PNO-III-97-095, on 971202,chemical Explosion Damaging Housing of Nuclear Gauge Containing 10 Mci Cs-137 in Sealed Source Occurred.Authorized Firm Packaged Damaged Nuclear Gauge for Transport
| ML20206R569 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 03006740 |
| Issue date: | 12/03/1997 |
| From: | Bob Gattone, Madera J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-III-97-095, PNO-III-97-95, NUDOCS 9901200009 | |
| Download: ML20206R569 (2) | |
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December 3, 1997 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-III-97-095 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 S. C. JOHNSON & SON, INC. Notification of Unusual Event S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Alert Racine, Wisconsin Site Area Emergency License No: 48-06453-01 General Emergency X Not Applicable
Subject:
NOTIFICATION OF DAMAGED NUCLEAR GAUGE On December 2, 1997, the licensee notified the NRC of a chemical explosion at the licensee's facility in Racine, Wisconsin. The explosion damaged the housing of a nuclear gauge containing 10 millicuries (370 megabecquerels) of cesium-137 in a sealed source. The nuclear gauge was mounted on a two gallon vessel to measure content level. The vessel was used for chemical production. The licensee manufactures a wide variety of consumer and commercial products.
The vessel exploded at approximately 11:00 a.m. on December 2, 1997. The nuclear gauge has visible damage to its housing. Surveys conducted by the licensee indicated 1.5 millirem per hour at three feet from the nuclear gauge. The licensee does not believe the nuclear gauge shielding was significantly compromised because the reading is within the normal range.
The licensee also conducted removable contamination surveys of the nuclear gauge and no contamination was detected.
An authorized firm packaged the damaged nuclear gauge for transport during the evening of December 2, 1997. The package is in a secured area of the licensee's facility awaiting transport to an authorized recipient.
A local hazardous material team is at the licensee's facility to address the chemical explosion.
NRC Region III (Chicago) will review the incident during the next routine inspection.
The State of Wisconsin and the NRC Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards have been notified. The information in this preliminary notification has been reviewed with licensee management.
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l Region III was notified of this event at 4:00 p.m. on December 2, 1997.
This information is current as of 8:30 a.m. (CST) on December 3 1997.
Contact:
BOB GATTONE JOHN MADERA (630)829-9823 (630)829-9834 i
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