ML18086B161

Emergency Planning Info

ML18086B161
Person / Time
Site:	Salem
Issue date:	12/18/1981
From:	Byrne B NEW JERSEY, STATE OF
To:
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ML18086B158	List: ML18086B157 ML18086B160 ML18086B161
References
NUDOCS 8112290479
Download: ML18086B161 (16)

Text

EMERGENCY PlANNING INFORMATION 8112290479 811218 PDR ADOCK 05000272 TO NEIGHBORS OF SALEM GENERATING STATION F

PDR NEW JERSEY

TO NEIGHBORS OF SALEM GENERATING STATION

Dear Resident of New Jersey:

This brochure is part of an extensive, on-going program by the State of New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Public Service Electric & Gas Company to ensure the safety of persons living in the vicinity of the Salem Generating Station. The actual danger posed by the plant is very small. However, since radioactive materials are involved in the production of electricity at the Salem Station, a Radiological Emergency Response Plan (RERP) has been developed to provide area residents with maxi-mum protection in the case of a radiological accident. This brochure gives information on the Salem Station and the Radiological Emergency Response Plan.

I ask you to read this brochure now and then place it with your other important papers for future reference.

It is the hope of all the agencies involved that you will find this brochure informative and enlightening.

Sincerely, Brendan Byrne Governor New Jersey

2 What is the purpose of this pamphlet?

This pamphlet is provided to you, the neighbors of Salem Generating Station, to give you information about the emergency plans which would be implemented in the unlikely event of a nuclear power plant emergency.

Why do we need emergency plans?

The oil, chemical and transportation industries all have emergency plans.

So does the nuclear industry. Should a serious accident ever occur at the Salem Station, the emergency provi-sions which we will briefly explain have been established to minimize or prevent any public health con-sequences.

The Three Mile Island accident showed that when a serious nuclear accident occurs, there is a considerable amount of time between the occurrence of the accident and the potential for a release of radioactivity which could reach the public. This time allows a wide variety of protective actions to be taken. Recent changes to Federal regulations require utilities and state and local governments to develop or improve plans to protect people in what they call the emergency plan-ning wnes. These zones are described on page 6.

How does Salem Station work?

In a "fossil fueled" power plant, coal, oil, or gas is burned in a furnace to provide heat to change water to steam. The steam, under high pres-sure, rushes against the blades of a machine called a turbine-much like wind passing through a windmill.

The turbine turns a large magnet inside a coil of wire, and electricity is generated.

At a nuclear power plant like Salem Station, the furnace mentioned above is replaced by a nuclear reactor. Heat is produced in the reactor by split-ting atoms.

Uranium, because it is the only sub-stance found in nature whose atoms split readily, is the fuel used in a fission reactor. When an atom of uranium is hit by a minute particle called a neutron, the result is fission.

This fission releases lightweight atoms, energy as heat, and several new neutrons. The supply of neu-trons in the nuclear power plant's reactor is controlled to maintain the fission process (chain reaction). The heat produced is used to turn water into steam. A nuclear plant uses this steam to produce electricity in exactly the same way as in plants fueled by coal, oil, or natural gas.

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Steam driven GENERATOR PUMP turbine

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Is Salem Station safe?

Safety is the primary consideration in the design of all nuclear power plants.

At the first sign of an abnormal opera-tion, automatic safety devices will shut the reactor down. The Salem Station reactors, like those in all commercial nuclear power plants, have many overlapping safety features. Even if several should fail, there would still be back-up systems to assure the safety of the plant.

Salem Station and all other nuclear power units have an outstanding safety record. After 25 years of operation of commercial nuclear power plants, and despite what you may have read about the Three Mile Island accident, no member of the public has ever been exposed to any significant radiation.

The nuclear power industry remains the most strictly regulated industrial enterprise in United States history.

No energy system is perfectly safe.

Nuclear power plants are designed to the highest quality standards. Many layered safety systems are incorpo-rated to prevent any accident that could cause the release ofradioactivity and to minimize the consequences should one occur. However, accidents that can result in the release of sub-stantial quantities of radioactivity are theoretically possible.

What about the possibility of. a nuclear explosion?

Power reactors cannot undergo a nuclear explos ion The amount of fissionable uranium needed for an explosion must be very concentrated and then must be rapidly forced together into a compact shape. A power reactor contains only 3 percent fissionable material. The remaining 97 percent of the fuel is material that does not fission readily. Instead it tends to stop the nuclear reaction, and acts as a safety feature.

