ML20247F380

Rept of Interview of Pr Howard Re Knowledge of Alteration of Counting Times in Conjunction W/Analysis of Radioactivity in Water Contained in Regenerate Holdup Tank

ML20247F380
Person / Time
Site:	Rancho Seco
Issue date:	01/26/1987
From:	Howard P SACRAMENTO MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT
To:
Shared Package
ML20247F042	List: IR 05000312/1986015 ML20247F039 ML20247F045 ML20247F082 ML20247F096 ML20247F107 ML20247F115 ML20247F133 ML20247F205 ML20247F262 ML20247F271 ML20247F287 ML20247F302 ML20247F327 ML20247F338 ML20247F341 ML20247F354 ML20247F360 ML20247F372 ML20247F380 ML20247F395 ML20247F413 ML20247F418 ML20247F438 ML20247F462 ML20247F469 ML20247F476 ML20247F487
References
FOIA-89-2, FOIA-89-A-7 NUDOCS 8905300069
Download: ML20247F380 (1)

Text

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REPORT OF INTERVIEW OF PAMELA R. HOWARD Date Interviewed: January 26, 1987 Date Dictation: . February 5, 1987 On January 26, 1987, Pamela R. HOWARD, a Radiation Protection Technician at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District's (SMUD) Rancho Seco Nuclear Generating Station (Rancho Seco), was interviewed by Senior Investigator Ronald A. Meeks. HOWARD was interviewed at NRC's Resident Inspector office-at Rancho Seco. HOWARD's business telephone is (209)333-2935. HOWARD was interviewed relative to her knowledge of the alteration of counting times in conjunction with the analysis of radioactivity in water contained in the Regenerate Holdup Tank (RHUT) at Rancho Seco. ,

With respect to the alteration of counting time, HOWARD stated:

1. In 1984, the point of release was considered the retention basin and the counting time to analyze radioactive nuclides in samples taken from the retention basin was 2000 seconds. When the RHUT was detemined to be the point of' release, a paper was posted on the bulletin board in the Chemistry Lab which gave instructions to count 3 liter RHUT samples for 2000 seconds. .

2. The counting time was changed to 1000 seconds to show no identifiable indications of radioactivity in the analysis. This was done because of SMUD's public statements that no radioactivity would be released from Rancho Seco.

3. The alteration of counting time put the technicians in a difficult position because they knew radioactivity had been detected at the 2000 second count, yet was authorized for release at the lower count time.

4 HOWARD felt SMUD officials should have educated the public about the significance to the public health and safety of the releases and took the stand that releases were going to be made. This was preferable to altering the counting time.

5. To HOWARD'S knowledge, the water in the RHUT came from the secondary system and was contaminated because of the steam generator tube leaks.

6. It was HOWARD's impression that some fom of document giving instructions

- on altering the counting time from 2000 to 1000 secends was circulated among the Chemistry and Radiatien Protection Technicians.

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8905300069 890516 FDR FOIA PDR F

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FR I EDM A89~-A-7 5-86-010 1 page l _ of I Pages k!Laca,

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