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DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION OF ENERGY SECURITY & SUSTAINABILITY
RADIATION PROTECTION ELEMENT MONTHLY REPORT
APRIL 1 THROUGH APRIL 30, 2019
SECTION I OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
SECTION II BUREAU OF X-RAY COMPLIANCE
SECTION III BUREAU OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIATION
SECTION IV BUREAU OF NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
SECTION I- OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Radon Construction Codes for Schools Explored On April 22, 2019, Radon Staff met with representatives from the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to discuss the possibility of proposing new construction codes which would require radon resistant techniques be employed in new school construction. Proposed amendments were sent to the Division of Codes and Standards’ Code Advisory Board for consideration. Radon Outreach & Training Radon Staff attended the American Lung Association’s Lung Force Expo in Cherry Hill on April 23, 2019. Staff displayed an exhibit which provided information about the health effects of radon and encouraged attendees to test their homes for radon. Radon Staff helped train non-profit agencies on how to assist homeowners with radon testing prior to conducting weatherization projects sponsored by the Department of Community Affairs. Salem Unit #1 Nuclear Power Plant Enters Re-fueling Outage On April 12th, Salem Unit 1 was manually shutdown to begin its twenty-sixth Refueling Outage (S1R26). Numerous maintenance actions are planned during the re-fueling outage. Additionally, during fuel offload, inspections revealed that several baffle bolts contained signs of failure and as a result, ultrasonic testing of selected baffle bolts will be conducted and results evaluated during the refueling outage. Radiography Student Conference & Competition On April 15, Bureau of X-ray Compliance Supervisor, Al Orlandi, presented at the Radiography Student Conference & Competition sponsored by the New Jersey Educators in Radiologic Imaging and The New Jersey Society of Radiologic Technologist. Mr. Orlandi spoke on the lecture topic “NJ State Licensing & Ethics Review” to students and educators at the event.
Original signed by:
___________________________ Paul G. Orlando, Director
Page 2 of 43
SECTION II – BUREAU OF X-RAY COMPLIANCE (BXC)
A. Office of the Bureau Chief
Contact: Arthur Robinson (609) 984-5634 The CRCPD H-46 Committee on IEC Standards’ Request a Peer Review on the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD) / International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Diagnostic Radiography On April 5, BXC staff provide a peer review at the request of CRCPD H-46 Committee on IEC Standards on the CRCPD/ IAEA “Diagnostic Radiography Peer Review”, which evaluates new devices or the new uses of existing devices in determining radiological hazards. Radiography Student Conference & Competition On April 15, Mr. Al Orlandi, Supervising Radiation Physicist attended the Radiography Student Conference & Competition sponsored by the New Jersey Educators in Radiologic Imaging (NJERI) and The New Jersey Society of Radiologic Technologist (NJRST). Mr. Orlandi spoke on the lecture topic “NJ State Licensing & Ethics Review” to students and educators at the event. RadResponder- National Background Week Drill From 15-19 April, BXC staff participated in the National Background Week Drill sponsored by RadResponder. This National Background Week Drill required staff to use their Canberra meter or the RadResponder Android App to record background radiation data from localities across the state of New Jersey. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Annual Audits As a follow up to my March 2019 Monthly Report, I reported that during week of March 18-22, 2019, Ms. Margaret Foster, FDA auditor, performed audits on Ramona Chambus, Mary Kanewski, Rachel Collevechio, and Patricia Malloy, all NJ FDA certified inspectors. As a result of the FDA certified inspector audits, the Bureau received the results that all inspectors received acceptable results in April 2019. FDA MQSA New Inspector Training To become an FDA certified inspector, candidates must successfully complete three MQSA courses. In addition to completing the three courses, candidates must complete mentored inspections. On April 24, 2019, Ms. Diane Halaycio successfully completed the required mentored inspections. Ms. Halaycio is now a fully certified FDA inspector and will be independently performing MQSA inspections in FY 2019.
B. Registration Section Contact: Ramona Chambus (609) 984-5370
Page 3 of 43
Machine Source Registration and Renewal Fees As of October 2018, the Registration Section has invoiced all registrants for their FY 2019 registration renewals. In addition, new equipment registrations are invoiced for administrative and prorated registration fees when they are installed. The table below represents monthly and year to date activities.
Machine Source Fees Invoiced and Collected for FY 2019 Monthly Invoiced
Monthly Collected
Fiscal YTD Invoiced
Fiscal YTD Collected
Fiscal YTD Adjustments
Percent Collected
$14,706.00 $12,591.00 $3,076,740.00 $3,055,011.00 $7,823.00 100%
Progress on Collection of FY 2019 Registration Renewal Fees
Renewal Groups
Paid 7/31/18
Paid 8/31/18
Paid 9/30/18
Paid 10/31/18
Paid 11/30/18
Paid 12/31/18
Paid 1/31/18
Paid 2/28/19
Paid 3/31/19
Paid 4/30/19
Paid 5/31/19
Paid 6/30/19
0-F 43% 80% 90% 96% 98% 99% 99% 99% 99% 99% G-L N/A 53% 75% 89% 97% 99% 99% 99% 99% 99%
M-R N/A N/A 44% 73% 89% 94% 99% 99% 100% 100% S-Z N/A N/A N/A 46% 79% 91% 97% 98% 99% 99%
The Bureau of X-ray Compliance issued administrative orders to registrants who have failed to pay their annual registration fees.
Of the total number of invoices paid to date, 16% percent paid on-line.
Monthly Machine Source Registration Activity FY 2019
The Registration Section staff continues to collect registrant e-mail addresses and enter them into the database in preparation for sending future notices and invoices electronically.
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun YTD
New Facilities 23 24 25 24 18 16 25 16 17 22 210 Terminated Facilities 29 30 35 44 28 33 32 27 18 23 299 Net Change (Facilities) -6 -6 -10 -20 -10 -17 -7 -11 -1 -1 -89 New Registrations 193 181 173 145 101 160 177 179 204 171 1684 Stored Registrations 41 64 84 80 36 46 68 47 34 42 542 Disposed registrations 102 110 97 124 99 109 86 101 91 123 1042 Net Change (Machines) 50 7 -8 -59 -34 5 23 31 79 6 100
Page 4 of 43
C. Machine Source Section Contact: Patricia Malloy (609) 984-5370 The machine source section is charged with the responsibility of inspecting all x-ray machines used within the state. Below is a summary of the inspection initiatives that the section is engaged in. Medical Diagnostic Quality Assurance Inspections One initiative of the machine source section is the inspection of medical facilities that perform diagnostic x-ray procedures to ensure that they have implemented a quality assurance program. Department regulations require that each facility implement a program that includes the periodic performance of quality control tests and in-depth annual equipment performance testing of its x-ray equipment by Department certified medical physicists. The goal of the quality assurance program is for facilities to ensure optimal operation of the x-ray equipment in order to achieve high quality diagnostic x-ray images while simultaneously maintaining/reducing patient radiation exposure to acceptable levels. As part of the Bureau’s inspections, image quality and patient radiation exposure metrics are gathered and evaluated as an indicator of facility performance. These measurables are reported to the facility along with the results of similar facilities performing similar x-ray studies. Image Quality As part of the Bureau’s quality assurance inspection program, an x-ray image of our image quality (IQ) phantom is taken and scored by the inspector in six criteria: background density, high contrast resolution, noise and artifacts, density uniformity, low contrast detail and low contrast resolution. Additionally, our database calculates an overall image quality score which is reported to the facility.
