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Event Notification Report for November 6, 2008

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
11/05/2008 - 11/06/2008

** EVENT NUMBERS **

Other Nuclear Material	Event Number: 44547
Rep Org: WAL-MART Licensee: WAL-MART Region: 4 City: BENTONVILLE State: AR County: License #: GL Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: RICH DAILEY HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH	Notification Date: 10/07/2008 Notification Time: 16:54 [ET] Event Date: 10/07/2008 Event Time: [CDT] Last Update Date: 11/05/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 20.2201(a)(1)(i) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>1000X	Person (Organization): DALE POWERS (R4) MARK DELLIGATTI (FSME) ILTAB (e-mail) ()

This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material.

Event Text

LOST TRITIUM EXIT SIGNS

Wal-Mart is conducting a worldwide audit of their tritium exit signs. This morning they discovered three missing signs.

The first missing sign was located at the store in Noblesville, Indiana. The serial number is 301651, manufacturer unknown. Curie content unknown. The sign was last inventoried in the spring of 2008.

The second sign was located at the store in Charlotte, Michigan. The serial number and manufacturer were unknown. Curie content unknown. The sign was last inventoried in the spring of 2008.

The third sign was located at the store in Yankton, South Dakota. The serial number is 293214, manufacturer unknown. Curie content unknown. The sign was last inventoried in the spring of 2008.

All three stores were searched for the signs without success.

* * * UPDATE PROVIDED BY RICHARD DALEY TO JASON KOZAL ON 10/09/08 AT 1308 * * *

Three additional signs were discovered missing in the state of Michigan:

1. At a store located at 995 Razorback Dr., Houghton, MI 49931. The serial number is unknown, the manufacturer is Isolite (11.5 Ci of tritium).

2. At a store located at 10772 West Carson City Rd., Greenville, MI 48838. The serial number is unknown, the manufacturer is Isolite (11.5 Ci of tritium).

3. At a store located at 7021 SW Nedge Ave, Portage, MI 49002. The serial number is 357889, the manufacturer is Isolite (11.5 Ci of tritium).

All three stores were searched for the signs without success.

Notified R3DO (Lara), and FSME (Burgess) and ILTAB via email.

* * * UPDATE AT 1400 EDT ON 10/10/08 FROM RICH DAILEY TO S. SANDIN * * *

An additional missing exit sign was identified during the on-going inventory. The exit sign was manufactured by SRB and contained 20 Ci of tritium, S/N 280802. It was last inventoried in Spring 2008 at Wal-Mart Store #5039 which is located in Camden, DE.

Notified R3DO (Lara), FSME (Einberg) and ILTAB via email.

* * * UPDATE AT 1422 EDT ON 10/14/08 FROM RICH DAILEY TO JOE O'HARA * * *

An additional missing exit sign was identified during the on-going inventory. The exit sign was manufactured by SRB and contained 20 Ci of tritium, S/N 277880. It was last inventoried in Spring 2008 at Wal-Mart Store #1833 which is located in Fredericksburg, VA.

Notified R1DO (Jackson), R3DO (Phillips), FSME (Vontill) and ILTAB via email.

* * * UPDATE AT 1305 EDT ON 10/21/08 FROM RICH DAILEY TO JEFF ROTTON * * *

Two additional missing exit signs were identified during the on-going inventory.

1. 1 sign at store #566, 1115 American Way, Booneville, IN 75237. The exit sign was manufactured by SRB and contained 20 Ci of tritium, S/N 306432.

2. 1 sign at store #3548, 910 Walcott Street, Waterbury, CT 06705. The exit sign was manufactured by SRB and contained 20 Ci of tritium, S/N 266092.

Notified FSME (Burgess), R3DO (Hironori Peterson), R1DO (Cahill), and ILTAB via email.

