ML20058P905
| ML20058P905 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07000008 |
| Issue date: | 12/16/1993 |
| From: | Fess G Battelle Memorial Institute, COLUMBUS LABORATORIES |
| To: | Pierson R NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9312280005 | |
| Download: ML20058P905 (2) | |
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@Ballelle Puttmg in hnology 10 %b!L sus King Awnue Columbus, Ohio 43201-2693 Telephone (614) 424-6424 Fauimile (614) 424 s263 December 16,1993 Robert C. Pierson, Chief Licensing Branch US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards, NMSS Washington, DC 20555-0001
Dear Mr. Pierson:
Recently, some actions taken by Battelle Memorial Institute (BMI) to improve the management of its hazardous wastes have become an item of local public interest and of potential interest to the NRC.
Specifically, BMI has applied for a permit under the provisions of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) for a new hazardous waste storage facility with expanded capacity over the current facility. Public response to the BMI application has been limited but largely negative. A local citizens group, the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC), has taken the lead in organizing opposition to the application.
OEC has obtained and distributed copies of the preliminary findings from a radiation protection self-assessment conducted by BMI in July 1992 and has publicly stated that they will transmit the findings to numerous regulatory agencies, including the NRC, with a request that they investigate BMI. It is:
imponant that you have accurate information concerning this assessment. The assessment was a self-initiated, independent activity. It was designed to be both exhaustive and critical in nature. It was conducted for a BMI oversight group by independent subcontractors with technical expertise in health physics and it was to serve as a basis for improving the research and development (R&D) portions of the BMI radiation protection program even though the radiological hazards in this area are very limited. The reason for emphasizing this part of the program was that BMI had previously focused its attention on the BCLDP where the vast majority of our radiological hazards exist and which now has an excellent program. The assessment evaluated the radiation protection program against NRC -
requirements, DOE orders, and good practices. As expected, many areas of weakness were identified, but no instances were considered as significantly affecting worker or public safety or were NRC reportable in nature. Subsequently, BMI initiated a comprehensive corrective action plan and at this time the corrective actions are essentially complete. The overall result of the assessment is that a significant improvement has been made in the R&D portion of the BMI radiation protection program bringing it to the performance level of the BCLDP program.
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- Robert C. Pierson December 16,1993' Page 2 of 2 l
f Although self-assessments are often a difficult process, BMI is very proud of its efforts to continually i
improve its radiation protection program and its proven track record in ensuring the health and safety of employees and the public. We welcome any opportunity to review this particular self assessment with you or your staff. We also welcome an opportunity to discuss the current status of any aspect of our radiation protection program or to have it assessed by your organization. If you have any j
questions or comments please feel free to contact us at your convenience. We will continue to keep.
i your office updated on this item of local interest both through verbal communication with Don Joy and written communication to you when appropriate.
l Sincerely, 1
- Ma Mr. Gregory Fecs NRC Licensing Coordinator i
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