ML20207B614
| ML20207B614 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/19/1988 |
| From: | Russell W NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Tharpe D AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20207B620 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8808020397 | |
| Download: ML20207B614 (2) | |
Text
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JUL 191988 i
Donna C. Tharpe 7805 Archbold Terrace Calvin John, MD 20818
Dear Miss Tharpe:
This is in response to you~ letter of June 12, 1988 concerning the irradiator being built by Terumo Corporation in Elkton, MD.
First, we should explain that the State of Maryland gets its regulatory e
authority from the fact that Maryland is an NRC Agreement State. On January 1, 1971, an agreement became effective between the NRC (then the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) and the State of Maryland whereby the State assumed regulatory authority over the use of byproduct material (such as cobalt-60), source materials and small quantities of special nuclear material.
There are currently 29 such Agreement States.
There are approximately 37 large irradiators licensed in the U.S., 23 licensed by Agreement States. The NRC periodically reviews the Agreement State programs to assure that the states maintain the capability to adequetely protect public health and safety. The i
State of Maryland radiation control program has had experience in the regula-tion of large irradiators and has in fact been innovative in its approach to i
irradiator regulation. As an example, Maryland is the first regulatory agency to require a stainless steel liner in such irradiators.
4 With regard to the potential for environmental release of radioactive material, a number of points should be kept in mind.
The Terumo irradiator will have a i
i stainless steel liner with a gas channel system for the detection of water i
leakage from the pool. At the State's request, personnel from NRC Region I conducted tests on the pool liner and found the quality of the pool liner fabrication acceptable.
In addition, there will also be a water monitoring system for the detection of pool water contamination which provides an early indication of source leakage.
These, as well as other safety systems, reduce the risk of environmental release of radioactive material.
With regard to the conduct of public hearings, there is no federal requirement that hearings be held prior to the issuance of a license for a facility such as the one being constructed in Elkton. Our technical staff has, on occasion, L
met with local officials in areas where NRC maintains jurisdiction to discuss any concerns they may have. The NRC, therefore, does not require Agreement i
States to hold public hearings in such Itcensing actions.
This does not i
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preclude the state from holding hearings and we suggest that any request for a hearing in this case be directed to the Maryland Department of the Environment.
Sincerely, Ur1 1nal Signed By:
8 William T. Russell Regional Administrator cc:
State of Marylcnd W
R!s4p RA F: RA Mp)uth/ms lan (usell 7/l.I/88 7/l 88 7/I /88 0FFICIAL RECORD COPY THARPE 7/14/88 - 0002.0.0 07/15/88