ML20081D290

Responses to Issues Identified by Organization Re Shipping of iriduim-192 to Medical Community After Element Has Been Produced in Reactor Facility.Interim Guidance Re Ir-192 Production & Shipment,Submitted

ML20081D290
Person / Time
Site:	University of Missouri-Columbia
Issue date:	03/09/1995
From:	Rhyne J MISSOURI, UNIV. OF, COLUMBIA, MO
To:	Mccormick B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
References
NUDOCS 9503200190
Download: ML20081D290 (2)

Text

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bcb March 9,1995 University of Missouri ATTN: Dr. James J. Rhyne Director, Research Reactor Facility Research Park Columbia, MO 65201

SUBJECT:

IRIDIUM-192 SHIPMENTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA RESEARCH REACTOR

Dear Dr. Rhyne:

This letter is in response to an issue identified by your organization related to the shipping of iridium-192 to the medical connunity after it is produced in your reactor facility. During your review of the iridium-192 production process, your organization identified that, in addition to iridium-192, unavoidable significant quantities of iridium-193m are also produced. Since many 10 CFR Part 30 byproduct licenses authorize possession of iridium-192 not including any trace elements, your organization has not shipped the material to the licensees without their first obtaining approval to do so from the State or Federal agency that issued the licenses. In addition, we understand that you will be providing us with a letter describing similar circumstances involving shipment of activation products to licensees with limited isotope specific licenses.

Prior to our addressing this issue generically, we are providing you with the following interim guidance concerning iridium-192 production and shipment to holders of NRC licenses (this guidance does not cover Agreement State licenses):

Based on our understanding that (1) the presence of iridium-193m does not change the dose rate of the iridium product in any measurable manner, (2) the iridium-193m production is inherent and unavoidable during the production of iridium-192 in a reactor, and (3) no significant alteration of the chemical or radiological characteristics of the iridium product results from the presence of iridium-193m, we do not require that a license specifically identify the iridium-193m in order to receive the licensed iridium-192 product. Therefore, you do not need to verify that NRC licenses include provisions to possess iridium-193m.

In accordance with Department of Transportation regulations, you are still expected to identify on the shipping papers, all isotopes that comprise at least one percent of the total activity of the product being shipped.

9503200190 950309 PDR ADOCK 05000196 'I l P PDR

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i University of Missouri-Columbia  :

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We are sending a copy of this letter to Dr. William Vernetson to further i disseminate this information to members of the test, research, and training reactor community. Copies of this letter will also be distributed to i Agreement State Agencies for their information. We will gladly discuss any  !

questions you have concerning this letter.

l Sincerely, l

%ginal rigned by J. W. McCorm%  !

JamesW.McCormick-Barger,ChieYggr .

Radiological Programs Section 1 '

Docket No. 50-186 cc: P. Lohaus, Office of State Programs Dr. William Vernetson, Director of Nuclear Facilities i Distribution Docket File t OC/LFDCB  :

Al Adams, NRR PUBLIC IE 06  ;

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