ML20211D245
| ML20211D245 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 10/10/1986 |
| From: | Zech L NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Fascell D HOUSE OF REP., FOREIGN AFFAIRS |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20211D248 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8610220149 | |
| Download: ML20211D245 (2) | |
Text
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9 UNITED STATES N
q 8
1 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
{
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
/
October 10, 1986 CHAIRMAN The Honorable Dante B. Fascell, Chairman Committee on Foreign Affairs United States House of Representatives Washington, D. C.
20515
Dear Mr. Chairman:
This letter responds to your request of August 20, 1986 for comments by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission regarding H. Con.Res. 373.
This proposed resolution would express the sense of Congress concerning the need for international cooperative effort to identify individuals " exposed to.
^
radiation" as a result of the Chernobyl accident and to monitor their health in the interest of better understanding radiation exposure effects.
We share the concern expressed in this resolution and the purpose of H. Con.Res. 373.
Appropriate international action should be taken both to ameliorate potential health effects from the Chernobyl accident and, where possible, to obtain scientific information on the consequences of radiation exposure.
Developing firm conclusions on the effects-of ionizing radiation on individuals, particularly for low-level exposures, is difficult.
Interpreting data based on large numbers of exposed individuals in various environments in the uncontrolled circumstances of the Chernobyl accident will be a formidable task.
Nevertheless, we believe that the attempt must be made and agree that international cooperation is highly desirable.
The NRC believes that the early effects from high doses, as well as the delayed effects, need to be monitored.
We would recommend that the text of H. Con.Res. 373 (e.g., p.
1, para. 1, and first para. of text) be modified to direct attention primarily to individuals
"...who may be at significant risk of adverse health effects..." instead of addressing all individuals
"... exposed to radiation..." since the latter formulation would include individuals in Europe or parts of Asia who may-have only been exposed to very low doses of radiation.
This change would also result in conformance with language used in other parts of H. Con.Res. 373.
8610220149 861010 CD RE O
E E PDR
s The Commission defers to the Department of State on the issue of whether international cooperation in this area should be placed on the next summit meeting agenda.
We thank you for this opportunity to comment on H. Con.Res. 373.
Sincerely, N.
!N, Lando W. Ze
, Jr cc:
Rep. William S. Broomfield a
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