ML20087N305

Part 21 Rept Re Failure of Siemens Health Physics Svcs Solid State Neutron Dosimeters to Measure Fast Neutrons.Exposure Test Program Procedure Valid.Test Results & Supporting Documentation Encl

ML20087N305
Person / Time
Site:	Washington State University
Issue date:	03/16/1984
From:	Wilson W WASHINGTON STATE UNIV., PULLMAN, WA
To:	Scarano R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION V)
References
REF-PT21-84-172-000 PT21-84-172, PT21-84-172-000, NUDOCS 8404030318
Download: ML20087N305 (12)

Text

P u o C

[ PULLMAN, WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON wimm NUCLEAR RADIATION CENTER March 16, 1984 Mr. Ross A. Scarara, Director Division of Radiological Safety and Safeguards Programs U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region 5 1450 Maria Lane, Suite 210 Walnut Creek, California 94596

Dear Mr. Scarano:

In accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR 21, notification is herewith submitted relating to the failure of Siemens Health Physics Services solid state neutron dosimeters to measure fast neutrons. Washington State University has contracted with Siemens to provide the university with per-sonnel dosimetry service for the measurement of beta-gamma radiation and neutrons. Siemens shifted from NTA film to track etch-type detectors for neutron dosimetry about 8 to 10 months ago. In order to insure that the numbers reported by Siemens were accurate, the university instituted a test program about 8 months ago. A description of the neutron exposure tests and the results obtained are described on the attached memorandum.

The results of our tests on Siemens neutron badges indicated that either our test procedure was invalid or Siemens neutron dosimeters did not func-tion at all. Tests using two other vendors' dosimeters resulted in reason-able results that substantiated the validity of our test procedure. The final conclusion is that Siemens' new solid state neutron dosimeters and the associated processing are defective and simply do not detect fast neu-tron exposure.

Sincerely, lh W. E. Wilson ,,

Associate Director .

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• l MEM0RANDUM TO: Bill Wilson, Associate Director FROM: Jerry Neidiger, Reactor Supervisor c(/, /[

DATE: March 20, 1984

SUBJECT:

-Evaluation of Siemens Gamma and Neutron Dosimetry Badges Attached is the evaluation of Siemens film badges worn by personnel at WSU, including personnel at the Nuclear Radiation Center. All badges were placed at the same distance from the source and various dose levels were a function of time only. The gamma film. badges were exposed to an NES cali-l37 source. The neutron badges were exposed to a brated 94 millicurie Cs 1 curie PuBe source, No. M-134, which has a neutron emission rate of 1.58 x 10 n/sec. As of this date, the Siemens neutron badges have failed to record any dose level of neutrons.

Table I gives the test results of neutron exposure for the last six months. These badges were given calibrated neutron doses, then returned to the vendor as part of the building badging account each month. The vendor was unaware these were test badges. When the monthly test badges failed to record any dose, I requested ten additional test badges. I informed Siemens

.these would be given calibrated doses of radiation and returned to them for evaluation. Table II gives the results_of these additional 10 test badges, which was performed in February. Again the neutron badges failed to record any dose of neutrons. As a check of my exposure methods, I requested 10 test dosimetry badges each from two other vendors. As it turned out, one vendor supplied me with two different types of neutron dosimeters for a. total of 20 w s v - ,Qr ., a-e, --, ..m. ~----.4 .v.-- . . - - - - - ~ - - - -

Page 2 badges, while the other vendor supplied me 'with three different types of neutron dosimeters for a total of 15 badges. These badges were given identical doses in the identical manner as the Siemens badges and all 35 badges recorded neutron doses within 50% of the expected values.

I believe the Siemens neutron badges to be defective and I have turned my test results over to the Radiation Safety Supervisor for further action with Siemens.

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Evaluation of Siemens Neutron Badges for the  !

