W3F1-2009-0033, Blind Sample Investigation Report

Blind Sample Investigation Report

ML091980029
Person / Time
Site:	Waterford
Issue date:	07/15/2009
From:	Murillo R Entergy Nuclear South, Entergy Operations
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
W3F1-2009-0033
Download: ML091980029 (5)

Text

Entergy Nuclear South Entergy Operations, Inc.

17265 River Road

• Killona, LA 70057-3093 Tel 5047396715 Fax 504 739 6698 rmurill@entergy.com Robert J. Murillo Licensing Manager Waterford 3 W3F1-2009-0033 July 15, 2009 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attn: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555-0001

Subject:

Blind Sample Investigation Report Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3 (Waterford 3)

Docket No. 50-382 License No. NPF-38

Dear Sir or Madam:

In accordance with the reporting requirements of 10 CFR 26.719(c)(1), Waterford 3 is submitting this report to discuss one blind performance drug testing discrepancy.

On May 20, 2009, Waterford 3 sent five blind performance specimens to the confirmatory laboratory for testing. Four of the samples returned the expected results. One blind sample identified as invalid - dilute and negative by the vendor was returned from the confirmatory laboratory as invalid but not classified as dilute. After a confirmatory analysis substantiated the initial test results, an investigation was conducted to determine why the results were not consistent with blind sample vendor's projected results. The results of that investigation are contained in Attachment 1.

There are no commitments contained in this report.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Robert Murillo, Manager, Licensing at (504) 739-6715.

Si ey RJM/MEM/ssf

Attachment:

1. Waterford 3 Blind Sample Investigation Report

W3F1-2009-0033 Page 2 cc: Mr. Elmo E. Collins, Jr.

Regional Administrator U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region IV 612 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 400 Arlington, TX 76011-4125 NRC Senior Resident Inspector Waterford Steam Electric Station Unit 3 P.O. Box 822 Killona, LA 70066-0751 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attn: Mr. N. Kalyanam Mail Stop O-07D1 Washington, DC 20555-0001 Wise, Carter, Child & Caraway ATTN: J. Smith P.O. Box 651 Jackson, MS 39205 Winston & Strawn ATTN: N.S. Reynolds 1700 K Street, NW Washington, DC 20006-3817 Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP ATTN: T.C. Poindexter 1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004

Attachment 1 W3F1 -2009-0033 Waterford 3 Blind Sample Investigation Report to W3F1 -2009-0033 Page 1 of 2 Identification of Condition:

Blind samples were purchased from the vendor to meet the various sample results required for blind specimens. Five blind performance samples were sent to the confirmatory laboratory on May 20, 2009, for testing. The vendor sent dilute specimens from batch 0904DIL for use as a dilute sample. Waterford 3 prepared sample 0854374 from this batch for testing and submitted this sample as a dilute along with four other blind performance samples. Four of the samples returned the expected results of substituted, adulterated, positive for PCP, and a positive Opiate was received on a false negative challenge-sample as expected. The confirmatory laboratory returned a result of invalid due to specific gravity reporting at a value below what is acceptable for a dilute sample on sample 0854374.

Investigation:

The laboratory was requested to ensure controls were within range for the analyzers and asked to retest the specimen. Values were verified by the laboratory to ensure proper analysis of samples. The sample was retested and again returned results comparable with their original analysis which reported the sample as invalid.

For a sample to be classified as dilute, the creatinine reading should be > 2 mg/dL and < 20 mg/dL with a specific gravity of > 1.0010 and < 1.0030. The results returned from the laboratory on the sample were 16.2 mg/dL for creatinine (within limits for dilute) with a specific gravity of 1.0009 (below limit for sample to be classified as dilute) on the analysis at the laboratory. Values reported when the sample was retested were reported at 16.2 mg/dL for creatinine and 1.0010 specific gravity and 17.1 mg/dL for creatinine and 1.0010 specific gravity.

The vendor was contacted regarding the result and classification of the sample. According to the vendor, another client also had a confirmatory laboratory report a specific gravity of 1.0009 on a specimen from this particular batch. This specific gravity reading makes the sample report as invalid instead of dilute. The batch from which sample 0854374 was taken was manufactured at the lower end of the acceptable range of specific gravity for blind samples. The vendor sent additional samples for testing from a new batch (0904DILA) for testing. The new batch was manufactured to read at the middle to upper end of the range for specific gravity for dilute specimens. Waterford 3 submitted sample 0854418 for testing expecting the sample to be classified as dilute with results of negative for all drug assays. The confirmatory laboratory returned results as expected.

Waterford 3 inquired with other sites in the Entergy fleet that use the same vendor and confirmatory laboratory to see what batches their blind samples came from and what were the status of their results. Arkansas Nuclear One, River Bend, and Grand Gulf all reported back satisfactory results from the blind samples they submitted for testing. All three sites received samples from batch 0902DIL from the same vendor Waterford 3 uses.

Waterford 3 had a second sample from the vendor from batch 0904DIL which had originally returned the specific gravity of 1.0009 which caused the sample to be classified as invalid as opposed to dilute. As part of the investigation, sample 0854445 was sent to the confirmatory laboratory from this batch. The laboratory returned readings of 18.1 mg/dL for to W3F1-2009-0033 Page 2 of 2 creatinine and 1.0011 for specific gravity and reported the sample as dilute with negative results for all drug assays.

Discussion with one of the certifying scientists at the confirmatory laboratory supports that this is an acceptable variance for specific gravity when testing samples. According to Health and Human Services Guidelines, the acceptable variance for specific gravity is +/-

.0003 on a sample. If this variance were added to the value received when the sample was sent the first time, the sample would have been classified as dilute instead of invalid.

Cause:

Samples purchased as dilute and negative were received from three separate batches from the vendor and all tested at the same laboratory throughout the Entergy fleet. All samples returned the expected result with the exception of one sample from vendor batch 0904DIL.

The specific gravity reported on this sample was 1.0009 which classifies it as invalid. If an acceptable variance of + .0003 is added to this value, the sample would have been classified as dilute. The vendor reported the manufacturing of this batch was to the lower end of the acceptable range for specific gravity and that another laboratory had also tested the sample and returned a specific gravity of 1.0009 on a sample from this batch. Based upon these factors, it is concluded that the validity classification is due to the manufacturing of this particular batch of blind specimens.

Corrective Action:

The vendor has confirmed that future batches of samples manufactured for submission as dilute samples will be mixed to the middle to upper end of the acceptable range for specific gravity for dilute specimens.