PNO-II-98-023, on 980421,discovered Sealed Source Pencil at Bottom of Irradiator Pool.Irradiator Source Rack,Which Remains in Pool at All Times,Contains Approx 112 Pencils W/ Total Activity of 11,000 Ci of Co-60
| ML20217C490 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 03007099 |
| Issue date: | 04/22/1998 |
| From: | Wade Loo NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-II-98-023, PNO-II-98-23, NUDOCS 9804230324 | |
| Download: ML20217C490 (1) | |
f
)
. April 22, 1998 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-II-98-023 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is i
known by Region II staff in Atlanta, Georgia on this date.
Facility Licensee Emeroency Classification The Applied Radiant Energy Corp.
Notification of Unusual Event Lynchburg, Virginia Alert j
Dockets: 03007099 License No: 45-11496-01 Site Area Emergency l
General Emergency X Not Applicable
Subject:
LOOSE SEALED SOURCE FOUND IN IRRADIATOR POOL On April 21, 1998, The Applied Radiant Energy Corporation, a pool irradiator licensee located in Lynchburg, Virginia, discovered a sealed source pencil at the bottom of its irradiator pool. The irradiator source rack, which remains in the pool at all times, contains approximately 112 pencils with a total activity of 11,000 curies of cobalt 60. The apparent cause of the loose source has been identified as missing pins l that hold the protective shroud around the source rack. The licensee has i ceased operations until the shroud pins have been replaced and source l
rack integrity has been confirmed. The irradiator pool water has 24 hour2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> continuous monitoring for contamination. No evidence of source leakage has been identified by the licensee. The licensee plans to take the following corrective actions: 1) Leak test and secure the loose source;
- 2) Replace the shroud pins by April 23, 1998; 3) Investigate the event to l determine the root cause; and 4) Submit a written report to NRC within 30 days.
The NRC Region II will continue to monitor licensee activities.
The Commonwealth of Virginia has been notified.
The information is current as of 1:00 p.m.
i
Contact:
W.
Loo (404)S62-4727 k
h
$'*1Co70'"oa
\\e