ML20133H383

Forwards Insp Rept 50-320/85-20 on 850930-1002 Re 850920 Identification of Error in Sr-90 Analysis Procedure Using Beta Spectrometer.Enforcement Conference Scheduled for 851009 at Region I

ML20133H383
Person / Time
Site:	Three Mile Island
Issue date:	10/07/1985
From:	Martin T NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
To:	Standerfer F GENERAL PUBLIC UTILITIES CORP.
Shared Package
ML20133H385	List: ML20133H383 ML20133H388
References
NUDOCS 8510170143
Download: ML20133H383 (2)

See also: IR 05000320/1985020

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OCT 7 1985

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Docket No. 50-320 l

GPU Nuclear Corporation

ATTN: Mr. F. R. Standerfer

Director of TMI-2

P. O. Box 480

Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057

Gentlemen:

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Subject: Inspection Report No. 50-320/85-20

This letter and attached inspection report presents the findings of a special

inspection conducted by J. J. Kottan of this office on September 30 to October

2,1985 at Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Station, Unit 2, Middletown,

Pennsylvania, of activities authorized by NRC License No. OPR-73, and also

! refers to the discussion of our findings with Mr. F. R. Standerfer at the

conclusion of the inspection.

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Areas examined during this inspection are described in the NRC Region I

{ Inspection Report which is enclosed with this letter. The inspection of your i

chemistry department beta spectrometry measurement program consisted of a

selective examination of procedures and records, interviews with personnel and

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observations by the inspector in connection with the circumstances surrounding

the September 20, 1985 identification of an error in your Sr-90 analysis

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procedure using the beta spectrometer,

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Our review of the circumstance surrounding the error in your analysis procedure

for Sr-90 using the beta spectrometer indicates that the use of an undocumen-

ted, unverified computer program for performing the required procedural calcu-

lations, and the failure to have an interlaboratory QA/QC program were the

prime causal factors resulting in this error. We are concerned that this error

went undetected for a period of four years. We are also concerned that for a

four year period no samples were intercompared with an outside laboratory as

part of the beta spectrometer QA/QC program, and undocumented, unverified com-

puter programs are used to perform important laboratory calculations. As a

result, you made at least one shipment of radioactive materials to a burial

ground for disposal that was incorrectly quantified. We are aware that you

have already taken measures to correct these problems. The apparent violations

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identified in our review of this event is discussed in the enclosed report.

The need for and nature of appropriate enforcement action relative to the ap-

parent violations will be the subject of separate correspondence at a later

time.

0510170143gS1007

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) Although no reply to this letter is required, an enforcement conference has been  !

scheduled in the NRC Region I office on Wednesday, October 9, 1985 at 9

00 a.m.  !

You should be prepared to discuss the concerns identified above. Your coopera-

tion with us in this matter is appreciated.

Sincerely,

Orteinni Siane4 Dvi

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Thomas T. Martrn, frector (.V)ULh  !

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Division of Radiation Safety  ;  !

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l Enclosure: NRC Region I Inspection Report Number 85-20  ;

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T. F. Demmitt, Deputy 01 rector, TMI-2 L

R. E. Rogan, Licensing and Nuclear Safety Director  !

1 J. J. Byrne, Manager, TMI-2 Licensing

j E. G. Wallace, Manager, PWR Licensing

W. H. Linton, Manager, Recovery Programs

! J. B. Lieberman, Esquire

i A. Miller, Manager, Plant Operations  !

j G. F. Trowbrfdge, Esquire  !

! S. Levin, TMI-2 Site Operations Director

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Public Document Room (POR)

l Local Pubite Document Room (LPOR) j

Nuclear Safety Inforniation Center (NSIC) i

j NRC Resident Inspector

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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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Region ! Docket Room (with concurrences)

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1 W. D. Travers, Deputy Program 01 rector, TMI Program Office

Management Assistant, DRMA (w/o encl)

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Section Chief  !

M. Masnik, PM, TMI-2  !

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