* * * UPDATE ON 10/24/08 AT 1735 EDT FROM DAILEY TO KLCO * * *

Wal-Mart Corporate Office reported a total of 2 tritium exit signs missing from one store in Missouri. Store management and maintenance personnel have conducted a search and have determined that the signs are not on the premises. Wal-Mart last inventoried these signs April 2008 and is declaring these signs to be missing.

The device information is as follows:

1. Location: Dexter, Missouri, Serial number - 314882, Curie content - 11.5.

2. Location: Dexter, Missouri, Serial number - 314890, Curie content - Unknown.

Notified FSME (Mauer), R4DO (Deese) and ILTAB via email.

* * * UPDATE ON 10/28/08 AT 0900 EDT FROM DAILEY TO KLCO * * *

Wal-Mart Corporate Office reported a tritium exit sign missing from a store in Virginia. Store management and maintenance personnel have conducted a search and have determined that the signs are not on the premises. Wal-Mart last inventoried these signs April 2008 and is declaring these signs to be missing.

The device information is as follows:

1. Location: Norton, Virginia, Serial number - 316467, Curie content - 11.5.

Notified FSME (Einberg), R1DO (Cobey) and ILTAB via email.

* * * UPDATE ON 10/29/08 AT 1713 EDT FROM DAILEY TO KOZAL * * *

Wal-Mart Corporate Office reported a total of 3 tritium exit signs missing from two stores in Michigan, and 1 sign from a store in Indiana. Store management and maintenance personnel have conducted a search and have determined that the signs are not on the premises. Wal-Mart last inventoried these signs April 2008 and is declaring these signs to be missing.

The device information is as follows:

1. Store number 1791 Location: 7083 West 48th Street, Freemont, MI 49412, Serial Number: Unknown, Manufacturer - Isolite, Activity - 11.5 Ci.

2. Store number 1791 Location: 7083 West 48th Street, Freemont, MI 49412, Serial Number: 256573, Manufacturer - Isolite, Activity - 11.5 Ci.

3. Store number 2238 Location: 1879 East Sherman Blvd., Muskegon, MI 49444 Serial Number: 254487, Manufacturer - SRB, Activity - 20 Ci.

4. Store number 2339 Location: 2801 North Western Ave, West Lafayette, IN 47906, Serial Number: 295648, Manufacturer - Isolite, Activity - 11.5 Ci.

Notified FSME (Einberg), R3DO (Kozak) and ILTAB via email.

* * * UPDATE ON 11/05/08 AT 1828 EDT FROM DAILEY TO KLCO * * *

Wal-Mart Corporate Office reported a total of 2 tritium exit signs missing from one store in Hawaii and 1 sign from a store in Connecticut. Store management and maintenance personnel have conducted a search and have determined that the signs are not on the premises.

The device information is as follows:

1. Store number 5274 Location: 1131 Kuala Street, Pearl City, HI 96782, Serial Number: 33526, Manufacturer - Isolite, Activity - 11.5 Ci.

2. Store number 2331 Location: 155 Waterford Parkway North, Waterford, CT 06385, Serial Number: 286501, Manufacturer -SBR, Activity - Unknown

Notified FSME (Suber), R4DO (Campbell), R1DO (Caruso) and ILTAB via email.

THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks.

This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source

General Information or Other	Event Number: 44617
Rep Org: ARIZONA RADIATION REGULATORY AGENCY Licensee: WAL-MART Region: 4 City: GOODYEAR State: AZ County: License #: Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: AUBREY GODWIN HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE	Notification Date: 10/31/2008 Notification Time: 12:41 [ET] Event Date: 10/13/2008 Event Time: [MST] Last Update Date: 10/31/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4) CHRISTIAN EINBERG (FSME) ILTAB (Email) ()

This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material.

