Information Notice 2001-01, The Importance of Accurate Inventory Controls to Prevent the Unauthorized Possession of Radioactive Material
| ML010710110 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/26/2001 |
| From: | Cool D NRC/NMSS/IMNS |
| To: | |
| Brown F | |
| References | |
| IN-01-001 | |
| Download: ML010710110 (5) | |
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001
March 26, 2001
NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 2001-01:
THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCURATE INVENTORY
CONTROLS TO PREVENT THE UNAUTHORIZED
POSSESSION OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Addressees
All material licensees.
Purpose
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice (IN) to alert
addressees to potential hazards associated with the failure to maintain accurate inventories of
licensed material. The circumstances described below involve the failures to maintain accurate
inventories of licensed material, which led to unauthorized possession of several sealed and/or
unsealed sources of radiation. In one case, an unsealed source created a significant
contamination problem at a small university. The contamination apparently had been present
for several years.
It is expected that recipients will review this information for applicability to their operations and
consider actions, as appropriate. However, information contained in this IN does not constitute
new NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action nor written response is required.
Description of Circumstances
NRC recently performed a routine inspection of a small university authorized to possess and
use millicurie (megabecquerel) quantities of phosphorous-32, sulfur-35, carbon-14, hydrogen-3, and iodine-125, and a 20-millicurie (740 megabecquerel) strontium-90 sealed source. During
the inspection, a locked safe labeled as containing radioactive materials was identified. When
the safe was opened, several radionuclides were found, including a small empty vial labeled as
5 millicuries (185 megabecquerel) of americium-241, and two americium-241 sealed sources.
Surveys of the safe and the floor around the safe identified removable contamination.
Additional contamination was identified in an unrestricted area outside the room where the safe
was stored. The licensee reported the contamination to NRC and indicated that it suspected the
radionuclide to be americium-241. Using alpha detection equipment, extensive contamination
was identified in several areas outside the storage room and in a classroom on the second
floor. Using gamma spectroscopy, NRC confirmed the radionuclide to be americium-241. The
university has had to expend significant resources in assessing and remediating contaminated
areas. Preliminary assessments of personnel exposure indicate that at least two individuals
have had intakes of americium-241.
The inspection identified that 5 millicuries (175 megabecquerel) of unsealed americium-241 had
been authorized on the universitys license in 1970.
The material had been placed in storage
and not used since 1980. University staff apparently failed to maintain an accurate inventory of
the licensed material, and University management was not aware it was still in possession of
the material in the safe. In 1991 a license amendment removed the americium-241 and several
other radionuclides from the license.
A separate inspection at a different university also identified radioactive material that was not
identified on current inventories, and was not authorized on the universitys NRC license. In this
case, the licensee had maintained physical control of the material and no contamination
was identified.
Discussion:
In the cases discussed here, NRC believes that the licensees relied on specific individuals
involved with using radioactive material as the basis for source accountability. The failure to
maintain accurate accountability of the material led to removal of authority to possess the
material from subsequent licenses. Possession of unauthorized material is a violation of NRC
regulations. Loss of control can result in significant accidental radiation exposure to
occupational workers and members of the public, as well as affect public confidence in licensee
programs.
Licensees are required to perform an annual review of their radiation safety programs
(10 CFR 20.1101). Such a review should include an inventory of radioactive material to verify
that possession (both types and quantities) of material is as authorized on the NRC license.
Maintaining accurate running inventories of licensed material is always a prudent practice, and
is required by many types of NRC licenses.
This IN requires no specific action nor written response. If you have any questions about the
information in this notice, please contact the technical contact below or the appropriate regional
office.
/RA/
Donald A. Cool, Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contact:
Kevin G. Null, Region III
630-829-9854 E-mail: kgn@nrc.gov
Attachments:
1. List of recently issued NMSS Information Notices
2. List of recently issued NRC Information Notices The inspection identified that 5 millicuries (175 megabecquerel) of unsealed americium-241 had
been authorized on the universitys license in 1970.
The material had been placed in storage
and not used since 1980. University staff apparently failed to maintain an accurate inventory of
the licensed material, and University management was not aware it was still in possession of
the material in the safe. In 1991 a license amendment removed the americium-241 and several
other radionuclides from the license.
A separate inspection at a different university also identified radioactive material that was not
identified on current inventories, and was not authorized on the universitys NRC license. In this
case, the licensee had maintained physical control of the material and no contamination
was identified.
Discussion:
In the cases discussed here, NRC believes that the licensees relied too much on specific
individuals involved with using radioactive material as the basis for source accountability. The
failure to maintain accurate accountability of the material led to removal of authority to possess
the material from subsequent licenses. Possession of unauthorized material is a violation of
NRC regulations. Loss of control can result in significant accidental radiation exposure to
occupational workers and members of the public, as well as affect public confidence in licensee
programs.
