Information Notice 1989-34, Disposal of Americium Well-Logging Sources

Disposal of Americium Well-Logging Sources

ML031180766
Person / Time
Site:	Beaver Valley, Millstone, Hatch, Monticello, Calvert Cliffs, Dresden, Davis Besse, Peach Bottom, Browns Ferry, Salem, Oconee, Mcguire, Nine Mile Point, Palisades, Palo Verde, Perry, Indian Point, Fermi, Kewaunee, Catawba, Harris, Wolf Creek, Saint Lucie, Point Beach, Oyster Creek, Watts Bar, Hope Creek, Grand Gulf, Cooper, Sequoyah, Byron, Pilgrim, Arkansas Nuclear, Three Mile Island, Braidwood, Susquehanna, Summer, Prairie Island, Columbia, Seabrook, Brunswick, Surry, Limerick, North Anna, Turkey Point, River Bend, Vermont Yankee, Crystal River, Haddam Neck, Ginna, Diablo Canyon, Callaway, Vogtle, Waterford, Duane Arnold, Farley, Robinson, Clinton, South Texas, San Onofre, Cook, Comanche Peak, Yankee Rowe, Maine Yankee, Quad Cities, Humboldt Bay, La Crosse, Big Rock Point, Rancho Seco, Zion, Midland, Bellefonte, Fort Calhoun, FitzPatrick, McGuire, LaSalle, 05000000, Zimmer, Fort Saint Vrain, Shoreham, Satsop, Trojan, Atlantic Nuclear Power Plant
Issue date:	03/30/1989
Revision:	0
From:	Cunningham R E NRC/NMSS/IMNS
To:
References
IN-89-034, NUDOCS 8903240063
Download: ML031180766 (7)

UNITED STATESNUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONOFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDSWASHINGTON, D. C. 20555March 30, 1989NRC INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 89-34: DISPOSAL OF AMERICIUM WELL-LOGGINGSOURCES

Addressees

All holders of a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) specific licenseauthorizing well-logging activities.

Purpose

This information notice is provided to inform well-logging licensees of thepotential problems and costs that may be incurred in disposing of americiumsources, when they are no longer needed. Such disposal costs may be an unan-ticipated financial hardship for some well-logging companies. It is expectedthat licensees will review this information for applicability to their programs,distribute the notice to responsible licensee management, and radiation safetystaff; and consider plans to ensure that special attention is paid to this area.However, suggestions contained in this notice do not constitute any new NRCrequirements, and no written response is required.

Description of Circumstances

Numerous licensees who provide well-logging services using americium sources areexperiencing financial problems because of the depressed oil and gas industry.Many of these licensees have terminated licensed activities, and some have under-gone bankruptcy proceedings. In addition, after July 14, 1989, certain sourceswill no longer be permitted to be used in well-logging, unless the sources con-form to new performance criteria outlined in 10 CFR Section 39.41 (see 52 FR 8225,March 17, 1987). These factors may increase the number of non-usable sources,and, consequently, may increase source storage and disposal problems.With respect to disposal, most americium well-logging sources contain americiumin sufficient concentrations that they are not generally acceptable for disposalas waste at low-level waste disposal facilities. The U.S. Department of Energy(DOE) is responsible for disposal of such waste but a DOE disposal facility willnot be available for several years. Thus, there are few choices available to alicensee who has no further need for americium sources.Discussion:Licensees are responsible for ensuring the health and safety of the public andworkers with respect to nuclear materials in their possession, in accordancewith NRC regulations and requirements of their licenses. Unsafe storage,,?/ 8903240063 IN 89-34March 30, 1989 abandonment, or unauthorized disposal of a radioactive source or any licensedmaterial will result in enforcement action by NRC, and may constitute a criminalactivity prosecutable by the U.S. Department of Justice.The following summarizes the choices that may be available to licensees withsurplus radioactive sources:(1) Transfer the source to another licensee (NRC or Agreement State)that is willing and authorized to take the source.(2) Return the source to the manufacturer. The licensee should deter-mine if the manufacturer has provisions for accepting returnedsources, and is willing to accept returns.(3) Transfer the source to a private contractor which is licensed topermanently store or reprocess the source. NRC staff is currentlyaware of only one contractor in this type of business, and under-stands that the fees for the service can be up to tens of thousandsof dollars per source.(4) Continue licensee storage of the source.If a well-logging licensee plans to remain in business, but will no longer uselicensed material and cannot find an authorized recipient for licensed sources,the licensee may request that NRC amend the license to authorize "storage only"of sealed sources. The license status will result in reduced program responsi-bilities and associated NRC licensing and inspection fees. Licensees thatneedinformationr about-the-storage of sources, or-who are expe-riencing difficulty inmaintaining safe storage of any radioactive source should immediately contacttheir NRC Regional Office by telephone.No written response is required by this information notice. If you have anyquestions about this matter, please call a technical contact listed below orthe appropriate NRC Regional Office.Richard E. Cunningham, DirectorDivision of Industrial andMedical Nuclear Safety, NMSSTechnical Contacts: Jack R. Metzger, NMSS(301) 492-3424Dale A. Powers,- Region IV(817) 860-8195

