Information Notice 2000-16, Volatilization of Radionuclides and Emergency Procedures
| ML003753003 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 10/05/2000 |
| From: | Cool D A NRC/NMSS/IMNS |
| To: | |
| Null K G | |
| References | |
| IN-00-016 | |
| Download: ML003753003 (4) | |
UNITEDSTATESNUCLEARREGULATORYCOMMISSIONOFFICEOFNUCLEARMATERIALSAFETYANDSAFEGUARDSWASHINGTON,D.C.20555-0001October5,2000NRCINFORMATIONNOTICE2000-16:POTENTIALHAZARDSDUETOVOLATILIZATIONOFRADIONUCLIDES
Addressees
- AllU.S.NuclearRegulatoryCommission(NRC)licenseesthatprocessunsealedbyproductmaterial.
Purpose
- NRCisissuingthisinformationnotice(IN)toalertaddresseestothepotentialhazardsassociatedwiththevolatilizationofradiochemicalsand/orradiopharmaceuticalsifcontainment
isbreachedduringchemicalorphysicalprocessing.Theincidentdescribedbelowinvolvesthevolatilizationoftechnetium-99m(Tc-99m)duringthemanufactureofacardiacimagingagentinaradiopharmacy.However,licenseesshouldbe
awareofthepotentialhazardsposedbythevolatilizationofotherradionuclidesundersimilar
conditionsandensurethattheiremergencyproceduresadequatelyaddressthosehazards.Itisexpectedthatrecipientswillreviewthisinformationforapplicabilitytotheiroperationsandconsideractions,asappropriate.However,suggestionscontainedinthisinformationnoticeare
notnewNRCrequirements;therefore,nospecificactionnorwrittenresponseisrequired.Background
- IN95-07,issuedonJanuary27,1995,describedthepotentialforcrackingvialsandsignificantcontaminationwhenmedicalandradiopharmacylicenseesheatvialsofCardiolite,acardiac
imagingagent,aspartoftheprocesstolabelthepharmaceuticalwithTc-99m.TheIN
describedincidentsinwhichvialscrackedduringtheheatingphaseofthetaggingprocessof
Cardiolite,andthesubsequentvolatilizationoftheTc-99mwhichresultedinsignificantfacility
contamination.DescriptionofCircumstances
- InAugustof1999,NRCconductedaspecialinspectiontoreviewthecircumstancesofasimilaraccidentataradiopharmacy.Theincidentoccurredwhilethelicenseewasusingaheating
blocktoprocess35gigabecquerels(950millicuries)ofTc-99min1.3millilitersofCardiolite
solution.Thevialruptured,andtheheatfromtheblockcausedtheliquidtovolatilize, spreadingcontaminationinthelaboratoryaswellastounrestrictedareasthroughoutthe
pharmacy.ML003753003 IN2000-16Page2of2Thelicensee'semployeesdidnotimmediatelyrecognizethevolatilizationinducedspreadofthecontamination,andcontinuedtoworkinthelaboratory.Theydidnotfollowtheiremergency
procedure,whichrequiredevacuationofthelaboratoryincaseofamajorspill[definedasaspill
involvingmorethan3.7gigabecquerels(100millicuries)ofTc-99m].Inaddition,theventilation
systemwasnotshutdown,causingcirculationofTc-99mthroughoutthepharmacy.Theincidentresultedinthecontaminationofpharmacystaff,aswellaspackagespreparedforshipmenttopharmacycustomers.Someofthepackageswereshippedtocustomerswith
levelsofremovablecontaminationthatexceededregulatorylimits.Theincidentdidnotresultin
significantexternalorinternaldosetopharmacystaff.
Discussion
- Volatilizationofradiochemicalsorradiopharmaceuticalscancreateanairbornehazard,potentiallyresultingininternaldosestoworkersandspreadofcontaminationtounrestricted
areasthroughventilationsystems.Licenseesshouldreviewtheirproceduresforhandlingradioactivematerialstoidentifyprocessesthatcouldcausevolatilization.Inadditiontodirectheating,asintheexampleabove, exothermicchemicalreactionsandchangesinpHcanresultinvolatilizationofsomematerials.