A report is generated and sent to each facility at which an IQ film was done. This report identifies which category (excellent, good, fair or poor) each of the six tests and the overall score the IQ falls into. The report explains IQ and its determining factors. Facilities with poor IQ scores are asked to consult with their physicist and determine the cause of the poor IQ, take corrective actions to improve IQ, and send a report of their findings and corrective actions to the BXC within thirty days.
In April 2019, IQ evaluations were performed on 84 x-ray units with the following results:
57 units (68%) had excellent image quality scores. 23 units (27%) had good image quality scores. 3 units (4%) had fair image quality scores.
1 unit (1%) had poor image quality scores.
Page 5 of 43
Entrance Skin Exposures
Entrance skin exposure (ESE) is a measurement of the radiation exposure a patient receives from a single x-ray at skin surface. There are three main factors that affect ESE: technique factors, film-screen or digital image receptor speed, and film or digital image processing. A key element of our strategy is to ensure that facilities are aware of their ESE and to encourage them to take steps to reduce their ESE if it is high. When the Bureau conducts inspections to determine compliance with New Jersey Administrative Code 7:28, a measurement of entrance skin exposure (ESE) is taken. A report containing the measurement results is sent to each facility at which an ESE measurement was taken. This report categorizes the facilities measured ESE as low, average, high or extremely high. Facilities with extremely high ESE readings are asked to consult with their physicist and determine the cause of the extremely high ESE, take corrective actions to reduce the x-ray machine ESE, and send a report of their findings and corrective actions to the BXC within thirty days. Medical Facilities
Prior to the implementation of quality assurance regulations in April 2001, baseline data revealed that twenty-five percent of New Jersey facilities had extremely high ESE. These facilities are delivering unnecessary radiation exposure to its patients. The Bureau has documented a steady decrease in the number of facilities with extremely high patient radiation exposure since the implementation of its quality assurance program.
In April 2019, ESE measurements were calculated on 64 x-ray units that performed lumbo-sacral spine x-rays. One unit (1.6%) had extremely high ESE measurements. In April 2019, ESE measurements were calculated on 10 x-ray units that performed chest x-rays. One unit (10%) had an extremely high ESE measurement. In April 2019, ESE measurements were calculated on 10 x-ray units that performed foot x-rays. No units (0%) had extremely high ESE measurements.
Dental Facilities Dental facilities use two types of digital imaging: direct radiography (DR) or computed radiology (CR); also, referred to as phosphor storage plates (PSP). Dental facilities also use two speeds of film: D and E/F or Insight. (Insight is the branded name of Kodak’s F speed film).
Radiographic ESE Ranges in Milliroentgens (mR)
Exam Low Average High Extremely High
Chest < 5 5 to 20 21 to 30 > 31 LS Spine < 100 100 to 450 451 to 600 > 601
Foot < 5 5 to 30 31 to 40 > 41
Page 6 of 43
D is the slowest speed and requires sixty percent more radiation than E/F or F to produce an acceptable image. Direct radiography requires the least radiation. The Bureau inspected two thousand eight hundred and twenty-one (2,821) intra oral dental units from January to December of 2015. Eighty one percent (81%) of all dental facilities evaluated in 2015 were using digital imaging systems. This percentage breaks down to seventy three percent (73%) used DR and eight percent (8%) used CR (PSP). Only nineteen percent (19%) of all dental facilities evaluated in 2015 were using film-based imaging. This percentage breaks down to twelve (12%) used D speed film and seven percent (7%) used E/F or F speed film. An inexpensive way to reduce radiation is to change to a faster speed film. Our research determined that E/F or F speed film costs only a few cents more per film then D speed. No changes in equipment or processing are necessary to use a faster speed film. When the Bureau conducts inspections to determine compliance with New Jersey Administrative Code 7:28, a measurement of entrance skin exposure (ESE) is taken. The Bureau collected baseline ESE data on dental x-ray machines for the years 2008 and 2009. This data was evaluated to establish the ranges for four ESE categories similar to those in the medical quality assurance program (low, average, high and extremely high). A report is generated and sent to each facility at which an ESE measurement was taken. This report gives the ESE and identifies which category the ESE falls into. The report explains ESE and its determining factors. Facilities with extremely high ESE readings are asked to consult with their digital or film representative or physicist and determine the cause of the extremely high ESE, make changes to reduce ESE, and send a report of their findings and corrective actions to the BXC within thirty days. The table below depicts the current ESE ranges for the various imaging systems used.
Dental ESE Ranges Measured in Milliroentgens (mR) Image
Receptor Low Average High Extremely High
Digital (DR) 0 to 20 21 to 110 111 to 160 ≥161 CR (PSP) 0 to 35 36 to 170 171 to 215 ≥216
Film Speed D 0 to100 101 to 285 286 to 350 ≥351
E/F,F,Insight 0 to 50 51 to 150 151 to 205 ≥206
In April 2019, ESE measurements were calculated on 183 dental x-ray units that used DR digital imaging. Thirteen units (7 %) were measured as having extremely high ESE. In April 2019, ESE measurements were calculated on 8 dental x-ray units that used CR (PSP) digital imaging. No units (0%) were measured as having extremely high ESE. In April 2019, ESE measurements were calculated on 44 dental x-ray units that used D speed film. One unit (2%) were measured as having extremely high ESE. In April 2019, ESE measurements were calculated on 21 dental x-ray units that used E/F, F or Insight speed film. Two units (10%) were measured as having extremely high ESE.
Page 7 of 43
Dental Amalgam Inspections Effective October 1, 2009, all dental facilities that generate amalgam waste were required to install amalgam separators (N.J.A.C. 7:14A-1 et seq.). In June 2010, the Bureau met with Division of Water Quality staff to discuss the dental amalgam requirements and to develop an amalgam questionnaire. This questionnaire would be provided to each dental facility when they are scheduled for an x-ray inspection. During each inspection, the inspector verifies the information on the questionnaire and visually inspects that an amalgam separator has been installed. In April 2019, 95 amalgam questionnaires were collected. The total dental amalgam questionnaires collected for FY2019 is 825. Inspection Activity and Items of Non-compliance A three-page Inspector Activity Report of inspections performed, enforcement documents issued, and a description of the non-compliances found follows in Appendix A of this report.
D. Technologist Education and Licensing Section Contact: Al Orlandi (609) 984-5890 The Section continued to process license and examination applications investigate complaints and respond to inquiries during the month of April. Statistical information follows in Appendix A of this report. In addition to its regular business functions, the following highlights are reported: Radiologic Technology Student Conference Presentation: On April 15, 2019, Mr. Orlandi presented a presentation entitled “A Review of New Jersey’s Radiologic Technologist Educational and Licensing Requirements” at the student conference which was sponsored by the New Jersey Educators in Radiologic Imaging. Two hundred and forty-eight students and educators were in attendance. RadResponder National Background Exercise: As part of this national event from April 15 through 18, 2019, 125,000 survey points were collected statewide providing the start of a comprehensive database for background radiation levels in New Jersey. Mr. Orlandi participated in this event and provided survey points in Burlington, Mercer and Monmouth counties. Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners (Board): A special meeting of the Board was held on April 24, 2019. The sole purpose of this meeting was to consider proposed amendments to N.J.A.C 7:28-19 which included the educational and licensing requirements for radiologist assistants and requirements for radiologic assistant schools. The Board voted to forward the proposed amendments to the Commission on Radiation Protection. Minutes of the meeting will be made available on the Bureau website once accepted by the Board at a future meeting.
