ML20155G464

Partially Deleted Ltr Forwarding Responses to Allegations Described in 880304 Ltr Re Health Physics Records Changed to Preclude Performance of Addl Surveys

ML20155G464
Person / Time
Site:	Pilgrim
Issue date:	04/04/1988
From:	Bird R BOSTON EDISON CO.
To:	Collins S NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
Shared Package
ML20155G433	List: ML20155G430 ML20155G437 ML20155G447 ML20155G458 ML20155G464
References
FOIA-88-84 88-065, 88-65, NUDOCS 8806170319
Download: ML20155G464 (2)

Text

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1. , 0@ Volt hsk m _et, u d A JL, k pilgrim Nyctear Poer station h ~e\ af$ba, .

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Ralph G. Bird maf //-s 72 F/.g4

.7M senior V<e President - Nuclear April 4, 1988 BECo Ltr. #88 06)

Samuel J. Collins, Deputy Director Division of Reactor Projects U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Comission 475 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 Docket No. 50.293 License No. OPR-35

Dear Sir,

Attached your letterare the Boston dated Edison March 4, 1988.Company responses to the allegations described in These allegations at, that (A) Health Physics survey records were changed to preclude having to perform additional surveys, and (8) contaminated resins have been improperly disposed of on site.

Please do not hesitata to contact me directly if you have any questions, R.G. Birdbl w.-

BPL/bl i Attachment I: Response to Allegation A Attachment II: Response to Allegation B Cc:

Sr. Resident Inspector - Pilgrim Station in!crm3 tion in this record w25 dele'9d in 3:c;tdance with IN I'e?tm cf inbl mild let, exe. p cns 9806170319 880610 -

hKh0088-54 PDR

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Attachment II Response to Allegation B Boston Edison Company Docket No. 50-293 l Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station License No. DPR-35 Descriotion of Allegation B On January 26, 1988 the following allegation was described to the Pilgrim Station Chief Radiological Engineer by the NRC Senior Resident Inspector. The source of the allegation was not revealed. d 1

In 1981 and 1982 resins were released within the protected area. Those resins were buried in the area of the present pile of excavated material located on Pilgrim Site property, beyond the protected area.

Pesconse Over the last several ,aars during onsite excavation for plant modifications, dirt, asphalt, and concrete containing low levels of radioactivity have been stored in a fenced in area outside the protected area on Pilgrim Site property.

The material has not been removed from Pilgrim Site because of the low levels of detected radioactivity.

The storage area now contains approximately 110,000 cubic feet of material with an estimated total activity of 2.3 millicuries. The predominant isotopes identified include cobalt-60 and cesium-137.

Since initial operation in 1972, events involving inadvertent releases of radioactive material within the protected area have occurred. These events have contributed to the activity of the material excavated from the protected area.

On January 17, 1981, radioactive resin from the condensate demineralizer was released via the Resin Addition Room to the station yard within the protected area. The resin was collected along with the snow and slush present at the time ,

and placed in 6x6 shipping casks. These casks were moved to the Turbine Deck to '

thaw pending further waste processing.

On June 11, 1982, radioactive resin was observed on top of the Condenser Retube Building. Investigations revealed that approximately one half cubic foot of resin had migrated from the Condensate Demineralizer Vent System to Contaminated Exhaust and was released via the Reactor Building Vent. The radioactive resin was collected using vacuum cleaners with HEPA filtration. l He believe that the collected material from these events was disposed of properly. However, the self shielding effects of the pile of excavated material prevents the use of analytical measurements to conclude that no retin is buried within the pile.

The pile of excavated material will be relocated to establish a one hundred foot buffer zone to vetland areas. During the material relocation, radiation measurements will be taken with instrumentation capable of detecting activity concentrations that would be indcative of buried radioactive resin.

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