Period of July 1, 1983 through December 31, 1983 i (all doses in millirem) i Month Badge No. Dose Given Dose Reported  % Error July 84 30 not read -

85 635 not read -

August 84 40 0 -100%

85 409 0 -100%

September 84 50 0 -100%

85 200 0 -100%

October 84 124 0 -100%

85 396 0 -100%

November 84 180 0 -100%

85 1323 0 -100%

December 84 200 0 -100%

85 400 0 -100%

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Table 11 Results of Special Test Evaluation on Siemens Neutron Badges Performed on February 15, 1984 Badge No. Dose Given Dose Reported  % Error 091 10 - Note #1 092 10 - Note #1 093- 25 - Note #1 094 25 - Note #1 100 6 -100%

095 100 6 -100%

096 250 6 -100%

097 250 6 -100%

098 500 6 -100%

099 500 6 -100%

100 NOTE #1: Dose given below minimum detectable dose of 30 mrem

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Dear Customer:

Your new solid state neutron dosimeters are in the enclosed box. These dosimeters replace the neutron (green striped) film packets you have received in the past and provide several important advantages, -

including a lower minimum detectable neutron energy and almost no fading from heat and humidity.

Best of all, we are happy to bring you this new technology at no increase in price.

The neutron dosimeter section of the enclosed instruction book shows how to position the dosimeter and plastic insert in your badge holder.

An option to detect thermal neutron exposure is being developed. We will let you know as soon as it is available.

If you have any questions, please call us.

Sincerely, William E. Todd  ;

Manager Health Physics Services WET /k enc.

SIEMENS GAMMASONICS, INC.

Health Physics Servmes __ i

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I YOUH FIRST SH:PMEN1 OPTIONAL EXTENDED HANGE CONTROL FILM PACKET Yuus liist shipuien; contains film PACKET l he control film ui.cnt.o 000!

packets, plastic badge holders, and o h you orueico the optional extended company all shipinents to inoi packing list. Each film packet is identified range service, an extended range fred radiation exposan oonni t ti with your account number, wearer num strioed) filni packet is provided in the fitst storage 11 shoulu not Im uset ber and a type code indicating the type shipment for use with each standard other purpose. T he control si of exposure to be monitored. monitor packet except the control, and kept in a holder in an area i those with neutron service. This special radiation exposure, high tempers Exposure types are: packet is used to monitor gamma ex- high humidity, and must be i 0 Lett Ankle posures above 500 rem which are with the standard monitor pa' 1 Whole Body beyond the range of the standard the same date for evaluatiorl 4 Right Wrist monitor packet. Should a h:gh reading SEPARATING PACKETS S Lef t Wnst be detected dunng evaluation of your Fh pa&ts are WW m u 8 Right Ankle standard monitor packet, you will b them straight apart to separatI 9 Special Whole Body notified by telephone to return your ex- '

= Special Purpose tended range packet for evaluation. Nor- dividual may breakpackets. Do expos the seals and not twis/

mally, a replacement extended range to light which will destroy it BADGE packet is sent every year, at which time pa&ts W tW c@s W t CUSTOMER the old packet should be discarded. The necessary pressure in the centt extended range packet is always iden-IDENTIFICATIONr[

\ ~7 QS "# 'j.j tified by a red stripe. INSERTING FILM IN HOLDE To open the badge holder, pull <

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j NEUTRON DOSIMETER the catch at the top. Do not try The optional track-etch, fast neutron the holder more than 90 dosimeter should be placed in the When using neutron dos P/ depression in the upper-left corner of place the neutron dosimete j the inside back of the film badge holder.

STARTING DATE The plastic insert should be placed be- h Ider first. The standard packet with the same weare tween the neutron dosimeter and the and type should be placed on t FIGURE 1-FILM IDENTIFICATION regular film packet. Each neutron neutron dosimeter. Close the hc dosimeter should be returned with the The following paragraphs will explain the it snaps shut.

corresponding standard monitor packet purpose and use of the packets and for evaluation. Do not return the plastic in- The badge number, name i holders. sert. _

should appear in the window in i O ' ' " ' '~ l of the holder.

STANDARD MONITOR PACKET .1 The standard monitor packets, including T Qg -

the control packet, contain two dif ferent g y a f t,. .

types of film having an approximate p .

g g. , g g f,, l p" i *c g "; 1 overall range of 10 millirem to 400 rem ' '4 q. {

for gamma exposures. All packets are ,.