Page 8 of 43
Technologist Education and Licensing Section (Fees): The Section continues to invoice individuals for initial licenses and examinations as applications are received or license renewal requests are made. The table below represents monthly and fiscal year-to-date billing and revenue activities.
Technologist Education & Licensing Section FY 2019 Invoiced & Collected
Invoice Type Monthly Invoiced
Monthly Collected
Fiscal YTD Invoiced
Fiscal YTD Collected
Examinations $0 $0 $235 $235 Initial Licenses $5,940 $4,400 $61,740 $60,440 Renewal Licenses $2,340 $9,490 $2,100,630 $1,820,400 Totals $8,280 $13,890 $2,162,605 $1,881,075
E. Mammography Section
Contact: Mary Kanewski (609) 984-5370 Stereotactic Facilities Inspected The Mammography Section inspected 10 facilities with stereotactic/needle localization breast biopsy units during the month of April. A total of 41 of the 61 planned stereotactic facility inspections have been performed since July 1, 2018. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Annual Audits Annually, the FDA audits all certified mammography inspectors. The FDA auditor reviews ten percent of each inspector’s inspection reports for the previous 12 months and continuing education credits earned for the previous 36 months. Additionally, the auditor will observe the inspector at an actual mammography inspection. During week of March 18-22, 2019, Ms. Margaret Foster, FDA auditor, performed audits on Ramona Chambus, Mary Kanewski, Rachel Collevechio, and Patricia Malloy, all NJ FDA certified inspectors. In April 2019, the Bureau received the results of the annual audits and all inspectors received acceptable results. MQSA Inspector Training Ms. Diane Halaycio attended Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) Inspection Procedures Course 3 training held at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Silver Spring, MD from April 2-11, 2019. This training is federally mandated in order to become a certified mammography inspector. Only FDA certified inspectors are permitted to inspect mammography facilities under the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA).
Page 9 of 43
To become FDA certified, inspectors must pass all three MQSA courses. Ms. Halaycio passed both MQSA Course 1 and Course 2 online. The Bureau of X-ray Compliance has a contract with FDA for the inspection of all certified mammography facilities within New Jersey. After attending Course 3, inspectors are required to perform mentored inspections prior to performing independent inspections. On April 24, 2019, Ms. Halaycio completed all requirements and is a FDA certified inspector. Mammography Facilities Inspected Mammography facilities are inspected by the Bureau’s FDA certified MQSA inspectors under the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA). Any areas of non-compliance discovered during MQSA facility inspections are classified into one of three categories: Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. Level 1 and Repeat Level 2 non-compliances are the most serious and the facility has fifteen days from the date of the inspection to respond to the FDA detailing the corrective actions they have taken. Level 2 and Repeat Level 3 non-compliances are considered serious. The facility must respond with their corrective actions within thirty days. Level 3 non-compliances are considered less serious and the facility is expected to correct the non-compliance in a timely manner. Inspectors will review facility corrective actions at the next annual inspection. The Mammography Section inspected 32 facilities in April. There were 6 facilities found to have non-compliance issues. A total of 164 of the 239 facilities to be inspected were performed under the contract that will expire on August 20, 2019. Facility Non-compliance Discovered There was one facility with a Level 1 and no facilities with a Level 2 Repeat non-compliance.
The phantom image does not meet the quality control parameters for the indicated test objects. The speck group score does not meet the minimum phantom score requirement of 3 groups.
There were 5 facilities with a Level 2 non-compliance.
The time period between the previous and current medical physicist QC surveys exceeded 14 months. (2 facilities)
Diagnostic review workstation monitor QC testing is not adequate because corrective actions before further images are interpreted for QC failures were not documented. Diagnostic review workstation monitor QC testing is not adequate because QC testing was not done at the required frequency. The compression device QC is not adequate because corrective action before further exams was not documented at least once.
Page 10 of 43
Technologist failed to produce documents verifying that the radiologic technologist met the continuing education requirement of having taught or completed at least 15 continuing education units in mammography in 36 months.
One out of five random reports did not contain an acceptable assessment category.
Interpreting physician failed to produce documents verifying that the interpreting physician met the initial requirement of having 60 hours of category I medical education in mammography.
The repeat analysis QC was not done at the required frequency. There were no facilities with Level 3 non-compliances. A table of inspection details can be found in Appendix A. F. Bureau Enforcement Services Section Contact: Arthur Robinson (609) 984-5634 Enforcement Actions for April 2019 The Bureau Enforcement Services Section is responsible for producing and following up on all enforcement actions for violations found during Bureau x-ray inspections. Since the Bureau has not yet been fully integrated into the Departments NJEMS database system, it enters summary inspection information into NJEMS on all inspections conducted by the Bureau to provide more accurate inspection numbers for the Department’s NJEMS reports. See the table below for current month and year to date information.
Page 11 of 43
Inspections and Enforcement Documents Issued
April 2019
Bureau of X-Ray Compliance
Month YTD
Compliance Inspections
entered into NJEMS 54 780
Dental/CBCT Inspections
entered into NJEMS 97 727
Notice of Violations
Closed Effective Pending Total YTD
4 15 1 20 183
Administrative Orders
Closed Effective Pending Total YTD
0 8 24 32 272
Notice of Prosecutions
Closed Effective Pending Total YTD
0 8 24 32 228
Amount
Assessed in Penalties
Amount Assessed for
Month
Total amount assessed for
FY
Amount Collected
from current FY
Amount Collected from
previous FY
Total amount collected
$22,700.00 $109,900.00 $90,250.00 $32,010.00 $122,260.00
Page 12 of 43
APPENDIX A - NJDEP BUREAU OF X-RAY COMPLIANCE INSPECTOR ACTIVITY REPORT 04/01/2019 THROUGH 04/30/2019
Inspector: ALL
05/03/2019
Discipline: ALL
Page 1 of 3
231 503
1
11
12
15
17
22
28
Inspection Type
ROUTINE INSPECTION
INVESTIGATION
STEREOTACTIC INSPECTION
QA INSPECTION ROUTINE LEVEL 1
QA VIOLATION INSPECTION ON SITE
NON-QA INSPECTION - HOSPITALS
DENTAL CBCT INSPECTION
Inspection Description
116
10
10
75
1
1
18
Facilities Inspected
336
8
86
1
3
69
Total On-Site Inspections:
NOV
AO
NOP
Amount of Penalties
35
21
33
$29,250
Number of Inspections Performed
Number of Enforcement Documents Issued
6
18
23
30
OFFICE VIOLATION RESPONSE REVIEW
OFFICE QA VIOLATION RESPONSE REVIEW
OFFICE TECH CERT INSPECTION
DENTAL CBCT OFFICE REVIEW INSPECTION
16
26
3
1
18
26
3
1
Machines Inspected
Total Office Inspections: 46 48
67
Machines Audited
42
2
4
3
3
Machines Uninspected
67 54
0
Page 13 of 43
APPENDIX A - NJDEP BUREAU OF X-RAY COMPLIANCE INSPECTOR ACTIVITY REPORT 04/01/2019 THROUGH 04/30/2019
Inspector: ALL
05/03/2019
Discipline: ALL
Page 2 of 3
C-006
CB-001
CB-003
D-002
D-016
D-025
D-027
D-032
G-003
R-011
R-327
REG1
S-001
TC-001
Requirements for film badges not met.
No Alternate QA program for CBCT
CBCT No MPQCS
Survey of environs not available or not performed
kVp exceeds manufacturer's specifications (certified unit).
Timer accuracy exceeds manufacture'rs specifications (certified units).
