PNO-III-96-072, on 961203 & 06,total of Approx 48,000 Ci Co-60 Shipped by Chem-Nuclear,Inc from Advanced Medical Sys to Barnwell,Sc for Disposal.For Entire Project,Total Mrem Was Approx 3,200 Millirems
| ML20135D710 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 03016055 |
| Issue date: | 12/09/1996 |
| From: | Madera J, Weber M NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-III-96-072, PNO-III-96-72, NUDOCS 9612100103 | |
| Download: ML20135D710 (2) | |
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- December 9, 1996 PRILIMINARYNOTIFICATIONOFEVENTORUNUSUALOCCURRENCEPNO-III-96-072 I
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 Region III staff (Lisle, Illinois) on this date.
Facility Licensee Emergency Classification ADVANCED MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
Notification of Unusual Event Advanced Medical Systems, Inc.
Alert Cleveland,0hio Site Area Emergency License No: 34-19089-01 General Emergency X Not Applicable
Subject:
DISPOSAL OF COBALT-60 SOURCES FROM ADVANCED MEDICAL SYSTEMS /INC.
On December 3 and 6,1996, a total of approximately 48,000 curies of cobalt-60 was shipped by ChemNuclear Systems Inc., from Advanced Medical Systems' (AMS*) Cleveland OH facility to Barnwell, S.C., for disposal.
The cobalt-60 is in the form of bulk sources (pellets contained in screw-top containers) and sealed sources. For each of the two shi)ments, the sources were packaged in a lead / steel cylindrical liner, whic1 was then placed inside a type B shipping cask.
From November 13 through December 1, 1996. AMS workers, with contract health physics support, packaged the sources. This involved transferring the sources from storage into the liners, which had previously been moved into AMS' hot cell, a contaminated, high radiation area.
For the entire project, the total man-rem received by workers was i
approximately 3200 millirems. The highest dose to an individual was approximately 900 millirems.
Prior to the initiation of the project. NRC Region III (Chicago) and NRC Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (Washington, D.C.)
rev1ewed and approved the procedures used for the packaging and shipment of the sources. In addition, throughout the project, Region III inspectors at the AMS facility monitored the activities, including work performed in contaminated areas high radiation areas, and all hot cell entries. Region III inspectors also monitored both shipments of sources, which included performing radiation surveys of the loaded casks and trucks. (The survey results were well below the applicable NRC and Department of Transportation regulatory limits.)
The remaining inventory at AMS' facility consists of approximately 40 curies of packaged waste held in metal drums and boxes, approximately 4,000 curies of bulk and sealed sourcm contained in an inaccessible storage well in the hot cell, and a 200 curie sealed source in a source exchange container.
Prior to 1989, AMS manufactured sealed cobalt-60 sources for use in cancer therapy teletherapy units. Currently, AMS is only authorized for routine health physics activities, limited service operations, and storage and decommissioning activities.
9612100103 961209 fNO-I 96-072 PDR f
100030 oh
PNQ-III-96-072
- The State of Ohio and the NRC Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards have been notified of this information. The information in this preliminary notification has been reviewed with licensee management.
'This information is current as of 10:00 a.m. (CST) on December 9,1996.
Contact:
MICHAEL F. WEBER JOHN R. MADERA (630)829-9825 (630)829-9834 i