ML20236W819
| ML20236W819 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 12/08/1975 |
| From: | David J, Dreher F, Thornburg H NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PN-75-146, NUDOCS 9808060231 | |
| Download: ML20236W819 (1) | |
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December 8, 1975 I
PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE --PN-75-146 j~
This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information presented is as initially received without verification or evaluation and is basically all that is known by OIE staff as of 10:00 a.m. on the
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date of this notification.
IT SHOULD BE SPECIFICALLY NOTED THAT THIS NOTIFICATION MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT LATER MAY BE DETERMINED TO k
BE INACCURATE OR INCONSISTENT. AN OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT NOTIFICATION OF AN INCIDENT OR OCCURRENCE (BLUE SHEET) SUBSEQUENTLY WILL BE ISSUED IF WARRANTED.
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,, Facility:
Suburban Publishers Division of Jewelcor Distributors West Pittston, Pennsylvania l
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Subject:
Fire Involving Polonium 210 Static E11minators The 3M company reported to Region I on Friday, December 5, at 4:00 p.m.
that the Suburban Publishcrs, West Pittston, Pennsylvania, printing j
building had been burned to the ground, and that two generally licensed 3M static eliminator bars were lost in the fire. The bars totaled 50 mil 11 curies of polonium-210.
Region I contacted Suburban personnel on December 5, and learned that the N
fire occurred on November 28-29 a,nd the area is under security guard. A j
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Region I inspector arrived at the scene on December 6 and learned that four Po-210 bars (nominally 25 mil 11 curies each) were involved.
Surveys 3
indicate no contamination outside the secured area; however, within the secured area, surveys were hampered by three feet of debris and one foot j
of water. The inspector found one bar undamaged, and located but was
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unable to retrieve a second bar in an area where the fire was not hot
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enough to melt the bar. The other two bars were in an inaccessible area where the possibility of melting existed.
Region I will remain in contact with Suburban personnel until the status of all the radioactive material is determined.
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Media interest is not expected. The State of Pennsylvania has been and i
is being kept informed. A press release is not planned.
OIE received notification of this occurrence by telephone call from 3M o
company on December 5, at 4:00 p.m.
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Contact:
FADreher, IE x27261 HDThornburg, IE x 27353 JGDavis, IE x27541 e
in Distribution:
Chairman Anders Commissioner Mason S. J. Chilk, SECY Commissioner G111nsky Commissioner Rowden G. F. Murphy, JCAE
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Commissioner Kennedy,;3 C. C. Kammerer, CA wI L. V. Gossick, EDO D. F. Knuth, IE J. A. Harris, PA
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B. C. Rusche, NRR J. La Fleur, ISP T. J. McTiernan, AIA
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LL K. R. Chapman, NMSS H. K. Shapar, ELD Transmitted: P Bldg /Je p H St /.'o i ; MNBB /,y
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PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION - NOT FOR PUBLIC DISCLOSUPI i