ML20210K058
| ML20210K058 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07000837 |
| Issue date: | 04/30/1986 |
| From: | Lesher W ANDREWS UNIV., BERRIEN SPRINGS, MI |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20210K002 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8610010300 | |
| Download: ML20210K058 (10) | |
Text
w :..o Andrews University Berrien Springs, Michigan 49104 U.S.A. (616) 471-7771 U.S. "uclear Regulatory Commission Radioisotopes Licensing Branch Division of Fuel Cycle and Material Safety Office of Nuclear Material Safer.y and Safeguards Washington, D.C. 20555 April 30, 1986 Gentlemen:
Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, 49104, hereby makes application for renewal of its special nuclear material license, SNM-768, covering a.5 Curie sealed Pu-Be neutron source.
The following information is submitted in fulfillment of the require-ments of Section 70.22, Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 70, as outlined in Regulatory Guide 10.3.
SPECIFICATION OF APPLICANT Andrews University, which is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, is incorporated in the state of Michigan, and it owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. There is no ownership or control exercised ovpr the university by any alien, foreign corporation or foreign government.
The offices of the university are located at Berrien Springs, Michigan, 49104. The principal officers of the university are NAME TITLE ADDRESS CITIZENSHIP W. Richard Lesher President 200 Greenfield, U.S.
Berrien Springs, MI 49103 Richard W. Schwarz Vice President 229 N. Maplewood Drive U.S.
for Academic Berrien Springs, MI 49103 Administration 8610010300 860813 REG 3 LIC70 PDR SNM-1965
)
f U.S. NUCLEAR REGUT ATORY COMMISSION -
2 Description of Equipment, Facilities, and Instrumentation 1.
Remote handling devices include:
one 65 cm long source handling tongs one 105 cm long rod which threads into the end of the source 2.
The neutron source is both used and stored in a Model 1100 Visiflux Neutron Howitzer manufactured by Reactor Experiments, Inc. Belmont, California.
In addition, the original shipping container, a 15-gal paraffin-filled drum No. N-164 manufactured by Monsanto Research Corp is available.
The source and howitzer will be housed in a ' locked radioisotope storage vault and for most experiments will be used in the same location.
Radiation detection instruments include the following:
Eberline model E-140 general purpose rate meter with a gamma compensated probe, Range 0-0.5 mR/hr X1, X10, X100 Eberline model PAC-4 G-3 portable gas flow windowless proportional counter probe, Range 0-500 K, logarithimic Proper functioning of these Eberline instruments is determined by use of calibrated check sources.
Nuclear Measurements Model PCC-10A gas flow windowless proportional counter.
The Pu-Be source is stored and used in the Model 1100 Visiflux howitzer.
Gamma radiation at the surface of the howitzer is no greater than 4 mR/hr while the equivalent dose rate of the neutron flux at the surface is ~ 0.2 mR/hr as per Region III staff Memorandum No. 79 dated August 26, 1965.
Users are always a considerable distance away from the howitzer surfact so exposure will be much less than 2.5 mR/hr and in general it would be negligibly low.
Because of the low level of radiation, a student, or staff member using this source for a few hours during a 6 month period will not require special personnel monitoring.
r U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 3
SPECIFICATION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED The neutron source, which is stored in a Reactor Experiments Visiflux Model 110 Neutron Howitzer, will be used by qualified personnel in intro-ductory chemistry and physics courses, and by advanced undergraduates. under supervision in advanced chemistry and physics courses. The source and howitzer will be housed and used in the Radioisotope Storage Vault in the Science Complex.
The following slow neutron experiments are proposed:
a.
Activation of metal foils and chemical substances for 1.
Half-life and decay constant measurements 11.
Gamma-ray spectroscopy b.
Coincidence counting and determination of absolute reactivity and neutron flux density SPECIFICATIONS OF SPECIAL NUCLEAR MATERIAL 6
Five Curie Plutonium-Beryllium (8.93 x 10 n/sec) sealed Neutron Source Number MRC-PuBe-243 manufactured by Monsanto Research Corp., Dayton, Ohio, containing 80.00 gm plutonium metal and 40.73 gm beryllium metal.
