ML20216G376
| ML20216G376 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/31/1998 |
| From: | NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| NUREG-BR-0117, NUREG-BR-0117-N97-4, NUREG-BR-117, NUREG-BR-117-N97-4, NUDOCS 9804200291 | |
| Download: ML20216G376 (12) | |
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9 U.S. Nuclear Office of Nuclear NUREGlBR-0117 Regulatory Material Safety No. 97-4
"%,,,,.j Commission and Safeguards Dec. 97-Jan. 98
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DOE /NRC NOVEMBER 21,1997, NRC inspections will not result in enforcement MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING actions to compel compliance with particular On November 21,1997, a Memorandum of standards or requirements. DOE will retain responsibility for the safety of the facilities.
Understanding was signed between the U.S.
Significant inspection findings that impact Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S.
health and safety will be forwarded to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, establishing appropriate DOE organization for review.
a framework for a pilot program, to support a joint recommendation, by DOE and NRC, to Implementation details for each pilot facility Congress, on whether NRC should be given are being negotiated by NRC, DOE, and the statutory authority to regulate nuclear safety at facility contractors, through the development certain DOE nuclear facilities. During this of a site-specific work plan. The Berkeley pilot program, NRC will " simulate regulation" work plan has been completed and on-site at between 6 and 10 DOE facilities over the i
next 2 years, to gain experience and provide a reviews have begun on that pilot project. The l
MOU also provides for involving the public better opportunity to develop actual costs of and other stakeholders in the pilot program external regulation. The first three pilot sites and in the decision on whether to seek to be completed over the next year are:
external regulation. At the end of the 2 years, E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National DOE and NRC will determine whether to seek Laboratory, legislation to give NRC authority to regulate individuals or classes of DOE nuclear facilities.
i al [nginee ing elopment (Contact: Linda Suttora, NMSS,301-415-6858) a ioche Center, and REVISION TO 10 CFR PART 35 Savannah River Site Spent Fuel Facility.
O.
e In the Fedeml Register notice dated October 14,
/
This simulated regulation will allow NRC to 1997 (62 FR 53249), the U.S. Nuclear test regulatory concepts and evaluate a facility Regulatory Commission published a notice of and its standards, requirements, procedures, facilitated public workshops on the hMJ practices, and activities against standards that comprehensive revision of NRC regulations NRC believes would be appropriate to ensure governing the medical use of byproduct safety. Simulated regulation willinclude NRC material in 10 CFR Part 35. The workshops inspections of each pilot facility, to identify focused primarily on alternatives for issues related to implementation. The significant regulatory issues developed by the inspections will review coverage by NRC and Part 35 Working and Steering Groups. Public State regulations, to assess radiological workshops were held in Philadelphia, operations, including accelerators, waste Pennsylvania, on October 28,29, and 30,1997, management, environmental monitoring, and and in Chicago, Illinois, on November 12,13, decontamination and decommissioning. The and 14,1997.
9804200291 980131 PDR NUREG BR-0117 R PDR ray
NMSS LICENSEE NEWSLETTER
- 7. Significant Enforcement Actions DECEMBER 1997-JANUARY 1998 (Contact: Joseph DelMedico, OE, 301-415-2739)..................... 7 Page
- 8. Significant Events (General
Contact:
- 1. DOE /NRC November 21,1997, AEOD, 301-415-6377).............. 7 Memorandum of Understanding (Contact: Linda Suttora, NMSS, 301-415-6858)..................... 1 Invited participants from a broad spectrum of
- 2. Revision to 10 CFR Part 35 areas affected by the proposed revision were (Contact: Catherine Haney, present. These areas m, cluded nuclear NMSS, 301-415-6825)................ I medicme, endocrinology, radiology, radiopharmacy, medical education, medical physics, radiation technology, nursing, hospital
- 3. Consolidatmg and Updatmg administration, patients' rights, and State Materials Licensmg Guidance government. After an overview of the current (Update) (Contacts: John W.
regulatory framework and the Commission's Lubinski, NMSS,301-415-7868; directions for revising Part 35, Dr. Donald A.
Sally L Merchant, NMSS, Cool, Director, Division of Industrial and 301-415-7874; Pat Vacca, NMSS, Medical Nuclear Safety, Office of Nuclear 301 -415-7908)..................... 3 Material Safety and Safeguards, led an introductory discussion on risk assessment.