3

4 What is Radiation?

Radiation is energy in motion. It is invisible, tasteless and silent-and perhaps this is the reason that some believe there is something mysterious about radiation. There isn't; we know a great deal about it. Heat, light and radio waves are types of radiation.

TYPICAL RADIATIO EXPOSURE LEVELS Natural Millirems Man-made

Background

Per Sources of

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re_m~s From cosmic rays (the sun) 35 from coast-to-coast jet flight 4

From air 5

From color television 6

From building materials 34 From one chest X-ray 50 From food 25 From living within a 0.002 From ground 11 SO-mile radius of a (per year) nuclear power plant We have been living with radiation from the beginning of time. Radia-tion comes from the air we breathe, food we eat, water we drink, the home w e live in, and the earth under our feet. All of this radiation occurs naturally. Other radiation is man made such as X-rays used in medical and dental diagnosis and therapy.

The radiation from the operation of a nuclear plant is no different from our natural "background" radiation.

It consists of a stream of particles or rays which come from the centers of some types of atoms. There are three types ofradiation which need to be described: alpha particles which tra-vel about an inch in air and can be stopped by a sheet of paper, beta par-ticles which travel a few feet and can be stopped by an inch of wood, and gamma rays which travel a greater distance and can be stopped by a dense material such as lead or concrete shielding. Radiation occurs in a nuclear reactor as a result ofthe fission process.

Low-level radiation can be measured in millirems, an accurate unit of mea-sure of radiation's biological effect on man. One thousand millirems equals one rem.

The average resident ofNew Jersey or Delaware is exposed to approximately 125 millirems per year from natural sources. Man-made sources such as den-tal and medical X-rays can contribute, on the average, another 90 millirems per year. These amounts are not consid-ered of any significance to health. In fact, the additional exposure to radi-ation experienced by a person living immediately outside a typical nuclear plant property only rarely exceeds 1 millirem per year.

To put the risk ofradiation in perspec-tive, consider these facts. The average American receives 6 millirems a year from watching color TV for three hours a day or 3000 times more than from a plant. The average jet plane passenger receives 4 millirems from a round trip between New York and California or 2000 times more than from a plant.

The truth is that a nuclear plant adds so little radiation to the environment that it is difficult even to measure it against the natural background radiation.

How does radiation affect us?

Any effect from radiation will depend upon the nature and energy level of the particles and rays to which you are exposed, the length of time you are exposed to them, how much of your body is exposed and how much radioactive material is collected in your body.

When emissions from radioactive substances enter the human body in large enough amounts they can damage cells by ionizing (removing the electrons from) atoms. Ifthe damage is great due to an unusually large amount of radiation, adequate repairs may be impossible and the consequences severe. If the dam -

age is slight, or takes place slowly, the body can usually make repairs.

How is radiation detected?

Although radiation is invisible, tasteless, odorless, and silent, it can be detected and measured by many types of instruments. These instruments allow federal, state and utility person-nel to continuously monitor radiation levels around Salem Station. In the event of an accident, these monitoring activities would be greatly increased to obtain accurate information in any area that might be affected.

--4--- Reinforced concrete containment bui lding

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1-.+-I---- Fuel How is the public protected from radiation in a nuclear power plant?

The main idea behind the power plant design is to keep the radiation inside the plant. This involves plac-ing barriers between the radiation and human beings.

The barriers at Salem Station are:

1. Containment Building. This is a leak-tight, concrete and steel building. Its walls are made from 41h-foot-thick reinforced concrete lined with steel plate, which is attached to a 16-foot-thick rein-forced concrete floor. More than just a building, the containment completely encircles the reactor, steam generators and pumps and goes below-ground as well as above.

2. Reactor Vessel and Steel Piping. The reactor vessel, which holds all the fuel assem-blies, has 81h-inch-thick steel walls. The piping is made com-pletely from thick-walled stain-less steel.

3. Fuel Cladding. This is a 12-foot-long sealed metal tube made of zirconium alloy. These tubes, called rods, contain fuel pellets.

5

6 What happens should radioactivity be released?

To provide a basis for emergency planning, Federal authorities analyzed possible releases of radioactive mate-rial to the environment. This detailed analysis, which took into account the effects of a radioactive release from a serious accident, resulted in the establishment of predesignated areas surrounding a nuclear power plant.

These areas are called emergency planning zones. TWo such zones were established.

The first zone is the plwne exposure zone and is the area within a 10-mile radius from the station. Within this area the first concern of emergency agencies is to protect the public frnm exposure to direct radiation from the plant or from radioactive material which may have been released into the air or water.

