ML20057A281
| ML20057A281 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/31/1984 |
| From: | Page R NRC |
| To: | NRC |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20057A246 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9309130315 | |
| Download: ML20057A281 (3) | |
Text
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[s * * * "..~ 'o UNITED STATES
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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WASHINGTON. D.12:555
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- 964
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Files TE' E:'ONE CCNVERSATION WITH TOM WYNK0WSKI, U.S. CUSTOMS SERVI:E
(: C E NUMSER 566-5354) t I :n:ned Tom Wynkowski at about 2:00 p.m. on August 31, 1984 :: inform him i
of :ne -:ost recent Co-60 contamination incident involving pipe fittings a::arently imported from Taiwan. I explained to Mr. Wynkowsti :nat the.
i raciation measured on the pipe fittings was very low, perhaps 3 4 times
)
- acx:round radiation levels, and in no way presented any haza~ to the public.
! ::ic him that the detected contamination raises a question, n: wever, of one: er etner products are contaminated at possibly higher leveis.
- ave Mr. WynKowski the facts as we presently have them concerning how
- ne ::ntamination was detected by G.A. and the tracing of the ::ntaminated l
pi:e fittings to imported items from Taiwan.
I explained that tne NRC and the l
State of California are working closely together in this matter and the NRC is to notify the Department of State and intend to contact ~aiwan government l
a :.::
au:::rities to obtain available information concerning whether ether contaminated
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- :ucts may have been sent to the U.S. and if so, what levels of contamination l
- ny ;ossibly be present in them.
I informed Mr. Wynkowski that the NRC has not notified the local customs people in alifornia and suggested that he provide such notification 1f ha believed the i
Reg 1:nal Customs Office should be informed.
Mr. Wyr.kowski did not indicate whether ne :ianned to not1fy them or not.
Mr. Wynkewski thanked me for the call and asked us to keep him informed of :evelopments.
I told him that we would do so.
R. G. Page Mr. Cunningh Mr. Thompso/am 4
i 9309130315 841130 i
PDR ORG NOMA i
PDR 1
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'l FIXED COBALT-60 CONTAMINATED FLUMBING FITTINGS -
STATUS REPORT A5 0F SEPTOBER 6,1984 j
1.
Interrstional Procrams (IPl
]
IP has :een in contact with the Taiwan g:vernment.
In addition to j
the pi:e fittings founo in California, IF reported tnat anoiner customer SLP (Short Line Products) Inc., Sharon, Mass." orders pipe fittings from -
the same exporter in Taiwan that are exported directly to SLP customers.
SLP coes not maintain any stock of fittings except for 3 pieces for show that were not contaminated; they are a sales office.. The Comonwealth of i
Massacnusetts sent personnel to SLP to gather invoice information to determine the whereabouts of the fittings and follow up with surveys. They founc only invoices numbers; other receres (with names) are kept by customers and 5:eco of Taiwan. Also, the Mass. Co. does very little cusiness with j
Taiwan. Because of the low probability of significant contamination, R I is not going to pursue the matter any further unless they can get customer names. IP stated that Taiwan is still investigating the situation. As of this cate the origin is not known of the Co-60 or what founories in Taiwan are involved.
(See attached telex from Taiwan to IP.)
2.
Laboratory Analysis of Pioe Fittinos in California.
l Analysis of 20 pieces of fittings obtained from the California distributor indicated a maximum of 0.08 mR/hr of Co-60 on one 350 gram fitting i
("T") or about one nanocurie/ gram. The remaining 19 pieces had about t
1/5 as nach as the "T".
(The 20 pieces were taken from one box cut of 23 boxes at Western American Manufacturer - all boxes were uno:ened).
3.
Radioactivity Limits.
So far, the fittings surveyed are releasable for unrestricted use. NM55 has established a release limit of 0.2 mR/hr.
However, because the fittings may be installed in remote locations or the unlikeliness of :ersons being-exposed to significant amounts of radiation, each case will te treated on a case-by-case basis. The 0.2 mR/hr limit is, at present, a theoretical number and the limit could be raised in an individual case.
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I Continuation 2
a.
Time of Excorts.
It was learneo en 9/5/84 t, hat the fittings were shippec to California in l
I February - Maren, 1983.
SL? has ordered few fittings.-
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i 5.
Califernia.
f The licensee that returned a "T" to the hardware store in California reading-O.05 - 0.07 mR/hr, surveyed the other fittings imported from Taiwan. No
- ntamination was cetected.
This, coupled with the. lab analysis of 20 -
cther ;ieces, has led California to believe there is no health and safety preolem. Accercing to Region V, California is not very' anxious about survey-
{
ing fittings at custcmers facilities. The Region volunteered but California l
said no. It was their area of jurisdiction.
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S.
Contacts.
j The office of Public Affairs, State Programs, NM55, and the invo.lved Regions have been kept informed.
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