- 4. NRC and EPA Publish Joint The rest of the meeting focused on discussions Guidance on Mixed Waste Testing of the 1979 NRC Medical Policy Statement (Contacts: Dominick A. Orlando, and the cross-cutting regulatory issues: the NMSS, NRC,301-415-6749; or Radiation Safety Committee, the Quality Newman Smith, Permits and Management Program, the Threshold for State Programs Division, Office Reportable Events, Patient Notification, and of Solid Waste, EPA,703-308-8757)... 4 Training and Experience. Currently, the staff is drafting the proposed rule text and guidance,
- 5. NRC Posts Strategic Plan on as well as other documents associated with the Internet Home Page (Contact:
rulemaking. The complete rulemaking Paul Goldberg, NMSS, package, associated documents, and 301 -415-7842)..................... 5 recommendations on the Medical Policy Statement are scheduled to be fonvarded for Commission review in May 1998.
- 6. Selected FederalRegister Notices (General
Contact:
Paul Goldberg, The NRC Web site contains a wide variety of NMSS, 301-415-7842)............... 5 information, including news releases, transcripts of Commission meetings, issues affecting the different NRC program offices, and recently published office documents. In Comments, and suggestions you may have addition, a specific site (http://techconf.llnl.
for mformation that is not currently bemg gov /noframe.html) has been established on meluded, that might be helpful to licensees, NRC's technical conference forum, to should be sent to.
E. Kraus facilitate pubh..c mput on the cross-cuttmg NMSS Licensee Newsletter Editor issues and the draft proposed rule.
Office of Nuclear Material Safety Background material and transcripts of the and Safeguards Part 35 workshops are also available on
'IWo White Flint North, Mail Stop 8-A-23 this site.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission j
Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 Public input is solicited during the j
development of the proposed rule, but, to be 1
2 J
rnost helpful, should be received by March 1, NUREG-1550," Standard Review Plan for l
1998. Comments received cfter this date will Applications for Sealed Source and Device i
be considered if it is practical to do so, but the Evaluations and Registrations." In addition, l
Commission only is able to ensure this draft report also contains information consideration of comments received on cr found in pertinent Policy and Guidance before this date. Written input and suggestions Directives, Technical Assistance Requests, and can be sent to Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Information Notices.
Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC l
20555-0001, Attention: Rulemakings and Please submit comments by December 17, Adjudications Staff. Hand-deliver comments 1997. Comments received after that time will to 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, be considered if practicable. Address written between 7:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. on comments to: Chief, Rules and Directives Federal workdays.
Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear (Contact: Catherine Haney, NMSS, Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 1
301-415-6825) 20555-0001. Hand-deliver comments to 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland, 1
CONSOLIDATING AND UPDATING between 7:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Federal MATERIALS LICENSING GUIDANCE workdays. Comments may also be submitted (UPDATE) through the Internet by addressing electronic mail to dlm1@nrc. gov.
As part ofits project to consolidate and update materials hcensing guidance, the A free single copy of draft NUREG-1556 I
Volume 3, maY e obtained b writinE to the b
Y Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued the following three draft documents U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Comm..ission, ATTN:
for comment *.
J hn W. Lubinski, Mail Stop TWFN 8F5, Washington, DC 20555-0001. Alternatively, Draft Guidance on Scaled Source and Device submit requests through the Internet by Safety Evaluations addressmg electrome mail to jwl@nrc. gov. A copy of draft NUREG-1556, Volume 3,is On November 6,1997 (62 FR 60111), the also available for inspection and/or copying for Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced a fee m, the NRC Public Document Room, the availability of and requested comment on 2120 L Street, NW. (Lower Level),
draft NUREG-1556, Vol. 3, " Consolidated Washington, DC. The document is also Guidance about Materials Licenses:
available electromcally by visitmg NRC's Applications for Sealed Source and Device Home Page (http://www.nrc. gov /NRC/
l Evaluation and Registration," dated NUREGS/SR1556/V3/index.html).
l September 1997.