Radiation reproducibility exceeds 5% for certified unit
Tube head does not remain stationary in the exposure position
Failed to afford the Dept an opportunity to inspect x-ray equipment being
Misalignment of x-ray/light field not to exceed 2% of SID
Survey completed and submitted within 60 days
Failed to register the ionizing radiation producing machine within 30 days of acquisition.
Radiation survey inside and outside controlled area not performed by a
x-rayed humans without a valid NJ license
Cabinet
CB
Dental
G
Radiographic
Registration
S
TC
Quality Assurance
Violations Cited Non-QA
Violations Cited QA
Violation Code Description Non-Compliance
Number of Violations
Total Violations Cited Non-QA 47
17.7(c)
22.3(i)
22.7(a)3
16.8(a)1
16.3(a)7
16.3(a)16
16.3(a)17
16.3(a)21
2.11(a)
15.3(c)1iii
15.10(b)2
3.1 (a) and
7.1(a)
19.3(c)
Glossary Information
1
8
6
9
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
8
1
4
By
By
1
8
6
9
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
8
1
4
Page 14 of 43
APPENDIX A - NJDEP BUREAU OF X-RAY COMPLIANCE INSPECTOR ACTIVITY REPORT 04/01/2019 THROUGH 04/30/2019
Inspector: ALL
05/03/2019
Discipline: ALL
Page 3 of 3
QA-011
QA-012
QA-037
QA-038
QA-050
QA-063
QA-069
QA-174
QC tests from Table 1 (Radiographic) not performed at the required intervals.
Medical Physicist's QC Survey not performed at required interval or all tests not performed.
QC tests from Table 2 (Fluoroscopic) not performed at the required intervals.
No Med Phys QC Survey for Fluoro
Failed to immediately initiate steps to bring fluoroscopic equipment into
QC tests from Table 3 (CT) not performed at the required intervals.
Failed to immediately initiate steps to repair CT equipment.
All images for QC tests for items 8, 11, 12 & 13 maintained for 1 year
Quality Assurance
Violations Cited QA
Violation Code Description Non-Compliance
Number of Violations
Total Violations 98
Total Violations Cited QA 51
22.5(a)2
22.5(a)3
22.6(a)2
22.6(a)3
22.6(f)
22.7(a)2
22.7(e)
22.5(j)3
Glossary Information
23
10
6
3
2
3
1
3
By
By
23
10
6
3
2
3
1
3
Page 15 of 43
31
847
781
643
75 75
640
53023
627
845
331
240 1 7 0 5
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
Hospital QA QA (MD,DC,DPM)
Dental(including
CBCT)
Ind,School,Gov't, Vet
Therapy>1MEV
TherapySim,OBI,CT
Therapy<1MEV
ViolationInspections
Ex. High ESE/Poor IQ
Dental Ex.High ESE
Num
ber o
f Fac
ilitie
s
Type of Inspection
3rd Quarter FY19
Inspection Goal
Inspections Completed
FacilitiesInspection Goals vs. Completed Inspections
Page 16 of 43
924
1325
2693
1344
125186
6 40 5 30
538
865
2797
772
41 541 9 0 9
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
Hospital QA QA (MD,DC,DPM)
Dental(including
CBCT)
Ind,School,Gov't, Vet
Therapy>1MEV
TherapySim,OBI,CT
Therapy<1MEV
ViolationInspections
Ex. High ESE/Poor IQ
Dental Ex. HighESE
Num
ber o
f Mac
hine
s
Type of Inspection
3rd Quarter FY19
Inspection Goal
Inspections Completed
MachinesInspection Goals Vs. Completed Inspections
Page 17 of 43
APPENDIX A - TECHNOLOGIST EDUCATION AND LICENSING SECTION
MONTH OF APRIL 2019
License Category
Diagnostic Rad
Nuc Med
Rad Therapy
Dental Rad
Chest Rad
Podiatric Rad
Orthopedic Rad
Fusion Imaging
CT
Monthly Total
FY to Date
FY Projected
Initial Licenses Processed
14 1 2 33 - - - - 50 951 1,100
Licenses Renewed 24 1 1 57 1 - - - 84 20,472 N/A
Total Licensed 8,727 967 793 10,968 55 22 7 54 21,593 N/A N/A
Exams Scheduled - - - - - - - - 0 1 N/A
Investigations Conducted - - - 1 - - - - 1 27 30
Licenses Verified 138 10 9 298 - - - - 455 5,953 7,000
Expired Licenses - - - 1 - - - - 1 8 N/A
Unlicensed
- - - 1 - - - - 1 18 N/A
Enforcement Documents Issued
- - - 8 - - - - 8 102 N/A
NEAs Issued - - - - - - - - 0 1 N/A
Offer of Settlement - - - $1,450 - - - - $1,450 $24,400 N/A
Licenses Sanctioned - - - - - - - - 0 6 N/A
Approved Educational Schools
15 2 3 23 - - - - 43 N/A N/A
New School Application Evaluated
- - - 1 - - - - 1 5 8
Curriculum Modifications Evaluated
- - - - - - - - 0 20 N/A
School Inspections Conducted
- - - - - - - - 0 0 7
Total Schools Reviewed - - - 1 - - - - 1 25 15
Clinical Applications Approved
- - - 73 - - - - 73 731 1,100
Page 18 of 43
1,100 1,100
951
731
0
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
Initial Licenses Issued Clinical ApplicationApproved
Technologist Education and Licensing Section
3rd Quarter
Total Projected
Completed
8
7
5
00
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
New School ApplicationsReviewed
School Inspections
Total Projected
Completed
Page 19 of 43
Appendix A - Bureau of X-ray Compliance Mammography Section
April 2019
Type of Facility
IND
UST
RY
PHY
SIC
IAN
HO
SPIT
AL
GO
VE
RN
ME
NT
TOTAL MONTH
FY TO DATE
TOTAL DUE
THIS FY
MQSA Facilities Inspected 0 23 9 0 32 164 239 Machines Inspected 0 29 18 0 47 230
FDA Violations Level 1 0 0 1 0 1 2 FDA Violations Level 2 0 3 2 0 5 19 FDA Violations Level 3 0 0 0 0 0 0
Registered 0 0 0 0 0 24 Canceled 0 0 0 0 0 29
Stereotactic Facilities Inspected 0 2 8 0 10 41 61
Machines Inspected 0 3 7 0 10 44 Notice of Violation 0 0 0 0 0 1
Administrative Order 0 0 0 0 0 0 Notice of Prosecution 0 0 0 0 0 0
Registered 0 0 0 0 0 0 Canceled 0 0 0 0 0 0
Page 20 of 43
239
61
132
31
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Mammography Stereotactic
Num
ber
of F
acili
ties
Mammography Inspections FY2019Inspection Goals vs. Completed Inspections - 3rd Qtr
Due for Inspection
Inspected
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SECTION III - BUREAU OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIATION (BER)
A. OFFICE OF THE BUREAU CHIEF On April 22, 2019, staff met with two representatives from the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and three representatives from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to discuss the possibility of proposing radon resistant new construction techniques for schools. The requirements that are currently in the Uniform Construction Code are for residential buildings. See more information under the Radon Section.
B. RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS PROGRAM
Medical, Industrial, and Reciprocity During the month of April 2019, the Radioactive Materials Program responded to eight (8 ) radiation incidents:
Date Type of Incident Description Status
4/1/19 Soil Load of soil rejected at a RCRA waste facility, returned to origin at project site where it will be handled and disposed of as previous loads from this site have been.
Closed
4/3/19 Soil Load of sandblast grit rejected at a RCRA waste facility, returned to origin where it is being secured prior to disposal.
