Press Release-I-02-057, NRC Proposes $3,000 Fine Against Meprolight, Inc., for Violation of Radioactivity Material Requirements

Press Release-I-02-057: NRC Proposes $3,000 Fine Against Meprolight, Inc., for Violation of Radioactivity Material Requirements

ML16141B123
Person / Time
Issue date:	09/10/2002
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region I
To:
Category:Press Release
References
Press Release-I-02-057
Download: ML16141B123 (1)

Text

NRC NEWS U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS -- REGION I 475 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 No. I-02-057 September 10, 2002 CONTACT: Diane Screnci, (610) 337-5330 E-mail: opa1@nrc.gov Neil A. Sheehan, (610) 337-5331 NRC PROPOSES $3,000 FINE AGAINST MEPROLIGHT, INC.,

FOR VIOLATION OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has proposed a $3,000 fine against Meprolight, Inc.,

for the improper distribution of products from its facility in Yonkers, N.Y. The products, which contained NRC-licensed material, were distributed before the Washington, D.C.-based company obtained a license from the agency allowing it to do so.

NRC officials said the significance of the violation by Meprolight was low because the distributed items -- sights and aiming devices for small arms and archery equipment -- were designed for use by individuals with little radiation safety training and contain only small quantities of tritium, a licensed radioactive material. Nevertheless, the violation represents a careless disregard of NRC requirements and is a significant concern because the agency relies upon the employees of NRC-licensed firms to comply with its regulations.

The violation was identified during an NRC inspection conducted on October 26 and November 2 and 14, 2001, at the Yonkers facility, and during a subsequent investigation by the agencys Office of Investigations. Specifically, the NRC determined that Meprolight distributed more than 2,300 of the devices in two shipments, on December 20 and 27, 2000. This occurred even though the company did not receive an NRC license allowing such distribution until January 8, 2001.

A predecisional enforcement conference between NRC staff and Meprolight was held on July 10 to discuss the violation and related issues. At that meeting, company representatives acknowledged the violation but denied that any Meprolight employees had acted with careless disregard of NRC regulations.

Meprolight has 30 days to pay the fine or appeal it. If the fine is appealed and subsequently upheld by NRC staff, the company may request a hearing.