 |
NRC NEWS
U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, REGION III
801 Warrenville Road, Lisle IL 60532 |
| CONTACT: |
Jan Strasma (630) 829-9663/e-mail: rjs2@nrc.gov |
|
Angela Greenman (630) 829-9662/e-mail: opa3@nrc.gov |
NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT: RIII-96-27 June 20, 1996
CONTACT: Jan Strasma 708/829-9663
Angela Dauginas 708/829-9662
E-mail: opa3@nrc.gov
NRC STAFF PROPOSES $2,500 FINE AGAINST THE DIAL CORPORATION
FOR IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF A NUCLEAR GAUGE
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has proposed a
$2,500 fine against The Dial Corporation, London, Ohio, for
the improper disposal of a gauge containing radioactive
materials.
The situation which resulted in this enforcement action
came to NRC's attention last November. At that time, Dial
informed the agency that, during an inventory, plant
employees had found a control panel of an industrial nuclear
gauge, but could not locate the gauge housing which contained
a sealed source of americium-241. NRC later performed a
special inspection at the Dial plant as the result of the
notification.
Dial used the gauge to measure the thickness of fabric
softener on laundry dryer sheets produced at the plant. The
gauge was installed in 1977 and was used until approximately
1990. Plant workers last reported seeing it in 1992.
A review of documents by Dial at all of its facilities
and at the gauge manufacturer found no records indicating the
proper disposal of the gauge. Based on information from the
licensee and from its own inspection, NRC has concluded that
the radioactive source was transferred to an unlicensed
recipient, in violation of agency regulations.
"This violation is of significant regulatory concern
because Dial does not know the circumstances surrounding the
loss, the ultimate disposition of the material, or the
possibility of any individual exposures to radiation," said
NRC Regional Administrator Hubert J. Miller in notifying the
company of the fine.
The sealed source containing americium-241 would not
represent a significant health hazard as long as it remained
in the gauge housing with the shutter closed. If it were
disposed of with the normal trash it would not represent a
significant environmental hazard.
The Dial Corporation has until July 17 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.
####
|