(Contact: John W. Lubinski, NMSS, l
The guidance NUREG is intended for use by 301-415-7868; e-mail: jwl@nrc. gov) l applicants, licensees, registration certificate Draft Guidance on Fixed Gauge Licenses l
holders, NRC license reviewers, and other l
NRC personnel. It combines and updates the In December 1997, NRC announced the l
guidance for applicants and licensees availability of and requested comment on draft previously found in draft Regulatory Guides NUREG-1556, Vol. 4, " Consolidated 10.10," Guide for the Preparation of Guidance about Materials Licenses:
Applications for Radiation Safety Evaluation Program-Specific Guidance about Fixed and Registration of Devices Containing Gauge Licenses," dated October 1997.
Byproduct Material," and Regulatory Guide 10.11," Guide for the Preparation of The guidance NUREG is intended for use by Applications for Radiation Safety Evaluation applicants, licensees, NRC license reviewers, and Registration of Scaled Sources Containing and other NRC personnel. It combines and i
Byproduct Material," and guidance for updates the guidance for applicants and persons reviewing such applications found in licensees previously found in Draft Regulatory i
3 j
Guide and Value/ Impact Statement, FC The guidance NUREG is intended for use by
)
404-4," Guide for the Preparation of applicants, licensees, NRC license reviewers,
)
Applications for Licenses for the Use of and other NRC personnel. It combines and 4
Sealed Sources in Nonportable Gauging updates the guidance for applicants and Devices," dated January 1985, and the licensees previously found in Regulatog guidance for licensing staff previously found in Guide 10.9," Guide for the Preparation of Policy and Guidance Directive, FC 85-4, Applications for Licenses for the Use of Self-
" Standard Review Plan for Applications for Contained Dry Source-Storage Gamma the Use of Sealed Sources in Nonportable Irradiators," dated December 1988, and the i
Gauging Devices," dated February 6,1985, guidance for licensing staff previously found in and Policy and Guidance Directive, FC 85-8, Policy and Guidance Directive, FC 84-16, Revision 1," Licensing of Fixed Gauges and Revision 1," Standard Review Plan for Similar Devices," dated June 29,1988. In Applications for Use of Self-Contained Dry addition, this draft report also contains Source-Storage Gamma Irradiators," dated pertinent informntion found in Technical January 26,1989. In addition, this draft report Assistance Requests and Information Notices.
also contains information found in pertinent Technical Assistance Requests and Please submit comments by March 20,1998.
Information Notices.
Comments received after that time will be considered if practicable. Address written Please submit comments by March 20,1998.
4 comments to: Chief, Rules and Directives Comments received after that time will be Branch, Division of Administrative Services, considered,if practicable. Address written f
Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear comments to: Chief, Rules and Directives i
Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC Branch, Division of Administrative Services,
{
20555-0001. Hand-deliver comments to Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland, Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC between 7:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Federal 20555-0001. Hand-deliver comments to j
workdays. Comments may also be submitted 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland, through the Internet by addressing electronic between 7:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Federal mail to dim 1@nrc. gov.
workdays. Comments may also be submitted through the Internet by addressing electronic A free single copy of draft NUREG-1556, mail to dim 1@nrc. gov.
Volume 4, may be obtained by writing to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN:
A free single copy of draft NUREG-1556, Sally L. Merchant, Mail Stop TWFN 8F5, V lume 5, may be obtamed by wnting to the Washington, DC 20555-0001. Alternatively, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN:
submit requests through the Internet by Patncia C. Vacca, Mail Stop TWFN 8F5, addressing electronic mail to sim2@nrc. gov. A Washington, DC 20555-0001. Alternatively, copy of draft NUREG-1556, Volume 4,is submit requests through the Internet by also available for inspection and/or copying for addressmg electrome mail to pcv@nrc. gov. A a fee in the NRC Public Document Room, copy of draft NUREG-1556, Volume 5,is 2120 L Street, NW. (Lower Level),
also available for mspection and/or copying for a fee m, the NRC Public Document Room, Washington, DC.
2120 L Street, NW. (Lower Level),
(Contact: Sally L. Merchant, NMSS, Washington, DC.
301-415-7874; e-mail: slm2@nrc. gov)
(Contact: Pat C. Vacca, NMSS,301 -415-7908;
-mail: Pcv@nrc. gov.)
