ML19308B328

Responds to Re Wa Arsenault 790815 Questions. Approx 14 Mci of Noble Gases & 15 Ci of I-131 Released Into Atmosphere in First Month Following accident.Xe-133 Was Detected in Ny Several Days After Accident

ML19308B328
Person / Time
Site:	Crane
Issue date:	11/21/1979
From:	Gossick L NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To:	Holt M HOUSE OF REP.
References
NUDOCS 7912280411
Download: ML19308B328 (4)

Text

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 3,, '

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gv f g.g The Honorable Marjorie S. Holt United States House of Representatives Washington, D. C.

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Dear Congresswoman Holt:

I am writing in reply to your letter of August 21, 1979 to Mr. Carlton Kammerer regarding questions submitted to you from Mr. Walter A. Arseneault of August 15, 1979.

I regret that this answer to your letter has been delayed.

I will respond to Mr. Arseneault's questions in the order in which they were posed.

Question 1.

How much radioactive material has been released to the atmosphere since the Three Mile Island accident?

Approximately 14 million curies of noble gases (mainly xenen-133) and 15 cur'ies of iodine-131 were released into the atmosphere in the first nonth following the accident.

Since that time, the periodi: releases that have been made are within the technical specification limits for normal facility operation.

The doses and health effects of these releases are discussed in detail in a report prepared jointly by the Nuclear Regulatory Coanissicn, the Department Of Health, Education and Welfare, and the Environmental Protection Agency. The report discusses doses to the skin (pages 66-70), inhala:icn doses (pages 70-74),

and thyroid doses from the ingestion of milk (pages 74-77).

The NRC staff reports that there have been no significant releases of noble gases since April 7,1979.

I am enclosing a copy of the report, " Population Dose and Fealth Impact of the Accident at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Station" (NUREG-0553), which addresses the question of health effects in greater detail.

Question 2.

What is the radius in miles of traceable amounts of radioactivity which has resulted from these releases to the atmosphere?

The Population Dose and Health Impact report estimates the dose to the population within a 50-mile radius of the Three Mile Island Site.

However, the distance radioactive material travels in the atmosphere from its crigin depends on prevailing weather conditions, particularly the wind.

Usir.g extremely sensitive monitoring equipment, New York state officials detected rir.ute traces of xenon-133 in Albany, New York several days after the accident.

79122804///

The Honorable Marjorie S. Holt.

Question 3.

How many times has contaminated water been released into the Susquehanna River, and what were the levels of radiation in each case?

Continuing releases of water containing low or nondetectable levels of radio-activity, as allowed by the Comission's Statement of May 25, 1979, a copy of which is enclosed, have taken place since the accident.

Releases of TMI-2 intermediate or high level activity waste water is not permitted, even after decontamination, by the May 25 Statement.

Prior to decontamination and disposal of any intermediate or high level waste water, the impact will be evaluated by the NRC and the evaluation will. be made available to the public.

As a result of releases containing only low or nondetectable levels of radio-activity, the levels of radioactivity in the Susquehanna are indistinguishable from existing background levels at public water supply intakes from the river.

These levels have been confirmed by ir. dependent measurements made by the NRC, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Comonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Question 4.

Is this contamination liable to affect the marine animals in the river and in Chesapeake Bay?

Experts from the Nuclear Regulatory Comission, the Department of the Interi.or, and the Environmental Protection Agency met with officials from Pennsylvania and Maryland to discuss possible effects to the Chesapeake Bay.

We have concluded that Chesapeake Bay aquatic life will be unaffected by water discharges at Three Mile Island.

Question 5.

Will the water in the Susquehanna still be suitable as drinking water for the millions of peopia that depend on this source today?

As a result of releases to date, the levels of radioactivity in the Susquehanna River are indistinguishable from existing background levels at public water supply intakes from the river.

These levels have been confirmed in independent measurements made by the Nuclear Regulatory Comission, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Comonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Question 6.

What is the present plan of action to clean up the contamination, and how is the project going to be funded?

At the present time, Metropolitan Edison is preparing an action plan for the cleanup of the facility. When the plan is submitted to NRC, it will be thoroughly reviewed. Metropolitan Edison is responsible for all expens' ; associated with actual cleanup operations.

Question 7.

In your opinion, what is the future of Atomic Power Generation, l

based on this accident and reports of other malfunctions which l

have been recently reported in the news media?

The former Atomic Energy Comission (AEC) had a congressional mandate to develop and promote nuclear energy. When the AEC was abolished in 1974, the NRC was l

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a The Honorable Marjorie S. Holt created by Congress for the sole purpose of regulating the commercial production of nuclear energy. The U.S. Department of Energy is now responsible for the federal government's nuclear research and development activities.

Consequently, questions about the future of this energy source should be directed to that agency.

I am enclosing a copy of NRC's Annual Report which explains NRC's regulatory role and activities.

Sincerely,.

ORIG!NAL g;3nzo W R.G. SMif, Lee V. Gossick Executive Director for Operations

Enclosures:

1.

NUREG-0558 2.

NUREG-0591 3.

NRC Annual Report 1978 I

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702 Calvsrt Lano Fort Washin6 ton, Md. 20022 15 Aug 79 United Statos ConEressman The Honorable g,.$g[Odi/hQE['.v,0 Marjorie S.

Holt Fbuse of Representatives Washin6 on, DC f-17pgg t

Dear ConEressman Holt :

Since the nuclear accident at Three Mile Island there

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have been numerous news reports indicating that radioactive materials are beinE released into the atmosphere and also into the Susquehanna River.

I am becomin6 incerasin6 7 1

l more concerned as time passes.

There are several questions that I would appreciate answers to.

Would it be feasable for you to refer these questions to an agency that can provide specific answers 53 to the followinE questions :

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1. How much radioactive material has been released to the atmosphere since the Three Mile Island accident ?

l 2.

What is the radius in miles of traceable amounts of j

radioactivity which has resulted from these releases to the

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atmosphere ?

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3. How many times has contaminated water been released into the Susquehanna River, and what were the levels of radiation in each case 7 f:5.

4 Is this contamination liable to effect the marine animals in the river and in Chesapeake Bay ?

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5. Will the water in the Susquehanna still be suitable as drinkin6 water for the millions of people that depend on this source today 7

6. What is the present plan of action to clean up the (

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.i Eoingtobefunded7\\}7yO'ir contamination, and how is this project

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7. In your opinion, what is the future of Atomic Power YA

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Generation, based on this accident and reports of other malfunctions which have been recently reportedin the news y

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-media 7 I appreciate the time that you spend in preparation of a response to the above questions and eaEerly await your reply.

l Sincerely, Walter A. Arseneault

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