Attachments:

1. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices Attachment IIN 89-34March 30, 1989Page I of ILIST OF RECENTLY ISSUEDNMSS INFORMATION NOTICESInformation Date OfNotice No. Subject Issuance Issued to89-25 Unauthorized Transfer of 03/07/89 All NRC source,Ownership or Control of byproduct, andLicensed Activities special nuclearmaterial licensees.89-24 Nuclear Criticality Safety 03/06/89 All fuel cyclelicensees and otherlicensees possessingmore than critical massquantities of specialnuclear material.89-13 Alternative Waste Management 02/08/89 All holders of NRCProcedures In Case of Denial specific licenses.of Access to Low-Level WasteDisposal Sites89-12 Dose Calibrator Quality 02/09/89 All NRC medicalControl licensees.89-03 Potential Electrical 01/11/89 All fuel cycle andEquipment Problems major nuclear materialslicensees.89-02 Criminal Prosecution of 01/09/89 All holders of NRCLicensee's Former President specific license.for

Intent

ional SafetyViolations88-100 Memorandum of Understanding 12/23/88 All major nuclearBetween NRC and OSHA Relating materials licenseesto NRC-Licensed Facilities and utilities holding(53 FR 43950, October 31 1988) CPs and OLs.88-93 Teletherapy Events 12/2/88 All NRC medicallicensees.OL

• Operating LicenseCP

• Construction PermitAttachment 2IN 89-34March 30, 1989Page I of ILIST OF RECENTLY ISSUEDNRC INFORMATION NOTICESInformationNotice No.89-3389-3289-3189-3089-2989-2889-2789-26SubjectPotential Failure ofWestinghouse SteamGenerator TubeMechanical PlugsSurveillance Testingof Low-TemperatureOverpressure-ProtectionSystemsSwelling and Crackingof Hafnium Control RodsHigh TemperatureEnvironments atNuclear Power PlantsPotential Failure ofASEA Brown BoveriCircuit BreakersDuring Seismic EventWeight and Center ofGravity Discrepanciesfor Copes-VulcanAir-Operated ValvesLimitations on the Useof Waste Forms and HighIntegrity Containers forthe Disposal of Low-LevelRadioactive WasteInstrument Air Supply toSafety-Related EquipmentUnauthorized Transfer ofOwnership or Control ofLicensed ActivitiesDate ofIssuance3/23/89__Issued toAll holders of OLsor CPs for PHRs.3/23/89 All holders of OLsor CPs for PllRs.3/22/89 All holders of OLsor CPs for PWRs withHafnium control rods.3/15/89 All holders of OLsor CPs for nuclearpower reactors.3/15/89 All holders of OLsor CPs for nuclearpower reactors.3/14/89 All holders of OLsor CPs for nuclearpower reactors.3/8/893/7/893/7/89All holders of OLsor CPs for nuclearpower reactors, fuelcycle licenses andcertain by-productmaterials licenses.All holders of OLsor CPs for nuclearpower reactors.All U.S. HlC source,byproduct, and specialnuclear materiallicensees.89-25OL

