ML20046C698
| ML20046C698 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/29/1993 |
| From: | Kammerer C NRC OFFICE OF STATE PROGRAMS (OSP) |
| To: | Mobley M TENNESSEE, STATE OF |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20046C699 | List: |
| References | |
| REF-WM-3 NUDOCS 9308110383 | |
| Download: ML20046C698 (3) | |
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UNITED STATES o
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION E
WASHINGTON, D C. 20555 k.....p July 29,1993 Mr. Michael H. Mobley, Director Division of Radiological Health TERRA Building, Sixth Floor 150 9th Avenue, North Nashville, TN 37243-1532
Dear Mr. Mobley:
I am providing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff's assessment of radiological risks associated with disposal of contaminated sewer sludge from Erwin, Tennessee. Over the last several years, our agencies have cooperated in assessing options for disposing the sludge that is presently stored in the old digester at the Erwin Utilities Treatment Works in Erwin, Tennessee.
The elevated concentrations of enriched uranium and other radionuclides in the sludge apparently resulted from the reconcentration of the radioactive materials during treatment of the sanitary sewer stream in Erwin.
Based on our review, it is likely the reconcentration occurred even though the enriched uranium was discharged in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR Part 20.
The enclosed radiological assessment indicates that disposal of the contaminated sludge at the Carter County sanitary landfill or the Johnson City Regional sanitary landfill will not pose significant radiological risks to members of the public.
Reasonable measures should be taken to ensure that the sludge is not disposed of in a concentrated manner at either landfill, so that potential future residents on or adjacent to the landfill are not subjected to elevated risks from radioactive material in the sludge. We recommend that the sludge be disposed of over a period of several months at either landfill to prevent any significant accumulation of the sludge in an isolated area 'or cell-within the landfills.
We have also assessed an option for disposing of most of the sludge in the landfills and applying the remainder of the sludge to land in the vicinity of Erwin.
This option also appears acceptable in terms of the minimal radiological risks associated with potential future human exposure to the radioactive material contained in the sludge. However, we would recommend that implementation of the land application option include full disclosure of the radiological :ontents and risks associated with the sludge to affected communities and landowners.
In addition, we have assessed potential exposure of workers that would be involved in removing, processing, and transporting the sludge.
Based on this assessment, we believe that the worker protection provisions being implemented for hygienic reasons (e.g., respiratory protection and protective clothing) should be sufficient to ensure workers are not exposed to significant radiological risks.
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N Mr. Michael Mobley. If you have any questions or would like to discuss our assessment, please i
contact me at-(301) 504-2321 or have your staff contact Michael Weber in our Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards at (301) 504-1298.
r Sincerely, i
my arlton Kammerer, Director 1
Office of State Programs
Enclosure:
As stated i
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NFS Erwin Utilities I
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Mr. Michael Mobley - E 2 013E If you have any questions or would like to discuss our assessment, please contact me at (301) 504-2321 or have your. staff contact Michael Weber in our Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards at (301) 504-1298.
Sincerely,.
Original signed by Carlton Kammerer Carlton Kammerer, Director Office of State Programs
Enclosure:
As stated cc:
NFS Erwin Utilities plSTRIBUTION:
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