ML20128Q396
| ML20128Q396 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07000794 |
| Issue date: | 06/12/1979 |
| From: | Mary Woods ROSARY COLLEGE, RIVER FOREST, IL |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20128Q307 | List: |
| References | |
| 12342, NUDOCS 8506040184 | |
| Download: ML20128Q396 (7) | |
Text
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ROSARY COLLEG 7900 WEST DIVISION STREET E
RIVER FOREST. ILLINOIS 60305 June 12,1979 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region III Radioisotopes Licensing Section 799 Roosevelt Road Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137 Gentlemen Rosary College, River Forest, Illinois ( Mail Contact No.123h2), ~
hereby makes application for a renewal of its Special Materials License, SNM - 733 ( Docket No. 70-0075h)
The following information is submitted ( with five copies) in ful-fillment of the requimments of Section 70.22 " Contents of Application' of 10CFR Part 70.
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- 1. Applicant my Rosary College, River Forest, Illinois, 60305 was incorporated by the State of Illinois in 1918 The principal office of Rosary College is y
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located at 7500 W. Division St., River Forest, IL 60305.
The principal officers of the college are:
Name Title Address CLtizenshin Sister Candida Lund,0.P.
President 7900 W. Division U. S.
RLver Forest, IL Norman Carroll Dean of 720 Fomst Ave.
U. S.
Faculties River Fom st, IL John P. Bra #
Vice-President 1095 Brookside Ct.
U.S.
of Financial Hanover Park, IL Affairs 60103 Then is no control or ownership exercised over the applicant by ary alien, foreign corporation, or foreign government.
- 2. Activities to be Performed The Plutonium-Beryllium neutron source will be used in the science laboratories located in the Albertus Magnus Science Hall of Rosary College.
The material will be used in the education and training of undergraduate students. The following experiments are typical of those performed
- a. Simple neutron activation and radioactive decay 8506040184 85041o JW18 M REC 3 LIC70 SNM-0733 PDR
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- b. Absolute Calibration o.f NeutrogDetection Foils
- c. Paparation of er-free Br from Bromobenzene
- d. Separation of Mn fmm Potassium permanganate
- e. Examination of Neutron-Induced Activities in Silver
- 3. Special Nuclear Material Thirty-two (32) grams of plutonium encapsulated as one 2-curie Pu-Be neutron seuree have been licensed under SNM-733 since 1%3 and the renewal of this license is being applied for. This Pu-Be neutron source has a eight of total contained plutonium of 32 grams ( Pu-239 plus Pu-2h1 is w
29.8 gmas.) The source manufactuar and soume serial numbers are NUMRC 320B38.
- h. Technical Qualifications of Personnel The proposed program of experiments will be conducted by the following members of the Rosary College scLence faculty
- a. Sister Mary Woods, Professor of Oiend.stry, obtained her Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin in 1961. Her courses included work in Radiochemistry and in connection with her doctoral msearch she conducted experiments using Ag110 - and scintillation well counters.
Since lWO she has been a Research Associate at Argonne National Laboratory investigating the kinetics and mechanipas of redox reactions of.the actinide elements (in particular Np239 and Am2n3 ).
Her work involving. millimolar quantities of these isotopes is closely monitored by Radiation Safety Personnel and she is f
thoroughly familiar with the practices of radiation pmtection.
- b. Sister Mary O'Donnell,' Assistant Professor of Physics, received her M.S. in Physics from Marquette University in 1%2. Her Masters thesis was "Photoexcitation of 2.1h-Mev level of B" She has taught Nuclear Physics courses and has attended workshops at. Argonne National Labomtory on hdio-activity Studies.
- . Dr. Margaret Jonah, Assistant Professor of Biology, aceived her
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Ph.D. in Chemical Biology from Columbia University in lW1. She has taught a course in Radiobiological Techniques and as a Research Associate at Argenne National Labomtory has become familiar with radiation safety.
- 5. Equipment, Facilities and Instrumentation The Pu-Be neutron source is stored in a Visiflux Neutron Howitzer (Reactor Experiments, Inc., lho Harbor Blvd., Belmont, CA.) in a posted and labeled closet in the Albertus Magnus Science Hall. Irradiation of sasples takes place them and for the vast majority of the experiments, the source is muoved neither from the Howitzer nor the oloset. A 2h-inch source l
handling tool is provided for transferring the neutron source ( e.g. during l
1es.k-test procedure.) In the ran case when the source is used outside of
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the Visiflux, the two-foot length of rod on the source holder provides ade-quate distance from the source.
