Headquarters Daily report NOVEMBER 17, 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. 17, 1994 MR Number: H-94-0102 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 94-78, "Electrical Component Failure Due to Degradation of Polyvinyl Chloride Wire Insulation," to be issued November 21, 1994. The NRC is issuing this information notice to alert addressees to the possibility that polyvinyl chloride (PVC) insulation, used on electrical wire, may degrade and cause electrical components to fail. Technical contacts: George T. MacDonald, RII (404) 331-5576 Thomas Koshy, NRR (301) 504-1176 Bill H. Rogers, NRR (301) 504-2945 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION II NOVEMBER 17, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: MR Number: 2-94-0098 Syncor International Corporation Date: 11/17/94 Huntington,West Virginia Dockets: 03033160 License No: 47-25248-01MD Subject: DAMAGE BOX CONTAINING TECHNETIUM GENERATOR Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: On November 16, 1994, a staff member from Region I reported that on November 15, 1994, Federal Express delivered a damaged box containing a 3700 mCi Molydbemun-Technetium dry generator from New England Nuclear in Billerica, Massachusetts to a Syncor Radiopharmacy in Huntington, West Virginia. The damage sustained to the box consisted of a triangular-shaped depression in the external cardboard frame in addition to a missing circular area within the internal styrofoam frame. Although the generator was still intact, there was some minor surface contamination (300 dpm per 300 square centimeters). The Federal Express driver sustained contamination on the hands of 1200 cpm, but after three washings no contamination remained. A survey taken of the empty box containing the generator showed a radiation level of 0.06 mr/hr with a background of 0.03 mr/hr. Subsequent surveys taken one day after indicate no measurable radiation levels. Syncor is presently using the generator satisfactorily. Regional Action: Region II has notified the State of West Virginia. Contact: A. JONES (404)331-5565 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION III NOVEMBER 17, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Syncor Corporation MR Number: 3-94-0217 Syncor Radiopharmacy Date: 11/14/94 Kansas City,Missouri TELEPHONE Dockets: 03011339 License No: 24-16617-01MD Subject: RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL DELIVERED TO WRONG FACILITY Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: On November 10, 1994, a package being delivered by Federal Express enroute to the Syncor facility in Kansas City, Missouri was inadvertently delivered to the Simplex Co., located next to the Syncor facility. The label on the package indicated the correct addressee. The package contained 475-500 millicuries (17.5-18.5 GBq) of iodine-131. The package was received at Simplex at approximately 8:30 a.m. and remained there until 1:00 p.m. when it was retrieved by Syncor. Radiation levels on the package were 60 mR/h (1.55E-5 C/kg/h) at the surface of the package and .8 mR/h (2.0E-7 C/kg/h) at one meter. There was no removable contamination identified on the package based upon surveys conducted by Syncor. Simplex employees had opened the package but did not handle the vial containing the iodine-131. Exposure estimates to those individuals was minimal. Regional Action: NMSS has been contacted and has agreed to share this information with the U.S. Department of Transportation who has principal oversight of carriers such as Federal Express. Region III plans no further action. Contact: BOB HAYS (708)829-9819 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION IV NOVEMBER 17, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Cti, Inc. MR Number: 4-94-0133 Cti, Inc. Date: 11/17/94 Anchorage,Alaska Walnut Creek Field Office (WCFO) Dockets: 03017129 License No: 50-19202-01 Subject: UNINTENTIONAL DISCONNECTION OF RADIOGRAPHY SOURCE Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: The licensee's Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) notified Region IV WCFO at 3:08 p.m. on 11/15/94, that a 51 curie iridium-192 source had disconnected from an exposure device drive cable. The incident occurred on November 11, 1994 at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, during radiography with an Amersham Model 660 exposure device. The disconnected source was discovered during a routine radiation survey following radiography. Following the source disconnect, the area was secured and the source was retrieved into a safe shielded position in the exposure device. Based on pocket dosimeter readings following source retrieval, the radiographer received a 40 mrem whole body exposure, while the assistant radiographer and a supervisor each received 15 mrems. A 15 mrem exposure was measured using extremity personnel monitoring devices worn by the supervisor during source retrieval. The cause of the incident is unknown at this time. The device has been removed from service pending the RSO's investigation of the incident which will determine if the disconnected source was due to human or mechanical error. The licensee is planning to examine the cable and source pig tail assembly with a check gauge at Prudhoe Bay, and conduct a further physical examination when the drive cable assembly is returned to its office on Friday, November 18, 1994. The RSO will keep NRC informed about any further information learned. The licensee will submit a 30-day written report required by 10 CFR 34.30, to Region IV with a copy to WCFO. Regional Action: WCFO will continue to monitor the licensee's investigation of the incident, and will review the written report to be submitted by the licensee within 30 days. Contact: Kent Prendergast (510)975-0255 David Skov (510)975-0253