ML20217Q737

Responds to from Senator Chafee,Which Transmitted Recipient Ltr Expressing Concern About Contract Between DOE & British Nuclear Fuels Ltd,For Sale & Recycling of Contaminated Metals from U Enrichment Facility

ML20217Q737
Person / Time
Issue date:	05/01/1998
From:	Callan L NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To:	Florsheim K AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
Shared Package
ML20217Q741	List: ML20217Q737 ML20217Q743 ML20217Q746
References
NUDOCS 9805110069
Download: ML20217Q737 (16)

Text

_ +

Ms'. Kathie Florsheim -

P.O. Box 2387A Providence, Rl 02906

Dear Ms. Florsheim:

I am responding to a letter of April 2; 1998, from Senator Chafee, which transmitted your letter dated February 27,1998. You expressed concern about a contract between the U.S.

Department of Energy (DOE) and BNFL, Inc. (BNFL), for the sale and recycling of contaminated -

metals from a uranium enrichment facility, We have discussed the contract with DOE and the'

State of Tennessee. Our understanding is that the. contract involves decommissioning DOE buildings in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. As such, the work performea by BNFL at the Oak Ridge site is not under the regulatory jurisdiction of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

However, some contaminated material may be sent for decontamination to Manufacturing Science _ Corporation (MSC), a private facility in Oak Ridge. MSC is licensed by the State of Tennessee, an NRC Agreement State, to process radioactively contaminated materials. If the material is decontaminated to criteria established by the State under its agreement with NRC, it is released for unrestricted use. If the material cannot be decontaminated, it is retumed to DOE for disposition under DOE regulatory authority. The criteria established by the State are consistent with NRC guidance. By copy of this letter, we are referring this inquiry to DOE, for:

response to yr 'nd Senator Chafee,' concerning matters relating to DOE's regulatory authority.

Your letter exp. ass concerns about transporting contaminated material and the disposition of decontaminated material. ' For your general information, attached are two NRC documents generally applicable to your concems.- The first document, titled NRC Reaulators of Nuclear Safety, discusses transportation of radioactive material on page 19. The second document, titled " Biological Effects of Radiation," provides, a comparison of exposures to radioactive material from both man-made and material sources. <

Your letter also expresses concern about potential rulemaking by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and NRC. Although EPA, DOE, and NRC have had preliminary discussions regarding potential rulemaking concerning the recycle and reuse of decontaminated materials, no formal plans have been made in this regard, if the NRC does proceed with -

rulemaking, we would follow our standard procedure, which would provide for public comment.

//

/j I trust this letter responds to your concems.

/) /

Sincer6I indSignedby '

L.J.Canan L. Joseph Callan W

Executive Director for Operations cc: Senator Chafee William Murphie, DOE EM-42 DR ' [E PDR [""""

<iIh Q ..L

~

p, g..- gas- 3' w

yW

• g g f k (, CW 1

l l

DISTRIBUTION: EDO G980222

> Central Files s . LLDP t-r/f DWM r/f DWM t/f NMSS r/f CPoland EDO r/f LCallan NMSS DO r/f RJohnson PTressler AThadani PNorry SBurns EMerschoff HThompson DRathbun PUBLIC ACNW SECY-CRC-98-0315

• SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE DOCUMENT NAME:A:\chafee.res (Diskette attached)OP/ PROOFED /APRK. 30,1998 OFC LLDP* T.ED* LLDP* LLDP* OGC

• OSP*

NAME THarris/cv EKraus RNelson JHickey BReamer PLohaus DATE 4/14/98 4/14/98 4/17/98 4/17/98 4/17/98 4/17 /98 OFC DWM* NMSS* DEDR - EQEr) OCA NAME JGreeves CPaperiello HThdhon LCD DRathbun DATE 4/19/98 4/22/98 4){998 hY/98 4/ /98 / /98 l

1 i

to nto p  % UNITED STATES

. 1*

2 j NUCL' EAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20666 4 001 S

g ***' ** * # May 1,_1998 Ms. Kathie Florsheim P.O. Box 2367A l Providence, RI _02906 j J

Dear Ms. Florsheim:

I am responding to a letter of April 2,1998, from Senator Chafee, which transmitted your letter dated February 27,1998. You expressed concern about a contract between the U.S.