When the source is in position in the Visiflux, the gamma radiation is negligible and both fast and slow neutron fluses an within exposum limits.
The following radiation detection instruments are available l
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t Number Model Number Radiati'on Sensitivity Type of Detected Range
_ use 1-Precision Radiation Beta-gamma 0-20,2.0,0.2 Monitorin g Instruments, Inc.
mr/hr Surveyirg Model 1060 1
Baird-Atomic EWH 108 Alpha-beta 0-20 Window,000 cpm Measurirg detector with 123A thick 2 Monitoring Scalar -
ness 1.h mg/cm 1
Baird-Atomic Microthin Alpha-beta Window thick-Leak-test End Window Flow Counter ness 0.7 mg/cm2 Measuring Model 821C ( with B/A Scalar-Timer Model 135)
Calibration of the radiation detection instruments will be accomplished upon-use. A calibrated radium disc is supplied with the Precision Model 106C and the following U. S. Nuclear calibrated sources are available for the EWH 108:
Standard Number Isotone A_ctivity 7065 C136 h2h Beta /sec.
P2hh c1h 575 Beta /sec.
60 Ph79 Co 2h20 gama/sec. (1-1-6h)
Ph07 Cs137-Ba137 2560 gamma /sec. (1-1-6h)
Calibration of the Baird-Atomic Model 8210 for leak-test purposes is accom-plished by using a calibrated alpha source: U. S. Nuclear Standard No. P3h2, Uranium, 361 dps. This source is counted before and after each leak-test seasurement. These calibation procedures are performed by Sister Mary Woods.
Fe116 ming irradiation involving the Szilarti-Chalmers reaction, samples ~are removed from the Howitzer and worked up in the Physical Chemistry laboratory adjacent to the Howitzer closet. Care is taken to cover the desk top with protective absorbent paper and the work whenever possible is conducted on protective trays. Special containers am provided for both liquid and solid radioactive wastes.
- 6. Proeiedures to Protect Health and Minimize Danger The Pu-Be source is stored when not in use in the " storage" position of the Visiflux Neutron Howitzer. A locking red and lock are included for
-locking the cover and retaining the source in its storage position when the -
unit is not in use. The keys will be available only to the laboratory instructors (Section h) and the chairperson of the Chemistry Department to prevent unauthorized use or amoval of the source from the Howitzer. The manipulation of the source will be accomplished only by the laboratory in-structor by the use of a source handling tool.
l 6.1 Each laboratory instructor ( Section h) is responsible for radiation safety during the experiments she is conducting.
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6.2 Personnel Monitoring Since the neutron source is kept in the water-moderated neutron howitzer, there has been no need for personnel monitoring. It is not likely that any student or instntetor would receive a dose in any calendar quarter in excess of the tolerances' that have been set by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
6.3 Radiation Survey Pmgram The neutron source is kept in the water-moderated howitzer and when so positioned the gamma radiation is negligible and both fast and slow neutron fluxes are within exposure limits.
'6.h Waste Disposal The radioactive isotopes produced by neutron activation am all short-lived. They are placed in appropriate containers for liquid or solid wastes, allowed to decay and finally dispersed in water and disposed of via the sanitary sewer system. At no time are the daily, nomthly or annual limits specified in 20.303 of 10CFR Part 20 exceeded.
6.5 & cord Managenent The person maponsible for keeping and reviewing records is Sister Mary Woods. Records are kept on the leak-testing of the neutron source.
6.6 Material Control Provisions Not applicable
- 6.7 Sealed-Source Leak-Testing Provisions The neutron source will be leak-tested every six (6) months by Sister Mary Woods ( Section h) The wipe technique will be used in the following manners
- a. Remove lid closure.
- b. Remove source from the neutron howitzer maintaining the source as far from the bocty as possible.
- c. Botate the soume against a filter pad.
- d. Return the source to the neutron howitzer and place in storage position.
- e. Replace lid closure.
- f. Place the filter pad in the GM counter and determine the alpha activity.
- g. If less than 0.005 microcurie of removable contamination is de-tected on the test samp1, record result of leak test in log 9
book provided.
