ML20012F033
| ML20012F033 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/27/1990 |
| From: | Kinneman J, Reber E, Ullrich B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20012F029 | List: |
| References | |
| REF-QA-99990001-900327 99990001-89-18, NUDOCS 9004090334 | |
| Download: ML20012F033 (3) | |
Text
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s U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMI$$10N l
REGION I Report No. 99990001/89-018 Docket No. 99990001 l
License No. None Facility Name:
Lite-A-Life Corporation (non-licensee) inspection At:
47 Yorktown Road fast Brunswick, New Jersey Inspection Conducted: November 29, 1989 7!fA Inspectors:
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.1 Betsy 011r h, Health, hysidst 7
date M, ~.
4W Y, S
7 ~7/ $ 0 ric H. Reber, Hialth PhysicMst 7
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date/
Approved by:
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?7 fu Jo n b. Kin 6eman, Chief date i
Nu lear Materials Safety Section B Inspection Summary:
Special closeout inspection on November 29, 1989 (Region I Inspection Report No. 99990001/89-018).
Areas Inspected: Announced closeout inspection limited to a survey of a private residence apparently used by the previous owner for storage of smoke detectors containing americium-241.
The smoke detectors were initially distributed by Fyrnetics, Inc. to Lite-A-Life Corporation in Totawa, New Jersey.
The basement area was surveyed to identify fixed residual contamination, and fourteen wipes were taken and assayed for removable alpha, beta, and gamma contamination.
Results: No violations were identified. No detectable removable or fixed rah oactive contamination was found.
9004090334 900327 REG 1 OA999 EMVFYR 99990001 FDC
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DETAIL $
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1.
Persons Contacted
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John Eilhardt (by telephone)
Mrs. John Eilhardt
' Larry Ratzlaff, Fyrnetics Corporation (by telephone)
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===2.
Background===
l NRC Region I was contacted by a private citizen on November 21, 1989 regarding the discovery of smoke detectors containing americium-241 foils in his recently purchased home at 47 Yorktown Road, Best Brunswick, l
New Jersey. Warranty cards were delivered to this address for smoke detectors purchased from Lite-A-Life Corporation and the new owner found l
information listing the home address as the place to return smoke detectors l
for repair and servicing. He also found smoke detectors labelled Models PSA-100 and F900D, Lite-A-Life Corporation in the home. He was concerned that the basement work area may be contaminated due to the presence of the l
americium-241 foils.
The NRC license number listed on the smoke detectors is 12-16856-01E issued to Fyrnetics, Inc., 1021 Davis Road, Elgen, j
1111nois 60120.
j Fyrnetics, Inc. was contacted by Region I.
A representative stated that Fyrnetics, Inc. is the initial transferer of smoke detectors which are manufactured and distributed in accordance with the regulations of Title 10,
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Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 30 and 32.
Lite-A-Life Corporation was a customer in New Jersey, although Fyrnetics' contact with them was located at 409 Minnisink Road, Totawa, New Jersey.
Fyrnetics has not s
produced any smoke detectors for Lite-a-Life in 1989, and believes that l'
the company has gone out of business.
Attempts were made to locate Lite-A-Life Corporation in Totawa, New Jersey.
l However, the telephone number listed on the company letterhead is no longer in service, and there is no current listing for this company. The former owner of the home in East Brunswick could not be located.
f 3.
Instrumentation Vsed In Survey Radiation level measurements were made with a Ludium Model 61 alpha survey meter, NRC Serial No. 023412, and a Berthold LB 1210 C gas flow proportional e
survey meter, NRC Serial No. 020736.
Both survey meters were tested l
prior to use using a plutonium-239 check source and found to be approximately f
11% efficient. The background level measured using the Ludlum 61 was O counts per second (eps), and the background measured using the Berthold was 4 cps, t
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3 Wipes were counted in the Region I Laboratory using a Tennelec 5000
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gas-flow proportional counter sensitive to alpha particles. The minimum detectable activity for this system is 18 disintegrations per minute
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i (dpm).
They were also counted using an intrinsic germanium detector I
sensitive to gamma radiation.
l 4.
$vrvey Results I
Radiation level surveys were performed on floor areas, shelves, door handles, and countertops in the basement work area.
No radiation levels j
l greater than background were noted in the basement work area.
Fourteen wipe tests were also performed in the basement work area.
Fourteen wipe tests were also performed in the basement work area.
No radioactivity
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greater than the minimum detectable activity was measured on wipes.
5.
Residual Materials One Model P$A 100 smoke detector containing a 1.0 microcurie source was found by the current homeowners.
Several Model F900D smoke detectors are mounted in various rooms of the home, According to the Fyrnetics representative, this model smoke detector contains a 5.0 microcurie source, and has not been manufactured since 1979.
6.
Exit Interview The scope and results of the inspection were discussed with the homeowner prior to leaving the premises.
The homeowner was told that unwanted smoke detectors could be disposed with normal trash.
The results of the inspection were discussed with the representative of Fyrnetics identified in Section 1.
There is no hazard to the current occupants of the home from the presence of these smoke detectors.
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