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - 3 MISSING EXIT SIGNS

"The General Licensee (Wal-Mart, Inc.) notified the Agency [state] on October 13, that three of their facilities were missing one exit sign each. Sign SN# 339982 manufactured by SRB contained 20 Curies of tritium when manufactured and was located at the Goodyear facility, (08-012). Sign SN# 277684 by SRB contained 20 curies of tritium when manufactured and was located at the Nogales facility, (08-013). Also the inventory date for these two signs was not provided. The sign at the Tucson facility did not have any information on the manufacturer, the amount of tritium or the date when last inventoried, (08-014). The general licensee does not have any information regarding as to when these signs went missing. The general licensee does not believe they were damaged in their facilities. The Agency continues to look for the source."

THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks.

This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source

General Information or Other	Event Number: 44619
Rep Org: OK DEQ RAD MANAGEMENT Licensee: OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY Region: 4 City: STILLWATER State: OK County: License #: OK-00237-03 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: MIKE BRODERICK HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE	Notification Date: 10/31/2008 Notification Time: 16:52 [ET] Event Date: 10/30/2008 Event Time: 10:45 [CDT] Last Update Date: 10/31/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4) CHRISTIAN EINBERG (FSME)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - ACCIDENTIAL EXPOSURE TO I-131

"A veterinarian was exposed to Iodine-131 after administering a dose to a cat. The incident occurred on Thursday, October 30, at about 10:45 AM. The (19 millicuries of I-131) dose had been given to the cat, and the user accidentally poked his left index finger with the syringe which contained a residue of I-131. The user's protective glove was penetrated by the needle, but the needle did not appear to have penetrated the skin. The user contacted the RSO a few minutes after the incident. Efforts were made to remove or displace the radioactive Iodine with partial success, reducing the beta measurements about 50%. The licensee estimated that about 20 nanocuries of I-131 were remaining after efforts to decontaminate. Finger swabs show a very small amount (.5 nanocuries or less) of removable contamination. The contamination is concentrated on an area less than 1 mm square on the user's left index finger near the tip. The user's fingertip is being kept bandaged to prevent spread of contamination.

"The licensee contacted DEQ promptly after the initial response. The exposed individual was taken to the University Medical Center where the physician is giving treatment based on NCRP 65. Nonradioactive iodine is being administered in an attempt to block absorption by the thyroid.

"Since the skin did not appear to be penetrated, the licensee believed that there would be no internal dose, but the exposed individual was directed to collect his urine for analysis. This report to NRC was held up in anticipation of the results. Analysis of the exposed individual's urine (about 2 liters collected overnight) shows a distinct I-131 peak that the licensee preliminarily estimated at about 90 picocuries/liter. A longer count with more precision is being made. The exposed individual will continue to collect all urine for analysis for at least five days.

"The situation has been complicated by the death of an immediate relative of the RSO. A Certified Health Physicist who is on the University Radiation Safety Committee is now acting for the RSO."

General Information or Other	Event Number: 44620
Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM Licensee: T. C. INSPECTION Region: 4 City: RODEO State: CA County: License #: 5299-07 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: KENT PRENDERGAST HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN	Notification Date: 10/31/2008 Notification Time: 17:31 [ET] Event Date: 10/02/2008 Event Time: [PDT] Last Update Date: 10/31/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4) CHRISTIAN EINBERG (FSME)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT INVOLVING A STUCK RADIOGRAPHY SOURCE

The following information was received from the State of California via email:

"On 10/30/08 the Vallero Refinery, Benicia, CA, informed the RHB of an incident that happened on 10/02/08 during radiography operations performed by T.C. Inspections at their refinery. On the night shift of October 2, 2008, a radiographer, two assistants, and a technician were performing radiography on Tank # 1795. After cranking the source out, the magnetic stand holding the collimator fell and was suspended by a rope from the top. This left the camera, crank, and collimator dangling from the tank. The collimator was about 40 feet up, the crank was hanging down and accessible from the lowered man-lift, so the radiographer tried to crank the source in, but realized that the source was stuck due to a kink in the guide tube. The radiographer approached the collimator using a man-lift and was able to straighten the guide tube and crank the source into the shielded position. The radiographer was very close to the source for approximately 1 minute. It has taken about 5 minutes from the ground to get the source back into the shielded position. The radiographer's pocket dosimeter was off scale. His dosimeter was processed and the whole body dose indicated 843 Mr."