• Operating LicenseCP

• Construction PermitI IN 89-34March 30, 1989 abandonment, or unauthorized disposal of a radioactive source or any licensedmaterial will result in enforcement action by NRC, and may constitute a criminalactivity prosecutable by the U.S. Department of Justice.The following summarizes the choices that may be available to licensees withsurplus radioactive sources:(1) Transfer the source to another licensee (NRC or Agreement State)that is willing and authorized to take the source.(2) Return the source to the manufacturer. The licensee should deter-mine if the manufacturer has provisions for accepting returnedsources, and is willing to accept returns.(3) Transfer the source to a private contractor which is licensed topermanently store or reprocess the source. NRC staff is currentlyaware of only one contractor in this type of business, and under-stands that the fees for the service can be up to tens of thousandsof dollars per source.(4) Continue licensee storage of the source.If a well-logging licensee plans to remain in business, but will no longer uselicensed material and cannot find an authorized recipient for licensed sources,the licensee may request that NRC amend the license to authorize "storage only"of sealed sources. The license status will result in reduced program responsi-bilities and associated NRC licensing and inspection fees. Licensees that needinformation about the storage of sources, or who are experiencing difficulty inmaintaining safe storage of any radioactive source should immediately contacttheir NRC Regional Office by telephone.No written response is required by this information notice. If you have anyquestions about this matter, please call a technical contact listed below orthe appropriate NRC Regional Office.Richard E. Cunningham, DirectorDivision of Industrial andMedical Nuclear Safety, NMSSTechnical Contacts: Jack R. Metzger, NMSS(301) 492-3424Dale A. Powers, Region IV(817) 860-8195

Attachments:

1. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices*Editor/NMSSEKraus *See previous concurrences03/16/89(by mail)OFC: IMOB* :IMOB* :RIV* :LLW* :IMOB* :OGC* :IMNS* :IMNS*-_______________________________________________________________________________________NAME:JMetzger/ll:DCool :DPowers :MBell :JHickey :RFonner :GSjoblom :RECunninghamDATE:03/20/89 :03/ /89 :03/289 :03/ /89 :03/ /89 :03/ /89 :03/ /89 :03/ /89OFFICIAL REORD COPY IN 89-March , 1989 abandonment, or unauthorized disposal of a radioactive source or any licensedmaterial will result in enforcement action by NRC, and may constitute acrimUh activity prosecutable by the U.S. Department of Justice.The following summarizes the choices that may be available to licensees withsurplus radioactive sources:(1) Tr sfer the source to another licensee (NRC or Agreement State)that\ is willing and authorized to take the source.(2) Returh the source to the manufacturer. The licensee shoulddetermine if the manufacturer has provisions for accepting returnedsources,\and is willing to accept returns.(3) Transfer the source to a private contractor to permanently store orreprocess the source. NRC staff is currently aware of only onecontractor ihk this type of business, and understands that the feesfor the service can be up to tens of thousands of dollars per source.(4) Continue licensle storage of the source.If a well-logging licensee pans to remain in business, but will no longer uselicensed material and cannot id an authorized recipient for licensed sources,the licensee may request that C amend the license to authorize "storage only"of sealed sources. The license tatus will result in reduced programresponsibilities and associated C licensing and inspection fees. Licenseesthat need information about the st rage of sources, or who are experiencingdifficulty in maintaining safe stor e of any radioactive source shouldimmediately contact their NRC Region M Office by telephone.No written response is required by thi Information Notice. If you have anyquestions about this matter, please cal a technical contact listed below orthe appropriate NRC Regional Office.Rich d E. Cunningham, DirectorDivisi n of Industrial andMedic Nuclear Safety, NMSSTechnical Contacts: Jack R. Metzger, NMSS(301) 492-3424Dale A. Powers, Region IV(817) 860-8195

Attachments:

