ENS 52916
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
18:00 Aug 18, 2017 | |
| Title | Unplanned Contamination Event - Broken Flame-Sealed Glass Ampoule |
| Event Description | The purpose of this communication is to provide additional details surrounding the circumstances that led to the identification of unplanned contamination in one of the laboratories designated as a restricted area under the US NRC license SNM-362. As indicated verbally during the initial report at 1207 EDT, and required by 10 CFR 30.50(b)(1), this event is described as having a broken flame-sealed glass ampoule that resulted in contamination of the lead-shielding storage area on top of the countertop and other surfaces within room C11 in building 245 of the NIST Gaithersburg, MD campus. This was discovered at approximately 1400 EDT on 8/18/2017.
The ampoule contained a well-characterized solution of Am-241 with an activity of approximately 47 MBq (most restrictive ALI [Annual Limit on Intake] is 0.006 uCi) and is registered in our database as being in a solution of nitric acid. The initial report requirements of 10 CFR 30.50(b)(1)(i) through (iii) are satisfied by the phone notification and supplemented by this communication and attachments. Additional information regarding corrective actions taken and planned, as well as evaluations and/or assessments, will be provided to our Project Manager and Region I in the near future and the required written report will be provided within the required 30 days. After reporting event #52916, at the direction of the Radiation Safety Officer and with the support of the NIST Senior Management, multiple efforts will continue to evaluate the extent of the condition and a Stop Work Order will be issued effective today for all other laboratories at NIST Gaithersburg that store similar ampoules until the extent of condition is evaluated and/or mitigated. Extensive surveys of the area and air monitoring have confirmed that the contamination is isolated to portions of room C11. Access has been restricted to room C11. The licensee notified NRC R1 (Ullrich) and NRC HQ PM (Naquin) regarding this event.
The licensee received three bioassay results from personnel exposure to the contaminant. Two of the bioassays were negative. The third bioassay indicated the exposed individual received 9.1 REM whole body with 87 REM to the bone surface of the target organ. Additional bioassays are being performed. The licensee notified R1 (Ullrich and Jackson) and HQ (Naquin). Notified R1DO (Dentel), NMSS (Rivera-Capella), and NMSS Events Notification (email).
The purpose of this communication is to provide additional details regarding Event # 52916 as results of radiological surveys, interviews, and bioassays are obtained. As indicated verbally during the NRC Ops Center phone update today at 18:38 EDT, new survey and interviews information have led us to believe that ingestion was a possible pathway for the individual that had a positive bioassay. Given the difference in the intake retention fraction (IRF) for ingestion versus inhalation pathway, we have performed additional calculations of the previous bioassay results. These calculations have identified the potential for a total effective dose equivalent of 25 rem or more. Given the potential for dose of 25 rem or more, consultation was done with the REAC/TS team. Additional bioassays and medical evaluation will be performed. A courtesy notification was provided earlier today to R1 (Ullrich) and HQ (Naquin). Notified R1DO (Dentel), NMSS (Collins) and INES Coordinator (Rivera-Capella), INES National Officer (Milligan) via email. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Nist Gaithersburg, Maryland (NRC Region 1) | |
| License number: | SNM-362 |
| Organization: | Nist |
| Reporting | |
| 10 CFR 30.50(b)(1) | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+18.12 h0.755 days <br />0.108 weeks <br />0.0248 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Manuel Mejias 12:07 Aug 19, 2017 |
| NRC Officer: | Steven Vitto |
| Last Updated: | Sep 8, 2017 |
| 52916 - NRC Website | |
Nist with 10 CFR 30.50(b)(1) | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 529162017-08-18T18:00:00018 August 2017 18:00:00
[Table view]10 CFR 30.50(b)(1) Unplanned Contamination Event - Broken Flame-Sealed Glass Ampoule 2017-08-18T18:00:00 | |