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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 | | CONTACT: |
Diane Screnci (610)337-5330/ e-mail: dps@nrc.gov
Neil A. Sheehan (610)337-5331/e-mail: nas@nrc.gov |
or vld@nrc.gov
I-96-24
Contact: Diane Screnci FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Victor Dricks April 2, 1996
NRC STAFF MODIFIES RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS LICENSES
OF APPLIED HEALTH PHYSICS, INC., OF BETHEL PARK, PA
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has issued an
order modifying its licenses to use radioactive materials
held by Applied Health Physics, Inc., of Bethel Park,
Pennsylvania. The order, which contains commitments made by
Applied Health Physics, is effective immediately.
Applied Health Physics holds two NRC licenses. One,
issued in 1975, authorizes the receipt, possession, and
storage of pre-packaged wastes. Another license, issued in
1963, authorizes the company to perform leak test services,
analysis of samples, calibrations of instruments, and fixed
gauge services. Overall, the licensee provides services to
customers in a variety of areas such as radioactive waste
brokerage, surveys, leak tests and analysis, calibration of
instrumentation, sample analysis, training and consultation.
The order suspends Applied Health Physics' authorization
to receive pre-packaged radioactive waste at its Bethel Park
facility, and requires that the company dispose of
radioactive waste in accordance with disposal schedules
provided to the NRC. The order further requires that the
company establish an escrow account by April 29 to provide
financial assurance for the handling and disposal of
radioactive waste, and give NRC details about the escrow
agent and the fund's operations.
The NRC order was issued following several events. On
March 9, 1995, the licensee voluntarily filed for bankruptcy
protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District
of Pennsylvania. The following month, NRC identified seven
violations during a routine safety inspection of company
operations. One of these violations involved holding
radioactive waste for more than 180 days, contrary to a
license requirement. On May 26, 1995, Applied Health Physics
took possession of two drums of radioactive waste, one of
which contained unsealed americium-241, which the company is
not authorized to handle.
Because of concern about the company's financial status
and the potential for abandonment of radioactive waste
material at Bethel Park, NRC issued a confirmatory action
letter to the company last November 8, specifying steps the
company agreed to take to cease acquiring additional
radioactive waste from customers, provide an up-to-date
inventory of all radioactive material in its possession, a
schedule of shipments of waste planned for the balance of the
year and a copy of its plans over the next six months
regarding its bankruptcy proceedings. The NRC order
supersedes the terms and conditions of that letter.
The licensee, or any other person adversely affected by
the order, has 20 days to request a hearing.
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