ML20029B996
| ML20029B996 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/25/1990 |
| From: | Carr K NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Partsch F OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, OMAHA, NE |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20029B990 | List: |
| References | |
| FOIA-90-415, FRN-53FR49886, RULE-PR-CHP1 NUDOCS 9103220171 | |
| Download: ML20029B996 (1) | |
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i UNITED sT Aits NUCLE AR REGULATORY COMMISSION f
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July 25,1990
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UNA @MAls Mr. Frank Partsch Ecitorial Page Editor The World-Herald Vorld-Herald Squarv j
Omaha,-NE 681.0c
Dear Mr. Partsch:
I comend your ecitorial approach (July 6) to the Nuclear Regulatory Comission's recently-announceo policy statement on levels of radioactive material considered to be below regulatory concern.
4 You state that " Scientists should be disturbed, and teachers should be emb6rrassed,- at the tendency of some /t.ericans to debate scientific issues with'the rhetoric and tactics of political activism.' We at NRC certainly have seen and heard plenty of this since our pulicy statement was announced.
-Your call for calm, rationci consideration is most appreciated.
Let me explain' what we are seeking to accomplish. For many years there have been very low levels of radioactive material discharged to the environment in a safe manner.
Consumer products such as smoke detectors with tiny amounts of radioactive material have saved countless lives.
It is too early to make assumptions that additional low-level waste will be exempted, but if that occurs. I assure you it will be subjected to rigid regulatory controls.
Our policy statement provices a consistent guideline for consideration of future exemptions by the NRC.
It sets levels of radioactivity which, at most, would involve the exposure of some persuns to roughly equivalent the amount of radiation dose they receive from two roundtrip airline flights from coast to coast.
Most important, this policy will enable.us.to regulate the cleanup and decommissioning of nuclesr f acilities to levels that assure that the pubile will be protected. Safety is our responsibility, and it is a matter that we take most-seriously.
S incerely',
b M1 9103220171 910314 PDR FO!A BECKEM90-415 PDR
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