ML21209A498
| ML21209A498 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/08/2021 |
| From: | Office of Public Affairs |
| To: | |
| References | |
| News Release-21-008 | |
| Download: ML21209A498 (1) | |
Text
No: 21-008 February 8, 2021 CONTACT: Scott Burnell, 301-415-8200 NRC to Evaluate Radiation Release at National Institute of Standards and Technology The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will conduct a special inspection to evaluate the cause of a radiation release and limited worker contamination at the National Institute of Standards and Technologys research reactor in Gaithersburg, Md.
NIST notified the NRC the morning of Feb. 3 of an emergency during startup of the reactor, where radioactive material was released inside the reactor building. Six workers were initially contaminated during the event, and four additional workers were mildly contaminated while responding later in the day. All the workers were decontaminated and cleared to return home the same day. While a small amount of radioactive material reached the environment, available information continues to show the public near the NIST facility remains safe, as the release was under regulatory limits.
Two inspectors from NRC headquarters in Rockville, Md., will begin this inspection Feb. 9, supplemented with additional inspectors as needed. They will evaluate the adequacy of NISTs response to the situation, NISTs determination of the root cause of the event and NISTs corrective actions. The inspectors will also review radiation monitoring data and determine if there are generic implications for similar facilities. The inspectors will follow all applicable guidelines related to the COVID-19 public health emergency during their activities.
The inspectors will prepare a written report that will be issued approximately 30 days following completion of the inspection. The report will be publicly available through the NRCs electronic document database, ADAMS. Help in using ADAMS is available through the NRC Public Document Room by calling 1-800-397-4209.