- h. If 0.005 microcurie or more of nmovable alpha contamination is detected on the sample, promptly evaluate personnel and area for contamination. Prevent further spread of contamination.
Consider the source leaking until proven otherwise.
- i. Place the source in a leak proof container, seal container, place d
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in shipping container and return to manufacturer for repair or replacement. Notify the DLrector, DLvision of Licensing and Regulation, U. S. Nuclear kgulatory Com:ission, Washington, D. C. 20555, with a copy to the director of the nearest NRC Regional Compliance Office, describing test results and action taken.
- j. heord maults of all leak tests in log book.
The instmment to' be used for assay of test samples is a Baird-Atomic Microthin End Window Flow Counter Model 821C with a Baird-Atomic Scalar-Timer Model 135.
6.8 General Safety Instructions (See attached copy ) These regulations am posted in the laboratory or issued to the students who will be working with radioactivity.
6.9 Emergency and Decontamination Procedures The Safety Instmetion sheet ( Section 6.8) issued to students at the time they will be working with radioactivity contains decontamination precedures. Included there also are the names and telephone numbers of persons to be notified.
6.10 Pmcedures for Training Personnel-When the neutron source is used to activate metal foil samples or solutions to be used for the Szilard-Chalmers reaction, students am given a short lectum on the origin of the neutrons being used for activation and the need for adequate protection fmm radiation from the source. They am each issued a copy of the General Safety Instructions.
For the training of the faculty members involved in using the neutron source, please see Section h.
This completes tbs application for the mnewal of License SNM-733.
Sister Mary Woods Chairperson, Natural Science Dept.
Rosary College, River Forest, IL
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O LABORATORY REGULATIONS FOR THOSE USING RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
- 1. Maintain " good housekeeping" at all times. Keep the laboratory neat; wash glassware regularly; do not let waste or contaminated material accumulate.
- 2. No person should work with active materials if them an any breaks in the skin on the hand unless he/she wears rubber gloves. All such bmaks should be mported to the instructor in charge before work begins.
- 3. Make all possible set-ups on easily cleanable trays. These should be covend with disposable, absorbent paper.
- 14. Make sum that all containers of radioactive materials am properly labeled at all times, showing a suitable radiation symbol and a state-ment of the kind and quantity of radioactive isotope and the date of meacumment.
- 5. Keep all active solutions covend.
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- 6. Never pipette by mouth.
- 7. Active liquid wastes should be poured into the labeled containers provided.
They should never be poured into a-standard drain.
- 8. Active solid wastes and contaminated materials should be placed in containers designated " Solid Active Waste".
- 9. Try out all new procedums with " dumrgr runs" not involving radioactive material.
- 10. Never eat, drink, smoke, or use cosmetics in a room in which radioactive materials am used or stored.
- 11. Monitor all work areas and hands before and after each experiment.
- 12. Befom leaving the laboratory,' the hands should be washed first, then checked with a beta-gamma survey meter.
Contamination remaining after thorough washing should be mported.
- 13. All wounds, spills and other emergencies should be reported to the in-structor immediately.
1 14. Before leaving the laboratory, be sure all written records have been conpleted.
IR(D!frAMINATION PROCEDUR'S
- 1. If, in the course of work, personal contamination is suspected, a survey with a suitable instrudent should be made immediately. This should be followed by the-required cleansing and a Ibrther survey, Routine pre-cautionary surveys should be made at intervals.
- 2. In the case of spillage, the following procedure should be followed:
- a. The liquid should be blotted up. (Wear rubber gloves)
- b. All dicposable materials contaminated by the spill and the cleaning process should be placed in a Solid Active Waste co
- c. The area of the spill and the type of activity (e.g. Iginer.) should be clearly marked.
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- 3. To decontaminate hands, brush for a long time with soap and water, using a soft brush. Hand decontamination should never be continued to tle extent of damaging the skin. For firmly attached contamination, the hands may be immersed in a saturated solution of potassium permanganate, rinsed, and then dipped into 5 % sodium bisulphite to amove the stain.
- h. To decontaminate the skin, treat spot contamination the same as above (3).
NorIFICATION PROCEDUlFS Be sum that at least one of the following is notified of any spillage or contamination:
Sister Mary Woods PBX 267 Telephone: 366-2h90 Sister Mary O'Donnell PBX 270 Telephone: 366-2h90 Dr. Margo Jonah PBX 36h Telephone 985-5h77 e
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