Pending
4/3/19 Scrap Load of curbside recycling rejected at recycling facility. Held for decay and returned successfully.
Closed
4/3/19 Trash Load of MSW rejected at incinerator and returned to transfer station for decay. Bureau of Emergency Response Region I North assisted in identification of the isotope in this load, however it was determined to be a longer lived medical isotope; load accepted at PA landfill for disposal.
Closed
4/9/19 Trash Load of MSW rejected at incinerator. Load successfully returned to incinerator after decay.
Closed
4/16/19 Trash Load of MSW rejected at incinerator and returned to NY Department of Sanitation.
Closed
4/19/19 Trash Load of MSW rejected at incinerator and returned to NY Department of Sanitation.
Closed
4/23/19 Trash Load of MSW rejected at incinerator. Load successfully returned to incinerator after decay.
Closed
Contact: Nancy Stanley (609) 984-5452
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C. Routine Activities
This Month FY-To-Date 4/1/19-4/30/19 7/1/18-4/30/19 Number of Amendments Processed: 29 160 Number of Renewals Processed: 3 16 Number of Initial Applications Processed: 2 14 Number of Active Licenses 2 7 Number of Terminations: 2 14
Number of Reciprocity Requests Received: 25 70 Number of Incidents: 8 54 Number of Inspections: 11 123
Contact: Debbie Wenke (609) 984-5509 Catherine Biel (609) 984-5663
General Licensing Reconciliation of the Generally Licensed and Tritium Databases that were inherited from the NRC in 2009 continues. 49 sources on the databases were verified during April. Staff continues to maintain entry of quarterly reports from manufacturers and distributors into the generally licensed database. 24 reports were received in April reflecting first quarter transactions. Generally Licensed Device Registration Forms continue to be maintained. A total of 51 registrations are currently active. One registrant is still going through bankruptcy proceedings. Contact: Sarah Adkisson (609) 984-5466
D. SUMMARY OF ENFORCEMENT – April 2019 Bureau of Environmental Radiation – By Month
(4/1/19 – 4/30/19) Administrative Orders Closed Effective Pending Total Radioactive Materials Section
0
2
4
6
Radon Section 0 0 3 3 Notice of Prosecutions Closed Effective Pending Total Radioactive Materials Section
0
0
0
0
Radon Section 0 0 1 1
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Notice of Violations Closed Effective Pending Total Radioactive Materials Section
0
0
0
0
Radon Section 0 0 3 3 Bureau of Environmental Radiation – Fiscal Year to Date
(7/1/18 – 4/30/19) Administrative Orders Closed Effective Pending Total Radioactive Materials Section
13
7
4
24
Radon Section 0 1 3 4 Notice of Prosecutions Closed Effective Pending Total Radioactive Materials Section
5
2
0
7
Radon Section 0 0 1 1 Notice of Violations
Closed Effective Pending Total Radioactive Materials Section
7
3
0
10
Radon Section 0 1 3 4 Amount Assessed in Penalties = FY
Total Amount Assessed for
FY 19
Amount
Collected from Current FY19
Amount
Collected from FY18
Total Amount
Collected (FY18+FY19)
Radioactive Materials Section
$6,505.00
$5,880.00
$9,375.00
$15,255.00
Radon Section $0.00 $0.00 $2,800.00 $2,800.00
Amount Assessed in Penalties = By Month
Total Amount Assessed for 4/1/19 - 4/30/19
Amount Collected from
4/1/19 – 4/30/19 Radioactive Materials Section
$0.00
$0.00
Radon Section $2,200.00 $1,900.00
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E. RADIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SECTION (REAS)
Water Treatment There are currently 23 active water treatment systems regulated with specific licenses and 16 active general license registrations (12 radium systems and 4 uranium systems). One GL facility was terminated in April. Another GL facility, and a specifically licensed facility are in the process of terminating. One new specifically licensed facility is currently under review for approval.
Contact: Joseph Power (609) 777-4252 Decommissioning and Contaminated Site Reviews
Staff worked on the following sites/projects: National Lead site in Sayreville, Shieldalloy Metallurgical Corporation in Newfield, EPEC in Fords, Agrico in Carteret, the Goethals Bridge site in Elizabeth, Kinder Morgan facility in Carteret, the Maywood Superfund site. The Landis Sewerage Authority in Vineland was visited by staff to follow-up on the study of radium in sewage sludge. Staff participated in meetings/calls with members of National Lead, Shieldalloy, Goethals Bridge, and Agrico, and Maywood. Site visits were conducted at Shieldalloy and the Landis Sewerage Authority.
Contacts: James McCullough (609) 984-5480 Joseph Power (609) 777-4252
Historic Non-Military Radium Project
Staff are planning surveys necessary to address one historic radium company, located at six contiguous properties in Newark. All other sites have been addressed. Contacts: James McCullough (609) 984-5480
Jenny Goodman (609) 984-5498
F. RADON SECTION
NJ Radon Hazard Subcode On April 22, 2019, staff met with two representatives from the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and three representatives from EPA to discuss proposed amendments to the Radon Hazard Subcode at N.J.A.C. 5:23-10. The existing subcode sets forth minimum radon hazard protective features required to be incorporated into the construction of buildings in Use Groups R (residential) and E (educational). These requirements are applicable to residential buildings and do not include adequate guidance for school buildings.
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The proposed amendments provide specifications for school buildings. The DCA representatives were receptive to the BER and EPA draft proposal. On April 25, 2019, the draft proposal was sent to the director of the Division of Codes and Standards to be reviewed by the Code Advisory Board. Contact: Anita Kopera (609) 984-5543 Lung Force Expo Staff exhibited at the American Lung Association’s Lung Force Expo in Cherry Hill on April 23, 2019. Health care professionals as well as those affected by lung illnesses and their caregivers were in attendance. This was an excellent opportunity to educate people about the health effects of radon and to encourage them to test their homes and mitigate when necessary. Contact: Charles Renaud (609) 984-5423 Anita Kopera (609) 984-5543 Outreach and Training The Radon Program helps the Department of Community Affairs and the non-profit agencies in New Jersey that are tasked with implementing the weatherization program for low-income clients. Homes in Tier 1 municipalities must be tested for radon prior to conducting any weatherization work. The Radon Program provides training to individuals from the non-profit agencies so that they can assist the homeowners with radon testing. Training sessions have been conducted on an as-needed basis since 2013. The most recent training session was conducted on April 30, 2019. Contact: Charles Renaud (609) 984-5423 Anita Kopera (609) 984-5543 Electrets Four electrets were sent to two homeowners as part of the post-mitigation testing program. They have been returned and those results sent to the homeowners. Contact: Charles Renaud (609) 984-5423 Inspections One business was inspected. The inspection was completed, and the business was notified appropriately. Contact: Charles Renaud (609) 984-5423
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Measurement and Mitigation Radon Certifications
Certification Type Initial Renewal MES 5 MET 3 48 MIS 6 MIT 3 Provisional to Full 9 MEB 1 MIB 4
Contact: Anita Kopera (609) 984-5543 Sustainable Jersey for Schools Staff reviewed the actions submitted by New Jersey schools to determine whether they met the requirements set forth to receive points for the radon testing and mitigation actions. Two of the five actions submitted are complete and approved. The schools have one more chance to submit the correct information in June. Contact: Anita Kopera (609) 984-5543
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APPENDIX B: BUREAU OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIATION SUMMARY OF STATISTICS
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Radon testing and mitigation data is submitted to the Radon Section monthly by all certified radon businesses. This data has been collected for all building types since the implementation of the radon certification regulations in 1991. According to N.J.A.C. 7:28-27.28 (a) and (e), Radon test results and mitigation reports for April 2019 are due by February 1, 2019.
