Control of Sealed Radioactive Sources

OE-3: 2012-01 January 2012

PURPOSE equipment; i.e., verifying the operability of the equipment, but not for calibration purposes. This Operating Experience Level 3 (OE-3) Information on the source design document provides information on a safety specifications is needed in order to develop concern related to use of a sealed radioactive and implement appropriate hazard controls for source where hazard controls were not the use and transportation of the source. evaluated.

BACKGROUND DISCUSSION

Leaking sealed radioactive sources at the The incident at BNL resulted from failure of a Department of Energy (DOE) National “sealed” source of Cesium-137 of unknown Laboratories have resulted in contamination of pedigree. The failure to follow Department of personnel, facilities, and personal property. Transportation and DOE requirements for Recent events occurred at Brookhaven vehicular movement of sealed radioactive National Laboratory (BNL) and Pacific sources may have also contributed to the Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). spread of radioactive contamination. Details of these events are listed below. The PNNL event resulted from the sealed At BNL, a contamination event was caused by radioactive source not maintaining its integrity a Cesium-137 (265 micro-Curie) source used under the environmental conditions to test area radiation monitors. The source encountered. In both situations the design was used and transported onsite without specifications for the sources and their use evaluating the potential hazards associated were undefined and appropriate hazards with using the source. controls were not identified and implemented.

At PNNL, a contamination event was caused CONCLUSION by a Plutonium-238 (3.9 milli-Curie) source. When subsequently subjected to very cold Loss of control of radioactive material can temperatures in an experimental apparatus, result in unplanned personnel exposures and the source leaked. spread of radioactive contamination both on and off DOE sites.

Discussions with radiation protection REFERENCES managers indicate that it is a common practice to use sealed radioactive sources Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, part without historic information on the design 835, Occupational Radiation Protection specifications of the source (i.e., unknown (10 CFR 835), specifies requirements for use pedigree). Such sources are typically used of sealed radioactive sources. Depending on for response checking radiation monitoring the activity of the source (see 10 CFR 835,

appendix E), controls include inventory and  ANSI/HPS N43.6-1997, Sealed Radioactive periodic leak testing of the sources at intervals Sources Classification (updated 2007) not greater than 6 months. This standard provides a manufacturer of The 10 CFR 835 broadly defines sealed sealed radioactive sources with a set of tests radioactive sources as a "radioactive source to evaluate the safety of its products under manufactured, obtained, or retained for the specified conditions, and also to assist a user purpose of utilizing the emitted radiation." of such sources to select types that suit an application, especially where protection Per this definition, there are many applications against radioactive contamination is where the use of radioactive material for the concerned. purpose of response checking radiation monitors would be considered use of a sealed Tests include: radioactive source under 10 CFR 835.  temperature 10 CFR 835 also defines an accountable  pressure sealed radioactive source as a “sealed  impact radioactive source having a half-life equal to  vibration or greater than 30 days and an isotopic  puncture activity equal to or greater than the corresponding value provided in appendix E While the requirements and guidance are of 10 CFR 835.” typically sufficient for sources manufactured and designed to be used as sealed Because accountable sealed radioactive radioactive sources and used in accordance sources are considered potentially more with the manufacturer's directions, additional hazardous than sealed radioactive sources precautions frequently are needed for use of with an isotopic activity less than the sealed radioactive sources of unknown 10 CFR 835 criteria, they require the pedigree. additional controls specified in 10 CFR 835, such as periodic inventory and leak testing. RECOMMENDATIONS

However, 10 CFR 835.1201, "Sealed DOE sites that use accountable sealed radioactive source control," also requires that radioactive sources with unknown pedigree all sealed radioactive sources be used, should evaluate their use and the need to handled, and stored in a manner upgrade associated radiological controls. commensurate with the hazards associated with operations involving the sources. This The evaluation should consider: requirement applies to both accountable and nonaccountable sealed radioactive sources.  Current source activity;

 Chemical and physical form; DOE's Implementation Guide for 10 CFR 835,  Estimated age and end-of-life expectations; DOE G 441.1-1C, Radiation Protection Programs Guide for Use with Title 10, Code of  Use, including anticipated challenges to the Federal Regulations, Part 835, Occupational source integrity during transportation; and Radiation Protection, endorses several  Potential hazards associated with failure of nongovernmental national consensus the source. standards for radiation protection including:

Replacement of the sealed radioactive source with one meeting specified manufacturing criteria and performance tests is also an option for most applications and may ultimately be the safest and most cost- effective approach.

Additional radiological controls for accountable sealed sources with unknown pedigrees could include such actions as: restrictions on use, more frequent leak testing, and/or more frequent radiological monitoring associated with use of the source (e.g., survey source and package prior to, and after, use) and additional personnel protective equipment,

Sites should also evaluate their use of all sealed radioactive sources, including manufacturer certified sources, sources with unknown pedigrees and nonaccountable sources, to ensure that they are used in accordance with the manufacturers' directions (if any) and that they are used, handled, and stored in a manner commensurate with the hazards associated with operations involving the sources.

ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Questions regarding this OE-3 report can be directed to Dr. Bill McArthur by telephone at (301) 903-6061 or via e-mail at [email protected].

This OE-3 document requires no followup report or written response.