Licensees are required to perform an annual review of their radiation safety programs
(10 CFR 20.1101). Such a review should include an inventory of radioactive material to verify
that possession (both types and quantities) of material is as authorized on the NRC license.
Maintaining accurate running inventories of licensed material is always a prudent practice, and
is required by many types of NRC licenses.
This IN requires no specific action nor written response. If you have any questions about the
information in this notice, please contact the technical contact below or the appropriate regional
office.
/RA/
Donald A. Cool, Director
Division of Industrial and
Medical Nuclear Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contact:
Kevin G. Null, Region III
630-829-9854 E-mail: kgn@nrc.gov
Attachments:
1. List of recently issued NMSS Information Notices
2. List of recently issued NRC Information Notices
g:\\INaccountRAM.wpd
OFFICE RIII
NMSS/Editor
MSIB
MSIB
IMNS
NAME
KNull/GWright
EKraus
FBrown
JHickey
DCool /RA/
DATE
3/5/01
3/7/01 fax
3/6/01
3/7/01
3/12/01
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
Attachment 1 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED
NMSS INFORMATION NOTICES
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Information
Date of
Notice No.
Subject
Issuance
Issued to
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2000-22
Medical Misadministrations
Caused by Human Errors
Involving Gamma Stereotactic
Radiosurgery (GAMMA KNIFE)
12/18/00
All medical use licensees
authorized to conduct gamma
stereotactic radiosurgery
treatments
2000-19
Implementation of Human Use
Research Protocols Involving
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission Regulated
Materials
12/05/2000
All medical use licensees
2000-18
Substandard Material Supplied
by Chicago Bullet Proof
Systems
11/29/2000
All 10 CFR Part 50 licensees and
applicants
All category 1 fuel facilities
All 10 CFR Part 72 licensees and
applicants
2000-16
Potential Hazards Due to
Volatilization of Radionuclides
10/5/2000
All licensees that process
unsealed byproduct material
2000-15
Recent Events Resulting in
Whole Body Exposures
Exceeding Regulatory Limits
9/29/2000
All radiography licensees
2000-12
Potential Degradation of
Firefighter Primary Protective
Garments
9/21/2000
All holders of licenses for nuclear
power, research, and test
reactors and fuel cycle facilities
2000-11
Licensee Responsibility for
Quality Assurance Oversight of
Contractor Activities Regarding
Fabrication and Use of Spent
Fuel Storage Cask Systems
8/7/2000
All U.S. NRC 10 CFR Part 50 and
Part 72 licensees, and Part 72
Certificate of Compliance holders
2000-10
Recent Events Resulting in
Extremity Exposures
Exceeding Regulatory Limits
7/18/2000
All material licensees who
prepare or use unsealed
radioactive materials, radio- pharmaceuticals, or sealed
sources for medical use or for
research and development
______________________________________________________________________________________
OL = Operating License
CP = Construction Permit
Attachment LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED
NRC INFORMATION NOTICES
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Information
Date of
Notice No.
Subject
Issuance
Issued to
______________________________________________________________________________________
IN 2000-17, Supp. 2
Crack in Weld Area of Reactor
Coolant System Hot Leg Piping
at V.C. Summer
02/28/01
All holders of operating licenses
for nuclear power reactors except
those who has ceased operations
and have certified that fuel has
permanently removed from
reactor vessel
2000-22
Medical Misadministrations
Caused by Human Errors
Involving Gamma Stereotactic
Radiosurgery (GAMMA KNIFE)
12/18/00
All medical use licensees
authorized to conduct gamma
stereotactic radiosurgery
treatments
2000-21
Detached Check Valve Disc
not Detected by Use of
Acoustic and Magnetic
Nonintrusive Test Techniques
12/15/00
All holders of OLs for nuclear
power reactors except those who
have ceased operations and have
certified that fuel has been
permanently removed from the
reactor
2000-20
Potential Loss of Redundant
Safety Related Equipment Due
to Lack of a High-Energy Line
Break Barrier
12/11/2000
All holders of operating licenses
or construction permits for
nuclear power reactors
2000-19
Implementation of Human Use
Research Protocols Involving
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission Regulated
Materials
12/05/2000
All medical use licensees
2000-18
Substandard Material Supplied
by Chicago Bullet Proof
Systems
11/29/2000
All 10 CFR Part 50 licensees and
applicants. All category 1 fuel
facilities. All 10 CFR Part 72 licensees and applicants
2000-17 S1
Crack In Weld Area of Reactor
Coolant System Hot Leg Piping
At V.C. Summer
11/16/2000
All holders of OLs for nuclear
power reactors except those who
have ceased operations and have
certified that fuel has been
permanently removed from the
reactor vessel