ML18192A277

Letter from Us Dept of Health, Education & Welfare to NRC Furnishing Comments on Draft Environmental Impact Statement Concerning Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1, 2, & 3

ML18192A277
Person / Time
Site:	Palo Verde
Issue date:	06/11/1975
From:	Custard C US Dept of Health, Education & Welfare
To:	Regan W Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
Download: ML18192A277 (12)

Text

,0 NRC DISTRIBUTION FOR PART 50'DOCKET MATERIAL (TEMPO R A R Y FO R M)

CONTROL NO. 6426

,FILE Envi o F ROM.'ept of Health, Educatio DATE OF DOC DATE REC'D LTR TWX RPT OTHE R and Welfare Washington, D C ~

TO: ORIG CC OTHER SENT NRC PDR xxx Mr, William H ~ Regan, Jr 1-si ned SENT LOCAL PDR CLASS UNCLASS PROP INFO INPUT NO CYS REC'D DOCKET NO:

S N" 50-52 2 a 0 DESCRIPTION: ENCLOSURES:

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATlON. AND WELFARE JUN l 1 1975 Mr. William H. Regan, Jr.

Chief, Environmental Projects Branch; 4 Division of Reactor Licensing /)

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Dear Mr. Regan:

We have reviewed the draft Environmental Impact Statement concerning the Palo Verde, Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1, 2, and 3. STN 50-528, 529, and 530. On the basis of our review, we offer the following comments:

) The information stated on gaseous effluents emitted from the plant, and particularly iodine-131', is unclear. According to the applicant, the plant will emit gaseous effluents of about 57 millicuries per year of iodine-131. This amount will yield a calculated dose via the air, grass, goat, milk, and infant thyroid pathway of 42 mi'llirem per year to the thyroid of an infant. On the other hand, the NRC staff's evaluation of the plant's performance indicates a release of 28 millicuries of iodine-131 per year from which they calculate a dose by the same pathway of 20 milliren per year to the infant thyroid. For the purpose of the "as low as practicable" evaluation of this pathway and iodine dosage, only the 20 mr/yr dose was considered.

For an evaluation of the overall environmental impact, the sum of the two doses (62 millirem/year) was con-sidered. As, the above doses are per reactor, the total dose could become significant when one considers the operation of three reactors.

Also, the statement does not contain dose calculations to the thyroid from ingestion of milk from the cows located at Wintersbury. These should be provided in the final statement.

2) The report states that the plant will use current state-of-the-art iodine removal systems to meet the as low as practicable criteria. However, it does not specify that the doses will be reduced from 20 to the proposed design objective for "as low as practicable" of 15 mr per year. The document should be more explicit in this regard.

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3) Since the sewage effluent being used to supply the plant contains a considerable amount of iodine-131, air concentrations and the levels deposited on the ground could conceivably reach significant levels compared'o the proposed design objective for "as-low-as-practical.

Also the document states that as much as 100 pounds of salt per acre per year would be deposited as far as four to five miles in certain sectors, and up to 50 pounds per acre per year at much further distances.

In this regard, we suggest that the document contain discussions of the possible additional source of iodine contamination for this installation. In addition, may be possible that the additional treatment directed it at iodine removal is indicated for the water reclamation plant and the control of discharges into the Phoenix sewage.

4) We found no discussions concerning the ability of the hospitals to treat persons contaminated by radioactive materials or injured by rad'iation. This should be discussed in the final statement.

5) We note that the disease coccidioidomycosis is endemic in the area in which the plant is to be constructed, and that all cases recognized by or known to the applicant be reported to the Naricopa County Health authorities and the Arizona Department of Health Services. We suggest. that this matter be discussed by Departmental personnel with State Health authorities to see if more specific preventive measures should be taken to control the:possible incidents of this disease among construc-tion workers.

6) As stated in the report, we note that the water from the secondarily treated sewage effluent from Phoenix has a potential for carrying pathogenic organisms. Also, a portion of the water which has been purified though the water reclamation system will ultimately be dispersed in the atmosphere in the form of cooling tower drift.

Although the NRC staff has investigated. the potential for public health impacts, and concluded that none will arise from the operation of the heat dissipation system, we suggest that the State Health Department confirm this proposal with regard to the safety of the system in terms of the dispersal of pathogens in the environment.

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7) Xn addition, the report contains descriptions of the monitoring of biological water quality for fecal bacteria of the circulating water, and air borne microbial levels at .the site. We do not feel that the determination of fecal bacteria in either the water or the air bornecontamina-samples would be an adequate index of possible pathogenic tion with regard to viruses present which may be more resistent than fecal bacteria. Further, what. type ofonair borne sampling is proposed? Will this be deposition growth media or in growth media? Exactly what technique will be used?

8) Finally,, it would be helpful in the final report to indicate on a map the specific location of the sampling points of the radioactivity monitoring program.

Thank you for the opportunity to review the document.

Sincerely, Charles Custard, Director Office of Environmental Affairs

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NRC ISTRIBUTION FOR PART 80 DOCY T MATERIAL

{TEMPORARY FORM)

CONTROL NO:

FILE'RpM Dept. of the Army DATE OF DOC DATE REC'D LTR RPT OTHER Los Angeles Bst. Corp of Los. An eles Calif En inee s 6-11-75 6-17<<75 XX Tp: ORIG CC OTHER SENT AEC PDR Wm. H. Regan, Jr 1 Signed SENT I.OCAL PDR CLASS UNCLASS PROPINFP INPUT Np CYS REC'D DOCKET NP:

XXXX 1 0-528 529/530 D ESC R I P Tl 0 i II: ENCLOSURES:

Ltr. re our 4-14-75 ltr. ~ ~ .on DES for .the Palo Verde Nuclear Geuerating Station Units 1-2-3, concerningPhoenix Urban Water Resources Study. ~

which is scheduled for.completion in fall of 1978......

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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY a;T LOS ANGELES DISTRICTS CORPS OF ENGINEERS P. O. BOX 27I I LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90058 SPLED-E ll June 1975 Mr. Wm. H. Regan, Jr. 9 Chief, Environmental Projects Branc JUG~ ~~7~OI ~2 Division of Reactor Licensing aa gaIja a

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Dear Mr. Regan:

This is in response,to your letter of 14 April 1975 in which you requested our review and comments on the draft environmental statement for the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Units 1, 2, and 3, .Arizona.

We, have no comments concerning the environmental statement for this proposed action other than to note that ment.

it is a well-written and comprehensive docu-The Corps of Engineers is currently conducting a Phoenix Urban Water Resources Study. This study, which is scheduled for completion in the fall of 1978, is being made to develop a comprehensive water resources plan which will fulfill all water-related needs. The study will cover such subjects as flood control,. flood plain, management, surface and ground water quality and quantity, wastewater management, recreation, -fish and wildlife enhancement, and other related subjects. Xn the event that information relevant to water resources is desired or if we can be of assistance in any manner, please feel free to contact us. This may be done

.by contacting Major Henry W. Worthington, Chief, Urban Stud'ies Section, Phoenix, Arizona (602) 261-4201.

Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this draft statement.

Sincerely yours, GARTH A. FUQUA Chief, Engineering Division

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