Draft Guidance on Self-Shielded Irradiators NRC AND EPA PUBLISII JOINT In December 1997, NRC announced the GUIDANCE ON MIXED WASTE TESTING availability of and requested comment on draft NUREG-1556, Vol. 5, " Program-Specific On November 20,1997, the U.S. Nuclear Guidance about Self-Shielded Irradiator Regulatory Commission and the Licenses," dated October 1997.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 4
p' ublish'ed final guidance on the testing (Contacts: Dominick A. Orlando, NMSS, requirements for mixed radioactive and NRC,301-415-6749; or Newman Smith, hazardous waste (mixed waste) in the Federal Permits and State Programs Division, Office of Register (62 FR 62079, November 20,1997).
Solid Waste, EPA,703-308-8757)
Mixed waste is defined as hazardous waste that also contains source, special nuclear, or NRC POSTS STRATEGIC PLAN ON byproduct material. Because mixed waste INTERNET HOME PAGE contains both hazardous waste and radioactive material subject to regulation under the The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has Atomic Energy Act,it is regulated by NRC, or posted its strategic plan on the Agency's an NRC Agreement State, as well as EPA, or Internet home page.
an EPA authorized State. In the past, mixed waste generators have expressed concerns that The plan contains goals to carry out NRC's EPA's testing requirements for the hazardous mission, and strategies to meet those goals. It component of mixed waste could result in will serve as a comprehensive blueprint for the increased radiation exposures.
Agency's program and budget planning and a guide to daily management and decision-making. The plan was provided to Congress Publication of the guidance is the culmination and the Office of Management and Budget in of a multi-year effort by the agencies to September 1997.
provide mixed waste managers with practical methods for complying with the regulatory The assessment and rebaselining process requirements of NRC and EPA. The guidance Provides a foundation for the Agency,s emphasizes the use of process knowledge' direction and decision makmg for the rest of whenever possible, to determine if a waste is this decade and into the future. Durm, g the hazardous, as a way to avoid unnecessary Process of strategic assessment, the staff exposures to radioactivity. The guidance also developed direction-setting issues for provides guidelines for generators wishing to Commission consideration. Before reachm, g rely on process knowledge as the basis for final decisions on those issues, the evaluating their waste.
Commission had the benefit of comments from members of the pubhc and other stakeholders-those who would be most The guidance offers two strategies for helping affected by those decisions-elicited at to maintain radiation exposures as low as is
' "I*rences around the country and from reasonably achievable, if testing is required.
reactions to what was posted on NRC's web site.
These strategies are the use of a sample size of less than 100 grams, as 1ong as the resulting test is sufficiently sensitive to measure the In addition to its availability on the web page, constituents ofinterest at the regulatory levels at http://www.nrc. gov /ntc/ strategy.html, and at prescribed in the TCLP, and the use of the Agency's Public Document Room,2120 L surrogate materials, as long as they are Street, NW., Washington, DC, copies of the chenucally identical to the mixed waste and strategic plan (NUREG-1614, Vol.1), are faithfully represent the hazardous constituents available for purchase from the Government m the waste mtxture.
Printing Office, at 202-512-1800.
(Contact: Paul Goldberg, NMSS, The guidance also discusses other allowable sampling and testing procedures, such as SELECTED FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES representative drum sampling, or sampling from drums containing lower concentrations of September 1,1997-November 30,1997 radioactive material, as long as the chemical contents are identical to those found in the Note: Contacts may be reached by mail at the drums with higher concentrations of U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, radioactive material.
Washington, DC 20555 - 0001.
5
FINAL RULES Storage Installation," 62 FR 52599, October 8,1997.
" Exempt Distribution of a Radioactive Drug Containing One Microcurie of Carbon-14 Evaluation of Agreement State Radiation Urea," 62 FR 63634, December 2,1997.
Control Programs,62 FR 53839, (Contact:' Dr. Anthony N. Tse,301-415-6233)
October 16,1997.
(Contact: Kathleen N. Schneider, PROPOSED RULES 301-415-2320)
" License Applications for Certain Items Availability of" Draft Standard Review Plan Containing Byproduct Material," 62 FR 49173, for In-Situ Uranium Extraction License September 19,1997.
Applications" (NUREG-1569),62 FR 54885, (Contact: Mary L Thomas,301-415-6230)
October 22,1997.