Page 30 of 43
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SECTION IV – BUREAU OF NUCLEAR ENGINEERING (BNE)
Nuclear Power Plant Operation Oyster Creek Exelon permanently ceased power operations at Oyster Creek on September 17th, 2018. Oyster Creek immediately began the process of defueling the reactor which was completed on September 25th, 2018. Following defueling completion, Exelon provided certifications to the NRC of permanent cessation of power operations and permanent removal of fuel from the reactor. Oyster Creek is currently in the SAFSTOR mode of decommissioning. Under SAFSTOR, a nuclear facility is maintained and monitored in a condition that allows the radioactivity to decay; afterwards, the plant is dismantled, and the property decontaminated.
Exelon is currently working with a contractor for the removal from site of a total of eight (8) electrical power transformers: two (2) Main; two (2) Main spares; one (1) Auxiliary; one (1) Station Black-Out, one (1) Auxiliary spare; and, one (1) Startup spare. Demolition and removal of the transformers will be completed by end of May.
Exelon is working with several contractors in evaluating the scope of work for the Reactor Vessel, Steam Dryer and Steam Separator Characterization project. The project will determine the way in which these large plant components will be dismantled to provide the most efficient disposal. Contact: Veena Gubbi (609) 984-7457 Hope Creek At the beginning of April, Hope Creek was in the process of returning the unit to service following the planned maintenance outage that replaced a Main Steam Relief Valve located in the Drywell (Primary Containment). At 2117 on April 1st, the Main Generator output breaker was closed, ending the outage. From April 1st until April 6th, Hope Creek performed reactor control rod pattern adjustments at various power levels. On April 6th, Hope Creek returned to 100% power where it operated until April 23rd at which time power was decreased to approximately 75% in order to complete another control rod pattern adjustment. Power was returned to 100% on April 24th. A minor power reduction was performed on April 25th for another control rod pattern adjustment. Following the adjustment, power was raised to 100% where Hope Creek operated for the remainder of the month. Contact: Jerry Humphreys (609) 984-7469
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Salem Unit 1 Salem Unit 1 began April operating in the end-of-cycle coast down condition with power at 74%.
On April 12th, Salem Unit 1 was at 67% power when the reactor was manually shutdown and the main generator was disconnected from the power grid to begin its twenty-sixth Refueling Outage (S1R26). S1R26 is scheduled for thirty-one (31) days. In addition to replacing fuel assemblies the major scope of the outage includes: replacement of shutdown seals on two Reactor Coolant Pumps; replacement of two Reactor Coolant Pump Motors; Control Rod Drive Mechanism Cable replacement; Solid State Protection System electronic card upgrades; and Feedwater Regulator Valve feedback arm upgrade. Removal of safety-related mechanical and electrical equipment from service for refueling, maintenance and modification activities is done in accordance with the approved refueling outage schedule which incorporates the requirements of the operating license and reflects the risk assessment as determined by PSEG’s Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) Program.
During reactor core offload, failed baffle-former bolts were visually discovered. As a result of this discovery, Salem performed ultrasonic testing on all the baffle bolts that had not been replaced in the 2016 refueling outage and a select number of the baffle bolts that had been replaced during that outage. PSEG will replace all the baffle bolts that have indications of concern. In addition, a thermal shield bolt was found damaged. PSEG made the decision to remove the core barrel to inspect the other thermal shield bolts. The baffle bolt replacement and any additional work required following the thermal shield bolt inspection will impact the outage schedule. Contact: Elliot Rosenfeld (609) 984-7548 Salem Unit 2 Salem Unit 2 ran at essentially full power throughout April. Contact: Elliot Rosenfeld (609) 984-7548 BNE Activities at Artificial Island On April 11th, one NES engineer attended the first-quarter exit meeting for the inspections performed by the Hope Creek NRC Senior Resident and Resident Inspectors, as well as other inspectors from NRC Region I. The results of these inspections will be documented in the Hope Creek first-quarter Integrated Inspection Report 2019-001 and will be available to the public within forty-five days from the end of the first quarter. Contact: Jerry Humphreys (609) 984-7469
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NRC Performs Inspection at Hope Creek of Fukushima NRC Order EA-13-109 On April 8th - 11th, the NRC performed an inspection at Hope Creek in accordance with NRC Temporary Instruction 2515/193, “Inspection of EA-13-109: Order Modifying Licenses with Regard to Reliable Hardened Containment Vents Capable of Operation Under Severe Accident Conditions”. NRC Order EA-13-109 requirements ensure that BWR Mark I and Mark II containments have reliable hardened venting capability. This order resulted from the post-Fukushima lessons-learned. Order EA-13-109 requires installation of reliable hardened wetwell vents that not only will assist in preventing core damage when normal containment heat-removal capability is lost, but also will function in severe accident conditions (i.e., after core damage has occurred). Severe accident conditions include the elevated temperatures, pressures, radiation levels, and concentrations of combustible gases, such as hydrogen and carbon monoxide that could result from accidents involving extensive core damage, including accidents involving a breach of the reactor vessel by molten core debris. The order includes provisions for the control of combustible gases and for equipment operation in post-core-damage radiation environments. The order was structured as having two phases with different implementation schedules. Phase 1 requires installation of a severe-accident-capable hardened wetwell venting system. Phase 2 requires licensees to either install a severe-accident-capable drywell venting system or develop and implement a reliable containment venting strategy that makes it unlikely that a licensee would need to vent from the containment drywell during severe accident conditions.
The purpose of the inspection was to verify that programs and systems for complying with NRC Order EA-13-109 are in place and have been implemented by Hope Creek as described by PSEG and as reviewed by NRC staff. The results of the inspection will be documented in NRC Report 2019-012 for Hope Creek. One NES engineer observed the inspection.
Contact: Jerry Humphreys (609) 984-7469 NRC Performs Inspection of Salem Unit 1’s Inservice Inspection (ISI) Program From April 22nd thru 30th, the NRC conducted an inspection of the In-Service Inspection (ISI) program for Salem Unit 1 during it’s twenty-sixth (26th) refueling outage (S1R26). The inspection was conducted pursuant to NRC Inspection Procedure 71111.08, “In-Service Inspection Activities”. The objective of the inspection was to assess the effectiveness of the Salem 1 ISI program for monitoring any possible degradation of the reactor coolant system boundary, risk-significant piping boundaries and the containment boundary. The inspection included reviews of the results of the boric acid control program; reviews of repairs made on risk-significant safety related piping; observation/review of in-service inspection methods used on piping/tank welds, etc. In addition, the activities surrounding the damaged baffle-former bolts and thermal shield bolts were observed and reviewed.