California 5010 Number (Date Notified): 103008

Power Reactor	Event Number: 44627
Facility: SEQUOYAH Region: 2 State: TN Unit: [ ] [2] [ ] RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP NRC Notified By: JULIOUS WHITWORTH HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA	Notification Date: 11/04/2008 Notification Time: 02:58 [ET] Event Date: 11/03/2008 Event Time: 23:22 [EST] Last Update Date: 11/05/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL	Person (Organization): DEBORAH SEYMOUR (R2)

Unit	SCRAM Code	RX CRIT	Initial PWR	Initial RX Mode	Current PWR	Current RX Mode
2	M/R	Y	100	Power Operation	0	Hot Standby

Event Text

MANUAL REACTOR TRIP DUE TO FEEDWATER REG VALVE FAILURE

"On 11/3/08 at 2322, Unit 2 was manually tripped due to the failure of Loop 4 Feed Water Reg. Valve (FRV Controller). Manual control was attempted to control level in Loop 4 Steam Generator (S/G); however, Loop 4 FRV failed to respond. A manual Reactor Trip was initiated as a result of this failure. In addition, Auxiliary Feedwater (AFW) initiated as required due to a Feedwater isolation signal

"The Loop 4 FRV did isolate from the Feedwater isolation signal.

"The Plant is being maintained in Mode 3 at NOT/NOP, 547 F and 2235 psig, with AFW supplying the S/G's and Steam Dumps removing decay heat.

"Additionally, Unit 2 has an indication of a primary leak inside lower containment. The leak rate is calculated to be approximately 2.0 gallons per minute. Based on current indications, the leak is suspected to be from a Pressurizer level transmitter

"No primary system or steam generator safety valves opened due to this trip. An investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the Loop 4 Feed Water Reg. Valve (FRV Controller) failure and the source of the approximately 2.0 gallons per minute primary leak. A recovery plan will be developed."

Pressurizer (PRZ) level is stable. All safety related systems are available and OPERABLE for safe plant shutdown. There is no impact on Unit 1. The loop 2 S/G blowdown sample line valve did not go closed as expected on the Feedwater isolation signal. The licensee is taking action to isolate it.

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

* * * UPDATE FROM LARRY PRUETT TO JOE O'HARA AT 0001 ON 11/5/08 * * *

"The Sequoyah Nuclear Plant Unit - 2 reactor coolant system unidentified leakage was terminated on Nov. 4, 2008 @ 2205 hours when a manual valve was closed isolating the reactor coolant system from the leak location."

The licensee closed the root valve to the PZR pressure channel 2-VLV-68-446A.

The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector.

Notified R2DO(Desai)

Power Reactor	Event Number: 44629
Facility: SALEM Region: 1 State: NJ Unit: [1] [ ] [ ] RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP NRC Notified By: TOM BYYKKONEN HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD	Notification Date: 11/05/2008 Notification Time: 05:44 [ET] Event Date: 11/05/2008 Event Time: 00:57 [EST] Last Update Date: 11/05/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION	Person (Organization): JOHN CARUSO (R1)

Unit	SCRAM Code	RX CRIT	Initial PWR	Initial RX Mode	Current PWR	Current RX Mode
1	N	N	0	Cold Shutdown	0	Cold Shutdown

