ML19339B047
| ML19339B047 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 10/20/1980 |
| From: | Snyder B Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Stevenson A AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8011060221 | |
| Download: ML19339B047 (2) | |
Text
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ggI 2, D lir. & !1rs. Arthur C. Stevenson Spring Mill Road, RD #1 Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania 19317
Dear Mr. S 11rs. Stevenson:
i Your letter to Mr. Denton about the release of krypton-85 from the Three l
Ilile Island nuclear station was referred to me for response.
I regret that this answer has been delayed. The accident and its consequences have created a substantial increase in the agency's workload, which has prevented me from responding to you as promptly as I would have liked.
Metropolitan Edison Company subnitted to i:RC a " Safety Analysis and Environ-mental Report" (flovember 13, 1979) in which it evaluated alte: native methods for the disposal of the krypton gases, such as purgir.g and cryogenic processing, and selective absorption, f RC also evaluated alternative methods for disposal of the krypton gas to detemine what effect decontamination would have on workers, on the pubitc' health and safety, and on the environment. Based on its evaluation, flRC issued an envirornental assessment (!:UREG-0662 and two ad-denda) for public comment on Tiarch 26, 1980, and received approximately 800 comments. These comments were considered in the staff's preparation of the
" Final Environmental Assessment for Decontamination of the Three fille Island Unn 2 Reactor Building Atmosphere" (fiUREG-0662), vols. I and 2, copies of which are enclosed for your information.
From this process have emerged the following flRC staff conclusions:
- The potential physical health impact on the pubitc of using any of the proposed strategies for removing the krypton-35 is negligible.
- The potential psychological impact is likely to grow the longer it takes to reach a decision, get started, and complete the process.
- The purging method is the quickest and the safest for the workers on Three flile Island to accomplish.
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- Overall, no significant environmental impact would result from use of n of the alternatives discussed in the assessment.
On June 12, 1930, the Commission issued an Order for Temporary Modification of License. authorizing controlled purging of the krypton-85 from the reactor building atmosphere.
In a separate Memorandum and Order, also issued on June
- 12. 1980. the Comission divuesed ratinnale fnr ite: et nc i c:i n n.
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operations began on June 28, 1980, and were completed on July 11, 1930. The doses resulting from the purge were well within those predicted in section 7.1 of volume 1 of flRC's final environmental assessment. Copies of both Commission issuances are also enclosed.
In response to your concern about "the hazard to the health of the people in i
that area," the small dose of radiation that people in the area received cane from radioactive gases that escaped frca the auxiliary building. The average dose of radioactivity the population within 50 miles of Till received was ap-proximately 4 millirems. The maximum exposure to any individual was less than 100 millirens, which is less than the yearly dose each person receives as a re-sult of natural background radiation. Doses at these levels result in less than one health effect over the lifetime of all people in this area. Natural back-ground radiation people in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, area receive is ap-proximately 125 millirems per year. To put these doses into perspective, note that a traveler flying round trip by jet from New York to Los Angeles receives 5 millirms of cosmic radiation.
I appreciate your concerns and assure you that every effort is being made to ensure the continued protection of the health and safety of the public, not only at Three 1111e Island, but also at all nuclear power plants.
Sincerely, 6
Be ard J. Snyder, Program Director Three Mile Island Program Office Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation i
Enclosures:
1.
NUREG-0662, vols.1 & 2 -
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2.
Order for Temporary Modification of License of June 12, 1980 3.
ficmorandum and Order of June 12, 1980-l.
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3 November 30, 1979 Mr. Harold Denten Director, Nuclear :.eactor :.egulation Nuclear :.egulatcry."c==issicn
?lashington, D.C.
Dear Mr. Centon:
'rle are writing regarding Co==cnwealth's recuest to vent radioactive Krytten into the at=csphere at Three Mile Island.
- 'e are concerned about the hazard to the health of the people in that area, that are being repeatedly exposed to these so-called "ver/ amall a= cunts" of radicactive =aterials.
There is real potential with each release, accidental or planned, cf initiating sc=e fer= of carcinoma in unsustecting
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hosts, such as children.
"re strongly urge you to stop permitting the releasing of the hazardous =sterials into the at=cschere, and to consider insisting that they be concentrited and sealed in suitable centainers and buried safely in proper locations.
Sincerely, o
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' ' ' y' ( &[ULi.h L,.hMM's x M/M Arthur C. Stevensen Sprihg Mill Rd., R.D.1 Chadds Ford, PA 19317
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