Department of Energy (DOE) and BNFL, Inc. (BNFL), for the sale and recycling of contaminated metals from a uranium enrichment facility. We have discussed the contract with DOE and the State of Tennessee. .. Our understanding is that the contract involves decommissioning DOE buildings in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. As such, the work performed by BNFL at the Oak Ridge ,

site is not under the regubtory jurisdiction of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

However, some coreaminateci material may.be sent for decontamination to Manufacturing Science Corporation (MSC), a private facility in Oak Ridge. MSC is licensed by the State of Tennessee, an NRC Agreement StEte, to process radioactively contaminated materials. If the material is decontaminated to criteria established by the State under its agreement with NRC, it is released for unrestricted use. If the material cannot be decontaminated, it is returned to DOE for_ disposition under DOE regulatory authority. The criteria established by the State are consistent with NRC guidance. By copy of this letter, we are referring this inquiry to DOE, for response to you and Senator Chafee, concerning matters relating to DOE's regulatory authority.

Your letter express concerns about transporting contaminated material and the disposition of decontaminated material. For your generalinformation, attached are two NRC documents generally applicable to your concerns. The first document, titled NRC Reaulators of Nuclear Safety, discusses transportation of radioactive material on page 19. The second document, titled " Biological Effects of Radiation," provides, a comparison of exposures to radioactive ,

material from both man-made and material sources.

~ Your letter also expresses concern about potential rulemaking by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and NRC. Although EPA, DOE, and NRC have had preliminary

1, l  !

I discussions regarding potential rulemaking concerning the recycle and reuse of decontaminated materials, no formal plans have been made in this regard. If the NRC does proceed with~

i rulemaking, we would follow our standard procedure, which would provide for public comment.

I trust this letter responds to your concems.

Sincerely, L. Ji ep a an Exe utive Director for Operations

Enclosures:

As stated cc: Senator John H. Chafee w/o William Murphie, DOE EM-42 enci I

1 i

I 4

l l

f l.

t l

.y,, ;,. ' . , - . * ..'

r'; .. . . . , . . ..

.; q [ '.' . . . :...:...

c .

w.

....L. L . . ._._... ...;; ., 3. - .,.. .). ; . . . . .3

% [y_ . , ' _ _.. .

. 7.

.;.. - _. --_  %..,  ;- .. r . . .

' .. . ..' . - .',-l,'. .,...-

....r. , . _ , ..,

,L;.

, ;; n . .: ,

'?,

,.jf,j' 4 . .. , ,. ' '

_; . '; .. . .?, ', . ,. . . , ' , . ' 'E.., , .

l . ,. .

- - l , . . 4

.g ..,

. * . _ . , - .,.t. ,- . - "'

\', ,,' '

3-c b, ,, , '1

"'((..

a s ', 'f

,

• l h '; ' , % i , .' ,, _ ; .  ?" i , ',

' l . - ' . ' ' _ . .. ':  :. _ , . '_ I* , . * * '  ?

. l ' '. ..

. T

.s

• • _l~..'.,..; i,I ; . '

. p.

, , .N,. _ , ., ]. ,. _

;. (:- ' .,./.'.._

.l ,.:..?

O'.. ** ' N.'e , .' . ,; * ' , , . . ^

u . N.ff?fly.'Y E v' ?- 'm" .!,'. 'r -' .J'a; '., -%...;:'*.? .?.,i

...., '?

.....'_..",.?.

'...I ' ' ' . . , , *-?

. . - '. ' %fN v.i. . .,

."^rlf: . \,V ls

". ?. '[Q. .~ .k.h f.4% -h5 }A ' ' c ..p p\l.< ,>*G,_* n,.s . . _' ... . .,.

, ey%.w,

,;.-.!_' _g

-p-  :* f, ~ L . l s jll '* :, , _ _ , , , ,

, .:.y

• s..y ., . '. ..

