ML19308A699
| ML19308A699 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 11/09/1979 |
| From: | Thomas C AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| To: | Hendrie J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7912040094 | |
| Download: ML19308A699 (9) | |
Text
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montal haalth asecciatisn in pannsylvania; founded as pennsylvania mental health, inc.
P division of//ce: 1207 chestnut street. philadelphia, penna. 19107 = (215) 568-1495 '
area office:
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harrisburg, pa.17101 219 pine street
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pittsburgh, pa.15222
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$",'.$ I..'jS Mr. Joseph M. Hendrie, Chairman
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Nuclear Regulator /' Commission Washington, D.C.
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Dear Mr. Hendrie:
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An article published in the Harrisburg PATRIOT on Tuesday, 7.'2 ' 1" 'c'.'f ' 7,*n. o November 6, reported that the staff of the Huclear Regulator'/
Commission does not believe psychological distress should be con-sidered when making a determination about reopening Three Mile a.a o -.~.. n o
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Island.
There also was a statement that " psychological distress s ',*,,,"l,'l"l,""
should not be considered now because it was not considered when the plant first was licensed." This is unreasonable!
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Enclosed are copies of various communications concerning the c..
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"-"-<t'a-psychological stress and emotional problems that have been caused by the DfI incident.
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The President's Commission on D!I, in its report last week, said stress was the biggest problem caused by the TMI incident.
A phy::ician in the area recently wrote a letter to the editor relating the various emotional problems of children he has treated since the March 28 incident.
In October, the National Institute of Mental Health funded the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in Pittsburgh to study the " Psychological, Behavioral and Social Aspects of the E!I Nuclear Incident." The results of this study should be considered by the NRC in making its final decision about reopening Three Mile Island.
The Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania urges you to consider the mental health of citisens in the TMI area as the ecst significant factor in making your decision about TMI.
Sincerely,
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/W Charles D. Thomas l
President l
CC: Richard Roberts, staff writer, The Patriot 7912040 O l
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p ig ; N,, th:rida, h."hui:7. Rt. 3.12-7 At TMI-1 Hearings i
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h\\ @=' h =l h "'"ll @"l b ~'U h if Q h h By RICllARD ROBERTS
. /siso, the Environmental Coal: tion on Nuclear '
Staff Writer Power, a statewide anti-nuclear group; t;,e '
The staff of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Cher.sapeake Energy Alliance, a Ba;timore c.nti '
, Commission believes the issue of " psychological nucler.r group; Steven C. Sho;iy of Mechanics-distress" should not be considered in the upcom-burg; and Marjorie M. Aamodt of Coatesville.'
ing hearings on the proposed reactivation of the Also, the state, participating as an interested undamaged Unit I reactor at Three Mile Island.
party, submitted a brief indicating that a;though.
In a $6-page brief filed Oct. 31 before the t would not present evidence on the issue, it l
, NRC's Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, the believes the National Environmental Po' icy Act requires the consideration of psycho;ogical dis-lt staff said that neither the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 nor the National Environmental Policy Act i
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of 1969 require consideration of," issues such as The NRC staff brief said that neither the psychological distress..
. Atomic Energy Act itself, the act's legislative -
The brief was signed by NRC attorneys Mar-history nor court decisions on the act show that I cia E. Mulkey and Stephen H. Lewis.
the public's fear of the operatioa of a reactor i The nuclear regulatory commissioners in an "should or could" be a factor in determinina
, Aug. 9 " Order and Notice of Hearing" said "real whether a nue: ear power p;snt shou;d b l and substantial concern attaches to issues such as licensed.
psychological distress" because of the "continu-The b~rief said the provisions of the Nr.tional ing impact" of the March 28 nuc: ear accident.
Environmental Policy Act on the matter hr.ve.
The commissioners said, however, that they been satisfied by previous environmentalimpact l had not determined "whether such issues can statements prepared by the NRC during the origi-legally be relevant" to the hearings on the pro-
, nallicensing of the reactor.
' posed reactivation of Unit 1, and they invited Although the environmental impr.ct state-parties to the proceeding to file briefs on the ments do not discuss psychologicai (;istress, matter.
"there was and is no legal requirement that the '
Several participants in the proceedings have statement contain such an ansylsis," the brief raised psychological distress as an issue, m, elud, said.
ing People Against Nuclear Energy, a Middle-Psychological distress shou:d not be consid-town anti nuclear group; Newberry Twp. Steer-cred now because it was not considered when the ing Committee on the Three Mile Island Accident, plant first was licensed, the brief said. Also, an i I
and Three Mile Island Alert Inc., a Harrisburg enforcement action by the NRC to suspend Unit
. anti nuclear group.
,j g.s operating license does not in itself require !
further study of environmental issues, the briel !
- said, i
"The present actio% suspension of the opc.a,
tion of the facility c.oes not require a new deter.
. mination of whether operation of the facil;ty is a ;
' major federal action significantly affecting the human environment' because of the enforcement nature of the action," the brief said.
