Cooper Nuclear Station has the following response. From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of GOWDY, GREGORY M Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2010 5:54 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Powernet: In Vivo and In Vitro Counting Protocols
1. V. C. Summer would like to know what kind of in vivo counting protocols your nuclear plant has when you have workers with significant (>10 mrem beta/gamma + alpha) measured internal doses. The following actions are taken in conjunction with the Procedure Section 7 steps answering question 2 below. 3.15 If calculated CEDE from whole body count results is >_ 10 mrem, estimate the additional dose from hard-to-detect radionuclides based on the plant characterization data. Enter the final CEDE into the individual's dose record. 5. WHOLE BODY COUNT FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS NOTE - Required actions following a whole body count are based upon the fractional Annual Limit on Intake (ALI) . ALI action levels are set at 0 .2% of the most limiting SALI (Stochastic Annual Limit on Intake) as indicated in 10CFR20, Appendix B, Table 1, Column 2 . 5.1 Determine need for worker to perform additional showering prior to follow-up WBC. 5.2 Notify appropriate RP Supervision of follow-up whole body count. 5 .3 Perform follow-up actions as appropriate. 5.3.1 If all of the following are met and the individual clears PM-7, then the individual may be released: 5.3.1.1 The activity of each radioisotope identified is < 0 .002 ALI (10 mrem); and 5.3.1.2 The total activity of all radioisotopes, other than K-40, identified < 0.002 ALI (10 mrem); and 5.3.1.3 There are no unidentified peaks from the whole body count; and 5.3.1.4 An alpha intake is not suspected; and 5.3.1.5 A tritium intake is not suspected. 5.3.2 If an alpha intake is suspected, then refer to Section 6. 5.3.3 If a tritium intake of >_ 0 .002 ALI (10 mrem) is suspected, then refer to Section 6. 5.4 If appropriate, then perform a whole body count with the individual's back facing the detector . 5.4.1 Compare the results with the initial whole body count. 5.4.2 If the results of the follow-up count with the individual facing the detector is similar to the results with the individual's previous count, then suspect internal contamination. Notify designated RP Supervisor or Radiation Protection Manager. 5.4.3 If the results of the count with the individual facing the detector differs by 50 % from the results with the individual's back to the detector, then notify the designated RP Supervisor or Radiation Protection Manager for additional guidance. 5.5 Refer to Section 7 to establish a follow-up whole body count schedule with the individual. 5.6 If directed by RP Supervision, then restrict the individual's access to radiologically controlled areas. 5.7 Evaluate whether in-vitro bioassay measurements should be implemented. Refer to Section 6. 5.8 Perform additional follow-up actions as directed by designated RP Supervision. 2. Do you follow a set counting frequency every time so that the counts can be done by HP Techs without input from a Staff Health Physicist or other qualified technically-qualified individual? 7 . FOLLOW-UP BIOASSAY 7 .1 Document follow-up whole body count actions using Attachment 4, Whole Body Count Follow-Up Data Sheet. 7.2 Establish a follow-up whole body count/in-vitro bioassay schedule with the individual using the following retention half-lives as a guide. 1 to 7 days - Daily or Weekly 7 to 14 days - Weekly or Bi-Weekly > 14 days - Bi-Weekly or Monthly 7.3 Review the analysis results following each measurement to determine if adjustments on the follow-up schedule are needed . 7.4 Continue follow-up counts/sample collection until: 7.4.1 The bioassay results indicate that follow-up bioassay are no longer needed; or 7.4.2 The effective half-life for the individual has been established; or 7.4.3 The RP Supervisor/RPM determines that no additional bioassay is needed. 7.5 The RPM may consider referral to a physician knowledgeable in biological effects of radiation. 3. If you ever experience significant alpha intakes at your nuclear plant that require you to perform in vitro bioassay (fecal and urine sampling), do you follow a set collection protocol for each sample type that is set up for being run by HP Techs without Staff HP or other technically-qualified individual input? CNS has no significant Alpha issues. 4. Do you have separate protocols for fecal sampling and urine sampling? ATTACHMENT 1 URINE SAMPLE COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS 1. Initiate sample collection no sooner than 2 hours nor later than 24 hours following the time of intake. 2. Urine samples should be collected in the two 1000 mL sample containers provided . ALL urine excreted during the 24 hour period following the start of sample collection should be collected. 3. Collect the urine sample as follows: 3.1 Proper personal hygiene should be followed before and after collection of the sample. Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water before and after providing the sample. Ensure when handling samples, Procedure 0.36.9, Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Program, is utilized. 3.2 Label all containers with the following: 3.2 .1 The start and stop date and time for the 24 hour void. 3.2 .2 The name or identification number of the individual. 3.2 .3 The required radiochemical analyses. 3.3 Please ensure the container plug is put back in and the cap TIGHTLY screwed on after the containers have been filled . Secure the cap to the bottle with the electrical tape provided. 3.4 Place a tamper-evident seal over each cap and bottle. 4. After collecting all urine during the 24 hour period, return the urine sample kit to Dosimetry. ATTACHMENT 2 FECAL SAMPLE COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS 1. Initiate sample collection no sooner than 36 hours nor later than 48 hours following the time of intake. 2. Collect ALL fecal material excreted during the 24 hours following the start of sample collection. 3. Fecal sample collection kit consists of the following: 3.1 One fecal collection container provided by the Vendor. 3.2 One small box of small plastic trash can liners. 3.3 One box of small zip-lock style freezer bags. 3.4 One pack of disposable gloves. 3.5 One pack of disposable anti-bacterial wipes. 3.6 One nylon draw-string bag (or other opaque container) large enough to discretely contain all of the above. 4. Label all samples with the following: 4.1 The start and stop date, and time for the 24 hour void. 4.2 The name or identification number of the individual. 5. Collect the fecal sample as follows: 5.1 Proper personal hygiene should be followed before and after collection of the sample. Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water before and after providing the sample. Ensure when handling samples per Procedure 0 .36.9, Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Program, is utilized. 5.1.1 Disposable gloves and anti-bacterial wipes maybe used at any point in the sample collection. 5.1.2 Do NOT place the gloves, wipes, toilet tissue, etc ., in the sample container. 5.2 Place one trash can liner inside the collection container (the same way you would use it to line a trash can). 5.3 Place the container/liner together under the toilet seat and collect the bowel movement (BM) in the container/liner. 5.4 When finished: 5.4.1 Remove the liner with the BM. 5.4.2 Remove as much air as possible from the bag. 5.4.3 Twist the bag closed. 5.4.4 Fold the top part of the bag back over the BM to double wrap it. 5.4.5 Remove as much air as possible from the bag. 5.4.6 Secure the end of the bag with a twist tie. 5.4.7 Place the liner containing the BM in a zip-lock bag. 5.4.8 Remove as much air as possible from zip-lock bag. 5.4.9 Seal the zip-lock bag. 5.5 Clean the sample container, as needed, and repeat Steps 5.1 through 5.4.9 until all BM material excreted during the 24 hours following the start of the sample collection has been collected. 5.6 After collecting all BM material during the 24 hour period, return the zip-locks containing the samples to Dosimetry. 5.7 All fecal samples must be kept frozen prior to and during shipment to the analysis Vendor. 5. If you use urine sampling for in vitro, do you specify 24-hr urine or spot urine? See above Steven Rezab