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The results of the inspection will be documented in the Salem second-quarter Integrated Inspection Report 2019-002 and will be available to the public within forty-five (45) days from the end of the second quarter. One NES engineer observed the inspection. Contact: Jerry Humphreys (609) 984-7469 NES and New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Personnel Meet with US Department of Energy (DOE) Personnel to Discuss Plans for the DOE Visit to Oyster Creek On April 22nd, the NES Supervisor and one NES engineer, along with NJDOT personnel, participated in a teleconference with Steven Maheras from the DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL). The purpose of the teleconference was to discuss the upcoming DOE visit to Oyster Creek in May. The Oyster Creek site visit is intended to allow the DOE and its contractors to gather information that will be useful in the preparation and execution of a future transportation plan for the removal of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) from the Oyster Creek site. This plan would be used by the DOE to move the spent fuel once the DOE has an approved spent fuel disposal site in operation. Contact: Veena Gubbi (609) 984-7457 NES Continues Review of Documents Pertaining to the Decommissioning of Oyster Creek The Nuclear Engineering Section completed its review of the documents submitted to NRC regarding the license amendment request for the Oyster Creek Permanently Defueled Emergency Plan (PDEP) and the Oyster Creek Emergency Action Levels (EALs). The NRC allows changes to emergency plans and EAL schemes for permanently shutdown reactors following the approval of a calculation that demonstrates that the spent fuel pool would not reach the zirconium ignition temperature in fewer than 10 hours. This period of time is referred to as the “zirc-fire window”. Approval of the license amendment by NRC would allow Oyster Creek to modify the EAL scheme to reflect the reduced risk of accidents that would result in offsite consequences. The highest emergency classification after the zirc fire window is an Alert. The exemption also allows for a reduction in the onsite emergency staffing levels. Exelon’s original site-specific adiabatic heat-up calculation indicated the time period for the zirc fire window was twelve (12) months after shutdown. Exelon submitted a revised zirc fire window calculation to the NRC on October 22, 2018 based on updated calculation methods used in the nuclear industry at other sites. The revised calculation takes credit for additional factors that affect spent fuel pool cooling and reduces the zirc fire window to 9.38 months after shutdown. The NRC issued formal Requests for Additional Information (RAI) to Exelon regarding the calculation on January 24, 2019. Exelon submitted their responses to the RAI and a revised calculation to the NRC on February 13, 2019. The NES completed its review of the RAI responses and the revised calculation in April 2019. Contact: Veena Gubbi (609) 984-7457
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NES Engineer Attends Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Training During the week of April 8th, one NES engineer participated in a week-long NRC training class at Rockville, MD. The Reactor Safety R-800 course provided a broad perspective of important reactor safety concepts with emphasis on topics important to reactor risk. The training covered many topics, e.g., design of the power plants for safe operations; accident sequences; accident progression in the reactor vessel; accident progression in the containment, and radiological releases and consequences. The training also provided information on early commercial reactor designs and its evolvement throughout the years. Contact: Veena Gubbi (609) 984-7457 Radioactive Materials Shipment Notifications The Bureau of Nuclear Engineering is responsible for tracking certain radioactive materials that are transported in New Jersey. Advance notification for these radioactive materials are in three categories: 1) Spent Fuel and Nuclear Waste; 2) Highway Route Control Quantity Shipments; and 3) Radionuclides of Concern. Each category must meet certain packaging and notification requirements established by the federal government. Below is a table representing the number of shipments completed in April 2019.
Spent Fuel and Nuclear Waste
Highway Route Control Quantity Shipments
Radionuclides of Concern
0 2 1 Contact: Jerry Humphreys (609) 984-7469 or Veena Gubbi (609) 984-7457
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BUREAU OF NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
STATISTICAL INFORMATION
EMERGENCY AND NON-EMERGENCY EVENT NOTIFICATIONS FOR APRIL 2019
Emergency events (EEs) at nuclear power plants are classified, in increasing order of severity, as an Unusual Event (UE), Alert, Site Area Emergency (SAE), and General Emergency (GE). Non-emergency events (NEEs) are less serious events that require notification of the NRC within one to twenty-four hours. The nuclear power plants operating in New Jersey also notify the BNE of NEEs. The BNE analyzes the NEEs as part of its surveillance of nuclear power plant operation.
APRIL 2019 JAN - APR 2019 JAN - APR 2018 EE
NEE
EE
NEE
EE
NEE
OYSTER CREEK
0
1
0
1
1
0
SALEM 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
SALEM 2
0
0
0
1
0
0
SALEM SITE
0
0
0
0
0
0
HOPE CREEK
0
0
0
0
0
0
Plant Operating Performance – April 2019
Note: On September 17th, 2018 Oyster Creek permanently ceased operation.
OCSA Unit 1
SA Unit 2HC
0
100
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Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program The BNE conducts a comprehensive Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program (REMP) in the environs surrounding New Jersey’s four nuclear generating stations. The program collected 124 samples during the month of April 2019. The number and type of samples collected are given in the table below. Sample results are entered into the BNE’s database for tracking and trending of environmental results. Data obtained from these analyses are used to determine the effect, if any, of the operation of New Jersey’s nuclear power plants on the environment and the public. BNE staff reviews all results to ensure that required levels of detection have been met and that state and federal radiological limits have not been exceeded. Any exceedances, or anomalous data, are investigated. The REMP includes the development of annual data tables. The data tables, covering sampling results conducted during the prior calendar year in the environs of the Oyster Creek and Salem / Hope Creek nuclear power plants, can be found on the NJDEP website at http://www.nj.gov/dep/rpp/bne/esmr.htm, along with data tables from previous years. Questions regarding specific test results or the annual environmental report can be directed to Karen Tuccillo. Results of specific analyses can be obtained by request. COUNT OF SAMPLES COLLECTED IN APRIL 2019 SAMPLE MEDIUM NUMBER OF SAMPLES AIR FILTER 45 AIR CHARCOAL 45 AIR COMPOSITE 14 MILK (Cow) 3 SURFACE WATER 8 POTABLE WELL WATER 9 TOTAL SAMPLES 124
Contact: Karen Tuccillo (609) 984-7443 Update on Salem Units 1 & 2 and Hope Creek Tritium Monitoring During the month of April 2019, 20 groundwater monitoring well samples were collected and shipped to the BNE’s contract laboratory, GEL Laboratories, for radiological analysis. Contacts: James J. Vouglitois (609) 984-7514 or Compton Alleyne (609) 984-7455 Update on Oyster Creek Tritium Monitoring
In April 2019, 21 groundwater monitoring well samples and 1 surface water samples were collected and shipped to GEL Laboratories, LLC. Results of the groundwater (and surface water) analyses can be found on the BNE website at: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/rpp/bne/bnedown/FinalOCH3.pdf
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Contacts: Paul E. Schwartz (609) 984-7539 or Compton Alleyne (609) 984-7455 Quarterly Thermoluminescent Dosimeter (TLD) Exchange On April 16 and April 17, 2019 technicians from the BNE’s subcontractor retrieved 1st quarter 2019 TLD badges and deployed 2nd quarter 2019 TLD badges in the surrounding environs and Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSI) of the Oyster Creek and Artificial Island nuclear power plant sites, as well as two background stations. BNE staff analyzed the retrieved TLD badges. Results will be reported in the BNE’s Annual Environmental Surveillance and Monitoring Report tables, available for viewing on the DEP website at: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/rpp/bne/esmr.htm Contact: Compton Alleyne (609) 984-7455 Effluent Release Data The BNE monitors the effluents released from all four (4) nuclear generating stations each month. The reported effluents include fission and activation products, total iodine, total particulate and tritium released to the atmosphere and water. At the Oyster Creek, Hope Creek and Salem nuclear power plants, releases to the air and water are monitored each month and compared to historic releases. Releases to the atmosphere are from the 112-meter stack (Oyster Creek) or various monitored building vents (Oyster Creek, Hope Creek and Salem). On September 17, 2018, the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station (owned and operated by Exelon Nuclear) ceased to generate power leading to a reduction in gaseous effluents. On September 25, 2018, the plant officially entered Decommissioning. Prior to November 2010, Oyster Creek did not routinely release liquid effluents to the environment. In accordance with a DEP Directive (EA ID #: PEA100001) issued to the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, and the Spill Compensation and Control Act (N.J.S.A. 58:10-23.11), Exelon is required to cleanup and remove tritium discharges released onsite from underground pipe leaks that occurred during calendar year 2009. In late November 2010, the pumping of groundwater at Oyster Creek was initiated in support of the ongoing tritium groundwater monitoring project. With DEP approval, Exelon is presently sampling groundwater from a dedicated pumping well (MW-73), measuring the concentration of tritium in the extracted groundwater and discharging it into the plant’s intake structure. This liquid effluent data is reported below. Additional information on the Oyster Creek tritium leak is available at the DEP website, http://www.state.nj.us/dep/rpp/bne/octritium.htm. The gaseous and liquid effluent data for the Salem and Hope Creek nuclear plants for March 2019 have been included below. In addition, the gaseous and liquid effluent data from the Oyster Creek nuclear plant for February 2019, which were not available last month are included herein. The Oyster Creek liquid and gaseous effluent data for March 2019 were not available at the drafting of this report. These results are expected to be included in the May 2019 monthly report that will be submitted in early June 2019.
