Momentive Radiological Screening Program

(10.06.2011)

SINUS has requested information regarding the radiation testing procedures being used by Momentive in order to address possible product exposure to radiation emanating from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station in Japan following the earthquake on March 11, 2011. Momentive has developed and is in the process of implementing a Radiological Screening Program (RSP) under which certain products, raw materials and product packaging are considered for screening using various sampling and testing protocols. Additional details follow below.


Time Period and Geographic Parameters

The following categories of products, raw materials and packaging are considered for sampling and testing under the RSP: (i) products, raw materials and packaging that were produced, packaged and shipped on or after March 11, 2011 within a 200 km (120 mi) radius of Fukushima Daiichi and (ii) products produced at the Momentive Ohta, Japan facility (although it is important to note that the Ohta facility is actually over 200 km southwest of Fukushima Daiichi).


Packaging Surface Contamination Screening

Screened packaging must fall below a maximum radioactivity level of 0.5 Bq/cm2 in order to be released for use. This release level is based on recommendations of the U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) in USNRC Regulatory Guide 1.86, "Termination of Operating Licenses for Nuclear Reactors" (June 1974).

Material Screening

Units of radionuclide activity per kilogram of certain isotopes must fall below specified levels (the Derived Intervention Levels or DILs) in screened materials in order to be released for use. The Derived Intervention Levels are based on the limits established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for concentrations permitted in human food or materials that may be inadvertently ingested, as reported in "Accidental Radioactive Contamination of Human Food and Animal Feeds: Recommendations for State and Local Agencies", Report UCM094513 (August 1998). The applicable radionuclides and respective DILs for the material screening process are set forth in the table below:

Radionuclide

Derived Intervention Level

 

 

Bq/kilogramm

pCi/kilogramm

CS-134 * CS137

1.200

32,000

RU-103

6.800

180,000

RU-106

450

12,000

J-131

170

4,600

SR-90

160

4,300

As you can imagine this is a large undertaking for Momentive and the above information is only intended to provide a summary of the Radiological Screening Program as currently being implemented. We appreciate your patience as we move forward with this important initiative.

 

Distribution Contact: SINUS Electronic GmbH, Michael Ruß 07132 / 9969 -20

 

 

 

 

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