ML20198Q379
| ML20198Q379 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/14/1998 |
| From: | Paperiello C NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Clements T GREENPEACE INTERNATIONAL |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9801230008 | |
| Download: ML20198Q379 (3) | |
Text
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January 14, 1998 Mr. Tom Clements Greenpeace Intemational Nuclear Campaign 1436 U Street, NW Washington, DC 20009
Dear Mr. Clements:
I am responding to your letter to Chairman Jackson dated December 19,1997, in which you expressed concern about a recent accident at sea (the partial sinking of the MSC Caria) involving the loss of radioactive cesium sources bound for the United Statet,. Specifically, you requested that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, in conjunction with the other countries
- nvolved, undertake a comprehensive investigation into the causes and implications of the accident. You also expressed your belief that there were flaws in the system of control over stuch radioactive materials, because NRC does not track each radioactive material shipment being imported into, or being exported from, the United States.
As to your request for NRC to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the accident, we do not believe that it is appropriate, for several reasons. First, NRC had no jurisdiction over the nuclear material being shipped at the time of the accident because the accident did not occur in U.S.
waters nor involve a U.S. flagged vessel. Second, there is no evidence that the radioactive cargo either caused or contributed to the cause of the accident. Third, there is no reason to believe that the lost radioactive cargo-cesium sources in accident-resistant packages, with an activity of approximately 330 terabacquerels (8900 curies)-ooses a significant 'isk to public health and safety, under the existing circumstances (i.e., ref-t;ng on the ocean bottom many miles offshore). Fourth, we understand that the French Institut de Protection et de Suret6 has le viewed the accident and determined that the impact on the marine environment "...should be negligible." Finally, we have provided a copy of your let'er to the U.S. Department of Transportation which is the agency that approves shipping packages used to import large quantities of radioactive materiale into the United States.
In addressing your concern on the current U.S. requirements for controlling and monitoring radioactive material shipments into the United States, I would like to point out that the United States has implementea various tracking and notification requirements for radioactive materials, based on the hazard, nature, and quantity of the material being shipped. The purpose of these requirements ranges from providing physical security for special nuclear material and spent fuel (as in 10 CFR Parts 70 and 73 of NRC's regulations), to awareness of hazardous materials above a certain threshold quantity, for the purposes of inspection and emerCency response (as in 33 CFR Part 160 of the U.S. Coast Guard regulations).
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r T. Clements 2-Since the cargo involved in this particular irstance was not special nuclear matenal nor spent :
fuel, and was being imported under a geneial licet. granted by NRC, there was no requiremer,t to notify NRC in advance of the shipment. Also, it should be noted that the activity of the cesium chloride sources involved in the accident was well below that threshold which would require a 24 -hour notification to the Captain of the Port, as required by Coast Guard -
regulations in 33 CFR 160.211.
Thank you for your interest in the safe transport of radioactive material. i trust this responds to '
your concems; Sincerely, Original signed by: William F. Kane for Carl J. Paperiello, Director Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Distribution: G970881 NRC F/C JCallan. EDO GCaputo 01 PUBLIC AThadani, EDO CStoiber, OIP NMSS r/f HThompson, EDO JLieberman, OE NMSS D/r/f PNorry, EDO PTressler, EDO SFPO r/f JBlaha, EDO CPoland.
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Since the cargo involved in this particular instance was not special nuclear material nor spent fuel, and was being imported under a general license granted by NRC, there was no requirement to notify NRC in advance of the shipment. Also, it should be noted that the activity of the cesium chloride sources involved in the accider.i was well below that threshold which would require a 24 -hour notification to the Captain of the Port, as required by Coast Guard regulations in 33 CFR 160.211.
Thank you for your interest in the safe transport of radioactive material. I trust this responds to your concerns.
Sincerely, Original signed by: William F. Kane for Carl J. Paperiello, Director Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Distribution: G970881 NRC F/C JCallan, EDO GCaputo,01 PUBLIC AThadani, EDO CStoiber, OIP NMSS r/f K7hompson, EDO JLieberman, OE NMSS D/r/f PNorry, EDO PTressler, EDO SFPO r/f JE'laha, EDO CPoland SBurns, OGC LGilbert KCyr, OGC Reviewed by E. Kraus, Tech. Editor 01-06-98
- See previous concunence.
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