~

,l.

. ;.. .,5 ' .o. . . 'g'..,.n...%.,;;;g I' '. "

. . . . ..Q- ., .,, Q, ,, R '; : l7 . ', - .-. , , . :;.

. y'. ..t. .4 ' . *,p ^;..

,n.. ,

_:n ;- Q.q%'

g.g.' 4( )_/(y q ., ;_i . . ., _ , :

.r, 3 . . . .f .

m

".*y '; . ~4'.s', ,,=a tn#i * ,,, ,, ,. . * .. .._. .

, f. -t

' . _ , :.* , .l.,gh., . .

..g., ,...;,. ..*.y.

c

.2.,

1.y.y,f,,.n,,,....,;,,,_

,,,1 i' l -:. e. *g . . ..spj 6=. .,-. .,. ., . ,.

, , . . ~ ...i. - ...' . ..:.

g .g~.  :,-. ~,

,.1g.,'..,,,.,.

 ; t

'l .

T**b

.._. r , ,

.. : .;. . . .. .s, . ' '- -

c. ,; ; . , yy,t ,

t

[. ', . ' , '_ . , , .

..n .

u

'.,4,,..

• ,.7.. ';' ',* '

+ .

.ae;- ,. . . , . . .<~ , .4 r

n, (;{ p ., l.,

.. ... .. c b( * .i. .,,.,'..

.,c. . . . . , * . . ' ...' -S.e

,_ ,, ' ,_' *,g.. o. . _ . , . ',. . ,' . . . . ,,. -. , .

_a:,

v.,. _..  ;

• Af Q., .'?' g. _.-)g. ' ' ,

s

.. . . fy ,,J

'.,-l'l.. , . ' . ;;-' [-.

. 'qai : ,

. . *3,

.p; .

^ ;' -

l

'..l..'..;.

l. l [ N.. l:lll Q '.fr _

• *h .

. fff *

,_ , ? f:l ' $

.l: _ ,

_Qy'  ?  : -

. . ' ' ' 4 l

. 4f,

. c 1 ; .. J - 3, '

p .

.( . gg; . ..y $ . J.. > ,('y._.g- Sf b 7'g

- * ~ -

y H"',

.- ,f

4 .

..1 j 8

.kI ' , .

4 ' -'

,,k,,,..t...t

. .i /gp/g.*;;~..qd,,

, . , g ,. . ; . .y'. ,g q,,"'

,.- . , .- . . - g .

.n ' .f  ; <.. -.

. . . . , ,yg ... i '* -,, ,

,g : . . - .,y - f'% --

sr. . Og -? p '

p N h, . .

$ ' .- ',f., , -

p

_..:. , , ' , - _ :g *'..'_';a. \ *.

'..q.

l, .\ . .-

_r,'. .),

- l.? ... s ; ._l,.;. :) "_

1

• .-W, .

.g Qe , .gne , 4p,,. ;  ; :'-  ? l

f. 'y lf.' a. ; . '},.

f*'_:. ,' '

y , s;.'E .,, h ' "

,;I w

.. , 'I

. ;;;. l5 '

. , .' ~

... - . _,.'.' 6: u;.

g , ,j, pl:.  : ;- ,y . ;;'

' 7' .;  ; .  ;. . .;.>

J, ~

. '_ - t

, . 4.m . Y p 4.1 t .g%.,.

,f. ,[ '

c., '. -

1, : '.',._.,.- A'

- '> ' 1 ,.: ; '

• h

' . . _[ . "

l~ ..

.; ,

• y r .' . ,': - '

[' * '

'.~.

,..9,9 ,

(,...- , *

, , g. 9,,, : , > .. ; , .

.,.; l .

i '

v..  : '%

y

.t *f.

,  ;- . , . - ' - . , ;.,g -

f, , , .. .

'y . . , , " .,

. ;..:... ' , ' ./ . ;p...( .' ' ' '.' ,: '

l "'k.' .

' ./ g..,  ; "-'

': .; .f.g J:m ' W . -( . .'..', Ye ' *;.y3  ;'?l_ .

