss study Compare resistivity at S4 &_Evap.

Grout hole Drain system & look for reduced flow Install Line.

in Evap. Room hole

1. Empty system of Primary's

2. Empty system of Target uranium

3. Install in sections

2. Ventilation Duct Excavate duct at main filter house Seal leaks between hot cell filter and main filters.

junction and inspect for leaks

1. at main filter bank caulk from outside Flug old lateral duct entry from

2. at entry of old lateral duct seal with pressere inside doct.. Measure for patch from inside duct mechanical seal

3. at concrete pipe joints seal with internal Set up surveillance to detect future pressure bands leaks JJM/272.89B m

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, POTEteTIAL SOURCE =

INVESTIGATIOtt.

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POFSIBLE CORIWCTIVE ACTIONS

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'3.'Not Drains'-

Discontinue use (12/28)

Install new drain system

~ Trace under-floor drains Test under-floor drains Dye.

Pressure

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H O level 2

4. Other not Cell sources visual inspection of Bot Cells As indicated by investigation Soil contamination check-What changed this Spring?

Cell 5 pit-

5. Domestic Water Supply Trace lines Cut off water supply and reservoirs General Environmental Considerations Determine general hydrology (NYS, Sterling Forest Corp.)

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Survey for spread of contamination to other areas beyond S-4 and S-5 Resources & Skills Needed i

Hydrology - psdSi% b/f F Radiometric Analysis (f#

Structural Consulting ca N JJPt/272.89B

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