ML20199D647

Region III Morning Rept Re, Damaged Radioactive Device Found in Scrap Metal.State of Ohio,Dept of Health,Notified Region III

ML20199D647
Person / Time
Issue date:	07/21/1995
From:	NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:
Shared Package
ML20199D649	List: ML20199D647 ML20199D663
References
SSD, NUDOCS 9901200164
Download: ML20199D647 (2)

Text

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. REGION III MO M PORT ,PAGE 2 JULY 21, 1995 W Licensee / Facility: Motification:

6 Hamilton Scrap MR Number: 3-95-0125 )

' Hamilton Scrap Date: 07/20/95 Hamilton, Ohio STATE OF OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH l License No: NONE l

Subiects DAMAGED M DIOACTIVE DEVICE FOUND IN SCRAP METAL. l STATE OF OHIO DEPT. OF HEALTH NOTIFIED REGION III l

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Reportable Event Numbert N/A Discussions

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On July 20, 1995, the State of Ohio, Department of Health notified Region l III that a generally licensed backscatter gauge containing approximately 30-40 millicuries (1.1-1.4 GBq) of krypton-85 was rejected from a j smelting plant in Kentucky.or. July 18, 1995. The gauge was returned to ~

i the scrap metal dealer, Hamilton Scrap in Ohio, on July 19, f995.

' Representatives from the State of Ohio conducted surveys of the gauge and '

found a maximum radiation level of-3.0 mR/hr (774 nC/kg/h) on contact with the gauge surface. The gauge was also found to be slightly damaged on one side. However, the inspector from the State of Ohio does not believe the source integrity has been compromised. The label on the gauge l indicated that the gauge originally contained 190 millicuries (7.0 GBq) 1 on 5/2/72. The manufacturer which is based in Illinois will dispatch a I service representative next week to take possession of the gauge and l

- determine the serial number of the source and then report back to the NRC the name of the company that originally purchased the gauge. The source is currently secured in a locked part of a building at Hamilton Scrap.

Regional Actions - l 8

Follow-up with the manufacturer to determine the name of the general licensee that originally purchased the gauge. NMSS has been contacted.

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Centactc M.M. LAFRANZO (708)829-9865 B.J. HOLT (708)829-9836 )

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g 3 REGION III NORNING REPORT PAGE 3 'Y. JULY 21, 1995 Licensee /Easility Notification 1 Wisconsin E2ectric Power Co. MR Number: 3-95-0126 Pcint Beach ? 2 Date: 07/21/95 l Two Rivers,Wicconsin. RI'VIA PC Dockets: 50-266,50-301 PWR/W-2-LP,PWR/W-2-LP Subiects FOLLOW-UP ON POINT BEACH UNIT 1 TRIP OF 7/14/95 Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussions On July 14, 1995, Point Beach Unit 1 tripped from 100 percent causing a severe strain on the Wisconsin Electric Power Company grid. The cause was a short circuit in the exciter due to condensation resulting from the reduced operating temperature that the licensee chose to use for the exciter. Licensee repaired the exciter, removed the condensation found in Unit 2 exciter, returned the temperature on both units to the vendor recommendation, and returned Unit 1 to full power unevedtTully. The temperature was reduced several years ago to lengthen the life of electrical components in the exciter. Other plants are being checked, e.g. Kewaunee is not running their exciter temperature at lower than vendor recommendation. Prairie Island and Ginna are still being checked.

Regional Actiont

! Routine resident inspector followup.

Contect: M.J. FARDER (708)829-9605 i

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,EcggyggAu REGION III MO M PORT PAGE 2 JULY 21, 1995 W Licensee / Facility: Notification:

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Hamilton Scrap MR Number: 3-95-0125 Date: 07/20/95 Hamilton Scrap Hamilton, Ohio STATE OF OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

_ License No

NONE 4 Eubject: DAMAGED RADIOACTIVE DEVICE FOUND IN SCRAP METAL.

STATE OF OHIO DEPT. OF HEALTH NOTIFIED REGION III Reportable Event Number N/A Discussion:

On July 20, 1995, the State of Ohio, Department of Health notified Region III that a generally licensed backscatter gauge containing approximately 30-40 millicuries (1.1-1.4 GBq) of krypton-85 was rejected from a smelting plant in Kentucky on July 18, 1995. The gauge was returned to ~

the scrap metal dealer, Hamilton Scrap in Ohio, on JHly 19, f995.

Representatives from the State of Ohio conducted surveys of the gauge and found a maximum radiation level of 3.0 mR/hr (774 nC/kg/h) on contact with the gauge surface. The gauge was also found to be slightly damaged on one side. However, the inspector from the State of Ohio does not believe the source integrity has been compromised. The label on the gauge indicated that the gauge originally contained 190 millicuries (7.0 GBq) on 5/2/72.-The manufacturer which is based in Illinois will dispatch a service represciatative next week to take possession of the gauge and determine the serial number of the source and then report back to the NRC the name of the company that originally purchased the gauge. The source is currently secured in a locked part of a building at Hamilton Scrap.

.Reaional Action:

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Follow-up with the manufacturer to determine the name of the general licensee that originally purchased the gauge. NMSS has been contacted.

/

Contact:

M.M. LAFRANZO (703)829-9865 B.J. HOLT (708)829-9836 [J 070109 9901200164 PDR RC 950721 e

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' REGION III MORNING REPORT PAGE 3 T JULY 21, 1995 Licensee / Facility: Notification:

Wisconsin Electric Power Co. MR Number: 3-95-0126 Point Beach 1 2 Date: 07/21/95 Two Rivers, Wisconsin RI VIA PC Dockets: 50-266,50-301 PWR/W-2-LP,PWR/W-2-LP Subiects FOLLOW-UP ON POINT BEACH UNIT 1 TRIP OF 7/14/95 Regprtable Event Nn=her: N/A Discussion:

On July 14, 1995, Point Beach Unit 1 tripped from 100 percent causing a severe strain on the Wisconsin Electric Power Company grid. The cause was a short circuit in the exciter due to condensation resulting from the reduced operating temperature that the licensee chose to use for the exciter. Licensee repaired the exciter, removed the condensation found in Unit 2 exciter, returned the temperature on both units to the vendor recommendation, and returned Unit 1 to full power un6VentTully. The temperature was reduced several years ago to lengthen the life of electrical components in the exciter. Other plants are being checked, e.g. Kewaunee is not running their exciter temperature at lower than vendor recommendation. Prairie Island and Ginna are still being checked.

Recional Action:

Routine resident inspector followup.

Contact:

M.J. FARBER (708)829-9605 l'

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