ML20153C383
| ML20153C383 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/10/1986 |
| From: | Kinneman J, Ladun R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20153C373 | List: |
| References | |
| 99990001-85-55, NUDOCS 8602190159 | |
| Download: ML20153C383 (3) | |
Text
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t U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REGION I Report No.
9999001/85-55 Facility:
U. S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration (Region 3)
Warminster Naval Air Development Center Inspection At: Building #323 Drug Evidence Storage Vault Inspection Conducted: October 11 and 28, 1985 Inspector:
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R. H. Ladun, _ Health Physicist date Approved by:
MuA Q!/ofdL4 2
J. D. Kinneman, Chief,
/ dite Materials Radiological Protection Section A, RI 4
Inspection Summary:
Special, announced inspection conducted on October 11 and 28,1985 (Report No. 9999001/85-55).
Areas Inspected: Special inspection requested by the Drug Enforcement Agency (D.E.A.) to identify a radioactive material, conduct a contamination survey, assess any potential radiation hazard to D.E.A. employees, and to take custody of the material for disposal. The inspection was limited to interviews with D.E.A., Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) personnel, independent measurements for radiation levels and removable contamination in areas speci-fied by the D.E. A.,
and analysis of the radioactive material.
Results: The radioactive material was identified as thorium oxide powder. No radiation levels above background or removable contamination were detected in the storage area. The radioactive material was transported to NRC Region I for disposal.
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DETAILS 1.
Persons Contacted R. B. Shapiro, Special Agent (Evidence Vault Custodian) Drug Enforcement Administ ation Office F. Dougherty, Investigator, Environmental Protection Agency 2.
Background-On October 9,1985 Region I Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) was notified by the Drug Enforcement Administration (D.E.A.) Region 3, Philadelphia that radioactive materials were being stored in their evidence vault located on the grounds of the Warminster Naval Air Development Center, (W.N.A.D.C.), Bucks County. The D.E.A. requested that the N.R.C. identify the nuclear material, ascertain any possible radiation hazards to D.E.A. personnel who handled the material, survey the vault storage area for contamination and take custody of the material for disposal. Telephone discussions with a D.E.A. representative revealed the following additional information:
On November 29, 1979 Special Agents of the D.E.A. conducted a raid on a suspected clandestine methamphetamine laboratory located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
D.E.A. chemists seized various chemicals for evidence.
All evidence was transported to the Philadelphia District Office of the D.E.A. for processing, identification, and temporary storage. Among the chemicals seized were two one gallon cans labeled " thorium oxide powder enriched 2.3%."
In January of 1980 (exact date unknown), all seized evidence was transported to the W.N.A.D.C. storage vault. The nuclear material remained secured and undisturbed there until October 11, 1985.
3.
Observations and Measurements On October 11, 1985, the inspector ret with representatives from both the D.E. A. and the Environmental P'otective Agency (E.P.A) Region I, Philadelphia to examine the nuclear material.
The evidence-vault was empty except for the nuclear material which was contained in two one gallon cans, each~1abeled " thorium oxide powder enriched 2.3%".
Each can contained approximately 5 kilograms of material.
Radiation measurements taken with an end window Ludlum Model 14C G.M.
survey meter (calibration date 9/2/85) ranged from 8 to 10 mR/HR at sur-face of the containers. A survey of the interior of the vault and the immediate area surrounding it revealed no detectable radiation contami-nation above background levels.
2 All government representatives agreed not to open the cans.or to remove them from the vault since both were severely rusted and could pose an undue contamination risk. Proper radiation warning signs were posted and the vault secured. Arrangements were then made for the removal of the cans at a later date.
On October 28, 1985 this inspector met with the representative of the D.E.A. and packaged the containers for removal and transportation. The containers were then removed from the vault-and placed in the NRC vehicle.
A radiation survey was again performed in the interior of the vault and surrounding immediate area. All radiation readings were at or near back-ground levels as previously noted. Wipes were taken both inside and outside of the vault. The material was then transported to the Region I laboratory for analysis and eventual disposal.
4.
Conclusion Analysis of the materials at the Region 1 laboratory confirmed that the radioactive material was thorium oxide. Analysis of the wipes verified that the vault was free from any removable contamination.
Further dis-cussions with Mr. Shapiro indicated that, to the best of his knowledge, the cans had never been opened or disturbed while in D.E.A custody. He added that since the cans were legal evidence, it had been necessary to maintain a " chain of custody". By maintaining a " chain of custody",
access had been severely restricted to a very few individuals and for very short periods of time. Consequently, based on the nature of the radioactive material and the way it was handled, the inspector concluded that there has not been any internal or external radiation hazard to the D.E.A. personnel who came in contact with the containers.
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