(Further specifications are given in attached memorandum.) The source is sealed in a tantalum container which in turn is sealed in a stainless steel container.
The isotopic analysis is as follows:
Pu 239 73.156 gm Pu 240 6.202 Pu 241 0.606 Pu 242 0.036 This neutron source will be used and stored in a Model 1100 Visiflux Neutron Howitzer.
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS OF PERSONNEL l
See attached sheet outlining qualifications and experience of teaching faculty.
Because of the low level of radiation, a student or staff member using this source for a few hours during a 6 month period will not require special personnel. monitoring.
o U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 4
Since this source will be used only to produce short-lived radioisotopes (beta, positron or gamma emitters) for. teaching purposes, our survey program
.will consist of monitoring the working area for contamination. After a survey of the area indicates a background rediction level, the working area and equipment will be cleaned as any noncontaminated area. Materials to be disposed of will be stored until their radiation level has returned to background then disposed of in accordance with accepted safety procedures.
The neutron source will be leak tested by the Radiation Safety Officer at the beginning of each use cycle and at six-month intervals thereaf ter during the use cycle using wipe techniques in the following manner:
a.
Remove source from howitzer and source holder, b.
Thread handling rod into the recessed hole of the neutron source.
c.
Rotate the source against a filter pad.
d.
Return the source to the neutron howitzer, place in storage position and lock in place.
e.
Place the filter pad in the gas-flow proportional counter and determine the removable alpha activity, which will be compared to an Eberline model CS-10 Th-230.005 microcurie calibrated source.
f.
If less than 0.005 microcurie of removable alpha contamination is detected on the test sample, record result of leak test in log book provided.
g.
If 0.005 microcurie or more of removable alpha contamination is detected on the sample, promptly evaluate area for contamination.
Prevent further spread of contamination.
Consider the source leaking until proven otherwise.
i h.
Place the source in a leak proof container, seal container, place in shipping container and make provision for repair or replacement.
- i. Record results of all leak test in log book.
l The leak test is conducted with remote handling equipment so that the source is always more than one meter from the body and more than one half meter from the hands.
In addition the source is returned to the howitzer a
]
as quickly as is practical to minimize exposure time.
The wipe samples are assayed with a Nuclear Measurements Model PCC-10A l
gas flow windowless proportional counter.
See attached sheet for General Safety Instructions.
I 4
i Very sincerely
- urs,
&&L&lm W. Richard Lesher i
President a
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION ON PERSONNEL h110 WILL USE REQUESTED MATERIALS FACULTY NAME AND TITLE EDUCATION EXPERIEFCES RELATED TO USE OF REQUESTED MATERIALS Bruce E. Lee 1956 M.S.
Summer 1962 Washington State University:
N.S.P.-A.E.C.
Associate Professor of Physics Michigan State Institute in Nuclear Science.
Experience with 100 KW Radiation Safety Officer reactor.
Summer 1963 Ohio State University:
N.S.F. Institute, research in decay of neutron activated isotopes produced by cyclotron bombardment.
Summer 1967 University of California, Berkeley:
N.S.F.
Institute in Nuclear Spectroscope.
Summer 1975 Gak Ridge Associated University Radiation Safety Course.
S. Clark Rowland 1967 Ph. D.
1958-59 Pacific Union College - Work with 5 curie Pu-Be Professor of Physics University of Utah source 1960 General Electric Atomic Power Equipment Division:
Work with final testing and monitoring of the Dresden NucIcar Power Station, Morris IL 1966-present Andrews University:
Work with 5 curie Pu-Be source and x-ray diffraction work.
1969-present Stanford University:
x-ray diffraction work (vacation periods)
Peter Wong 1969 Ph.D. in 1962-67 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Graduate Associate Professor of Physical Chemistry studies in nuclear chemistry Chemistry Summer 1967 Radiological Laboratory of the New York State Department of Health 1967-69 Purdue University, Dept. of Chemistry, Post doctoral study: Use of 60" cvelotron to produce nuclides.
