ML20033F432
| ML20033F432 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/10/1989 |
| From: | Cunningham R NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Baublitz J ENERGY, DEPT. OF |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20033D963 | List:
|
| References | |
| FOIA-90-29 NUDOCS 9003200452 | |
| Download: ML20033F432 (5) | |
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i Mr. John E. Baublitz A
Acting Director T
Office of Remedial Action j
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Washington, D. C.
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Dear Mr. Baublitz:
ei This is in reference to the status of the investigation into the cause of O
failure of Waste Encapsulation and Storage Facility (WESF) capsules that 1
4 contain cesium-137. On January 31, 1969, the State of Georgia's Task Force j
1 that was established by Governor Joe Frank Harris to investigate the June 1988
. incident at Radiation Sterilizers, Inc.'s (RSI's) facility at Decatur, Gtorgia F
held a meeting. During that meeting, Mr. Ron Hultgren, Chairman of the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Investigation Board for the cesium-137 incident, provided an oral report on the preliminary results of the Board's
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investigation. Mr. Hultgren's remarks reinforce our desire to obtain the h
investigation report as soon as possible.
j Based on our consultation with you in July-August 1988 and the limited i
M information both agencies h6d at that time regarding the RSI incident, it was
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generally believed that thermal recycling of the sources at the Georgia RSI j
facility was likely to be a major contributor to capsule failure. For that W
reason, use of the WESF capsules at the RSI facility in Ohio, which also 1.
involved many thermal cycles, was stopped.
However, it was decided with your agreement, that use of the WESF capsules at Applied Radiant Energy Corp. in y
Virginia and lotech in Colorado could continue for an interim period pending b
completion of'the investigation on the basis that the capsules are in a fairly N
stable thermal environment at these facilities and the operations were i
supplemented by additional measures for early detection of leaking capsules to 4
provide greater assurance for protection of the public health and safety.
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3 Based on Mr. Hultgren's remarks and other information that has been shared by j
you from the examination, NRC is not as confident today about the role of V
thernial recycling in the Georgia RSI contamination incident.
Please tell us, y
based on what is now known within DOL and its laboratories, if there is i
information which aliminates thermal recycling as an important cause of capsule n
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failure or if there is any other information which is inconsistent with our interim decision and that of the Agreement State of Colorado on continued use of the WESF capsules at the Virginia and Colorado facilities. We would also appreciate knowing any additional precautionary measures that should be taken now at these two facilities pending completion of DOE's investigation.
Please also give us the DOE schedule for the completion of the investigation
.y-report. We again emphasize our interest in obtaining the report as soon as O
possible.
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Richard E. Cunningham, Director i
Division of Industrial end Medical Nuclear Safety Office of Nuclear Material Safety 1
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