Event Text

EMERGENCY DIESEL GENERATOR START DUE TO UNEXPECTED ESF SIGNAL

"This is an 8-hour notification to report a valid ESF signal to start the 1A Emergency Diesel Generator that occurred on 11/5/08 at 0057. Salem Unit 1 is in Mode 5, with core cooling being provided by 12 RHR pump. The Reactor Coolant System is being maintained at 173 F and 315 PSIG with a pressurizer level of 35 percent. The operating crew was performing a load shed surveillance test for a single component IAW test plan. The test plan used the Safeguards Equipment Cabinet (SEC) test pushbuttons to verify the equipment's response to a load shed signal. When the 1A SEC test pushbutton was actuated in addition to testing the single component it opened the in-feed breaker to the 1A 4KV vital bus and the bus was de-energized and loaded in blackout conditions. All equipment functioned as designed and core cooling was unaffected and remained in-service from 12 RHR pump powered from 1B 4KV bus. Investigation revealed the test plan did not take into account all components operated by the test pushbutton and the test pushbutton operated as designed. The 1A 4KV vital bus was restored to off-site power and the 1A EDG was restored to a standby condition. There were no personnel injured during the event.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."

LAC Township was notified by the licensee.

Notified R1DO (Caruso).

Other Nuclear Material	Event Number: 44630
Rep Org: GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOU Licensee: CONTOUR ENGINEERING Region: 1 City: DOUGLASVILLE State: GA County: License #: GA-2008-461 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: ERIC JAMESON HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO	Notification Date: 11/05/2008 Notification Time: 15:20 [ET] Event Date: 11/05/2008 Event Time: 10:45 [EST] Last Update Date: 11/05/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): JOHN CARUSO (R1) GREG SUBER (FSME)

This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material.

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED TROXLER MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE

"On 11/5/2008 at approximately 10:45 am, the licensee had a Troxler moisture-density gauge (Model 3430, S/N 33839) on the ground in the "standardize" mode (sources shielded) when it was run over by heavy mechanical equipment. Licensee staff roped off the area around the gauge and maintained surveillance of the gauge until the RSO and consultant arrived. Based on a radiation survey, there was no apparent loss of shielding integrity. Results of leak tests on the sealed sources are pending. Gauge was transported back to the licensee's office for further evaluation and likely return to Troxler."

Amount of activity: 8 mCi (Cs-137) and 40 mCi (Am-241)

Georgia Report Number: GA-2008-461

THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks.

Power Reactor	Event Number: 44632
Facility: WATTS BAR Region: 2 State: TN Unit: [1] [ ] [ ] RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP NRC Notified By: BILLY JOHNSON HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD	Notification Date: 11/06/2008 Notification Time: 00:59 [ET] Event Date: 11/05/2008 Event Time: 22:54 [EST] Last Update Date: 11/06/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(2)(i) - PLANT S/D REQD BY TS	Person (Organization): BINOY DESAI (R2)

Unit	SCRAM Code	RX CRIT	Initial PWR	Initial RX Mode	Current PWR	Current RX Mode
1	N	Y	100	Power Operation	100	Power Operation

Event Text

BOTH TRAINS OF CONTROL ROOM EMERGENCY AIR TEMPERATURE CONTROL DECLARED INOP

"WBN Unit 1 initiated a Tech Spec required shutdown at 2254 on 11/05/08. The plant entered TS 3.0.3 at 2135 on 11/05/08 due to both trains of Control Room Emergency Air Temperature Control (CREATCS) being declared inoperable. Initially Train 'B' CREATCS was inoperable due to the scheduled maintenance of Train 'B' auxiliary air system. With one train of Aux Air inoperable this renders that respective train of CREATCS inoperable. During this planned maintenance the 'A' train CREATCS chiller lost ability to cool the Main Control Room due to a failure in the control circuitry. This rendered 'A' train inoperable which led to entry into TS 3.0.3 for both trains CREATCS being inoperable. The plant exited TS 3.0.3 at 2345 on 11/05/08 upon completion of Post Maintenance Testing on the train 'B' Aux Air system and return to operability of the 'B' train Aux Air and therefore the 'B' train of CREATCS. The planned plant shutdown was stopped upon exit of TS 3.0.3 at 2345 11/05/08 and Rx power restored to 100%."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector