ML090720664

Comment (54) E-mail Regarding Iplr Dseis

ML090720664
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point
Issue date:	03/11/2009
From:	Public Commenter Public Commenter
To:	Division of License Renewal
NRC/NRR/DLR
References
73FR80440
Download: ML090720664 (3)

Text

IPRenewalCEmails From: jkeenan1@ramapo.edu Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 8:57 PM To: IndianPointEIS Resource Cc: medelste@ramapo.edu

Subject:

Written Comments for Supplement 38 Attachments: DSEIS Comments.doc Attached are my written comments.

1

Federal Register Notice: 73FR80440 Comment Number: 54 Mail Envelope Properties (20090311205653.BDR81046)

Subject:

Written Comments for Supplement 38 Sent Date: 3/11/2009 8:56:53 PM Received Date: 3/11/2009 8:56:55 PM From: jkeenan1@ramapo.edu Created By: jkeenan1@ramapo.edu Recipients:

"medelste@ramapo.edu" <medelste@ramapo.edu>

Tracking Status: None "IndianPointEIS Resource" <IndianPoint.EIS@nrc.gov>

Tracking Status: None Post Office: msg-1.mail.ramapo.edu Files Size Date & Time MESSAGE 35 3/11/2009 8:56:55 PM DSEIS Comments.doc 26176 Options Priority: Standard Return Notification: No Reply Requested: No Sensitivity: Normal Expiration Date:

Recipients Received:

Drew Stuyvenberg Project Manager U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Dear Drew Stuyvenberg I am a student in the Environmental Assessment class at Ramapo College of New Jersey. I have read the DSEIS and have found it to lack certain aspects relating to health and safety. I am writing to discuss what should be added to the Impact Statement.

The DSEIS fails to comment on the effects of a fire disaster on the spent fuel pools at Indian Point. In particular, the release of cesium-137 from the spent fuel pools as a result of a fire disaster is not discussed. If Indian Point were subject to a fire disaster, there could be contamination greater than that seen at Chernobyl.

According to Dr. Gordon Thompson in his study, Robust Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel: A Neglected Issue of Homeland Security, This situation poses a very high risk to people and the environment, because the loss of water from a high density pool will cause spent fuel in the pool to heat up, self-ignite, burn and release a huge amount of long-lived radioactive material -including tens of millions of Curries of the isotope cesium-137--to the atmosphere. The spent fuel pools can also have a fire disaster after an attack such as by aircraft for which there is no defense.

Cesium is a radioisotope that decays into barium-137m, emitting beta particles and gamma rays. If people are exposed, it is stored in the soft tissues of the body, especially the muscles. People can also be affected by the gamma radiation emitted from cesium-137. In the event of a nuclear accident, cesium-137 will be dispersed as dust that cannot be seen. Exposure to this radioisotope can lead to cancer and radiation sickness.

Higher exposure can lead to burns or death.

I would like to see the Impact Statement discuss the environmental effects and safety impacts that would ensue in the event of a fire disaster on the spent fuel pools. It should also discuss who would be affected and what the health effects would be. Also, what actions are being taken to prevent a fire disaster?

Sincerely, Jennifer Keenan

Reference:

Gordon, Thompson. Robust Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel: A Neglected Issue of Homeland Security. Institute for Resource and Security Studies.

<http://www.nirs.org/reactorwatch/security/sechorsses012003.pdf>