Someorganiccompoundsmayvolatilizeatroomtemperatureifstoredinopencontainers.Licenseesshouldensurethattheiremergencyproceduresadequatelyaddressthisscenarioiftheyhandleorprocessradioactivematerialsinamannerthatcouldcausevolatilization.The
emergencyproceduresshouldinclude,ataminimum,instructionstoimmediatelyevacuateand
securetheaffectedareas.Licenseesshouldalsoassesstheirventilationsystemsand
determinewhetheremergencyproceduresareappropriatetopreventcirculationofradioactive
contaminationtootherareaswithinthefacility.Licenseesmayalsoconsiderperformingheating
proceduresorpotentialvolatileprocessesinalaboratoryhoodwithindependentventilation.Thisinformationnoticerequiresnospecificactionnorwrittenresponse.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsabouttheinformationinthisnotice,pleasecontactthetechnicalcontactlistedbelow
ortheappropriateregionaloffice./RA/DonaldA.Cool,DirectorDivisionofIndustrialandMedicalNuclearSafetyOfficeofNuclearMaterialSafetyandSafeguardsTechnicalContact:KevinG.Null,RegionIII630-829-9854 E-mail:kgn@nrc.gov
Attachments:1.ListofRecentlyissuedNMSSInformationNotices
2.ListofRecentlyIssuedNRCInformationNotices
IN2000-16Page2of2Thelicensee'semployeesdidnotimmediatelyrecognizethevolatilizationinducedspreadofthecontamination,andcontinuedtoworkinthelaboratory.Theydidnotfollowtheiremergency
procedure,whichrequiredevacuationofthelaboratoryincaseofamajorspill[definedasaspill
involvingmorethan3.7gigabecquerels(100millicuries)ofTc-99m].Inaddition,theventilation
systemwasnotshutdown,causingcirculationofTc-99mthroughoutthepharmacy.Theincidentresultedinthecontaminationofpharmacystaff,aswellaspackagespreparedforshipmenttopharmacycustomers.Someofthepackageswereshippedtocustomerswith
levelsofremovablecontaminationthatexceededregulatorylimits.Theincidentdidnotresultin
significantexternalorinternaldosetopharmacystaff.
Discussion
- Volatilizationofradiochemicalsorradiopharmaceuticalscancreateanairbornehazard,potentiallyresultingininternaldosestoworkersandspreadofcontaminationtounrestricted
areasthroughventilationsystems.Licenseesshouldreviewtheirproceduresforhandlingradioactivematerialstoidentifyprocessesthatcouldcausevolatilization.Inadditiontodirectheating,asintheexampleabove, exothermicchemicalreactionsandchangesinpHcanresultinvolatilizationofsomematerials.
Someorganiccompoundsmayvolatilizeatroomtemperatureifstoredinopencontainers.Licenseesshouldensurethattheiremergencyproceduresadequatelyaddressthisscenarioiftheyhandleorprocessradioactivematerialsinamannerthatcouldcausevolatilization.The
emergencyproceduresshouldinclude,ataminimum,instructionstoimmediatelyevacuateand
securetheaffectedareas.Licenseesshouldalsoassesstheirventilationsystemsand
determinewhetheremergencyproceduresareappropriatetopreventcirculationofradioactive
contaminationtootherareaswithinthefacility.Licenseesmayalsoconsiderperforming
heatingproceduresorpotentialvolatileprocessesinalaboratoryhoodwithindependent
ventilation.Thisinformationnoticerequiresnospecificactionnorwrittenresponse.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsabouttheinformationinthisnotice,pleasecontactthetechnicalcontactlistedbelow
ortheappropriateregionaloffice./RA/DonaldA.Cool,DirectorDivisionofIndustrialandMedicalNuclearSafetyOfficeofNuclearMaterialSafetyandSafeguardsTechnicalContact:KevinG.Null,RegionIII630-829-9854 E-mail:kgn@nrc.go
v Attachments:
1.ListofRecentlyissuedNMSSInformationNotices
2.ListofRecentlyIssuedNRCInformationNotices
DOCUMENTNAME:IMNS7943G:\INVOLATILE_REV.WPDAccessionNo.ML003753003*SeepreviousconcurrenceOFFICIALRECORDCOPYOFFICERIIIRIIINMSSNAMENull:mb*Pederson*Cool:jhforcool*DATE09/27/200009/27/200010/02/2000
Attachment1IN2000-16
