PNO-IV-98-015, on 980408,notified by Representative from Wa State Univ of Problem W/Personnel Film Badges Having Been Contaminated.Bioassays of Lab Personnel Taken to Date Indicate No Internal Contamination
| ML20216H265 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 04/10/1998 |
| From: | Cain C, Hackney C NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-IV-98-015, PNO-IV-98-15, NUDOCS 9804210095 | |
| Download: ML20216H265 (1) | |
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April 10,1998
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PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-IV-98-015 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 IV staff in Arlington, Texas on this date.
Facility Licensee Emeraency Classification l
Washington Agreement State Notification of Unusual Event Washington State University Alert Pullman, Washington Site Area Emergency License No: WN-C003-1 General Emergency X Not Applicable l
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Subject:
CONTAMINATED FILM BADGES 1
On April 9,1998 the Radioactive Materials Program Manager, for the state of Washington l reported to the NRC that he had been notified on April 8,1998 by a representative from the I Washington State University (WSU) of a problem with personnel film badges having been I contaminated. Washington State University had been notified by its film badge processor that they were unable to read five film badges due to Phosphorus 32 contamination. The I WSU Radiation Safety Officer determined that all five badges came from the same laboratory at WSU. The film badges that could not be processed were film badges for the month of February. The film badges for the month of March have not been processed at this time. Film badges presently being wom by laboratory personnelin month of April were checked and three were contaminated. Preliminary indications are that the contamination appears to be deliberate. Bioassays of laboratory personnel taken to date indicate no internal contamination.
Staff from the Washington State Radiation Control Program were on campus at the time conducting a routine inspection. They were immediately informed by WSU officials. State regulatory staff personnel reviewed actions taken by WSU, confirming survey measurements that showed contamination was limited to the film badge storage area. The state has two inspectors on site and plans to maintain close communication with the WSU Radiation Safety Officer and NRC.
WSU officials have issued a press release. l The information in this PN was reviewed with the state of Washington Radiation Materials Program Managers at 1200 CDT. Region IV has notified NMSS, OEDO, OSP, AEOD and OPA.
Contact:
Charles Hackney (817)860-8267 Charles Cain (817)860-8186 l n i (D
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