PNO-III-87-143, on 871119,Region III Notified of Missing Static Eliminator Containing Sealed Source w/10 Mci Po-210. Matl Current Strength Approx 3.75 Mci.Device Possibly Disposed of in Normal Trash
| ML20236T094 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 11/24/1987 |
| From: | Gibbons D, Mallett B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-III-87-143, NUDOCS 8712010005 | |
| Download: ML20236T094 (1) | |
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PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE--PNO-IIl-87-143 Date November 24, 1987 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 known by the Region III staff on this date.
Facility:
Prestige Vacuum Forming Division Licensee Emergency Classification:
Holland, Michigan Notification of an Unusual Event Alert General License Site Area Emergency j
General Emergency i
X Not Applicable
Subject:
LOSS OF GENERALLY LICENSED POLONIUM-210 STATIC ELIMINATOR Prestige Vacuum Forming Division notified Region III (Chicago) by a letter received on November 19, 1987, that a generally licensed static eliminator (air ionizer) was missing from its facility. The device, which is manufactured by the Minnesota, Mining and Manufacturing Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota, contains a sealed source with 10 millicuries of polonium-210 at the time of manufacture. The material has a 138-day half life and, therefore, the current source strength would be about 3.75 millicuries.
(Polonium-210 emits alpha particles and low energy gamma rays. As a result, the missing device does not represent a significant external radiation hazard.)
The company uses six of the devices and replaces them annually. One device was found to be missing when the company made the annual replacement earlier in November. Company personnel are continuing to search its facility for the device, but at this time it is believed to have been disposed of with normal trash. Such a disposal would not represent an environmental or safety hazard because of the small amount of material involved, because it is in a sealed source, and because of the radiation characteristics of the material.
The company has instituted weekly maintenance checks of devices to preclude future losses.
Region III will issue a Confirmatory Action Letter documenting the company's program to i
adequately control the devices.
The State of Michigan was notified on November 24, 1987.
Region III was notified of the missing device by a letter received on November 19, 1987.
This information is current as of 10 a.m., November 24, 1987.
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,&l CONTACT:
D. Gib ons (FTS 388-5736)
B. Mallett (FTS 388-5612)
DISTRIBUTION:
H. St.
NMBB Phillips E/W Willste Chairman Zech XEUD NRR DTA NMSS Comm. Roberts ARM OI Comm. Bernthal ED0 AirRights fp 3 Mail To:
Comm. Carr PA SLITP DCS (Original)
Comm. Rogers OGC DOT (Trans. Only)
SECY OGC-H FAX T0:
Nicholson Lane Regions CA INP0 RES Region I GPA NSAC Region II ACRS Licensee Region IV PDR Resident Inspector Region V HQS. Operations Officer /f00 8712010005 871124 Region III IEE Rev. November 1987 PNO-III-87-143 PDR D,( g d PDR i.
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