ML19224D153
| ML19224D153 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 05/30/1979 |
| From: | Underhill D Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards |
| To: | Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19224D154 | List: |
| References | |
| ACRS-SM-0130, ACRS-SM-130, NUDOCS 7907110004 | |
| Download: ML19224D153 (2) | |
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SUMMARY
OF HEARINGS BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION, AND FEDERAL SERVICES OF THE COMMITTEE ON COVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, May 8, 1979, Chairman: Senator John Glenn 1.
Radiation Monitoring at Three Mile Island Only 20 ground level thermoluniiscent dosimeters were initially in place at TMI. These TLD's were able to perform their primary task--crisis analysis.
After the crisis had passed, questions would be asked about the precise exposure to the general population.
Because of the meandering nature of the xenon cloud, a number of additional TLD's were required to determine precise population exposures.
ihese additional TLD's were not available through NRC stock and had to be obtained from a private supplier.
137 The TLD's were iginally calibrated with Cs, a gaama emitter more energetic than 3Xe, the primary radionuclide at TMI. Rapid recalibra-tion of the TLD's using a 133Xe source at the National Bureau of Standards was necessary.
133 Because the emissions from the reactor were primarily Xe, the cloud had little tendancy to settle, and the exposures extended out to a greater
.J distance than if the equivalent initial radiation had been from particulates.
In case of core meltdown, survey meters would be needed.to determine the radiation levels from the fallout on the ground. These meters were availaole in large numbers 'iut they were not particularly useful at Three Mile Island because they will not give an integrated dose, and it is now known that the dose from the xenon cloud varied sharply in time. A device like the TLD, given the integrated dose, is more useful in determining the exposure from released noble gases.
Reasons for change in initial estimates of population exposure were (1) expanding the area over which doses were calculated, (2) releases of Xenon after the initial estimates were made and (3) recalibration of the TLD's.
The major exposures at TMI will be to workers involved in the cleanup process. At present, the nature of the contamination in the containment vessel is not well known and therefore the difficulty of cleanup is not known.
Senator Glenn appeared to be pleased with the speed with which various government agencies tried to respond to the emergeTcy. Aerial surveys, for example, were being made the afternoon of the accicent. But he was most unhappy with the lac < of communication and, more importantly, the e
inability to determite who was in charge at TMI.
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. The confushn at TMI was not the result of poor governmental organization.
All appeared to agree that the basic cause was lcw pr'ority given by every-one concerned to this type of accident and that there would have been confusion regardless of organization charts.
2.
Survivors of Atomic Tests (Presentation of Vice Admiral R. Monroe)
A high priority effort is under% io lucate survivors of atomic tests.
It is expected that some 2 years will be needed to complete this.)cogram, although seme reports, such as one on the " Smoky" test will be out soon.
The National Academy, in conjunction with epidemiologists at the Center for Control of Disease in Atlanta, will analyze these data. Gross numbers so far indicate that dose rates were fairly low. Average exposure was about rem. 85% of exposures were < 1 rem and 98% <3 rem. Errors in determining exposures include inability of film badges to pick up prompt neutrons and to assess exposures from inhaled particulates. Furthermore, not everyone was badged and detailed reviews of personnel records are needed to reconstruct mar.y exposures.
3.
Interacency 4 sk Force on Ionizing Radia*. ion The EPA is interested in a leadership role in several important aspects of radiation control, and views for a similar role by HEW were stated by F. P. Libassi. Copies of their position papers were made available to attendees. As discussion progressed, there was considerable desire by several participants for a new Federal
.diation Council, which would solve " Turf Fights" between agencies. A reconstructed Council, if successful, must hava nore teeth than before and have better access to labor, industry, and public interest groups.
Mr. R. B. Minogue of the NRC stated his belief that the NRC, for its own purposes, needs to conduct inhouse research into radiation effects.
Another view is that a limited amount of competition tmong agencies for research funds serves to increase the quality of the research and, further, serves to quiet any fears of a possible coverup by any one agency.
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Dwight W. Unde. hill ACRS Fellow cc: ACRS Technical Staff 259 354