ML20212G661
| ML20212G661 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 10/29/1997 |
| From: | Reber E NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| To: | Costello F NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20212G648 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9711070031 | |
| Download: ML20212G661 (1) | |
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UNITED STATES
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NUCt. EAR CE;ULA) RY COMMISSION I
RE C I r
475 ALLENDtiE HOAD KING oF PRusstA, PENNSYLVANIA 194041415 MEMORANDUM TO:
Francis M. Costello, Chief Nuclear Materials Safety Branch 3 FROM:
Eric H. Rebe s
Nuclear Mat; s afety Branch 3 Sheri A. Arredondo Nuclear Materials $t ety Branch 3
SUBJECT:
REGION I SURVEY OF ROYAL GREEN META'. RECYCLERS Royal Green Metal Recyclers, Huller Lane, Temple, Pennsylvania is in the business of shredding and sorting scrap metal as part of the recycling process. On August 28,1997, a truckload of non-ferrous residue was returned to Royal Green after it set off radiation alarms at a facility in Michigan. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) investigated the incident and found a one inch piece of metal tubing containing americium 24; in the load and other pepper-sized particles of americium 241 contamination. During the PADE.P investigation, in an effort to locate contamination, part of the truckload of non-ferrous k
residue was dumped into two piles on an asphalt covered yard.
On September 3,1997, Eric H. Reber and Sheri A. Arredondo conducted a survey for Americium-241 contamination at Royal Green Metal Recyclers. The survey instruments used wve a Stabilized Detector Assembly (a.k.a. Fiddler probe) attached to an Ebertine Smart Portable; a Portable Ns.'.itron Rem Counter (a.k.a. Rem ball or Bonner sphere); and a Ludlum Model 16 Analyzer with a thin-crystal low energy gamma probe. The metal tube was surveyed with the Portable Neutron Rem Counter and no neutron emissions were detected.
The inspectors surveyed the two piles of non-ferrous residue and found isolated contamination in each. The inspectors surveyed the trailer. No contamination was found in the trailer, in addition, the inspectors surveyed the offices at the facility, the asphalt-covered areas of the property, accessible portions of the shredder, and also emphasized the immediate area around the shredder. Na contamination was found in any of these areas.
In addition, the inspectors checked the metal tube for identifying markings. No markings were found. The inspectors noted that the tube appeared to be crimped along most of its one inch length and was sheared off at one end. The other end was closed and rounded.
9711070031 971029 PDR MISC 9711070027 PDR N-
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