. } . ' '.[

<. } ', . : , . ' ,' .,. j , *; ' ; '

,.h . , , ..' (O

/h, g',. ,'(y : : - ., p.?:' '- '

, .. l ' ..

l

. *; * ; .l .

..._s,..q .

~;.....

. _ . . _ . . - : .~ ..

p.

' ., ( f, .;,Q, . ,. ' ' ;g }l _ _ _ ' ; ., , c.

s.y .l' .W. .g .

.. f. i ,7 _

- h. ' . . Q , ,' ,c '.. .' '

,',. ', ' ' . f-_ _

. ,. f ,3 Q:'] .; ,;

- .;.,,_ , y, '.y';_..'

. . . - . .. . - _u,-

_; . y). ..;. :

ff . - .%

,< e._,.,:. ...,;~ _

.. . eme -

-g.- s

.._ q;.-r ,; . p .  ;

. . :l . ',' ? '

'l ' ' _j _ " , ; _ , ,' , '

- g

.'_.L*_ {

' ., . l .. '..'. p,. . if f . / .if. :l' lYlj,c.t -l ;'lq:. z

. * ' ' ;l_ " .l; ' .. l  ; }, ,: ' ?,' 'rSp. .[ ,

e.

. ,. .(. .c '9.,.,)<,3 r .5- e. s .,.,,,,.,'r..,

'yj.!,:

. .'.4 .. -', MAL.., .,., .

"p.".'-'

.';- ' A; - - ,- -  : e T . ..: w .,1;.. . ; ; , . ' . -

..2,. ,

-s .: .;.,',..,..li.

, . . . ...,6.,..

.. , 2 k j.[. l_ .lh .e .i' _ ;l [

'.,'s lg '... ' ,. y . ,l .,

'. h l,f- l

.".?,'

' '. :. . - ' ~, .' ':.

.. '.-.' .- ':,. ., ," f -[3  :

• l_ Y("?, ';. -J' -'

^

.' h. . '

'. *

• C . *l. ;; 3 ,*. ', ' . . J . * * .:, .. q :;';::f ", - - '.,: , 'k W

' ' . ' .,.. .'f._ l ' . h.'

, E , ' '. *g. *)

;

._ - 'l{- f.f't . . ,5,. r, ' y. . ..'e.:.,,Q.

3:. lt;.. 's " . .- '  ;'.,,.,

. f.gl *L i ..'. . . . . ' ; ., . :. [ ._ _: _ . ; _ -l-e- '2 '

.' ' . T' , a h',,* -% .,"' h[ll. "... ' 4':'. ;i...f.  % _' D. :

.% - ' b'

^

',' x: . ":*' f*.

7,'l , [..  : .' ' ;-v .. ". .*..'?.l..': - . l.'a

':l s

,.n, ',..: - l . ~ ' * *

' j ' _ ,;. . e.;l s 'y*c.yy y :; .+v..,;.R', . Q-'f.A

,'. I i * [} '* '. K l. * . _' ' _' . a {" '.' .' .4.;

(,, 3 ', . .

. T g -; -

'.Q; .,d : . .

' /. -l [ Y

, ]J!? l^ .. f. s ' . . ..;NY._"f{.j ',

' : [ . ' . l j , ' ' ,'[I, ' . ~ &.'; - l; ~ Y g ',',.** ._ Y: : ,

_L.'

L l'. .: _

~

1. 9.~ [

, .' ,: ,, . . . ' , ' . . ' . . . . . . l: ' . ; ":, I' -

? . h' . . lW:.' 4

.S *

'i' gn; ; ,'., '. . - },...l. . .;.. ' ;..-

'%-t. . ' . . .

,-y,'- ..a :s .s; *a *% .J 3

'W'7 h i .?

j glq- Q_l .;-

' . , .%. p!, ,:;.,,-

4 '; , ; *

..; .4% t 5 }' . i " j; .,' b.'.r ll% ; y

.. . q,r_ s_

-. :l:g fh ?, .If. 3,.?. k'I? W.l.h

_r..