(Contact: Joseph J. Holonich, 301-415-7238)
" License Applications for Certain Items Containing Byproduct Material: Correction,"
Issuance and Availability of Regulatory Guide -
62 FR 51817, October 3,1997.
5.44, Rev. 3," Perimeter Intrusion Alarm (Contact: Mary L Thomas,301-4154230)
Systems," 62 FR 55659, October 27,1997.
" Memorandum of Understanding Between the
" Procedures Applicable to Proceedings for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Issuance of Licenses for the Receipt of High-Level Radioactive Wastes at a Geologic Department of Energy on Cooperation Regarding the Gaseous Diffusion Plants," 62 Repository," 62 FR 60789, November 13,1997.
FR 59910, November 5,1997.
(Contact: Kathryn L Winsberg,301-415-1641:
(Contact: Robert Pierson,301-415-7192) e-mail kiw@nrc. gov)
" Consolidated Guidance About Materials OTHER NOTICES Licensees: Applications for Sealed Source and Device Evaluation and Registration,"
. Statement of Principles and Policy for the Availability of Draft NUREG-1556, Vol. 3, Agreement State Program: Policy Statement 62 FR 60111, November 6,1997.
on Adequacy and Compatibility of Agreement (Contact: ' John Lubinski,301-415-7868, S at ams,, 62 FR 46517, Septem-e-mail: jwl@nrc. gov)
- (Contact: Cardelia Maupin, Office of State
" Joint NRC/ EPA Guidance on Testing Programs,301-415-2312)
Requirements for Mixed Radioactive and Availability of NUREG-1601," Chemical o m r2, 9 Process Safety at Fuel Cycle Facilities," 62 FR (Contacts:. Dominick Orlando,301-415-6749
)
~
~
Co ta t r L dia Roche,301-415-7830)
" Management of Radioactive Material Safety Issuance and Availability of Regulatory Guide Programs at Medical Facilities," Availability of 3.70,"Use of Fixed Neutron Absorbers at Fuel NUREG-1516,62 FR 62648, Novem-and Materials Facilities," 62 FR 47232, ber 24,1997.
September 8,1997.
(Contact: Suzanne Woods,301-415-7267) j
" Policy and Procedure for Enforcement "Chromalloy, Tallahassee; Receipt of Petition Actions; Enforcement Conference for Rulemaking to Exempt Nickel-Thorium Procedures" (NUREG-1600), 62 FR 52577, Components from Licensing," 62 FR 65039, October 8,1997.
December 10,1997.
l (Contact: James Lieberman, 301-415-2741)
(Contact: David L Meyer,301-415-7162, or Toll-Free: 800-368-5642)
Issuance and Availability of Draft Regulatory Guide DG-3010," Spent Fuel Heat
" Standard Review Plan for Transportation Generation in an Independent Spent Fuel Packages for Radioactive Material; Notice of 6
Issuance and Availability," 62 FR 65825, in failing to perform surveys and dose nt et ass R.
happell, 301-415--8510)
" State of New Mexico Relinquishinent of Scaled Source and Device Evaluation and Apgee Corporation, Alquippa, Pennsylvam.a, Approval Authority and Reassumption by the EA 96-246. A Confirmatory Order Modifymg Commission," 62 FR 66702, Decem-License was issued because Apgee had ber 19 1997' distributed several devices that did not (Contact: Cardelia Maupin,301-415-2312, c nf rm to the NRC Scaled Source and Internet: chm @nrc. gov)
Device Registry Certificate.
Cartier, Inc., Shelton, CT, EA 97-145. A
" Issuance and Availability of NUREG-1556,
$7500 civil penalty was assessed for Vols. 4 and 5," 62 FR 67100, December 23, 1997. See article on Guidance Consolidation distribution of timepieces containing tritium, without an NRC license.
above.
(General
Contact:
Paul Goldberg, Envirocare of Utah, Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah, 301-415-7842, e-mail pfg@nrc. gov)
EA 97-303. A Confirmatory Order was issued because Envirocare possessed special nuclear SIGNIFICANT ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS material in excess of the NRC-exempt limit.
