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UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 November 25, 1994 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 94-81: ACCURACY OF BIOASSAY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING RESULTS Addressees: All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensees. Purpose: NRC is issuing this information notice to alert addressees to a recent event that has raised questions about the accuracy of results from a bioassay and environmental sampling contractor. It is expected that recipients will review the information for applicability to their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar problems. However, suggestions contained in this information notice are not new NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response is required. Description of Circumstances: On November 8, 1994, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a press release stating that it was cooperating with other Federal authorities who executed a search warrant for the records of a company that analyzed urine samples for the bioassay program at Sandia National Laboratory. The release is provided in Attachment 1. The company, Controls for Environmental Pollution (CEP), is located in Santa Fe, NM. Quality control testing has raised questions about the reliability of CEP's reports. DOE is also reviewing whether other DOE facilities and employees may be affected. Discussion: NRC is concerned that Commission licensees may have used the services of CEP and, based on the circumstances described above, may have reason to question sample results used to determine the exposure of individuals to radioactive materials, or to determine the release of radioactive materials to the environment. NRC does not have complete information on what services CEP has performed for Commission licensees over the last few years. Licensees may wish to determine whether they have used CEP services within the last few years and, if so, consider how the results were used and whether inaccurate results would have any safety significance. If inaccurate results could cause significant safety concerns, licensees may wish to consider what actions would be appropriate to confirm their sample results. 9411170284. IN 94-81 November 25, 1994 Page 2 of 2 This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed below or the appropriate regional office. /S/'D BY CJ PAPERIELLO Carl J. Paperiello, Director Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Contact: Scott W. Moore, NMSS (301) 415-7875 Attachments: 1. DOE Press Release 2. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices 3. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices . Attachment 1 IN 94-81 November 25, 1994 Page 1 of 2 NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Michael Gauldin, 202/586-4940 November 8, 1994 Rick Oborn, 202/586-4940 Rod Geer, 505/844-6601 ACCURACY OF WORKER EXPOSURE REPORTS QUESTIONED DOE OFFICIALS CONCERNED; ALL SITES ALERTED The Department of Energy (DOE) is cooperating fully with federal authorities who today executed a search warrant for the records of a Santa Fe company that has analyzed employee radiation test results for Sandia National Laboratory. The company, Controls for Environmental Pollution (CEP), tested employee urine samples for Sandia National Laboratory beginning in 1992 as part of the department's bioassay program. This program is designed to measure the amount of radioactive material taken internally by employees who work with unsealed radioactive substances. The department is also investigating whether other DOE sites and employees may be affected and reviewing its procedures for handling bioassay samples. Additional information will be released as it becomes available. Sandia officials stopped using CEP's services in April because quality control testing had raised questions about the reliability of CEP's reports. The department's Mound Plant in Ohio used CEP's services for special projects last year, but stopped sending samples to the company after questions arose about the company's capabilities. "We take these allegations very seriously," said Secretary of Energy Hazel R. O'Leary. "We are assessing the number of employees and sites that may be involved, reviewing our procedures for handling bioassay reports and establishing an accreditation system to ensure the reliability of bioassay testing." (MORE) . Attachment 1 IN 94-81 November 25, 1994 Page 2 of 2 "We will keep employees informed as we determine the scope of the problem and notify any employees who've been given inaccurate information that affects their health. We are also going to reconstruct dose levels where tests may be questionable." Urine tests are conducted at DOE sites where unsealed radioactive materials are handled to verify that worker exposure is within safety limits. CEP tested about 500 employee urine samples for Sandia from August 1992 to April 1994. All individuals involved will be offered new tests. All DOE sites are being alerted and directed to report instances in which CEP's service have been used so the number of workers potentially affected can be determined and appropriate action taken. DOE's Office of Environment, Safety and Health is reviewing the department's policies and standards for the collection and recording of bioassay samples to identify weaknesses and make improvements. Guidance will be provided to DOE sites for action to be taken in the future if similar suspect information is identified. The direction will include procedures for determining whether retesting for affected individuals is called for. The department has been developing an accreditation program for bioassay laboratories to provide quality and performance standards for contractors that conduct bioassay analysis for the department. -DOE- R-94-220
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