( - -

?;

.l $ i k j f. ll' [ '".',i ' . . # I -lli -N.k%,;k,,. ;

. - ^'

. ,..IO.. ' ' ' , .. ,

':;)i $ , 0j,f :;[, '.:..'N:

.,[:a.*:: o , l, _ . * , .'.,..'.;  !. .I'.~ 'f. _ * '.; s . ,(. $

.,s-

',;. .c

~f,

'I.' ".

.* , , .*; s..,....?.- . ', c S : h. . ( -.i,.

.a .

:

.g.,..+;..,u...- . ' . . * ,

s-*

, i

,.s c

- -p. h.

. :. *.. .. w; 7.g.,.  : ; .. . .

3  : - -

-?--~_ .-*..'.:*' *; .; -. f.;

. s

. , , . t , ,. , .* s:.tv . . . .*:. ..; . .."s . . A. . 's. '. . .,: ..

.n..:, ' .ew*

.*L. M;. . .,c,

l.2. e.

',, _ f...- . .. : . l l ' * - .; ' -: 'b. .. -.' ' , ' .,f ( . g . ' ; ."p;  ;*' *;1,: 'J  ; j,l- y

.. ;. .;-,' ?

' c. c;l. .;b.n;

'. . . . , , .' - ~; ' . : .., .; . . ' .[ q. .l%:' '

. l,;.i . , . _ . j,r . G. =l lc ,sy ;.;;, ,

[4 / .. : ..[@ .,,L. . ,

c;,:Q'. u:, ,j c.:l

' '7 *- Ah.,1,7 %.:<.g., t..Qj . :l .::-c. r e '. .. . .. < > ,, . ' , . . i ; : . .i. j . ,': i, '; M. r ,

. ; . * ; . z.,.. ..y;, i;aj '.

i. :.. . r, s,.; ;_:'._,'... . T. _ , s

'. Q(. .ip;

. , , ....,.n.f..... . . ..,';'ll

,. l: t *! l . :'l,_ il .y'r . . ., .'.. , .;:J-j .; [ l ; ; ? *'. *.' h. . .'. i ,~' ..;

, '.;_ N ;..l,. l _ ; ,

Y

• y ..;, [ u.

. .,.3.., .. .* . .;,. . ,f.';.' , w . , l,, -

.; '; .?.,. ;.-

.,,y. , . ; , , ;. , . . . ,:- . .;.v.....,

~.-

.. - . ^ .:.

, . . ,.n .-7. . . . ,  ;':.,...,:..y,,...~.;..+s,. ..... .

v- 7. , y. , ., . . .-. ,,

..d

' ; "'l. ' '_. _.'$ f '?.- .' -._,';; f ;<,\; ;_: ?a  : " . ' . ,l- l ' ^. .'; r. ^,' _ ,;j fY : ., j,. .

,jY l

• [

......:.,...;,,.a y.;.,,._.-

n;. ;; ,.',r . , . . ;. l- p. ;*

• .,;, ..; . p..' t

'r ., -

'.'w,.. t; . ,;. .

y.; , ,, ; , ' .-; ,, ., . , . . . ,; , ..,,.,, ; ;

. e 'r.

..y,g:,-  :, ,'.,',. . <. .

3;

?fg- g' ,.l , *,; _. ,(, . . .

~..y.g ,y; ' e, P" ..', L. .1 ., , '; .., ' .:  ;;:,..* ;s;p, .,.e q-..,

M. ,.s. ' .. ..g., > :;.'f '::.N .9 . ,, yp . :.

. f .L , :, W g

.,8;...'..;.i:;

., ' :n. .,

, -. v...,s,....v . , .... ..

g , . . .

.,,a. ..

- ...,: ,.  : ,. .... .. .; .d 7.,;g. -

-.;,..,.,..-s

.. . . . ,.4

. ,:' :. , . ;. ...'y. .:s.y .. . a. ..:

.n g y j,....

,. - _ l ;,:: - ' . :; . . ; ~ . ,:

.....;7.; ..., .. :...:./,..+.:.,- ..

