ML19322A424

Requests Explanation of NRC Failure to Investigate Allegations by Le Arnold of Parascience Intl Re Effects of TMI Accident on Populace

ML19322A424
Person / Time
Site:	Crane
Issue date:	08/08/1979
From:	Reed S PENNSYLVANIA, COMMONWEALTH OF
To:	Hendrie J NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML19322A422	List: ML19322A423 ML19322A424
References
NUDOCS 7910240554
Download: ML19322A424 (2)

Text

l COMMONWEALTH 08' PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE OF R E PR E S ENTATIV E S H ARRissuRo. PA.

1712o REP. STEPHEN R. REED August 8, 1979 Honorable Joseph M. Hendrie, Chairman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, District of Columbia

Dear Chairman Hendrie,

I am entirely baffled by the apparent refusal of the U.S.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission to have extensively reviewed the reports by hundreds of Three Mile Island area residents who, during March 28-31, 1979 primarily, and at times subsequent, experienced:

(a) metallic taste in their mouth (b) metallic or Iodine-like odor in the air (c) irritated and watery eyes (d) moderate or severe respiratory inflammation (e) gastro-intestinal dysfunction and diarrhea

( f) disruption of the menstral cycle in females (g) skin rashes (some appearing as radiation burns)

(h) sharp, abnormal pains in joints.

The U.S. Public Health Service and Pennsylvania State Dept.

of Health are jointly conducting a survey of TMI area residents to record medical histories so that the full health consequences o f TMI ' radiation releases in the next 25 years will be documented.

That is all fine and should be done. But why is there a complete dismissal by the NRC of any immediate indications of exposure to levels of radiation higher than what were immediately thought the first dates of the accident?

Psychosomatically induced ailments are possible with some, but not with hundreds or even more persons and I uggest this matter has been conveniently laid aside.

NRC is charged with ascertaining f details about the 2

TMI accident. You are further charged with kn ving the full effects of even low level radiation on populat.' 'ns near to nuclear reactors.

Failure to pursue the aforementioned reports from TMI area residents is' a dismal failure of your most important safety responsibilities to the tens of millions of people living near reactors, not to men-tion the people around TMI.

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,i Page Two Honorable Joseph M.

Hendrie August 8, 1979 I therefore recommend that all available expertise be applied to ascertaining the cause of these physical ailments associated with the TMI accident and a completely accurate public disclosure made of its cause and the level of radiation or contamination that people may have been exposed to. The inability of both Metropolitan Edison and the NRC to know even to this day (or at least to have disclosed if you actually do know) the levels of exposure is in itself a major, most serious failing of' pre-TMI accident obligations by both parties.

And if it is determined that the exact cause of these physical ailments cannot be determined due to the lack of adequate research on the subject pre-TMI, then the public should know the extent to which we indeed are unprepared to deal with nuclear plant emissions.

Yurssin6srely,{

N' f,

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. $ 1 f -.w&J STEPHEN R.

REED State Representative cc: NRC Commission Members Hon. Gordon MacLeod, M.D.

ParaScience International TMI Alert-

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