PNO-IV-97-023B, on 970507,update to Nonradiation Worker Exposure in Agreement State Made.La Dept of Environ Quality Completing Investigation of Event & Plans to Publish Insp Rept When Review Complete.State of La Notified

PNO-IV-97-023B:on 970507,update to Nonradiation Worker Exposure in Agreement State Made.La Dept of Environ Quality Completing Investigation of Event & Plans to Publish Insp Rept When Review Complete.State of La Notified

ML20196G250
Person / Time
Issue date:	05/14/1997
From:	Hackney C, Linda Howell NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
To:
References
PNO-IV-97-023B, PNO-IV-97-23B, NUDOCS 9705150359
Download: ML20196G250 (2)

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May 14,1997 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-IV-97-023B 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. )

l Facility - Licensee Emeraency Classification Western Atlas Logging Services Notification of Unusual Event 1 Western Atlas Logging Services Alert I Baton Rouge, Louisiana Site Area Emergency License No: LA-2187-LO1 General Emergency l J

X Not Applicable l

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Subject:

UPDATE TO NONRADIATION WORKER EXPOSURE IN AN AGREEMENT STATE I 1

l This provides updated information to PNO-IV-97-023 and -023A which described an event '

involving the exposure of a nonradiation worker to radiation from an americium-241/ beryllium source on April 17,1997. '

On May 7,1997, representatives of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LADEQ) and the Oak Ridge Associated Universities Radiation Emergency Assistance Center / Training Site (REACTS) briefed the Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards, the Office of State Programs and Region IV on the status of their investigation f of this incident and the potential health consequences expected for two individuals who either handled or worked in the vicinity of the ' unshielded americium-241/ beryllium source.

REACTS representatives noted that the staff had completed cytogenetic studies of blood i samples taken from both individuals and found no evidence of chromosome damage l resulting from exposure to radiation (no dicentric chromosomes were identified in either '

sample). This indicates that neither individual received a medically significant whole body i dose. The individual who placed the source in his shirt pocket was examined at REACTS i on May 6, and the physician reported that no physical evidence of radiation injury was observed (no evidence of erythema or epilation on the chest). The second individual declined to participate in further medical examinations, including analysis of additional blood samples to confirm that his white blood cell count had stabilized.

REACTS representatives reported that based on their initial analysis, the minimal detectable dose for the cell population examined would be 10 centigray (10 rad) for neutron and 15 centigray (15 rad) for gamma radiation. REACTS representatives noted that they expected 1 to report that both individuals received a dose less than or equal to the minimal Atectable dose. The licensee had completed dose assessments for both individuals based on l measured dose rates and calculated contact dose rates. The licensee estimated that the maximally exposed individual may have received a dose of 350 millisieverts (35 rem) and the second individual, who stood within 2- 8 feet of the unshielded source, may have received a dose of 90 millisieverts (9 rem).

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9705150359 9705141 PDR I&E PNO-IV-97-0238 PDR-

The NRC medical consultant assigned to assist the LADEQ indicated that in his opinion, the only remaining concern should be the potential for cataract formation for the maximally exposed individual. This concern is based on the individual looking into the container,  ;

directly at the source, while he was working. REACTS physicians noted that an initial eye l examination revealed no abnormality and they planned to advise the individual to seek the care of an ophthalmologist for future followup.

LADEQ is completing its investigation of this event and plans to publish an inspection report when the review is complete. The med cal consultant and REACTS will provide reports to LADEQ, with copies to the NRC. Unless new information is developed as the consultant and REACTS complete their reviews, Region IV has concluded its followup of  !

this event.

This information has been discussed with the state and is current as of 8:30 a.m., CDT, May 14,1997.

Region IV has notified NMSS, OEDO, OPA and OSP of this information.

The state of Louisiana has been notified.

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Contact:

Charles A. Hackney Linda L. Howell (817)860-8267 (817)860-8213 i

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