It is for this area that protective actions such as sheltering and evacuation may be used in the event of a potential release or actual release of radioactive material. These actions are explained on pages 7 and 8 and on the enclosed placard.

The second zone is the ingestion exposure zone and is the area within a circle having a radius of 50 miles.

The station is at the center oft he circle.

Within this area the conswnption of potentially contaminated foods such as How are events or accidents classified and what actions may have to be taken during each?

Four classifications are used by the plant emergency response personnel to notify state emergency management officials and the public of the severity of an emergency at Salem Station. A description of these classifications, as well as utility, state, local and public response actions, are outlined below.

CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTION AND EXAMPLE UTILITY ACTION STATE ACTION COUNTY AND LOCAL ACTION PUBLIC ACTION Notification of an Unusual Event Alert Site Area Emergency General Em ergency A Notification of an Unusual Event would be required by minor events which are oflen non-nuclea1; such as the iajury to a plant worker, an automatic plant shutdown or potentially severe weather conditions.

An Alert is required by events which are either adversely affect ing or may adversely affect reactor safety. Examples of such conditions would be the failure ofa component in a safety system or an event outside the plant such as a tornado or hurricane. Prob-

!ems leading to an Alert, ordinarily, would not cause a release ofradioactivity although the release of small quantities is possible.

A Site Area Emergency des-ignates problems such as serious leakage of water from the reactor coolant system, damage to stored used fuel, or a fire in a safety area or in a safety system.

Releases of radioactivity are possible or may already be occurring.

A General Emergency is declared for a serious con-dition such as an accident where there exists a clear potential for damage to the fuel in the reactor. Releases of radioactivity are possible or may already be occurring.

1. Evaluate situation.

2. Notify state.

1. Evaluate situation.

2. Notify state.

3. Activate the Onsite Emergency Center.

4. May activate the Offsite Emergency Center.

1. Evaluate situation.

2. Notify state.

3. Activate the Onsite Emergency Center.

4. Activate the Offsite Emergency Center.

1. Evaluate situation.

2. Notify state.

3. Notify counties directly.

4. Activate the Onsite Emergency Center.

5. Activate the Offsite Emergency Center.

1. Acknowledge utility No action.

No action.

information.

2. No further action.

1. Acknowledge utility

1. Acknowledge state No action.

information.

information.

Public may be provided

2. Notify local authm*ities.

2. No furth er action.

information by state over

3. Partially activate State EBS radio.

Emergency Operations Center.

4. Put Radiation Monitoring teams on standby.

1. Acknowledge utility

1. Acknowledge state The public should tune information.

information.

to EBS radio station. (See

2. Notify county authorities.

2. Activate Emergency enclosed placard.) State

3. Activate Emergency Operations Center.

officials will provide infor-Operations Center and

3. Mobilize local emergency mat ion over EBS on what mobilize the state's response organizations.

actions should be taken.

emergency response organizations.

4. Provide information to the public over the EBS radio stations.

milk or fresh vegetables is the main concern of emergency agencies. Pro-tective actions for this emergency planning wne may include: restricting consumption of water (except bottled water) and unprocessed milk and wash-ing fresh fruits and vegetables.

What happens at Salem Station if an accident should occur?

Assessment of an accident and evalu-ation of the possibility ofa release of radiation is the responsibility of the staff at Salem Station. In accordance with federal guidelines, they deter-mine the appropriate classification.

What happens next?

The station Emergency Duty Officer immediately notifies the Nuclear Reg-ulatory Commission and New Jersey and Delaware officials who are respon-sible for implementing the state's radiological emergency plans.

Following this notification procedure, and depending on the severity of the accident, municipal, county, state and federal emergency personnel would be mobilized, if necessary, to protect the public.

How will I be notified?

Area residents within the 10-mile plume exposure zone will be notified by a combination of sirens and radios, and police and fire depart-ment personnel using public address systems. The siren sound would be distinctive with each cycle lasting 3 to 5 minutes. Upon hearing an alert, you should turn to a radio station listed on the enclosed placard. The Coast Guard and marine police will alert boaters.

EMERGENCY PLANNING zo I

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(EPZ-INGESTION) 50mi.

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Indicates variable EMERGENCY PLANNING

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Is that all I need do at first-turn on a radio?

Yes. The radio stations listed on the enclosed placard are members of the Emergency Broadcast System. (Please post this card within easy reach, perhaps attach it to the side of your refrigerator.)

The Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) is used by local agencies to inform the public in New Jersey and Delaware of severe weather condi-tions and other events that might threaten their health, safety or well-being. The Emergency Broadcast Sys-tem allows state officials to interrupt regular radio programming with emergency information and repeat the broadcasts as often as required.

By tuning to this system you will have the most timely and accurate information concerning the accident and how it may affect you.

response boundary

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plume exposure pathway The response area for the ingestion exposure pathway would have the some relative shape but would be

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Transport of milk to dairy processing center Do rwt call the police or fire depart-ments for information. They will need to keep their phone lines clear for emergency phone cal/,s.

You are a/,so asked to limit the use of your telephone to essential cal/,s to ensure that the telephones are available for emergency cal/,s.

7

8 What type of information or instructions will I receive over the radio?

The type of instructions or informa-tion you will receive will depend on the area in which you live, the manner in which any radiation is released, the amount released and the direction and speed of the wind.

For instance, should a significant release of radioactive material to the air occur and be carried away by a relatively slow wind, people within the area downwind from the plant might be directed to:

Tuke Shelter. The take shelter directive would require that you:

1. Go indoors, close external doors, windows, and turn off air condi-What plans have been made for school children?

Special care has been taken in preparing New Jersey's emergency plan to protect school children. At the begin-ning of the school year, the parents will receive a letter outlining the features of the school evacuation plan.

The plan contains the following provisions:

• If an accident occurs, school officials will be con-tacted by the local emergency management organization.

• The children will be assembled, counted, and transported on school buses to a specific Reception Center.

• Once the school buses arrive at the designated Reception Center for that school, the children will be counted once again, and cared for until their parents arrive.

It is important for parents to read and retain the letter containing details of the evacuation plan for school children. It specifies the Reception Center their children will be taken to, information on how to pick tioners and all ventilation leading outdoors.

2. Listen to your radio for further instructions. Do rwt evacuate unless an order is given.

Evacuate. You may be advised to evacuate.

Once you are ordered to evacuate, you should:

1. Close all doors and windows, turn off stoves, heaters, fans and air conditioners.

2. Place a white piece of cloth or any other similar white object on your mailbox or on the front door so that it is clearly visible.

3. Consult the card attached to the back of this booklet for evacuation routes.

4. Follow radio instructions to evacuate to a specific Congregate Care Shelter.

up their children once they have arrived there, and emergency numbers to call for additional information.

Should parents lose this letter, copies are readily available at the school.

What do I do if I do not have transportation?

Those unable to drive or without personal means of transportation should complete and return the card insert in the back of this pamphlet.

Agencies maintain rosters of individ-uals with special transportation needs and will provide help. Please mail this card as soon as possible so that assist-ance can be provided during an emergency.

Where are New Jersey's Congregate Care Shelters located?

New jersey's designated Shelters are:

1. Salem County Community College Hollywood Avenue Carneys Point

2. Lafayette-Pershing Elementary School Shell Road Carneys Point

3. Paul W. Carleton Elementary School East Maple A venue Penns Grove

4. Penns Grove High School Harding Highway Carneys Point

5. Penns Grove Middle School County Road (East Maple A venue)

Penns Grove

6. Field Street Elementary School Field Street Penns Grove

7. Delaware Ordnance Shop 78 Din Area Main Shop Central Road Oldman

8. Kingsway Regional High School Kingsway Road Swedesboro Woodstown High School 9.* Salem County Vocational-Technical Schools Woodstown-Salem Road Woodstown

10. Woodstown High School East Avenue Woodstown

11. Mary S. Shoemaker Elementary School E. Millbrooke A venue Woodstown

12. Woodstown Middle School Lincoln Avenue Woodstown

13. Glassboro College Route 322 Glassboro

14. Arthur P. Schalick High School Elmer-Centerton Road Route 553 Pittsgrove (Elmer)

15. Cumberland Regional High School Silverlake Road Upper Deerfield

16. Bridgeton High School West Avenue Bridgeton

17. Cherry Street Elementary School Cherry Street Bridgeton

18. Landis Junior High School 61 West Landis Avenue Vineland

19. Vineland High School 2880 East Chestnut A venue Vineland

20. Memorial Junior High School Fifth and Broad Street Millville

21. Millville Senior High School Wade Boulevard Millville

22. Holly Heights School 2515 East Main Street Millville

• for emergency workers and their families only.

