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NRC NEWS U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, REGION I 475 Allendale Road, King of Prussia, Pa. 19406

NRC CITES MALLINCKRODT, INC. FOR VIOLATIONS AT HARRISBURG, PA, FACILITY; PROPOSES $2,750 FINE

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has cited Mallinckrodt, Inc. for two violations of NRC requirements at its Harrisburg, Pa., facility that prepares and distributes radioactive pharmaceutical products to regional hospitals and clinics. The apparent violations stem from radiation exposure to the hand of one worker in excess of the NRC's regulatory limit. The exposure occurred earlier this year. The NRC has proposed a $2,750 fine.

On June 30, Mallinckrodt notified the NRC that a worker at the Harrisburg facility received an exposure of greater than 60 rem to one hand during the period from February to May of this year. (Rem is a measure of radiation.) The NRC dose limit for exposure to an extremity is 50 rem per year.

The NRC conducted an inspection at the facility on July 5 to look into the circumstances associated with the exposure. Based on the results of that inspection and information gathered from the company during an August 30 predecisional enforcement conference and subsequent correspondence, the NRC has cited Mallinckrodt for two violations: failure to ensure radiation exposure to one of the workers was below regulatory limits and failure to perform adequate surveys to preclude such an exposure.

Mallinckrodt has 30 days to pay the fine or to protest it. If the fine is protested and subsequently imposed by the NRC staff, the company may request a hearing.

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