ML20203F470
| ML20203F470 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 12/12/1997 |
| From: | Paperiello C NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Fraser F NORDION INTERNATIONAL, INC. |
| References | |
| SSD, NUDOCS 9712170387 | |
| Download: ML20203F470 (4) | |
Text
.
December 12, 1997 Association of Internation:l Industrial irr:diators 4
ATTN: Mr. Frank Fraser c/a MDS Nordion 447 March Road Kanata, Ontario K2K 1X8 Canada
Dear Mr. Fraser:
l would like to thank you for your letter dated November 27,1997, to Chairman Jackson, concerning the use of Cesium 137 ("'Cs)in large scale commercial applications such as food irradiation. As you are aware, Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations require that sealed sources used in large scale commercial irradiators be as insoluble and nondispersible as practical, in part, to reduce the possibility of the spread of contamination. This requirement was codified in $36.21, Title 10 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Part 36 in 1993.
The Statements > Consideration for Part 36 recognize the solubility of "'Cs and indicate that, in general, "'Cs will not be authorized for use in wet source-storage irradiators, but that specific requests for the use of "'Cs may be considered on a case by-case basis. The Statements of Consideration further indicate that WESF (Waste Encapsulation and Storage Facility) sources (containing "'Cs) may not be used in wet source storage irradiators, On the effective date of Part 36, WESF sourceT were in use at some large scale wet source stoiage irradiation facilities. However, based on the determination that the cesium in the sources is soluble and, in at least one case, the source was susceptible to leakage, ail WESF sources were removed from service and replaced with a less solubla aturnative.
We recognize your concern with the use of "'Cs in large scale irradiators and appreciate your offer of participation and consultation regarding any future requests for the use of "'Cs in these types of app;ications. I would like to assure you that we will endeavor to continue to ensure that only sources that are as insoluble and nondispersible as practical are authorized for use in wet-source storage irradiators. I hope that this alleviates any concerns you may have regarding the use of "'Cs for this application. If yot have any additional questions or concerns, please call Mr. Douglas Broaddus at (301) 415 6847.
Sincerely, (Original signed by)
Carl J. Paperiello, Director j</,~
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Qistnbution.G970843 SECY CRC 971148 IMAB r/f NRC Filc Center NMSS r/f PTressler HLThompson JCallan EDO r/f CPoland NMSS Dir. Off. r/f SSSS Staff NE02-SSD-5 C
AThadani PNorry JBlaha SBurns CStobier V. Ibara IMNS r/f DOCUMENT NAME: PAIRAD,RES DlS Ta receive a copy of this document, indicate in the Jxt *C" - Copy without attachment / enclosure
- E" = Copy with attachment /en
- N' = No copy - 'See previous concurrenceOP/ PROOFED / DECEMBER 13.1997 OFFICE IMAD* l C Tech Editor
- lN IMAB*
lC DD IMNS*
lN D NMSR),[)l l
liA'ME DBroaddus/S E. Kraus LWCamper DACool CJPa;(cr pell Check 1
DATE 12/10/97 12/10/97 12/10/97 12/11/97 12/1 /97 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY l.illll I!I"1.11.11.' 11 i
9712170387 971212
'.,i 1
Association of intemational Industrial Irradiators ATTN: Mr. Frank Fraser clo MDS Nordion 447 March Road Kanata, Ontario K2K 1X8 Canada
Dear Mr. Fraser:
I would like to thank you for your letter dated November 27,1997, to Chairman Jackson, concerning the use of Cesium 137 ('8'Cs)in large scale commercial applications such as food irradiation. As you are aware, NRC regulations require that sealed sources used in large scale commercial irradiators be as insoluble and nondispersible as practical, in part, to reduce the possibility of the spread of contamination. This requirement was codified in $36.21. Title 10 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulationr, Part 36 in 1993.
The Statements of Consideration for Part 36 recognize the solubility of '8'Cs and indicate that, in general, '3'Cs will not be authorized for use in wet source storage irradiators, but that specific requests for the use of '3'Cs may be considered on a case-by-case basis. The Statements of Consideration further indicate that WESF (Waste Encapsulation and Storage Facility) sources (containing Cs) may not be used in wet-source storage irradiators. On the effective date of Part 36, WESF sources were in use at some large-scale wet source storage irradiation facilities.
However, based on the determination that the ceslum in the sources is soluble and, in at least one case, the source was susceptible to leakage, all WESF sources were removed from service and replaced with a less soluble alternative.
We recognize your concern with the use of '8'Cs in large scale irradiators and app'reciate your offer of participation and consultation regarding any future requests for the use of 8'Cs in these types of applications. I would like to assure you that we will endeavor to continue to ensure that only sources that are as insoluble and nondispersible as practical are authorized for use in wet-source storage irradiators. I hope that this elleviates any concems you may have regarding the use of Cs for this application, if you have any additional questions or concems, please call Mr.
Douglas Broaddus at (301) 415 5847.
