ML20236F315
| ML20236F315 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 11/10/1976 |
| From: | Bryan S, Galen Smith, Thornburg H NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-76-188, NUDOCS 9807020112 | |
| Download: ML20236F315 (2) | |
Text
_
PRELIMINARY-NOTIFICATION - ~
November 10, 1976 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE-PNO-76-188 I
This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of an event of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information presented is as initially received without verification or evaluation i
y and is basically all that is known by IE staff on this date.
Subject:
RADIATION DETECTED NEAR THE PREMISES OF A FORMER AEC CONTRACTOR IN CANNONSBURG, PA.
IE Headquarters and NMSS have been informed of a meeting to be held at ERDA offices in Germantown,_Md..at_10:00 a.m. on 11/12/76.regarding radiation j
level near the premises which were occupied by-a former AEC contractor and licensee - Vitf6" Corporation of America.
The premises are located in the town of Cannonsburg, Pa.
ERDA is presently investigating a list of.former:AEC contractors-(and Manhattan Project -
contactors) whose contracts have expired, and where residual contamination problems may presently existv-At-the-outset-of-an -investigation-of,the.
-m premises at Cannonsburg, Pa., an ERDA contractor employee was' denied access tiy the ~ owner 16f rarFindustrial' park now 16cated on those. premises. The ~'
5
~
contractor _ employee drove,around the perimeter of the premises and detected a radiation-level-of approximately 0.5 mr/hr.
A preliminary inquiry into this matter by IE Headquarters with input from NMSS has disclosed the following information:
1.
A radium processing facility was located on the premises for a number of years reportedly dating back to the early 1900's.
l l
2.
Sometime during World War II high grade uranium ore was pro -
ceased through the facility, leaving tailings which contains 7'
uranium in licensable quantities.
3.
The Vitro Corporation _was subsequently licensed to possess the fC l
licensable quantities of uranium in the tailings piles and the l
contaminated facilities.
1 4.
The licensee requested and received permission-from the-AEC-to-terminate the license provided the tailings were moved into a drained evaporation pond which was covered with shale and capped with asphalt.. The buildings were to be decontaminated to the guidelines in existance at that time.
CONTINUED I
.W 9807020112 761110 PDR I8cE -
PNO-76-188 PDR
}
L __ _ ____________-.____________ __. - - - - - - - - - - -
c l
l O
Continued PNO-76-188 Page 2-November 1976---
7 5.
AEC inspectors in the company of two representatives from the Pennsylvania State Health Department performed a close-out radiation survey prior to terminating of the license and noted that the area surrounding the Vitro Corporation's premises had
.y a relatively high radiation background. The average background radiation level was approximately 0.5 mr/hr with a maximum of 18 mr/hr. The maximum recorded level at a nearby Little League baseball field was 1.5 mr/hr.
Questions related to radiation safety and the extent of NRC jurisdiction remain to be answered. The matter has been coordinated with NMSS, PA,.
l ELD.
IE, NMSS, and ELD representatives plan to attend the meeting at the ERDA offices in Germantown on November. 12, 1976.
l Public interest is expected.
Contact:
GHSmith,-'IE x27353
-HDThornburg,'IE x27265 SABryan, IE x27353~
Distribution:
Chairman Rowden Commissioner Mason S. J. Chilk SECY Commissioner Gilinsky C. C. Kammerer, CA G. F. Murphy, JCAE Commissioner Kennedy L. V. Gossick, EDO E. Volgenau, OIE J. A. Harris, PA B. C. Rusche, NRR H. K. Shapar, ELD T. J. McTiernan, AIA K. R. Chapman, HMSS R. G. Ryan, OSP Tr. Pitted PBldg
- H St
- MNBBN Luge,7 -
PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION I
l l
l t
a