ML20155G447
| ML20155G447 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Pilgrim |
| Issue date: | 06/10/1988 |
| From: | Lyash J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Blough R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20155G433 | List: |
| References | |
| FOIA-88-84 NUDOCS 8806170316 | |
| Download: ML20155G447 (2) | |
See also: IR 05000293/1987057
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MEMORANDUM TO:
R.
Blough, Chief, Projects Section 3B
THROUGH:
C.
Warren
Senior Resident Inspector
Pilgrim
FRON:
J. Lyash, Resident Inspector, Pilgrim
SUBJECT:
ALLEGATION OF IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF RADIDACTIVELY
CONTAMINATED SHRUBS (RI-87-A-0107)
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Attached please find inf ormation supporting closecut of Allegation
RI-97-A-0107.
This writeup reflects input provided by DRSS and will be
included in resident inspection report 50-293/07-57.
Attcchment
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8806170316 880610
NICKERSDBB-84
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On August 31 and September 11, 1987 the NRC resident office at Pilgrim
roceived allegations that radioactively contaminated shrubs had been removed
from the site and improperly disposed.
The alleged improper disposal occurred
on July 23, August 26 and August 29, 1987.
During this time period the
licensee had removed a large number of shrubs from various areas of the site,
including those planted near the old administration building and the
cwitchyard.
The shrubs were removed to facilitate site construction
activities and to alleviate certain security concerns.
Upon receipt
of the first allegation on August 31, 1987 the NRC requested that the licensee
pcrf orm an evaluation and provide the resul ts f or review.
In addition an
independent NRC review was initiated.
Rosident and specialist inspectors reviewed the licensee's conclusions.
The
licensee evaluated material release records and interviewed personnel
rogarding removal of shrubs during the week of July 20, 1987.
Several
truckloads of shrubs that were transported offsite during the midnight shift
on July 24 were examined in detail.
Because trace amounts of Cobalt-60 had
previously been found in soil onsite, some of the shrubs had the soil removed
f rom the roots prior to release.
Each shrub was hand surveyed before release
and f ound to meet established of f site release criteria.
They were transported
first to the licename's shorefront area and
property.
The licenses concluded
later to a dump site on licensee
that the shrubs had boon adequately survsyed
and that no radioactive material had been improperly released.
The resident inspectors reviewed the licensee's program for control of release
of material from the site.
This area was also evaluated by NRC specialist
inspectors during inspection 50-293/
' -19.
Both inspections concluded that
cppropriate um says and release limi .
have been established and implemented.
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Rosident and specialist inspectors examined licensee release records for the
dates in question to verif y that vehicles leaving the protected area had been
properly surveyed.
No discrepancies were identified.
NRC resident and
opacialist inspectors accompanied by a licensee representative collected f our
comples of the shrubs which had been deposited in the dump site discussed
above.
The samples were independently analyzed by the NRC.
Three of the
ocmples indicated no contamination.
One sample indicated only trace levels of
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Cobalt -60.
Measurements showed that the amount of CD-60 present in thi s
ocmple was about 2% of the average radioactivity typically found in soil in
uncontrolled areas.
The licensee's program f or release of material from the
Appropriate survey techniques and release limits have been established. site appears adequate.
R0 view of records confirmed that the proge:m is being implemented.
tho shrubs collected by the NRC showed zero or negligible contamination and
Samples of
pone no health and saf ety concern.
Based on the above this allegation is
considered closed.
NRC Region I staff
tho shrubs to Senator Kennedy's staf f
provided status briefings concerning
Public Health.
and to the Massachusetts Department of
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