PNO-V-85-042, on 850710,fiberglass Cases,Containing Scientific Instrumentation & Foam Cushioning Matls, Contaminated W/Low Energy beta-emitting Matl Received from Tihange Reactor in Belgium.State of Wa Notified

PNO-V-85-042:on 850710,fiberglass Cases,Containing Scientific Instrumentation & Foam Cushioning Matls, Contaminated W/Low Energy beta-emitting Matl Received from Tihange Reactor in Belgium.State of Wa Notified

ML20129C684
Person / Time
Site:	Framatome ANP Richland
Issue date:	07/11/1985
From:	Jonathan Montgomery NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION V)
To:
References
PNO-V-85-042, PNO-V-85-42, NUDOCS 8507160295
Download: ML20129C684 (1)

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t PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL.0CCURRENCE-PNO-V-85-42 Date: July 11, 1985 Thic preliminary notification constitutes _ EARLY notice of events'of POSSIBLE safety or public intsrest. significance. The information presented is as initially received without verification '

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cr svaluation and is basically all that is Irnown by Region V staff on this date.

FACILITY: Exxon Nuclear Co., Inc. Emergency Classification

-Richland, Washington Notification of Unusual Event SNM-1227 and - Alert State of Wadhington Licensee- Site Area Emergency General Emergency

] O " l Nq X Not Applicable

SUBJECT:

RECEIPT OF CONTAMINATED PACKAGES Thn Region V office was notified by the licensee at 3:45 PM, PDT, on July 10, 1985 that they h:d received several fiberglass cases containing scientific instrumentation and foam cunhioning materials which were contaminated with a low-energy beta-emitting material. The en:2s, foam, and instrumentation were all contaminated. Initial readings on the surface of tha objects indicated levels up to 600,000 disintegrations per minute. Removable contamination curveys indicated up to 20,000 disintegrations per minute.

Th2 cases were shipped from the Tihange reactor in Belgium to the Unites States via Cargo

. Lux Airlines, which flew from Luxembourg to Seattle, Washington. From Seattle, the cases Lars transported via Garrett Freight Lines to Exxon.

Tha State of Washington was immediately notified of this event.

NRC Region V is following the State's progress and is standing by to provide technical c2 istance if requested.

No press releases have been issued pending receipt of further information.

CONTACT: James L. Montgomery FTS 463-3778 DISTRIBUTION H St. /8

• VT MNBB hillips /W Willste ir Rights Mail:

Chairman Pallidino EDO NRR IE NMSS ADM:DMB Comm. Zech PA OIA RES DOT:Trans Only Comm. Bernthal MPA AEOD Regions: If'MN/ E ~ "N ~#! /

Ass s ine SECY INPO NSAC ACRS Licensee:

CA (Reactor Licensees) REGION V: FORM 211 PDR Resident Inspector _ (Revised 3/14/83) 8507160295 850711 PDR I&E

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PNO-V-85-042 PDR /

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