1. List of Previously IssuedNMSS Information Notices2. List of Previously IssuedNRC Information NoticesEditor/NMSSEKraus03/16/89~(bybolOFC: IMOB :IMOB IVJV LLW MeO, :OGC :IMNS :IMNSNAME:JMetzger/ll~<"' :DPowers .^%Bell :Ji&ckey :RFonner :GS blom : ~iinrghamDATE:03/20/89 :03 1,/89 :03/21/89 :03*1/89 :03P1/89 :03/xV89 :03 9 :031 89= F ILA *KK GF IN 89-March , 1989 storage and disposal of unneeded well-logging sources. Unsafe storage,a andonment, or unauthorized disposal of a radioactive source or any licensedmaterial will result in enforcement action by NRC, and may constitute acrimnal activity prosecutable by the U.S. Department of Justice.The fo sowing summarizes the choices that may be available to licensees withsurplus Nadioactive sources:(1) TVansfer the source to another licensee (NRC or Agreement State)tha't is willing and authorized to take the source.(2) Retuen the source to the manufacturer. The licensee shoulddetermUne if the manufacturer has provisions for accepting returnedsourcesand is willing to accept returns.(3) Transfer Wthe source to a private contractor to permanently store orreprocess the source. NRC staff is currently aware of only onecontractor inWthis type of business, and understands that the feesfor the service can be up to tens of thousands of dollars per source.(4) Continue licensee\storage of the source.If a well-logging licensee planps to remain in business, but will no longer uselicensed material and cannot find an authorized recipient for licensed sources,the licensee may request that NRCxamend the license to authorize "storage only"of sealed sources. The license status will result in reduced programresponsibilities and associated NRC licensing and inspection fees. Licenseesthat need information about the storage of sources, or who are experiencingdifficulty in maintaining safe storage of any radioactive source shouldimmediately contact their NRC Regional Office by telephone.No written response is required by this Info nation Notice. If you have anyquestions about this matter, please call a technical contact listed below orthe appropriate NRC Regional Office.Richard E. Cunningham, DirectorDivision of Industrial andMedical Nuclear Safety, NMSSTechnical Contacts: Jack R. Metzger, NMSS(301) 492-3424Dale A. Powers, Region IV(817) 860-8195

Attachments:

1. List of Previously IssuedNMSS Information Notices2. List of Previously IssuedNRC Information NoticesEditor/NMSSEKraus(by f 1) ISOFC: IMOt :I OB :RI {-LLJ -:IMOB Os U- :MN- :IMNS------- ---------------_-__ot___ i_________ ------___________NAME:JMe- Er/ll:DCool :DPoliers :MBell :JHickey :RFo ner :GSjoblom :RECunninghamDATE:03/2 /89 :03/ /89 :03/ 1189 :031 /89 :03 /89 :03* 89 :03 89 :03 89UVUA REU IN 89-March , 1989 storage and disposal of unneeded well-logging sources. Unsafe storage,abandonment, or unauthorized disposal of a radioactive source or any licensedmaterial will-result In enforcement action by NRC, and may constitute acriminal activity prosecutable by the U.S. Department of Justice.The following summarizes the choices that may be available to licensees withsurplus radioactive sources:(1) Transfer the source to another licensee (NRC or Agreement State)that is willing and authorized to take the source.(2) Return the source to the manufacturer. The licensee shoulddetermine if the manufacturer has provisions for accepting returnedsources, and is willing to accept returns.(3) Transfer the source to a private contractor to permanently store orreprocess the source. NRC staff is currently aware of only onecontractor in this type of business, and understands that the feesfor the service can be up to tens of thousands of dollars per source.(4) Continue licensee storage of the source.If a well-logging licensee plans to remain in business, but will no longer uselicensed material and cannot find an authorized recipient for licensed sources,the licensee may request that NRC amend the license to authorize "storage onlysof sealed sources. The license status will result in reduced programresponsibilities and associated NRC licensing and inspection fees. Licenseesthat need information about the storage of sources, or who are experiencingdifficulty in maintaining safe storage of any radioactive source shouldimmediately contact their NRC Regional Office by telephone.No written response is required by this Information Notice. If you have anyquestions about this matter, please call a technical contact listed below orthe appropriate NRC Regional Office.Richard E. Cunningham, DirectorDivision of Industrial andMedical Nuclear Safety, NMSSTechnical Contacts: Jack R. Metzger, NMSS(301) 492-3424Dale A. Powers, Region IV(817) 860-8195

Attachments:

1. List of Previously IssuedNMSS Information Notices2. List of Previously IssuedNRC Information NoticesEditor/NMSSEKraus jK_03/16/89'(by sAil)OFC: I B :IMOB :RI t :IMOB :OGC :IMNS :IMNSNAME:J e.Xer/ll:DCool :---- --ers :- BNl1 :Jf-ickey :RFonner :GSjob0om :RECunninghamDATE:O 20/89 :03/ /89 :03Z&89 :03114189 :03/ /89 :03/ /89 :03/ /89 :03/ /89UttILIAL KELUKU COPY