ML20003E476
| ML20003E476 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/25/1981 |
| From: | Hendrie J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Guiffrida L Federal Emergency Management Agency |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8104030566 | |
| Download: ML20003E476 (2) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES g
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION a s.
c WASHINGTOR D. C. 20555 v"7%/
March 25, 1981 CHAIRMAN
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/4 Mr. Louis Guiffrida j Ai'R 011981 >
Director "Mf78 1
Federal Emergency Management Agency V,3 Washington, DC 20472 4A p
Dear Mr. Guiffrida:
The Com'ssion is deliberating over the nature of the radiciodine hazard resulting from a large scale nuclear plant accident and is considering reasures over and above evacuation or sheltering that could provide protection to the general public to limit thyroid dose from radioiodine.
One such measure is the blocking of the thyroid gland with potassium iodide to prevent radiofodine uptake.
A major obstacle to proceeding with some method of proviaing potassium iodide for thyroid protection is the feasibility of providing a timely i
and reliable distribution system.
FEMA has the responsibility for the procurement, distribution and other logistical requireinents for the issuance of potassium iodide to the general public; therefore, the Commission believes that FEMA should institute a study to evaluate alternative systems for the use of potassium iodide so that an effective system could be put into place at the earliest possible time.
The study should include evaluation of each alternative, procurement procedures, distribution and logistics (including current and alternative manufacturer supply levels), shelf life and stockpiling, problems of misuse, implementation procedures, response time to implement, reliability to provide thyroid protection, the cost of implementation, and any additional advantages and disadvantages.
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The Commission believes it would be beneficial to have the product of l
.the study reviewed by State and local health officials to ensure that implementation procedures will be consistent with their needs.
The potential benefits of the use of this drug, as well as its potential side effects, were at issue in recommending its use.
However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nas studied this problem, and while they l
have approved the general use of potassium iodide as a thyroid blocking agent, they also will be completing further study of its potential side l
effects and of the projected radioiodine dose, the avoidance of which would justify its use.
In addition, the NRC has undertaken a study of the degree to which radioiodine inhalation can be reduced by use of i
simple respiratory protective devices such as a gauze mask.
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.e Mr. Louis Guiffrida '
NRC is continuing to review the likelihood of accident scenarios that mignt lead to significant radioiodine releases.
Effcrts are taderway by the NRC staff to provide within a month, an assessment'of the state of current technology concerning accident fission product release 'sfor-mation with special er% sis on iodine and aerosols.
The Comis lon will make no further deu sion on the advisability of recommending stockpiling of KI for the general public until that information is received.
The results of this FEMA study and of further FDA guidance on the admin-istration of potassium iodide and NRC. studies are needed by EPA, FEMA, t
FDA and NRC to put into effect a unified Federal policy for protective measures for use by the general public.
In the meantime, provisions for the use of radioprotectice drugs particularly for emergency workers and institutionalized persons within 'he plume exposure EPZ are included in present joint FEMA /NRC cuidance (.9UREG-0654, FEMA REP-1, Rev. 1, page 63).
We recommend '.ha)
EMA assure there is appropriate guidance for the administration of KI before requiring implementation for institutionalized members of the public.
In accordance with the joint FEMA /NRC guidance, State and local organizations' plans should include the methods by which State health department decisions for administering KI to the population will be made during an emergency and the pre-determined conditions under which such drugs may be used.
We would appreciate your thoughts on this proposal.
We would be happy to meet with you to explore the matter further.
Our staff contact for this matter is Mr. Brian K. Grimes (492-7415).
4 Sincerely, QoskhM.Hendrie cc:
Mark Novich, FDA Roger Mattson, EPA