Detailed information regarding these U.S. Army 'Ihak-Automotive and Armaments enforcement actions can be accessed via the Command, Rock Island, Illinois, EA 97-059.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission homepage A confirmatory Order Modifying License was
gov /. Click on " Nuclear issued based on extensive loss of control of Materials," " Enforcement," and finally licensed material and other issues.
" Enforcement Actions Issued." Cases are listed alphabetically. For details, click on the Radiography highlighted text following each case.
Krishna Kumar,IA 97-011. An Order Measuring Gauges Prohibiting Involvement in NRC-Licensed Activities for 10 years was issued based on H. H. Holmes 'Ibsting Laboratories, Wheeling, be a n scond ct.
IL, EA 97-237. A $2500 civil penalty was assessed for willful failure to file NRC James Mulkey,IA 97-012. An Order Form-241 before conducting work in Prohibiting Involvement in NRC-Licensed non-Agreement States.
Activities for 5 years was issued based on deliberate inaccurate information.
Medical Derek Stephens,IA 97-008. A Confirmatory Grand View Hospital, Sellersville, PA, EA Order Prohibiting Involvement in NRC-97-309. A $4400 civil penalty was assessed for Licensed Activities for 3 years was issued shipment of a package with excess removable based on deliberate failures to wear dosimetry i
radioactive contamination.
and supervise an assistant.
Overlook Hospital, Summit, New Jersey, EA (Contact: Joseph DelMedico, OE, 246. A $2750 civil penalty was assessed for 301-415-2739: e-mail: rjd@nrc. gov) failure to prepare a written directive and SIGNIFICANT EVENTS failure to provide instruction in the medical quality management program.
- 1. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Licensees St. Mary's Hospital of Blue Springs, Blue 97-3 Overexposure of a Worker at Springs, MO, EA 97-234. A $2500 civil Mallinckrodt, Inc., in Maryland penalty was assessed for careless disregard Heights, Missouri i
7 i
Date and Place-May 14-15,1997; according to a report from an NRC' Mallinckrodt, Inc.; Maryland consultant, a small possibility exists that Heights, Missouri.
localized skin cancer may develop.
Cause or Causes-The cause of the event Natum and Probable Consequences-On May 14,1997, an employee was removing was a procedural deficiency in handling waste from the Re-186 hot cell. Normally, radioactive waste from the hot cell where radioactive waste m, other hot cells at the rhenium-186 (Re-186) was used. The employee was performing this task facility was handled with remote tools.
manually, using gloves, instead of.
However, m this case, procedural controls remotely. When he left the area, he did not require remote handling of the attempted to perform a personal waste. Once the employee completed the contamination survey, but the survey meter w rk, poor radiation work practices were exhibited as he cross-contammated his immediately went off the scale. He assumed that the high count rate was hands when he removed his gloves. In caused by background radiation from an addition, the worker did not mvestigate the adjacent radioactive material transport cart detection of high count rates during his and, subsequently, forgot to resurvey first attempt to perform a himself in a low background area before he c ntammation survey.
left the facility that evening. On arrival at hions Th to Pet Remace work the next day, he was told that his urine sample, which he had submitted Licensee-The staff was instructed on the before going home the previous night, importance of conducting proper personal indicated radiation contamination, and contamination surveys and the proper use that he was restricted from working with of protective clothing. The use of Re-186 radioactive material. At that time, he was suspended until improvements to performed a personal contamination existing waste disposal procedures could be survey and detected significant levels of evaluated and implemented. Plans were contamination on his left thumb.
made: (1) to compile all existing contamination protection procedures into The licensee estimates that the individual one contamination-protection procedure; received a shallow-dose equivalent of 6090 (2) to evaluate the use of a portal-type millisievert (609 rems) to an area of about monitoring system; and (3) to post 0.75 square centimeters (0.12 square personal-monitoring reminder signs at all inches) on the palm side of the thumb of laboratory exits.
his left hand. Lower levels of contamination were found on the back of NRC-NRC conducted a special safety his right hand and fingers. On May 15, inspection, and appropriate enforcement 1997, the employee had undergone action will be taken.
decontamination to the extent that only approximately 4 percent of the
- 2. Agreement State Licensees activity remained.
