ML20138G069

Forwards Notice of Violation Re Loss of Polonium 210 Static Elimination Device Contained in 4056 Alpha Gun.Violation Involves Unauthorized Transfer of Approx 10.2 Mcis of polonium-210 at Time of Mfg.W/O Mentioned in 96-28

ML20138G069
Person / Time
Issue date:	04/30/1997
From:	Caniano R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	Mulder J GENTEX CORP.
Shared Package
ML20138G074	List: ML20138G069 ML20138G078
References
REF-QA-99990003-970430 IEIN-96-028, IEIN-96-28, NUDOCS 9705060166
Download: ML20138G069 (2)

Text

. . . _ . ._ __ . _ _ _ . _ _

. . btb i April 30,1997 i

Mr. Jim Mulder GENTEX Corporation 600 North Centenni Zeeland, Michigan

SUBJECT:

NOTICE OF VIOLATION .

Daar Mr. Mulder:

This refers to a letter dated October 31,1996, from you notifying the NRC Region 111 Office of your loss of a polonium-210 static elimination device contained in a #4056 Alpha i Gun. The device, on lease from NRD, Inc. (model P-2021FR, serial number 77203), ,

contained a nominal 10.2 millicuries of polonium-210 at the time of manufacture. Search efforts to recover the missing device proved unsuccessful. Your investigation concluded that the device was most likely inadvertently discarded as trash.

After reviewing this incident, a violation of NRC requirements was identified. The violation involves the unauthorized transfer of approximately 10.2 millicuries of polonium-210, and is described in the enclosed Notice of Violation. A written response is required. To assist you in your response, we have enclosed a copy of NRC Information Notice 96-28,

" Suggested Guidance Relating to Development and implementation of Corrective Action" for your use.

Although the amount of polonium-210 lost was small, the violation demonstrates the importance of maintaining adequate control of all radioactive material to ensure that improper handling or loss does not occur. We caution you that any similar violation in the  ;

future will carry increased sigr.ificance and may result in additional enforcement action, including imposition of monetary penalties. l In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the Commission's regulations, a copy of this letter and the enclosed Notice will be placed in the NRC's Public Document Room. To the extent possible, your response should not include any personal privacy, proprietary, or safeguards I information so that it can be placed in the PDR without redaction. j l

1 I  ;

I\ \

nnnnon 9705060166 970430 REG 4 GA999 ENVGENTX llllllllllllllll

.== .r .

)

99990003 use PDR juq

l J. Mulder L I

l We will gladly discuss any questions you have concerning this matter.

Sincerely, ,

Original Signed by Roy J. Caniano Roy J. Caniano, Acting Director .

Division of Nuclear Materials Safety l General License (10 CFR 31.5)

Enclosures:

1. Notice of Violation

2. Information Notice 96-28 bec w/enci 1: PUBLIC H. Clayton, EICS 1

l DOCUMENT NAME: G:\lNSPRPTS\MTLS\90003.971 To receive e copy of this document. Indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without enclosures *E" = Copy with enclosures "N" = No copy l

OFFICE DNMS/_ Rill / 6 DMMS/ Rill , /, E/cr/##/

NAME MPSKpfPS: Jaw RCANIANO7 N A c44 rre A A r # '

DATE 04h797 04/3Y97 oy/g /$

OFFICIAL RECORD COPY l

l

.