Palo Verde provides the following response:
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. For whole body counts that yield >10 mrem (only gamma-emitting radionuclides are identified in the air sample results), then the whole body count results are considered to provide the most accurate estimate of intake. If alpha or beta-emitting radionuclides and/or low-yield gamma emitters are identified, then we use a combination of air sampling, in vitro measurements and whole body counting, as appropriate, to calculate the intake estimates. 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? No, bioassay follow-up measurement periodicity and duration are performed as directed by staff HP, Dosimetry or Radiological Engineering Supervisor until the intake can be accurately assessed. 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? For alpha intakes sampling is done within four days of the intake and is typically directed by a Health Physicist on a case by case basis. 4. Do you have separate protocols for fecal sampling and urine sampling? Yes. For typical urine samples, see answer to #5, for acute tritium intakes, we wait three to four hours after the intake or one hour after the first voiding following the intake to allow the tritium to reach equilibrium in the urine. For an acute intake, continuous fecal sampling is performed for the first three to five days following the intake. 5. If you use urine sampling for in vitro, do you specify 24-hr urine or spot urine? The preferred method for investigative samples is a composite of voidings over a 24 hour period starting immediately after the individual's first voiding following the intake. If this cannot be accomplished we will use the 24 hr urine sample. ********************************************************************** Seth J. Kanter, CHP, RPT Sr. Health Physicist Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Mail Sta. 7397 5801 S. Wintersburg Rd. Tonopah, AZ 85354 Phone (623) 393-3130 Fax (623) 393-2487 Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are my own Liviu Librescu ********************************************************************** From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of GOWDY, GREGORY M Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2010 3:54 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Powernet: In Vivo and In Vitro Counting Protocols 6. 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. 7. 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? 8. 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? 9. Do you have separate protocols for fecal sampling and urine sampling? 10. If you use urine sampling for in vitro, do you specify 24-hr urine or spot urine? Email Firewall made the following annotations --------------------------------------------------------------------- --- NOTICE --- This message is for the designated recipient only and may contain confidential, privileged or proprietary information. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the original and any copy or printout. Unintended recipients are prohibited from making any other use of this e-mail. Although we have taken reasonable precautions to ensure no viruses are present in this e-mail, we accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of this e-mail or attachments, or for any delay or errors or omissions in the contents which result from e-mail transmission. ---------------------------------------------------------------------
