Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Nickel-63 Radiological Response
Guaynabo, PR - EPA Region II
POLREP #5

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Nickel-63 Radiological Response - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region II

Subject:

POLREP #5
Nickel-63 Radiological Response

Guaynabo, PR
Latitude: 18.4439396 Longitude: -66.1129342

To:

From:

Eric M. Daly/Geoff Garrison, On-Scene Coordinators

Date:

4/9/2010

Reporting Period:

03/05/10-04/08/10

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:		Contract Number:
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:
Response Authority:	CERCLA	Response Type:	Emergency
Response Lead:	EPA	Incident Category:
NPL Status:		Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:		Start Date:
Demob Date:		Completion Date:
CERCLIS ID:		RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:		Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category
Radiological Assessment

1.1.2 Site Description
Storage Facility

1.1.2.1 Location
Guayanabo, Puerto Rico
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Instruments containing sealed Nickel-63 Sources

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
Pending

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative

PR Departamento De Corrección ordered the leak test kits from Smiths Detection and they arrived the week of April 5, 2010. RERT Commander, Sam Poppell, traveled to Puerto Rico to perform the leak test on the IonScan 400A Units at the Guaynabo location. Once the samples are shipped and received by Smiths Detection, it will be about two weeks for lab results.

On April 6, 2010, EPA, NRC, EQB, Smiths Detection, and PR Departamento De Correccción held a meeting to discuss the Health & Safety Work Plan, unit transport, and unit disposal.

On April 7, 2010, alpha, beta, and gamma surveys were conducted in the area where the IonScan units are being stored (standard practice). No readings were observed above the background (3-7μR/Hr). Ni-63 is a very low beta emitter and is not detected by standard survey instrumentation. This is the reason for the leak test and analysis. Previous information from PR Departamento De Corrección indicated that a unit was in Ponce. It was discovered that the unit was shipped from Ponce two years ago. Supposedly, to the Guaynabo facility.

The wardens at the other PR Departamento De Corrección facilities in Puerto Rico submitted written certifications that there are no other IonScan 400A units at their locations.

On April 8, 2010, Sam Poppell (RERT Commander), Eric Daly (OSC), Geoff Garrison (OSC), Eira Medina (EQB), and PR Departamento De Corrección Personnel met at the Guaynabo Facility. The 37 IonScan 400 Units were separated from the non-radiological pump units, information transcribed from each unit (radiological source number, model number, serial number, and Departamento De Corrección number if available), and the leak test performed as per instructions by Smiths Detection.

On April 9, 2010, the leak test kits were shipped from Guaynabo, PR to Warren, NJ via Fed Ex. Once the leak tests are received by the laboratory in Toronto, Canada, the results should be available within two weeks.

Due to relocation of Smiths Detection Facilities, shipment of the units cannot be shipped until June 1, 2010. Departamento De Corrección and Smiths Detection will work out financial details prior to the June 1^st shipment, 10 units at a time.

No EPA Contractor Resources are planned on being utilized during this removal (Emergency PRP Removal without an Enforcement Instrument).

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

*Waste Stream*	*Medium*	*Quantity*	*Manifest #*	*Treatment*	*Disposal*

2.2 Planning Section