PNO-IV-99-002, on 990108,representative from State of or Notified NRC of Incident Which NRC Responded to on 990106. Markings on Device Indicated,Gauge Contained Nominal 200 Mci Cs-137.Surveys Performed by State Revealed Max Dose Rate
| ML20206P425 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/11/1999 |
| From: | Cain C, Mark Shaffer NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-IV-99-002, PNO-IV-99-2, NUDOCS 9901110395 | |
| Download: ML20206P425 (1) | |
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l J;nuary 11,1999 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-IV-99-002 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by Region IV staff in Arlington, Texas on this date.
Facility Licensee Emeraency Classification Schnitzer Steel Notification of Unusual Event Schnitzer Steel Alert Oregon Site Area Emergency General Emergency X Not Applicable
Subject:
NUCLEAR GAUGES FOUND AT OREGON SCRAP DEALER On January 8,1999, a representative from the State of Oregon notified NRC of an incident which they responded to on January 6,1999. On January 6 the State of Oregon Radiation Protection Services (ORPS) responded to a report of a radiation alarm associated with an incoming load of scrap steel at Schnitzer Steel, a scrap metal dealer in Oregon. The event was reported to ORPS by representatives from the Schnitzer Steel facility. ORPS advised them to isolate the material and keep personnel away from the area until State represent-atives arrived on site. Upon arrival to the site, representatives from the ORPS found two nuclear gauges within the segregated material. One of the gauges had the shutter partly open and the locking mechanism was bnt. The ORPS closed the shutter mechanism with a hammer and used a padlock to ensure the source remained in the fully shielded position.
Markings on the device indicated that the gauge contained a nominal 200 millicures of cesium-137. Surveys performed by the state revealed a maximum dose rate of approximately 4 millirems per hour on contact with the device.
The second device was severely damage and had been partially disassembled by Schnitzer personnel. The outer layer of shielding had been removed, and the device had an inner shielded source-holder unit with " Depleted Uranium" stamped into the metal. The source holder was mounted into a heavy steel (1" thick) frame. The radiation survey of this unit indicated approximately 9 millirems per hour on contact.
Upon retuming to their offices, ORPS began to investigate the possible owners of the gauges. After making several inquires, the State was able to make a preliminary determination that one of the gauges had been initially transferred to the Dairymen's Creamery facility located in Caldwell, Idaho. The identity and ownership of the second gauge has not yet been determined. The State i continuing its investigation of the incident; however, preliminary discussions with Schnitzer personnel do nnt indic. ate any significant exposures to workers at the scrap yard facility.
. NRC received notification of this occurrence by ORPS at 10:00 a.m. (CST) on January 8, 1999.
Region IV has informed OSP and NMSS, and has initiated a review of this matter with Dairymen's Creamery. This information has been discussed with the ORPS and is current as of 3:00 p.m. (CST) January 8,1999.
Contact:
Mark R. Shaffer Charles L. Cain (817)860-8287 (817)860-8186 9901110395 990111 9 -
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