George William Mutch
~~
1973 Ph.D. in Summer 1966 University of California, Los Ang'eles, used high Associate Professor of Physical Chemistry energy x-radiation source 3
14 Chemistry 1966-1973 University of California, Davis; used H and C
Chairman, Radiation in research; taught nuclear chemistry labs 3 years and used Safety Committec SC Pu-Be source.
Andrews University Radiation Laboratory Safety Guide Each Responsible User must enforce compliance with the following regu1'ations and procedures by all personnel under his supervision.
For purposes of this section a radioisotope laboratory. shall be a delineated area in which there shall be more than one-fifth (1/5) of generally licensed quantities.
(See' Addendum 1) l A.
Protection Rules - Personal Contamination Extreme personal cleanliness is the first rule' in preventing con-tamination and protecting against the ingestion of activity.
Persons working with radioactive materials should wash exposed parts of the body frequently and as a matter of routine while on the job, thorough washing (and monitoring as deemed necessary by Responsible User and RS0) shall be mandatory whenever leaving the
~
active area.
The following rules are designed for the prevention of this type of contamination:
1.
No smoking is permitted in University buildings.
l 2.
Eating, storing or preparation of food in a radioisotope laboratory where such materials are handled is forbidden. Also the use of milk bottles or other food containers for handling or storing radioisotopes is forbidden. No edibles of any kind including chewing gum, candy or beverages shall be brought into radio-isotope laboratories.
3.
The pipetting of active solutions by mouth is forbidden. Glass blowing in laboratories containing active materials is discouraged.
4.
Personnel are not permitted to work with radioisotopes if there are open cuts or abrasions on the body. Extreme precautions.must be taken to avoid cuts or puncture wounds. This is especially true when working with radioisotopes in Classes 1 and 2 (highly toxic),
and when working at intermediate and high levels of radioactivity (see Addendum 2, Tables I & II).
In the event the skin is broken while working with radioactive substances, immediate action should be taken to remove possible contamination. Wash the wound under large volumes of running water immediately (within 15 seconds if possible) and spread the edges of the gash to permit flushing action by the water.
Light
, tourniquet action to stop venous return (but not restrict arterial flow) may be desirable to stimulate bleeding.
5.
Contamination must be kept at a minimum at all times, especially contamination of the air, clothing and the hands.
(Fingernails should be kept short.)
6.
Care nust be exercised when using organic solvents to avoid skin contact with radioactive materials.
(Solvents may make the skin more permeable.)
t 7.
Protective clothing and devices should be used for all manipulations with unsealed sources where the possibility of contamination' exists.
In particular, suitable gloves shall be worn whenever hand contam-inntion is possible.
Gloves should be washed and cleaned before remaval, or discarded as radioactive waste. Persons wearing gloves are cautioned to avoid touching uncontaminated objects subject to frequent use, such as door knobs.
8'. Monitoring equipment should be available and in operating condition at all times and used frequently during and following work to determine the presence of activity and contamination on hands, clothing and facilities. Each radioisotope worker is personally responsible-to check himself (hands, feet, clothing) for contamin-ation each and every time he has run a risk of contamination.
9.
Any person who knowl'ngly swallows, inhales, or otherwise ingests radioactive material must report the accident immediately to the University Radiation Safety Officer.
B.
Protective Rules - Contamination of Laboratory Tools, Glassware and Surfaces 1.
All laboratory tools and glassware should be monitored before use, unless it is known with certainty that such items are new stock issue.
2.
Care should be taken that no equipment, not immediately necessary to the operations being performed, ~is brought into the active area.
3.
Handling tools and equipment when used, should be pinced in non-porous metal trays or pans, which are located off to one side, away from the actual working space.
It is desirable to line such trays and pans with absorbent disposable paper, which is changed frequently. These papers should be regarded as radioactive waste only when surveys indicate activity above background or when knoun contamination occurs.
4.
Auxiliary containers, blotters,.and covers shall always be used where danger of spills and contamination of the person or equip-ment is possible (all groups and levels).
f 5.
Contaminated equipment, or equipment that has been used and is suspected of contamination, shall be isolated in designated areas in the laboratory or in suitable storage spaces.
6.
A caution label, sticker, or stencil shall be affixed on all containers actually containing, or contaminated with radioactivity i.
i
~
,n~-
until cleaning can be performed. The use of temporary labels is preferred over permanent stenciling on glassware. Decals and tape for this purpose are available from conmercial suppliers.