Sincerely, Carl J. Paperiello, Director Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Qistribution:
0970843 (CRC 971148}
IMAB r/f NRC File Center NMSS r/f PTressler HLThompson JCallan EDO r/f CPoland NMSS Dir. Off, r/f SSSS Staff NE02-SSD-5 AThadani PVorry JBlaha SBurns CStobier V.Ibara IMNS r/f DOCUMENT NAME: A:\\lRAD.,RES. DIS T3 receive a copy of this document, Indicate in the box: 'C" = Copy without attachment / enclosure
'E" = Copy with attachment / enclosure
- N" = No copy
'See previous concurrence OFFICE IMAB'l C Tech Editor lN IMAB lC DplMt$$
lN DNMSS l
l NAME DBroaddus/S E. Kraus LWCamper D
CJPapenello pell Check DATE 12/1o/97 12/10/97
,12/1o/97
,12/h/97 12/ /97 OFFICLAL RECORD COPY
Associatic,n of International Industrial irrediators ATTN: Mr. Frank Fraser clo MDS Nordion 447 March Road -
Kanata, Ontario K2K 1X8 Canada j
i
Dear Mr. Fraser:
/
I would like to thank you for your letter dated November 27,1997, to Chairman Jackson' concerning the use of Cesium 137 ("'Cs) in large scale commercial applications such as food irradiation. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is always concemed whenever fadioactive material is used on or near products for which there is an ingestion pathway. This is especially true for the irradiation of foodstuffs and other products intended for human use'and/or -
consumption. NRC regulations require that sealed sources used in large scale commercial irradiators be as insoluble and nondispersible as practical, in part, to reduce the possibility of the spread of contamination. This requirement is codified in $36.21, Title 10 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 36.
/
The Statements of Consideration for Part 36 recognizes the solubility of "'Cs and indicates that, in general, "'Cs will not be authorized for use in wet-source-st6tage irradiators, but that specific requests for the use of "'Cs may be considered on a case b case basis. In addition, the Statements of Consideration further indicates that the use of WESF (Waste Encapsulation and Storage Facility) sources (containing "'Cs) may not be,used in wet-source-storage irradiators.
As of the effective date of Part 36. WESF sources were in use at large scale wet source-storage irradiation facilities. However, based on the determination that these sources are soluble and, in at least one case, susceptible to leakage, all WESF sources were removed from service and replacod with a less soluble alternative.
4 We recognize your concern with the use of 8'Cs in large scale irradiators and appreciate your offer of participation and consultation for any future requests for the use of "'Cs in these type
- applications. I would like to assure yot(that we will endeavor to continue to ensure that only sources that are as insoluble and nondispersible as practical are authorized for use in wet-source-storage irradiators. I hope that this alleviates any further concerns you may have regarding the use of "'Cs for tbHi application. If you have any additional questions or concems, please call Mr. Douglas Broaddus at (301) 415 5847.
Sincerely, Carl J. Paperiello, Director
-Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Qshbution/ -
SSSS Staff NE02 SSD 5 ~
CPoland 970843 NMSS R/F IMNS C/F HThompson NMSS Ticket CEstep DOCUMENT NAME: G:\\lRAD_RES. DIS
. n eu
..m.e w. 4.n.ni. inac.i. in in. i o c - pp ihout.it. chm.nie.neio.. e - cm.th ett. chm.nt/.ncio.u,.
n - No copy OFFICE IMAB m lC IMAR )y DD:IMNS l
D:NMSS l
NAME DBroadBus/ Spell Check LWghr%her DACool CJPaperiello DATE 12/d97.
- nW 12/lU97 12/ /97 12/ /97 4
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
Association of Intemational Indu:tri;l irradi: tors
- ATTN: Mr. Frank Fr:ser
~'
cla MDS Nordion M r Oerch Road
~ karH% Ontario K2K 1X8
$ntu G#r McAah, f
h & b to sank you for your letter dated November 27,1997, to Chairman Jackson, f
L v ning the use of Cesium 137 ("'Cs)in large scale commercial apphcations such as food w nion. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is always concerned whenever radioactive i
tWivrialis used on or near products for which there is an ingestion pathway. This is especially true for the irradiation of foodstuffs and other products intended for human use and/or consumption. NRC regulations require that sealed sources used in large-scale commercial irradiators be as insoluble arid nondispersible as practical, in part, to reduce the possibility of the spread of contamination. This requirement is codified in $36.21, Title 10 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Part 36.
The Statements of Consideration for Part 36 recognize the solubility of "'Cs and indicate that, in general, "'Cs will not be authorized for use in wet source storage irradiators, but that spocific requests for the use of "'Cs may be considered on a case by-case basis' In addition, the Storage Facility) sources (containing "'Cs) may not be used in wet 4(Wnste Enca Statements of Consideration further indicate that the use of WESF ource storage irradiators.
As of the effective date of Part 36, WESF sources were in use aparge scale wet source-storage irradiation facilities. However, based on the determination that these sources are soluble and, in at least one case, susceptible to leakage, all,WESF sources were removed from service and replaced with a less soluble alternative.
We recognize your concern with the use of "'Cs in larg6 scale irradiators and appreciate your offer of participation and consultation regarding any future requests for the use of "'Cs in these types of applications. I would like to assure you that we will endeavor to continue to ensure that only sources that are as insoluble and nondisperpible as practical are authorized for use in wet-source storage irradiators. I hope that this alleylates any further concerns you may have regarding the use of "'Cs for this application.,1f you have any additional questions or concerns, please call Mr. Douglas Broaddus at (301) 4.15 5847.
- Sincerely,
/
Carl J. Paperiello, Director Office of Nuclear Material Safety
[
and Safeguards Distribution; f
IMAB r/f NRC File Center NMSS r/f PTress'er HThompson JCallan EDO r/f CPoland NMSS Dir. Off. r/f SSSS Staff NE02-SSD-5 AThadani PNorry -
JBlaha SBurns CStobier V.Ibara DOCUMENT NAME: GAIRAD_RES DlS Ts receive a copy of this document, indicate in the boat *C' = Copy without attachment / enclosure
- E" = Copy with attachment /en
- N' = No copy
'See previous concurrence OFFICE IMAB'l C Tech Editor l IMAB lC DD1MNS l
D.NMSS l
l NAME CBroaddus/S E. Kraus LWCamper DACool CJPaperiello pell Check DATE 12/10/97 1*J10/97 12/10/97 12/ /97 12/ /97 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
_-