ML19263F005
| ML19263F005 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 08/31/1979 |
| From: | Hironori Peterson NRC OFFICE OF STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT |
| To: | Arnold L PARASCIENCE INTERNATIONAL |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7910190284 | |
| Download: ML19263F005 (2) | |
Text
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f D Es knu 31,1979 NOTE T0: Document Control Room 016 FROM:
Harold, Peterson, Jr., RHSB Office of Standards Development Please place the attached document in the PDR using the following file and file points:
PDR File Related Documents (SelectOne)
(Enterifappropriate)
Proposed Rule (PR)
ACRS Minutes No.
Reg. Guide Proposed Rule (PR)
Draft Reg. Guide Draft Reg. Guide Petition (PPJ1)
Reg. Guide Effective Rule (RM)
Petition (PRft)
Effective Rule (RM)
Federal Register Notice SD Task flo. RH 902-8 NUREG Report-Contract No.
Subject:
Ltr. to Larry E. Arnold of ParaScience International cc: Central Files R. B. Minogue 006 K. R. Goller R. A. Purple M. A. Parsant 910 19 0
,pA 88%g UNITED STATES 8
m#4 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMisslON WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 g
/
AUG 311979 Mr. Larry E. Arnold ParaScience International 1025 Miller Lane Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110
Dear Mr. Arnold:
Thank you for your letter of August 9,1979 and the copy of your letter to Chaiman Hendrie. We are particularly interested in the list of symptoms reported in your interviews with people in the vicinity of the Three Mile Island site.
None of these symptoms has, to our knowledge, been directly associated with radiation exposure at low levels comparable to the radiation doses estimated to have resulted from the Three Mile Island accident.
Some of the symptoms you described (such as gastrointestinal disorders and skin reddening) have been found to be associated with very high acute exposures to ionizing radiation, but apparently only at radiction doses thct would be hundreds to thousands of times greater than the dosas estimated to have been received by even those individuals living adjacent to Three Mile Island Nuclear Station. Chapter 9 of a book by A. Casarett, Radiation Biolocy (Prentice-Hall,1968), describes these effects.
One of the problems associated with attributing these effects to radiation exposure is that many of these effects are alsc associated with what is temed the " general adaptation syndrome" to generalized stress (see Casarett OP. CIT. p. 211). Under the circumstances of the Three Mile Island accident, it might be extremely difficult to differentiate any effects that might have been produced by the low-level radiation from the more general stress-related effects resulting from the emotional upset that the accident caused residents in your area.
The reports of the metallic or fodine-like taste are particularly puzzling as it is generally believed that people cannot sense the presence of ion-izing radiation or radioactive materials at levels below those that would produce observable physical damage.
We would be especially interested in any information or references you may have on this aspect. We have initiated a literature search to find whether there are other reports that substantiate the ability of living organisms to " sense" ionizing radiation fields or the pr,esence of radioactive materials.
oo7
Mr. L. E. Arnold 2
~
Thank you again for your interest and concern. We wouT(appreciate any additional information that yee might have on these effects.
Sincerely, caIGISALSIGNED 3I BAKOIOT.7 6 05.3.
Harold T. Peterson, P, Sr Enviremental Health Physicist Radiological Health Standards Branch Office of Standards. Developnent
/s Robert Goldsmith Epidemiologist Radiological Health Standards Branch Office of Standards Develorment RECORD NOTE: Mal Ernst of the TMI/SIG had suggested the possibility of a joint meeting with Mr. Arnold, however, it was decided that this would not he advisable. The reply has been coordinated with Don CTeary of NRR who has the responsibi' ity for drafting the Chairman's response to the August 2nd letter.
Distribution:
Central Files SD RDG/ ALPHA RHSB RDG/SUBJ Minogue Galler Purple Parsont Peterson Goldsmith Mal Ernst, TM'.< SIG DonCleary, NRR E. Branagan, NRR Document Control TMI File g
Task No. RH 902-8 emcg.iRHSB 52 IRHSB:)D IRHSB:SD
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