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The Thornt orgh adminharation told the fed-ning in l'ebruary.
reactivating Unit I imtil various lavestigations eral Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Thurs-In asking last August for authority to partici-into the causes of t!w accident, the safety of the day that the federal government has a legal obli-pale,'Ihornburgh said:
site and the heahh and psychological effects on gation to consider any psychological stress that "It is my intention to see that no question the people of the area have been completed and activation of Three fdile Island power plants relating to the health, safety, and economic well-f ully considered.
inight cause on the area's population.
being of pennsylvania (itizens is neglected in this A week later, the commission voted to post-The position, contained in a brief filed with pr W."
lwne c nsideration of reactivating Unit I,and on the NRC imder the direction of Gov. Dick Thorn-ast June, jhe governor urged NRC Chairman Aug. 9, it established a year-long process to for-i burgh, argues that "the psychological health of Joseph IIendrie to postpone any move toward mally consider the question.-
the residents of Central Pennsylsania must he fully considered in the process of deciding the i future of Three Mile Island Unit 1."
i The state ascerts that statt-up of Unit I - the l undamaged of the two neactors on TMI - could i affect the quality of the human environment and is therefore covered by the Natienal Environmen-tal Policy Act.
The brief was filed under new outhority the NRC granted the commonwealth to submit evi-dence and question witnesses in upcoming hear-ings on the future of Unit 1.
Thornburgh sought that authority as an "in-j terested state"in a petition he filed Aug. 23 with the NRC. The commission agreed to,the request on Sept. 21, enabling Pennsylvania to participate fully in the hearings without taking an immedi-ate position on whether the facility in question should be reactivated.
Under the rules, the commonwealth is not precluded from taking a position later in the pro-Cess.
The commonwealth notes in its brief that the psychological issue " arises in this case in a man-ner unprecedented in NEPA case law." but cites "a developing body of case law indicating that certain manifestations of psychological distress are already cognizable (covered) under NEPA.
"The NRC has a duty under NEPA to evalu-ate, balance and minimize all adverse environ-mentalimpacts and should carry out these duties
. with respect to the issue of psychological stress in this proceeding " the commonwealth con-cludes.
NRC hearings on t!.e possible reopening of TMI-l are scheduled to run for 60 lays, begin-f
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c verdose of Stress A Significant Fallout from TMI A GILOWING body of sci-to the three-member Atomic entific evidence and thought Safety and Licensing Board implicates stress as a contrib-uting cause of a number of considering the merits of re-opening TMI I to decide modern-day diseases, among whether the psychological them coronary heart disease, ulcers, alcoholism and possi-fallout should be part of its bly cancer and diabetes. Like review and deliberations.
low doses of radiation, the ef-fects of stress on the human IN OUR VIEW, any deci-body are invisible - and thus sion in regard to the restart-difficult to track, and are not ing of the power stations on likely to manifest themselves Three Mile Island which ig-nores or whitewashes the until a lapse of time after the initial causative event.
trauma inflicted on the people It will take exhaustive re-of this region by the accident search to corroborate it, but - or ignores their understand.
there is little doubt that the able fear and apprehension of living with the pros single most significant health-repeat performance,pect of a threatening aspect of theacci-qualifies as a negligent and criminal act dent at Three Mile Island was of omission.
the creation of an excessive This area has paid its dues degree of stress in the general to the nuclear age with an un-population surrounding the plant.
precedented dose of mental anguish that no one who was While the Nuclear Regula-here will ever forget. Add to tory Commission has recog ' that the physical toil from this nized that " psychological distress" caused by the acci-psychic overexposure and one dent is "a matter of real and has the sum of an experience that only cruel or callous in-substantial concern," it left it difference would repeat.
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mGntal haalth coacciatisn in panncylvania s
founded as pennsylvania mental health, inc.
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Reply to: Harrisburg g
COPY July 27,1979
,aESIDENT Ch.nes D T a oai.a eisomeow,g..
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Herbert Pardes, M.D.
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Dear Dr. Pardes:
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The Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania, a statewide volunteer v. o.. -.,4 advocacy organization, was disturbed by the recent criticism aimed at the o~~~..
- iational Institute of Mental Health for its alleged failure to cooperate With the investigation of the Three Mile Island nuclear incident. After c c om,.
-akin 5 some inquiries, we discovere tha*. the -adia presentat M vaS not a
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E MECvTeve DimECTOR The ISAP urges that the IIDS accept the proposal to conduct a st.idy
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on the " Psychological, Behavioral, and Social Aspects of the T'!I :Tuclear Incident."
'4e ask that the :II:G give serious consideration to taking its internal review processes flexible so that this study can be approved, funded, and started without further delay.
An incident of international significance occurred at Three Mile I: land.
'de believe it to be vorthy of study to review a stress reaction model to assess en anxiety-producing and potentially disasterous event.
Information "hich can be used to develop psychological intervention pro-grams for victims of this particular event and other near catastrophie occurrences must be gathered and evaluated systematically.
'de emphasize that we recognize a critical need for a psychological, behavioral and social study to be conducted.
'Je hope that the approval process =cves quickly on this matter.