' .i. . , .

.: . . . ..::v ,. ;a

..c . ;; . _:

n;.. . _; y)y <. .:

. . , .  : w.

.; ; o. . . n;' . , ;. ' . 6,. .

.u  : ..

n. -

. . .; ..o .

..r . ..: . . , . e .-

-; , ;.;._ a . :- 3

%. .. ,.. _ ':5. .:::::~.;, ,; _.,' f.:L.-:, . ..n ..'. . . . :. ,; ;... *:w~.n(. .. .(,,'. . . , ~v

. y 'Wic s,. ?.\M:; . .g.'.

.r:.

- .;...,':.. '.f .J;; :; ' _ ,;.

5,,_.,...

3.;

r.. .; ,,

. :. ., - - :K.n.  ; :; : , s . ;.:. ;. :,, p .?...  ;.-... ::, .g;. .m . ... ..,. .',,  :. ':;;; ;'

r$. .<.. ... .: ;

.i .>.. .q_.:

.; ._ . ; . : . . ;' . . vg + &. T.

. ' .'.j. :.. . ;. . h. ; . .

- i :.7:; . ; : _. j.,_, ;,,*, .y- . ,., :s,;

y;., ;, . . . : s

,._ ,, ..y,-J. '. .9*. ,o, , ,,. ,y e.%._;...,r. y - .......:... ,....,.. ..

..:n.e p.. , ,, , .,f, a ;.J.,.

. y. , . , :..  ;. .

• _.,;.. .;,,.

>.4...,.':.y  :

. ..-),;

.N p. .. p o:

.,..:, ;. .. .m.vu . *" ..s . .u. . s;; . .

.a . .r ;.;., g n

, ., . . gy;:.' . . . .,, . .c. . : . : . : .y.a.; r . . .r; . -.. . . , ..

R.pq

> ,3..y:t .'.J

c. ..y . . .

._.., y.b

,, . . , a .C...

' I ,.'. - *

. . ,

• l .

a ? ..s......v.  ;.. . y;y

:.,: .,i;.jp 2:; :

. 7. 3.t w'b.mdW;;.n..::.;';.

y.: ;~. . ,%,.:. . '.. .r.h......;; . ..m.- .. ; : . :. wJ. .a,4.. :~: >.;; .: :.<: . :. i..: ; ;;:.;;, .,': .. ~=..1::4.,. :. .x^ :n*::. ,a .q  : ,

y..3.u;.' .. . u ..::. c. .

1. .; ' - '. ; f,,,.* * { ;y * . . .\.' ,I . ~  : o. . E- l

....c .

.-..c...

n.

3 , . .

l . ' *. * . fN. ,. ,

) f,. f i.- - . _ . *^., ' ;* - '

_l.

.._.(;; 6 ..

1 . .g m.:.n ,J.. .;' ..c 7: ... > 7. : :e., 7. ::.::1;~ / v: %' ;U-l:;;:mly::. f.:q5: y

.::Q::. :: ' . ...h;,:g..C; .

p . .,v:;y.N.F;

. 2 .:. ..:. . : . ;,. . . ; 7 ;.p.; ,;. uplm. .. _ _.r . . . ; .; - .v,;;.s. u . 7. . y g. ..,...y  :.+v.i

,9 - m;;.,7..7.... .y;y:n.;g:p' O

+.: ;. .,.e ~.. , r u. .;.c.;;.:w..;n..

.. ; e ..

,..;.. /. - y./

L ;. '),;',l .L;; .. 'w,Q ;;; 2., .\.. ..,

t._'f # ::,, .. . ,

'; :; ::f._:;,:/, ; y./ .. ; } g.v;. .. L. .[,; ,,, >.:::'4_9.'. W.f 3 '; ,' :. .':l_;; L

L 'i

: Q _ ; '. f; jj.:/., > A; ,%a ; ge.q. ~.u,;.',f '

. Wxmw n a;lm.+. n. nw  ;

y.y . m-wn .

