ML071440095
| ML071440095 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Limerick  |
| Issue date: | 05/24/2007 |
| From: | Paul Krohn Reactor Projects Region 1 Branch 4 |
| To: | Alliance For A Clean Environment |
| KROHN P, RI/DRP/PB4/610-337-5120 | |
| References | |
| Download: ML071440095 (3) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REGION I 475 ALLENDALE ROAD KING OF PRUSSIA, PENNSYLVANIA 19406-1415 May 24, 2007 The Alliance for a Clean Environment P.O. Box 3063 Stowe, PA 19464
Dear Ms. Cuthbert:
I am writing in response to your letter of April 25, 2007, in which you asked questions relative to the "Radiation Public Health Project Fact Sheet." Specifically, you asked which Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff member wrote the document, when it was written, and how to contact that individual.
The Radiation Public Health Project Fact Sheet was developed in 2004. The sheet provides a summary of the facts as they relate to the presence of Strontium 90 (Sr-90) in the environment, and its health effects. The fact sheet was initially prepared as a reference document for the NRCs License Renewal process. The intent was to use the sheet at public meetings where the "Tooth Fairy Project" was being discussed on a regular basis to demonstrate that nuclear power plants releases of Sr-90 are not having an adverse impact on the environment.
The information on the fact sheet indicates that nuclear above-ground weapons testing ended in 1980. As an historical update; India, Pakistan, China, and North Korea have since tested nuclear devices, which would likely contribute additional Sr-90 to the environment. However, the conclusions of the fact sheet remain unchanged. Specifically, approximately ninety-nine percent of the Sr-90 in the environment comes from fallout from above-ground explosions of worldwide nuclear weapons testing. Radioactive releases from the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident in the Ukraine are the second largest source of Sr-90 in the environment.
The amount of Sr-90 from nuclear power plants in the environment is extremely small compared with other man-made sources. Further, nuclear power plant operators are required to maintain an environmental monitoring program (that includes Strontium), which is reviewed and inspected regularly by the NRC.
The fact sheet was originally published by NRC Public Affairs staff with input from Ms. Patricia Milligan. Ms. Milligan, who is currently in the NRC's Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response, Division of Preparedness and Response, can be reached at (301) 415-2223.
2 D. Cuthbert I trust that this information is responsive to your query. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me at (610) 337-5120.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Paul G. Krohn, Chief Projects Branch 4 Division of Reactor Projects
2 D. Cuthbert I trust that this information is responsive to your query. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me at (610) 337-5120.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Paul G. Krohn, Chief Projects Branch 4 Division of Reactor Projects Distribution:
P. Krohn, DRP R. Fuhrmeister, DRP D. Screnci, PAO R. Barkley, ORA P. Milligan, NSIR D. Lew, DRP J. Clifford, DRP M. Gamberoni, DRS J. Tappert, DRS J. White, DRS S. Hansell, DRP T. Moslak, DRS R. Nimitz, DRS J. Noggle, DRS M. Leach, NSIR N. Mamish, NRR B. McDermott, NSIR A. McMurtray, NSIR SUNSI Review Complete: PGK (Reviewers Initials)
DOCUMENT NAME:C:\\FileNet\\ML071440095.wpd After declaring this document An Official Agency Record it will be released to the Public.
To receive a copy of this document, indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without attachment/enclosure "E" = Copy with attachment/enclosure "N" = No copy OFFICE RI/DRP RI/DRP PAO ORA NAME R. Fuhrmeister P. Krohn D. Screnci R. Barkley DATE 05/21/07 05/17/07 05/17/07 05/17/07 OFFICE NSIR NAME P. Milligan/PGK FOR DATE 05/23/07 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY ML071440095