9

10 What do I take to the Congregate Care Shelter if I'm evacuating?

Avoid excess baggage. Suggested items to take are:

Personal items:

a. Prescription medicines and prescriptions

b. Soap and towels

c. Shaving articles

d. Sanitary supplies

e. Toothpaste and toothbrushes

f. Toilet paper

g. Eyeglasses and dentures h. Important personal effects Children and infant's supplies:

a. Disposable diapers and powder

b. Bottles

c. Milk/formula (dry or canned only)

d. Favorite go-to-sleep toy Other supplies ifreadily available:

a. Flashlight

b. Portable radio/batteries

c. Plastic or paper bags

d. Hand tools (for car repairs)

Are Take Shelter and Evacuate the only protective actions I might have to take?

No, you may be asked to:

Restrict your Movem ent. Dur-ing an emergency, officials may ask you to avoid certain areas. Officials may erect barriers, roadblocks, etc.,

to control access to evacuation or take-shelter areas. The objective of Access Control is to prevent the public from inadvertently entering potentially contaminated regions.

Restrict Consumption of Food, Milk and Water. You may be asked to restrict your consumption of water, milk or fresh vegetables until the possibility of contamination is over.

Assuming an area is evacuated, how will homes be protected?

Access to and from evacuated areas will be controlled by state and local law enforcement forces. Police and fire crews will constantly patrol evacuated areas to protect property.

As a first protective step, all doors and windows should be locked by homeowners prior to departure.

I'm a farmer-what do I have to do?

Because a major accident at Salem Station might have a significant impact on your activities, a special brochure has been prepared to provide detailed information. Tu receive this publica-tion, please mail the attached card as soon as possible or send a letter to:

Farmer's Information P.O. Box 570 Newark, NJ 07101 Attn: Emergency Preparedness-15A 11

12 How do we know that this emergency plan will work?

The State and utility emergency plans are jointly tested in a major exercise every year. Past exercises have been observed by federal offi-cials and have demonstrated that the plans can protect the health and safety of the public. They are regularly reviewed and revised to take into consideration changes to the emer-gency organizations and lessons learned during the yearly exercise.

Is this plan only for radiological emergencies?

Federal and state officials are con-stantly improving methods for dealing with emergencies, whether the emer-gencies are caused by natural or man-made hazards (floods, storms, train derailments). There is, however, a real need for us as individuals to think about how we should act, and what we should do in an emergency.

Our hope is that this pamphlet has prompted this type of thinking.

Remember, although the emergency plan outlined here is directed toward a nuclear accident, the concepts, emergency equipment and training provided for these plans can be used to cope with any type of emergency.

SALEM GENER ATING STATION

\\\\'HATTO DO INCASEOFA NUCLEAR ACCIDENT 1

LISTEN FOR 3 TO 5 MINUTE SIREN BLASTS AND HORNS Polloe, fire department and Coast Guard personnel using public address systems will provide basic instruction&

2 TURN ON YOUR RADIO The radio stations listed below will provide the most up-to-date information ooncernlng what to assemble. what to do and whereto go.

3 IF ORDERED TO TAKE SHELTER Remain In your home, close all doors and windows, turn off air conditioners, and use phone only during a personal emergency.

WDEL 1150(24 hrs. )

WNNN-FM 101. 7 WMVB-FM 97. 3(24 hrs.)

WSTW-FM 93. 7(24 hrs. )

WSNJ 1240 WMVB 1440 WJIC 1510 WSNJ-FM 107. 7 WWBZ 1360

~IFYOUAREORDEREDTOEVACUATE~~~~~~~~~~~~~-

Bring these items with you Clothing, medicines. baby food, blankets. pillows. food, sanitary supplies. portable radio. flashlight.

first aid kit. batteries.

Additional information Handicapped-non ambulatory-register with your local fire deportment for assistance.

If school is in session children will be transported to a safe area and cared for until you arrive.

Their safety is first and foremost.

Please don't go to schools to pick up children.

Follow polioe instructions. stay tuned to your radio and remain calm Check these y o Shut off water, electricity, gas D Close all blinds. draperies D Check your home for security D Lock the doors D Check your neighbor (j

\\\\'HERE TO GO EVACUATION ROUTES

FIRST CLASS U. S. POST AGE PAID NEWARK, NJ PERMIT NO. 54

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~R=EC=O

~R==--'-F~

A=C~IL=l~T~Y BRANCH 016.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND DOCUMENTS CHARGED OUT THROUGH THE MAIL. REMOVAL OF ANY PAGE(S) FROM DOCUMENT FOR REPRODUCTION MUST BE REFERRED TO FILE PERSONNEL.

DEADLINE RETURN DATE RECORDS FACILITY BRANCH