7.
Monitoring of equipment and tools shall be a routine procedure following their use.
No equipment shall be released to stock unless it is af firmed to completely free of contamination inside and out, by a Responsible User.
8.
Removable contamination shall not be allowed to remain on floors.
Where floors are known or suspected of being so contaminated, the area involved shall be immediately restricted to further traffic and designated as a shoe cover area until such time as it is shown to be free of removable contamination.
For the purpose of this rule, removable contamination is taken to mean removable amounts of beta-gamma activity greater'than 220 dpm er alpha activity greater than 10 dpm as determined by a standard smear test on a surface of 100 square centimeters.
C.
Protective Rules - Contcmination of Clothing The rules of prevention of clothing contamination are:
1.
It shall be the responsibility of the individual and his supervisor to see that appropriate protective clothine is worn whenever con-tamination is possible.
2.
Protective clothing worn in radioactive areas shall be monitored routinely each day, or when the work with radioactive materials is finished.
3.
Coveralls, laboratory coats or other protective garments worn in the lchorntory are not to be worn elsewhere. especially in places where. eating. occurs.
4.
Contaminated clothine must not be worn in clean areas. Articles which show contamination shall be left in the work area, or other designated areas provided for the purpose.
Such clothing shall be marked by the user vitt his name, the date, and the nature and degree of contamination and held for storage until the activity has decayed to a safe level, decontaminated if possible or dic-posed of in the proner manner.
D.
Protective Rules - Animals Containing Radioactive Materials 1.
Injections of radioactive materials in animals shall be carried out in leak proof trays having absorbent materials in the bottom.
Protective gloves shall be worn by workers handling any level of non-scaled radioactivity.
If short lived isotopes are used, card-board shipping containers may be used to house the animals.
The
containers must be handled as radioactive waste.
2.
All cages housing animals injected with radioactive material shall be clearly marked as follows:
a.
Name of the radioisotope and half life, b.
Amount of radioactive material injected per animal.
c.
Date of injection.
d.
Responsible User's name.
" Caution Radioactive Material" tape must be affixed to the cage.
c.
3.
Animals containing radioactive materials must be kept in cages apart from other animals.
4.
All animal excreta which may contain radioactivity shall be collected and, if necessary, stored before disposal.
It may be disposed through the sewage system if the excreta is in a suitable form, i.e., not mixed with sawdust or wood shavings, and if it meets the limits specified in Addendum 3.
If the excreta shows no significant activity above background when monitored by a survey meter appropriate to the radioisotope involved, it may be discarded with normal trash'in a suitable container.
In all other cases, the excreta shall be labeled with the name of the isotope and the estimated amount of activity, and disposed of in accordance with Addendum 3.
5.
The carcasses or dissected parts of injected animals shall be wrapped in absorbent material and placed in a watertight container so as to prevent dripping during transportation from one area to another.
6.
Adequate ventilation or air cleaning must be provided in instances where animals are stored after an injection of radioactive naterials that may be volatilized and dispersed in the room.
7.
Animals placed in a ref rigerator prior to disposal must be properly labeled as to isotope, estimated amount and date.
31 8.
Animals injected with short lived isotopes such as I may be refrigerator or freezer stored until the level of activity is negligibic.
Then the carcasses disposed of in a normal manner.
I Supplement To The Radiation Laboratory Safety Guide: Use of The Pu-Be Neutron Source 1.
The neutron source is to be kept in the Model 1100 Visiflux Ilowitzer at all times unless removed by one of the authorized faculty members.
2.
Any time an experiment is not in progress, the source is to be locked in the storage position.
3.
Personnel conducting experiments should stay as far from the howitzer as is practical and minimize the time spent in its vicinity.
4.
Irradiated samples r.re to be given the respect due any radioactive material:
a.
llandle samples with appropriate remote handling devices or have them contained in an appropriate vial or bottic.
b.
After experiments are complete, dispose of irradiated samples only after they have decayed to background levels. This is not usually long since only short-lived isotopes can be produced by the low flux 1cvels of the neutron source.