If cuestions or problems arise with the proposal, please let us kncv so that all interested parties (:'HAC, the Office of Mental Health /
D;'4, and the Pennsylvania Co=ission on TMI and others) can vork together en this timely T.atter.
l citizen advocates for mental health since 1952 e a state division of the mental health association
Herbert Pardes, M.D., Director July 27, 1979 IIIMH Pege 2 Cnce this study is underway, we suggest that longer range studies on the psychological impact and effects be developed as well.
We are eager for you to respond promptly and affirmatively to this request. Enclosed is a copy of a news release for your information.
Sincerely, Charles D. Thomas President CDT/ imp cc:
Lt. Governor William Scranton, Chairman, Pennsylvania Co= mission on TMI Secretary Helen O' Bannon, Pennsylvania Departr.ent of Public Welfare Secretary Gordon K. MacLeod, Pennsylvania Department of Health Robert Vandivier, Mental Health Association, IIational Office Enclosure
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For further infortnation contact:
Robert 'i. Evans, Executive Director Phone:
236-9363 For Release Saturday, April lh EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN A'ID ELDERL CITED IN 'dAFE OF ITUCLEAR INCIDENT HARRISBi1RG--The emotional needs of children and the elderly warrant special consideration as Central Pennsylvania residents recover psychologically fren the Three Mile Island incident, the president of the Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania stated today.
President Charles D. Thomas, chief of counseling at Elecesburg State College, said the disruption of family life and eminous news reports of recent days may have frightened and confused young children, the elderly and handicapped who do not have the adult emotional outleta afforded by participating in the mainstream of life.
Addressing the needs of the elderly and shut ins, Thomas urged citizens to cen.unicate with friends and neighbors in this group. The last two weeks have been particularly traumatic for these senior citizens, he said, noting they need an opportunity to vent their emotions, thus helping to prevent possible psychological' trauma later.
Dr. Abram M. Hostetter, Hershey psychiatrist, has found in his practice i
since the nuclear incident that the " cst stress was created by ec=plications of I
the dependent family." Such families include those '.rith disabled, elderly or invalid members.
He said the thought of evacuation posed a real dile.ma for these people.
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citizen advocates for mental health since 1952 e a state division of the mental health association
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Emotional Needs of Children and Elderly l
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Even though the crisis appears to be past, many young children may experience anxiety mIanifested in temporarily regressive behavior such as bed-1 i
vetting, nightmares and resistance. to leaving home or parents, disclosed t
Dot Landis, mental health education specialist at Holy Spirit Hospital Community Mental Health Center. She said it is important for families to talk together I
i about the feelings they have experienced.
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She encouraged parents to admit to their children that they were frightened i
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by the event of recent days.
Openly acknowledging feelings helps children to f
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diffuse their fear and relax again, the former children's therapist emphasized.
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She recommended that parents or anyone atte=pting to be emotionally supportive i
j to others first acknowledge their own feelings and accepting them as valid.
s Landis further advocated that families identify the source of their t
strength or comfort, whether friends, relatives or religion, as a means of relieving stress and gaining the ability to resume normal life.
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Drawing out feelin,gs through conversation requires a supportive, sympathetic f
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approach, Ralph Moyer, Jr., Administrator of the Dauphin County Mental Health /
Mental Retardation Program, explained. His advice was to avoid rumors, base j
j discussion on factual information and be a good listener.
Elaborating the point of constructive dialogue, Landis said that shut-ins often just need someone to listen to their concerns in an accepting, unjudgemental l
manner so they can reduce their tensions verbally.
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l As an example, when an invalid mother shares the fear that she may be left j
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behind in an evacuation, her daughter should encourage her to share all aspects
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of these feelings and not minimize them by interrupting to say evacuation is no l
longer imminent. The fear still may be very real to the elderly woman.
If her I
i feelings are not allowed free verbalization, they may become suppressed, leading I
l to serious emotional problems, Landis con.jectured.
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Add 2 Emotional Needs of Children and Elderly The elderly and others feeling a need to talk may phone Crisis Intervention's
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number at Holy Spirit Hospital's Community Mental Health Center.
Manned 2h hours a day, the number is 761-6013 Also offering the same service are Dauphin County Crisis Intervention, 232-7511 and CONTACT Harrisburg, 652 kh00.
To prevent psychological trau=a in people of all ages, Hestetter advocated action to change the source of fear from an unknown to a known entity.
Among his suggestions were: learn something about nuclear energy; consider geing to public meetings where dangers are discussed and listen to special programs on television or radio.
Hostetter underscored the importance of a healthy lifestyle to physically tolerate stress.
He cited proper diet, adequate sleep, activity and exercise along with temperance in alcohol and caffein consumption.
If stress continues or any unusual physical symptoms develop, consult your physician, Hostetter and mental health officials advised.
Two examples of prolonged stress manifestations, according to Moyer, would be inability to make decisions or concentrate on tasks.
A leaflet "How to Deal with Your Tensions" is being distributed in the area around Three Mile Island by the Tri-County Mental Health Association and a limited number of copies are available through the Harrisburg office, Executive Director John W. Clendenien reported. To request a copy, phone 233-0893
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