- 1. AS 97-1 Multiple Transuranic The licensee surveyed the offsite locations
- [r p
ucts oratories in where the employee had been after leavm, g Burbank' California work on May 14,1997. Low levels of l
Re-186 contamination were found on Date and Place-Between January 1 and t
three locations inside the employee's December 31,1995; Isotope Products vehicle and on various items in the Laboratories; Burbank, California.
bathroom and kitchen of his home. The employee's vehicle and home were Nature and Probable Consequences-A decontaminated. The employee was radiochemist was assigned to make examined _ by a physician who identified no transuranic and other types of sources. The immediate health effects. However, transuranics used included the isotopes of 8
i
~
l plutonium-238 (Pu-238); Pu-239; certain types of work; and (3) radiation Pu-240; americium-241 (Am-241); and procedural controls.
curium-244 (Cm-244). During January 1995, while making a Cm-244 source, it Actions Taken to Prevent Recurrence l
was discovered that the exhaust fan of the
~
fume hood where the source was being Licensee-After the licensee's consultants l
fabncated was not workmg. An analysis of conducted their review and comprehensive audit of the existing radiation protection Program, they made recommendations to Cm 2 o t e wor g rea L
ensure future comph,ance with the license l
and regulations. The licensee hired a l
Bioassay results disclosed that the fecal competent radiation safety officer, and the l
and urine samples provided by the radiochemist was assigned duties that did I
radiochemist contained Cm-244 and not involve the handling nor processing of l
Am-241. The licensee hired dosimetry radioactive materials.
)
and radiation protection consultants as l
directed by the State Agency. Careful State Agency-The State Agency completed analysis of the bioassay data by these its investigation and is committed to closely l
consultants, which included dose tracking the licensee's radiation protection j
summation and retrospective time Program to ensure continued compliance.
i l
correction for vnrious intakes, suggested that during 1995 the radiochemist received
- 2. AS 97-2 Overexposure of a
~
a total effective dose equivalent of 383.20 Radiographer and an Untrained l
mSv (38.32 rems) and a committed dose Techmcian at Wolf Creek Mm, e m, l
equivalent of 6900 mSv (690 rems) to the Walker County, Alabama l
bone surfaces. The specific exposures were l
as follows: (1) committed effective dose Date and Place-July 1,1996; Wolf Creek i
equivalent of 271.8 mSv (27.18 rems) from Mine; Walker County, Alabama 1
Cm-244; (2) committed effective dose Nature and Pmbable Consequences-A equivalent of 80 mSv (8 rems) from radiographer employed by Certified Am-241; (3) committed effective dose Testing and Inspection of Cottondale, equivalent of 4.4 mSv (0.44 rems) from Alabama, and a technician employed by l
Pu-238, Pu-239, and Pu-240; and (4)
Ultron, Inc., of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, were deep dose equivalent of 27.0 mSv (2.70 performing industrial radiography at the rems) from external radiation.
Wolf Creek Mine in Walker County, Alabama, when they became so distracted -
1 The State Agency discovered this incident by problems with excessively exposed film during a routine inspection on December that they forgot they had an exposure m 5,1995. During a follow-up inspection, the Progress and entered the high radiation State Agencylearned that another area without makmg a survey and changed Cm-244 incident took place and was the film with the source m the unshielded significant. The State Agency also learned exposed position. The radiographer had of other exposure incidents that indicated received prior radiation safety tramm, g:
the licensee had a deficient contamination however, the techmcian, an employee of control program, an inability to conduct Ultron, Inc., had not received prior internal dose assessments, and inadequate radiation safety traimng. The radiography management oversight.
film and the device used to support the source and the film durmg exposures were being supplied to the radiographer by Cause or Causes-The licensee's radiation Ultron, Inc.
protection program was inadequate and lacked important elements needed to Consequently, both individuals received ensure the radiation safety ofits workers.
unintended radiation exposure. The State Some of these inadequacies were the lacks Agency estimated that the radiographer of: (1) work permits; (2) glove boxes for received a dose of 530 millisievert (mSv) 9 l
(53 rems) to his head and 48 mSv (4.8 worker; (2) excessive exposure to a rems) to the center of his body. The member of the public (the Ultron, Inc.,
Ultron, Inc., technician received a dose of technician representative); (3) failure to 110 mSv (11 rems) to his head and 28 mSv prevent unauthorized entty into the High (2.8 rems) to the center of his body.
