PNO-IV-89-038, on 890618,approx 90,000 Gallons of Process Effluent Flowed Offsite Into Arkansas River from Number 3 Retention Pond.Caused by Failure of Plastic Liner.Remaining Pond Head Pumped to Neutralizing Pond
| ML20245C438 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 04007580 |
| Issue date: | 06/19/1989 |
| From: | Cain C NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-IV-89-038, PNO-IV-89-38, NUDOCS 8906260185 | |
| Download: ML20245C438 (1) | |
June 19, 1989
, PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE -- PNO-IV-89-38 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 IV staff on this date.
FACILITY: Fansteel, Inc. Licensee Emergency Classification:
Muskogee, Oklahoma Notification of Unusual Event License: SMB-911 Alert Docket: 40-07580 Site Area Emergency General Emergency X Not Applicable l
SUBJECT:
OFFSITE RELEASE 0F SOURCE MATERIAL The licensee reported that an estimated 90,000 gallons of process effluent flowed offsite into the adjoining Arkansas River on June 18, 1989. The source of the release is the Number 3 retention pond which is believed to have suffered a failure in the plastic liner. The licensee processes tantalum and columbium ores !
which contain uranium and thorium waste products. The released material contained approximately 1.1E-4 microcuries per milliliter (pci/ml) of natural uranium and 1.4E-7 pCi/mi of natural thorium. The material also contains hydrofluoric and sulfuric acids as well as other metals. The offsite release was estimated to have continued for approximately 3h hours before a temporary dam was constructed to contain the release onsite. The licensee is presently pumping the I remaining pond head to a neutralizing por.d. The released material contained i onsite will also be pumped to the neutralizing pond. The licensee is awaiting '
the results of measurement. Seing conducted on the released material and samples of river water obtained during the release. Region IV has dispatched technical staff to the site for further evaluation.
The licensee has responded to news media inquiries.
The state of Oklahoma has been informed.
?
Region IV received notification of this occurrence from the Department of Transportation National Response Center on June 18, 1989. Region IV has informed ;
NMSS.
This information has been confirmed with a licensee representative. l CONTACT: C. L. Cain, (FTS) 728-8186 DISTRIBUTION:
OWFN NMBB N_L MAIL: DCS (Orig. IE34)
Chmn Zech SECY NMSS AEOD RES DOT (Transp. Only)
Comm. Roberts CA NRR ARM Comm. Carr OGC OIA OGC FAX: (5520: 4_/po/89 @ '7Nop e .
Comm. Rogers GPA 01 INPO Regions & HQ)
Comm. Curtiss PA SLITP H-St PDR i ACRS ED0 DE PDR NSAC l EW-W RRI ASLAP NRC Ops Ctr Licensee (Reactor)
RI\ :DRSS N / l ABEie ch/ch RDMar (r <
G /M /89 h/g /89 V 890626018L 890619 PDR I&E FNO-IV-89-038 PDC __ ___d
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.PND-IV-89-38 ' 2-
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