M ', j WEARING YOUR BADGE color coded to help yCJ tell at a glanCO if You should wear your badge 11-your personnel are w faring a current film , ., .

the working day. Clip on badg' oaNd' -

be worn between waist and nec packet or an old one.

FIGURE 2-NEUTRON DOstMETER approximate total body radi l

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vided in the first storage. It should not be useo ior any y'd nu .

each standard other purpose. lhu control should be e a control, and kept in a holder in an area free from radiation exposure, high temperature and y

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or gamma ex- high humidity, and must be returned ,

rn which are with the standard monitor packets of W

- the standard the same date for evaluation. ~ fg{ " "

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SEPARATING PACKETS Juation of your F:m packets are shipped in strips. Pull FIGURE 3-OPENING HOLDER Y them straight apart to sepcrate into in-n however, or.o area of the body is more dividual packets. Do not twist as this likely to be exposed than the rest, the waluation. Nor- may break the seals and expose the film extended range badge should be worn in that area. The to light which will destrov it. Handle front of the Ledge should face away packets by thw edges and avoid m- f rom the body. Never allow clothing, but.

discarded. The n ess ry pressme in the cents.

is telways iden- tons, buckles, r,en3, etc. to shield the INSERTING FILM IN HOLDER front of the badg3.

To open the badge holder, pull gently on REPLACEMENT FILM PACKETS ER the catch at the top. Do not try to open Replacement film packets will be sent i, fist neutron the holder more than 90. before the end cf your monitoring j pla w d in t M peri d. These fdms should be placed in When using neutron dosimeters, eh cans of place the neutron dosimeter in the use on the date pnnled on the fdm n badge holder. p ets. Return the used packets with 1 be placed be- holder first. The standard monitor a conuol Mm prompdy m the rusaMc acket with the same wearer number

1. " " shipping container using the return ad and type should be placed on top of the Each neutron c'ress label provided. Fitrr packets which turned with the peuum dosWm. Oose h Wm W have become contaminated with radioac-it snaps shut.

monitor packet tive solutions must never te returned to Jrn the plastic in- The badge number, name and date Siemens without prior knowledge Cnd should appear in the window in the front consent.  ;

of the holder.

1%- [ NUCLIBADGE11 EXPOSURE REPORT y b *-[, j At the end of each monitoring period when fdms are returned for eva?uation, a i A ,N ,

f.', . radiation exposure report showing the

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(' wearer will be issued. The intormation in

,, ei , WEARING YOUR BADGE You should wear your badge throughout the table on the last page of this booklet the working day. Clip-on badges shoul'd will help you interpret your exposure b- be worn between waist and neck level to report. Additional data will be found on DOstMETER approximate total body radiation. If, the back of each report.

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CHANGE 01- SERVICI ANY OUESTIONS Lhar ge:, .ne tot ti eu nornber of lih n Ouestiot t, ououi any pha.." o' voi r 1 packets shipped to you whether they are Nuchbodge li seivite should be uitecteo l used or not. Changes inade in your sei to Siemens Health Physics Ses vices, P O vice should be requested using the Box 1367. Des PLunes, lihnois 60018 change form on the back of the packing' Ph ne: 800/323 60151 oil hee (in lihnois.

312/63S 3387, Colicct) hst recemed with your most recent film shipment. Cancellations must be te Always refer to customer and badge numbers in any correspondence.

ceived at least 20 days before the date of the shipment to be altered.11 service is YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES cancelled for any participant you must it is your responsibihty to review prompt return the film badge holder. You will be ly and with care the data in your' expo.

charged for any holder not returned. Do sure reports and to take, for yourself and -

not reassign badge numbers to persons your employees, any protective or cor- ,

other than those to whom they were rective action that may be indicated. Fur- I onginally assigned since all exposure ther, re!able data necessanly depends i

1. ccords are kept by badge number. upon proper practices on your part. Ac- ,

When reinstating personnel, you must cordingly, your utilization of Nuctibadge supply us with the badge number and ll dosimetry service must conform with ,

approximate date of the last film worn. these instructions.