Radiation Area; and (4) failure to exercise Neither individual reported any acute the philosophy of as low as is reasonable radiation symptoms.
achievable, by using a collimator. A civil penalty was considered, but not imposed.
The radiography film supplied by Ultron, The State Agency recommended that both Inc., had faster and different exposure individuals contact the State and seek characteristics than the film usually used by medical attention if any symptoms of acute Certified Testing and thus was being exposure should appear.
overexposed during processing in the darkroom. The darkroom, which was
- 3. AS 97-3 Radiopharmaceutical Misadmimstration at Mad River supplied by Certified Testing, used a homemade " safe light," which had been Commumty Hospital m made a safe light by the application of red Arcata, Califorma spray paint. The radiographer did not Date and Place-February 28,1996; Mad realize beforehand that the light would not River Community Hospital; be " safe for the film supplied by Arcata, California.
Ultron, Inc.
Nature and Probable Consequences-A Cause or Causes-The radiographer patient was prescribed a dosage of 3.7 entered a designated high radiation area megabecquerel (MBq) (0.1 millicurie with his alarm ratemeter turned off and
[ mci]) of iodine-131 (I-131) for a thyroid without following his normal practice of scan and uptake procedure. However, the cranking in the source and surveying the patient was administered a dosage of 262.7 guide tube and camera. The radiographer MBq (7.1 mci) of I-131. As a result, the interpreted the silence from the alarm patient's thyroid received a dose of about ratemeter as an indication of safe 9100 centigray (cGy) (9100 rads), instead conditions. Unfortunately, when turned of the prescribed dose of 130 cGy off, the alarm ratemeter gives the same (130 rads).
indication as it does when indicating safe conditions. In addition, the radiographer The licensee stated that such a dose may did not use a collimator to reduce the induce a hypothyroid state requiring the exposure to himself and the Ultron, patient to take thyroid hormone.
Inc., technician.
Cause or Causes-The wrong dosage was j,,g,,, m,, %,, %,
administered on the assumption that the patient was prescribed a whole body Licensee-The licensee stated that the thyroid scan for a cancer metastatic disease evaluation.
radiographer did not develop any symptom of acute radiation exposure and that its Actions Taken to Prevent Recurrence personnel were reinstructed in the importance of performing surveys and Licensee-Procedures for scheduling a using a collimator. The licensee committed whole body scan for thyroid cancer to the State Agency to verify the training of metastases were revised to include a all technicians, including those of the detailed patient preparation and history.
company that hires the licensee to per-The revised procedures required that the form radiography.
approving radiologist sign the I-131 administration policy before ordering a State Agency-The State Agency cited the radiopharmaceutical. In addition, the licensee for the following four violations:
nuclear medicine technologist attended a (1) excessive exposure to a radiation continuing education progrcm at San 10
~
Francisco General Hospital, which instead of the prescribed dose of 7700 cGy included a segment,on the effects of (7700 rads).
studies involving therapy dosages.
l The licensee stated that the administered I
State Agency-The State Agency conducted dose ofI-131 to the patient's thyroid is
~
numerous follow-up inspections to ensure that the licensee's actions taken to prevent not expected to have major health effects.
recurrence had been implemented.
Cause or Causes-The wrong dosage was
- 4. AS 97-4 Radiopharmaceutical administered to the patient because the Misadministration at homey Regional written order for the I-131 procedure was Medical Center in Sumter, misread by the admimstenng technologist.
,,,g, g,,,p,,,,,g,,,,,,,,,
Date and Place-December.11,1996; homey Regional Medical Center; Sumter, Licensee-The licensee will have the South Carolina.
written order on hand before ordering radiopharmaceuticals from the pharmacy Nature and Probable Consequences-A and will have a second person verify the patient was prescribed a dosage of 74 dosage before administration to megabecquerel (MBq) (2.0 millicurie the patient.
[ mci]) ofiodine-131 (I-131) for a treatment of Graves disease. However, the State Agency-The State Agency accepted patient was administered a 388.5 MBq the licensee's report and corrective action (10.5 mci) dosage of I-131. As a result, as appropriate. No further action was the patient's thyroid received a dose of requested. (General
Contact:
Harriet 40,400 centigray (cGy) (40,400 rads)
Karagiannis, 301-415-6377)
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