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PSEG Nuclear Radioactive Effluent Releases
Nuclear Environmental Engineering Section For the Period of 03-01-19 to 03-31-19
Hope Creek Gaseous Effluents
Hope Creek Liquid Effluents
Effluent Effluent Fission Gases 2.5 Ci Fission Products 0.0015 Ci Iodines 0.00016 Ci Tritium 8.7 Ci Particulates 0.000004 Ci Tritium 28.5 Ci Salem Unit 1 Gaseous Effluent
Salem Unit 1 Liquid Effluents
Effluent Effluent Fission Gases 0.038 Ci Fission Products 0.0006 Ci Iodines 0 Ci Tritium 89.9 Ci Particulates 0 Ci Tritium 13.1 Ci Salem Unit 2 Gaseous Effluent
Salem Unit 2 Liquid Effluents
Effluent Effluent Fission Gases 0.017 Ci Fission Products 0.0004 Ci Iodines 0 Ci Tritium 41.4 Ci Particulates 0 Ci Tritium 3.52 Ci
Exelon Nuclear Radioactive Effluent Releases
Nuclear Environmental Engineering Section For the Period of 02-01-19 to 02-28-19
Oyster Creek Gaseous Effluent Elevated Releases
Oyster Creek Gaseous Effluent Ground Releases
Effluent Effluent Fission Gases 0 Ci Fission Gases 0 Ci Iodines 0 Ci Iodines 0 Ci Particulates 0 Ci Particulates 0 Ci Tritium 0.063 Ci Tritium 0 Ci
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Exelon Nuclear Radioactive Effluent Releases
Nuclear Environmental Engineering Section For the Period of 02-01-19 to 02-28-19
Oyster Creek Routine Liquid Effluent
Effluent Fission Products 0.085 Ci Tritium 3.05 Ci
Oyster Creek Liquid Effluent Groundwater Extraction
Effluent Tritium < MDA1 Ci
Contact: Paul E. Schwartz (609) 984-7539 Continuous Radiological Environmental Surveillance Telemetry System Thirty-two Continuous Radiological Environmental Surveillance Telemetry (CREST) sites are located in the environs of Oyster Creek, Salem I, II, and Hope Creek nuclear generating stations. CREST is a part of the Air Pollution/Radiation Data Acquisition and Early Warning System, a remote data acquisition system whose central computer is located in Trenton, New Jersey. Sites are accessed via cellular communication and polled for radiological and meteorological data every minute. The Air Pollution/Radiation Data Acquisition and Early Warning System is equipped with a threshold alarm of twenty-five (25) microRoentgens per hour. The system notifies staff via text messages and email alerts if the threshold is exceeded, providing 24-hour coverage of potential radiological abnormalities surrounding each nuclear facility. The following tables include the average ambient radiation levels at each site for the month of April:
Artificial Island CREST System Ambient Radiation Levels
April 2019 Derived From One Minute Averages UNITS = mR/Hr
AI1 AI2 AI3 AI4 AI5 .0062 .0063 .0062 .0063 .0065 AI6 AI7 AI8 AI9 AI10
.0063 .0055 .0054 .0072 .0052
1 The Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA) is the smallest amount of radioactivity in a sample that can be detected with a 5% probability of erroneously detecting radioactivity, when, in fact, none was present, also, a 5% probability of not detecting radioactivity, when in fact it is present. The laboratory’s MDA was 1.98E-6 uCi/mL. The USNRC Code of Federal Regulation’s 10 Appendix B to Part 20, Table 2, Column 2 tritium (H-3) concentration limit is 1.0E-3 uCi/mL.
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Oyster Creek CREST System Ambient Radiation Levels April 2019 Derived From One Minute Averages
UNITS = mR/Hr OC1 OC2 OC3 OC4 .0043 .0054 .0041 **** OC5 OC6 OC7 OC8 .0053 .0055 .0047 .0050 OC9 OC10 OC11 OC12 .0057 **** .0053 .0054 OC13 OC14 OC15 OC16 .0048 **** .0052 .0052
**** indicates insufficient valid data
Contact: Ann Pfaff (609) 984-7451 National Radiological Emergency Preparedness Conference From March 31st through April 4th, 2019 section chief Ann Pfaff attended the National Radiological Emergency Preparedness Conference in Orlando, Florida. This annual meeting brings together representatives of federal, state and county governments, as well as private-sector stakeholders, to address the evolving challenges of nuclear emergency planning. In addition to presentations, workshops, poster displays and breakout sessions, the gathering allowed attendees to learn about the latest technologies and training opportunities from both government and private sources. Contact: Ann Pfaff (609) 984-7451 FEMA RadResponder National Background Exercise During the week of April 15-19, 2019, NEPS and staff from across the Radiation Protection Programs, Bureau of Emergency Response, and Bureau of Communications and Response Services participated in a national exercise to document background radiation levels. In addition to gathering valuable information to document baseline conditions across the state, the exercise provided NJDEP emergency responders with the opportunity to develop monitoring skills and familiarity with the national RadResponder database. NEPS was also able to deploy recently-acquired mobile radiation monitoring vans, greatly expanding the Department’s measurement capabilities. Overall, approximately 180,000 measurements of gamma exposure rate, airborne particulate beta emissions, and airborne radioiodine levels were collected at locations ranging from Cape May Point to High Point State Park. The detailed findings confirm previous observations that the north and northwest regions of the state generally have higher background exposure rates due to the prevalence of rocky outcroppings naturally rich in active materials. Slightly elevated levels of beta particulate emissions were observed in some industrial areas in the northeast, perhaps due to combustion of fossil fuels containing low levels of naturally-occurring radionuclides. Contact: Ann Pfaff (609) 984-7451
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Licensee Meeting Representatives of NEPS met with staff from PSEG Nuclear and the NJ State Police Office of Emergency Management on April 29, 2019 for a regularly-scheduled licensee meeting. Topics included: preparations for the upcoming Salem State-Graded Exercise on May 23rd; improved strategies for informing the public and the news media in light of technological and operational advances; status updates to the Memorandum of Understanding between the State and PSEG regarding emergency management services; availability of potassium iodide to the public; results and lessons learned from the April 15-19 FEMA-sponsored RadResponder Background Exercise; arrangements for training New Jersey emergency response staff on updates to PSEG’s Emergency Classification Guide; and plans for the upcoming public hearings in Salem, Cumberland and Ocean Counties to solicit public input on the State Radiological Emergency Response Plan. Contact: Ann Pfaff (609) 984-7451
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