ML19320D729
| ML19320D729 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 07/01/1980 |
| From: | Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Sinclair W NATIONAL COUNCIL ON RADIATION PROTECTION & MEASUREMEN |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8007220129 | |
| Download: ML19320D729 (2) | |
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Dr. Warren K. Sinclair, President National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) 7910 Woodmont Avenue
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Bethesda, Md. 20014
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Dear Dr. Sinclair:
As a result of the March 28, 1979, accident at Three Mile Island Unit 2, a significant amount of contaninated water has been generated. A portion of the accident-generated water has been decontaminated through the newly constructed ion-exchange facility known as EPICOR-II and placed in storage in existing Unit 2 tanks. To date, approximately 330,000 gallons of contaminated water contained in auxiliary building tanks have been processed through EPICCR-II and another 140,000 gallons await treatment.
In additien, there are approximately 750,000 gallons of unprocessed
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accident-generated water in the reactor building sump and other contaminated water will be generated as decontamination activities progress in the auxiliary building and, eventually, to the reactor building. The ultimate disposition of accident-generated waste water, including alternatives for its decontamination, will be addressed in the NRC staff's draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement which is currently under preparation.
Additionally, I would welcome advice and technical expertise on this issue from respected organizations in the scientific comunity.
In view of the desirability of having an independent scientific organization such as the NCRP collect, analyze and disseminate information related to recovery activities at TMI, I am formally requesting the Council to undertake a study of the health and safety conset..ences associated with the disposition of decontaminated TMI-2 accident-generated waste water. Specifically, there are two disposal alternatives which have the potential for environmentally impactirg the 50-911e population around the Three Mile Island facility. Those alternatives include lischarge of decontaminated accident-generated waste water to the Susqudnana River via the plant nonnal discharge pathway and evaporation of decontaminated accident-generated waste water to the atmosphere acound the' plant. Both alternatives would result in the discharge of tritium i sco7220 M
Dr. Warren K. Sinclair p1 8
to the environment as tritium is not processable by practical means.
Should you decide to accept my invitation to participate in this important evaluation, the staff of the TMI Program Office can provide estimates of the source tenn of radioactive material discharges to the environment and related technical infonnation.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely, cricC:-d T H. 3. : n 3 !
Haro1d R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Distribution:
Chairman Ahearne Com. Gilinsky Comm. Kennedy Comm. Bradford Com. Hendrie ED0 SECY NRR R/F HRDenton EGCase BJSnyder RWeller BTravers ELD OGC JTCollins T!!I:P0 R/F TMI: Site R/F
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