Headquarters Daily report NOVEMBER 10, 1994 *************************************************************************** REPORT NEGATIVE NO INPUT ATTACHED INPUT RECEIVED RECEIVED HEADQUARTERS X REGION I X REGION II X REGION III X REGION IV X *************************************************************************** PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - HEADQUARTERS NOV. 10, 1994 MR Number: H-94-0100 NRR DAILY REPORT ITEM GENERIC COMMUNICATIONS BRANCH/EVENTS ASSESSMENT BRANCH DIVISION OF OPERATING REACTOR SUPPORT OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION Subject: N/A NRC Information Notice 93-60, Supplement 1, "Reporting Fuel Cycle and Materials Events to the NRC Operations Center," was issued October 20, 1994. The NRC issued this information notice to alert addressees to a recent revision of the form used by Headquarters Operations Officers (HOOs) who document safety-related fuel cycle events reported to the NRC Operations Center. Technical contact: J. Roth, NMSS (301) 415-7156 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION II NOVEMBER 10, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Osi Specialties Inc. MR Number: 2-94-0095 Osi Specialties Inc. Date: 11/10/94 Sistersville,West Virginia License No: 47-06067-03 Subject: REMOVAL OF SHUTTERS FROM LEVEL GAUGE Reportable Event Number: 28008 Discussion: On November 9, 1994, OSI Specialties Inc, reported that on October 27, 1994, shutters on a Texas Nuclear Model 5192 level gauge containing 250 millicuries of cesium 137 were inappropriately removed. The technician who had removed the shutters was attempting to add shielding to the gauge to reduce radiation levels at the dectectors. With the shutters removed there was a calculated radiation level of approximately 72 millirems per hour in the area of the detector opposite the source. Based on RSO interviews of workers, there were no workers in areas of elevated dose rates during the period when the shutters were removed. Dosimetry worn by three personnel in the area showed minimal dose. The RSO is presently assessing the dose to the extremities of the individual who actually removed the shutters. The licensee is in the process of preparing a written report. RII will conduct a special inspection to review the event. Regional Action: The Commonwealth of Virginia has been informed. Regional Inspector to follow-up. Contact: A. Jones (404)331-5565 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION II NOVEMBER 10, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Department Of Army MR Number: 2-94-0096 Department Of Army Date: 11/10/94 Redstone Arsenal,Alabama Subject: INADVERTENT SHIPMENT OF PLUTONIUM SEALED SOURCE BY AIR Reportable Event Number: 28010 Discussion: On November 9, 1994, the Radiation Safety Officer for Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, reported to the NRC Operations Center that on November 4, 1994, a Pu-Be source containing 5 curies of plutonium-239 was offered and shipped by air from the Sacramento, California Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE) Support Center to Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico. The carrier was Federal Express. The Radiation Safety Officer for Redstone Arsenal packaged and surveyed the Pu-Be source in Sacramento and prepared the shipping papers for ground transportation. The Sacramento Depot did not have a transportation department and it appears that the transportation department for the Sierra, California Depot generated the Federal Express Airbill. Redstone Arsenal reported that the Pu-Be source was packaged in a DOT 6M Type B container and met all requirements for ground transportation. Redstone Arsenal also reported that the source arrived intact at Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico on November 7, 1994. The Department of Transportation will be notified. Regional Action: Region IV has been notified of the event. The NRC will perform a follow up inspection. Contact: J. Mumper (404)331-2675 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION III NOVEMBER 10, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Commonwealth Edison Co. MR Number: 3-94-0211 Braidwood 1 2 Date: 11/08/94 Braceville,Illinois ENS 50.72 (b) (2) (vi) Dockets: 50-456,50-457 PWR/W-4-LP,PWR/W-4-LP Subject: TAMPERING WITH A SOFT DRINK CAN Reportable Event Number: 28002 Discussion: On November 7, 1994, a can of soft drink taken from a refrigerator in the Electrical Maintenance Shop was shared by two ComEd "B" electricians, who noticed an unusual taste. They stated that they had previously purchased soda from a onsite vending machine and placed it in the refrigerator with other cans. Examination of the can revealed a screw inserted into the bottom with a wax sealant around it. The two employees reported it to the shift engineer and then went to the local hospital for precautionary observation. They were not injured. The employees contacted the FDA, Local FBI, Department of Public Health, and the Will County Sheriff's Department who opened an investigation. The other agencies do not appear to be pursuing the matter. During the licensee's investigation, another ComEd electrical maintenance employee admitted to tampering with the can at home, placing an anti-diarrhea substance inside, and placing it in the refrigerator. He indicated he wanted to send a message to those that had been previously stealing his soda. The can was turned over to the Will County Sheriff's Department. Site access has been suspended for all three employees, pending the final results of the licensee's investigation. There have been no criminal complaints filed to date. Regional Action: Region III will monitor the licensee's investigation. The NRC's Information Assessment Team and NRR's Safeguards Branch were notified. Contact: G. M. CHRISTOFFER (708)829-9864 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION III NOVEMBER 10, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Agreement State Licensee MR Number: 3-94-0212 Syncor International Corp Date: 11/09/94 Des Moines,Iowa TELECON TO STATE PROGRAMS Subject: CONTAMINATION INCIDENT Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: On November 8, 1994, Syncor International Corporation reported that a vial of Cardiolite (heart imaging agent) kit containing 550 millicuries of technetium-99m exploded while being heated on a heating block approximately 6 minutes into the 10 minute heating process. No injuries were reported and the laboratory was cordoned off and restricted. Only one pharmacist was in the laboratory at the time of the incident. She was located approximately 12-15' from the heating block and received minor contamination on her lab coat. The licensee is conducting a series of thyroid bioassays on the pharmacist to determine internal exposure. The pharmacist's personal dosimetry has been sent to a dosimetry processor for an expedited analysis. A radiation specialist from the State of Iowa radiation control program was onsite within 12 hours after the incident occurred and conducted radiation surveys. The maximum radiation level found on the walls and floor in the laboratory using an ion chamber approximately 12 hours after the incident was 1 mR/hr. No contamination was found in other portions of the pharmacy or in adjacent offices. The licensee is assessing the amount of technetium-99m that may have been released to the environment but suspects that there was minimal release since measurements made of the fume hood filters indicate that only the first filter was contaminated. The two filters nearest to the effluent release point were not contaminated. Regional Action: Monitor the progress of the state's investigation into the incident. Inform NMSS. Contact: D. WIEDEMAN (708)829-9808 B. J. HOLT (708)829-9836