Page1of1LISTOFRECENTLYISSUEDNMSSINFORMATIONNOTICES
_____________________________________________________________________________________InformationDateof
NoticeNo.SubjectIssuanceIssuedto
_____________________________________________________________________________________2000-15RecentEventsResultinginWholeBodyExposures
ExceedingRegulatoryLimits9/29/2000Allradiographylicensees2000-12PotentialDegradationofFirefighterPrimaryProtective
Garments9/21/2000Allholdersoflicensesfornuclearpower,research,andtest
reactorsandfuelcyclefacilities2000-11LicenseeResponsibilityforQualityAssuranceOversightof
ContractorActivitiesRegarding
FabricationandUseofSpent
FuelStorageCaskSystems8/7/2000AllU.S.NRC10CFRPart50andPart72licensees,andPart72 CertificateofComplianceholders2000-10RecentEventsResultinginExtremityExposures
ExceedingRegulatoryLimits7/18/2000Allmateriallicenseeswhoprepareoruseunsealed
radioactivematerials,radio- pharmaceuticals,orsealed
sourcesformedicaluseorfor
researchanddevelopment2000-07NationalInstituteforOccupationalSafetyand
HealthRespiratorUserNotice:
SpecialPrecautionsforUsing
CertainSelf-Contained
BreathingApparatusAir
Cylinders4/10/2000Allholdersofoperatinglicensesfornuclearpowerreactors,non- powerreactors,andallfuelcycle
andmateriallicenseesrequiredto
haveanNRCapproved
emergencyplan2000-05RecentMedicalMisadministrationsResulting
fromInattentiontoDetail3/06/2000Allmedicallicensees2000-041999EnforcementSanctionsforDeliberateViolationsof
NRCEmployeeProtection
Requirements2/25/2000AllU.S.NuclearRegulatoryCommissionlicensees2000-03High-EfficiencyParticulateAirFilterExceedsMassLimit
BeforeReachingExpected
DifferentialPressure2/22/2000AllNRClicensedfuel-cycledconversion,enrichment,and
fabricationfacilities
______________________________________________________________________________________OL=OperatingLicense
CP=ConstructionPermitAttachment2IN2000-16
Page1of1LISTOFRECENTLYISSUEDNRCINFORMATIONNOTICES
_____________________________________________________________________________________InformationDateof
NoticeNo.SubjectIssuanceIssuedto
______________________________________________________________________________________2000-15RecentEventsResultinginWholeBodyExposures
ExceedingRegulatoryLimits9/29/2000Allradiographylicensees2000-14Non-VitalBusFaultLeadstoFireandLossofOffsitePower9/27/2000AllholdersofOLfornuclearpowerreactors2000-13ReviewofRefuelingOutage
Risk9/27/2000AllholdersofOLfornuclearpowerreactors2000-12PotentialDegradationofFirefighterPrimaryProtective
Garments9/21/2000Allholdersoflicensesfornuclearpower,research,andtest
reactorsandfuelcyclefacilities2000-11LicenseeResponsibilityforQualityAssuranceOversightof
ContractorActivitiesRegarding
FabricationandUseofSpent
FuelStorageCaskSystems8/7/2000AllU.S.NRC10CFRPart50andPart72licensees,andPart72 CertificateofComplianceholders2000-10RecentEventsResultinginExtremityExposures
ExceedingRegulatoryLimits7/18/2000Allmateriallicenseeswhoprepareoruseunsealed
radioactivematerials,radio- pharmaceuticals,orsealed
sourcesformedicaluseorfor
researchanddevelopment95-03,Supp2LossofReactorCoolantInventoryandPotentialLossof
EmergencyMitigation
FunctionsWhileinaShutdown
Condition7/03/2000AllholdersofOLfornuclearpowerreactorsexceptthosewho
haveceasedoperationsandhave
certifiedthatfuelhasbeen
permanentlyremovedfromthe
reactorvessel2000-09SteamGeneratorTubeFailureatIndianPointUnit26/28/2000AllholdersofOLfornuclearpowerreactors,exceptthosewho
havepermanentlyceased
operationsandhavecertifiedthat
fuelhasbeenpermanently
______________________________________________________________________________________OL=OperatingLicense
CP=ConstructionPermitremovedfromthereactor
vessel