BASIC RADIATION EXPOSURE LIMITS COLUMN #

TYPE OF EXPOSURE LIMIT ON REPORT Whole Body 1.250 Mdlirem per quarter - 14 5,000 Millerem per year 17 Skin 7,500 Malirem per quarter 15 Ufetirr e Whole Body 5.000 Mdlerem X (Age 18) 19  ;

500 Mdhrem in Readings from **  !

Pregnant Women (with respect to fetus) gestation period Column 12 must l be totaled over l gestation period Hand, Forearms Feet 18,750 Malirem par quarter 15 Ankles 75,000 Malerem per year 18

• u $ Nucceae Reguetory Corswnessen Regulations. Tale 10. Part 20, Code of Federai Regulatens Cepen evodetpe troen USNRC. Washengton. D C. 20546 l

" NCRP Recon No 39, See.c Redimien Peotecten Catees Copies avodstwo tenen NCRP Pubhcesions. I P o som 4a67. Washington, O C. 200m  !

SIEMENS  !.

Health Physics Services 2000 Nuclear Drive Des Plaines. Ilknois 60018 Telephone: 312/635-3387 l 8

800/323 6015 Pnneedinu s A Rev2.ms2 i

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1 Log Sheet No.

PART 21 REPORT LOG SHEET

1. Subject of Report - . / / /r- w iL c> # [/4 t c 8 -T .e-b'UIj7/

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2. Date Verbal Notification Received' !IlS4f' N'//SkReceived By - d. ///E#hed 3 .- Date Information Placed in Daily Report - //d/dE /?, //N

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Name and Address of Person Providing Verbal Notification a) Name - lW }Vj: Con , /hSSorsi,try ), sd7x b) Company and Address - AIASt//N477/J hilZf V/ /fJ/}'".bb/dO!A' 7 T.?N ft)/ t.Ift]A), }\/ f. $lY~l.3OO c) Telephone No. - [8b'h33f-$[,41

5. Description of Problem - /NJ/,b. MN/k fouve 7b / A/tv7 pen 'Tr'4df KTtti DMi/rf rfi /3 Su ihk/Gi> A </ O r n h =n s 0 / H N 4 S cA// c 3 Zije.

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6. Nuclear Facilities Affected - # #-S /J . [ /, M/// N 4/s v //N y' S c/ u t)'

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7. Date 5-day Written Report Due - //4264 f/, /9[/ Date Received -//d#dd- fff /984

8. Div. Secretary Mail Written Report to HQ's and Other Affected Regions a) Date Mailed to HQ's Document Control Desk -

b) Date Mailed to Other Regions -

9. Generic Issue Data Sheet (TI-2500/3) submitted? h No

10. Additional Comments -

4 Part 21 Report Reviewed by h Date Z M Region V Form No. 809 Revised 3/13/84 AH.d,nb.i y ,1 9 3, I

Data Shiet No.: Appendix A TI 2500/3 POTENTIALLY GENERIC ISSUE DATA SHEET 4/1/00 Y Facility W h l// % T M $ M r d O N i h Dockettjo. 50-O%7 jouw auar Date of Event /'l440# /b/ I'IO Inspection (or other Report 24rzo NM 2#i '78Y

1. Brief Description of Issue (Not required if included in supporting data)

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          }440 OMM $6/984' 76 7 rd4C/t syd irtsyro# hsinrtts-77/L                  Pt:eson DLf /,/f8 7 b lS 0 N M S A C/6 ?)/ P d A s E!6 M &cusa 3i,i183 Fsexo to te.rpue to asrocarm/s.

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2. How Found (If appropriate) .

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Region Originator Saet4ew CideI/ Branch Chief 1

5. Other Region Reporting That The Problem Has Also Been Identified By Them Region , Chief Reporting , Docket No.

6. Evaluation by IE:HQ Information Notice / /

Bulletin / / Circular / / Other / / . No further action required / /

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