2.[.[7 c;g95.gx.3  ?:+ % W.  % % n w.;ysq .~.O } s$ Q W: Tf ? ay;yy %qg g n;y.y  % w(. M9yy4  :. n :y 3 7 . . ..

w.. 5,.pg . .

s.

i

1. s. .m UNITED STATES l'Org%i NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION k/

\.....

Office of Public Asiairs Washington, D.C. 20555

]

l l

BIOWGICAL EFFECIS OF RADIATICN Backomuns Radiaticn is all around us occurring naturally in the envinximent. We are exposed all the time to radiation frun rackn in the air, uranium, radium and thorium in the earth, cosmic rays from outer space and the sun, radioactive potassium in our fcod and water, and from within our own bodies. 'Ihis is  !

cumady called naturally-occurring background radiatico. 'Ihe average radiation exposure to an individual in the United States is about 360 millirem (mrem) or 3.6 millisievert (mSv) per year. About 83% of this [300 mrem (3 3 I

n1Sv)} is frun naturally-occurring rackn (200 mrum (2 mSv)} that stanates frun the ground. 'Ihe hrgest man-made source is frun rp=dieal diagnosis and l accounts for al: cut 50 mrem (0.5 mSv) per year (14%) . O:nsum=.r products such as snoke detectors, exit signs and luminous watch dials contribute about 10 mrum I (0.1 mSv) per year (3%) . l Background radiaticn varies depending cn the area where ycu live, the type of housing ccostructicn you live in, and what you eat. Fbr instance, Oalorado has higher radiaticn levels because at its high altitude, there is more exposure to cosmic rays and with its naturally-occurring uraniun enriched soil, there is mare terrestrial radiaticn. Brick hcmes have higher natural radiaticn levels than hcxtes nade of other materials such as wood, and certain foods such as bananas, salt, and Brazil nuts naturally ccntain higher levels of radiaticn than other fceds. Above this background level, the NRC limits maxinun radiaticn dose to the public to 100 mrem per year (1 mSv/yr), and limits cbse to adults working in nuclear operaticns to 5,000 mrem per year (50 mSv/yr).

Discussicn Biological effects of rmA4=tien on living cells may result in three outcones: ,

(1) cells repair themselves, resulting in no damage; (2) cells die, nuch like

, millicns of body cells do every day, being replaced through normal biological processes; or (3) cells change their ws.vductive structure. Like mast chemical substances, the effects caused by radiaticn can be seen clearly cnly at doses much higher than are allowed by Federal regulaticns. i Biological effects of radiation may be classified as pronet or delayed.

. I a

i

.f. -*

l Prmot effects can appear in a matter of minutes to as lcng as a few weeks I after exposure to very high doses of radiaticn. 'Ihe higher the dose, the 1

somer the effects will =rmar, arri the higher the probability of death. Fbr f l

l exanple, in 1986, firefighters battling the fire at the Chernobyl nuclear 1,100,000 l power plant in the Ukraine died from very large doses (approximately )

l millirad (11,000 milligray) of radiation. Because radiation affects different l l people'in different ways, it is rot possible to indicate what dose is needed '

l L

to be fatal. However, it is believed that 50% of a population would die within thirty days after receiving a dose between 250,000 to 450,000 mrum 1 (2500 mSv to 4500 mSv) . 'Ihis would vary depending on the health of the I l -individuals before the exposure and the madical care received after the exposure.

t .

It should be noted that the doses referred to above are acute wtole body cbses,-meaning that"the whale body is avy-d to the' radiaticn in a very short period of time (minutes to hours) . Exposure of only parts of the body will likely lead to nore localized effects, such as skin burns or tissue da=== in the exposed area.

Delaved effects or radiaticn are effects that 24 mar many years (usually between 5-20 years) after exposure. 'Ihe period before cancer appears is known l

l as the latent period. Genetic effects and the developnent of cancer are the primary health ccncerns. 'Ihe cancers that may develop as a result of radiaticn exposure are indistinguishable from those that develop spcntaneously or as a result of exposure to other carcinogens. Radiaticn exposure may be only the initiating' step that may or may not eventually lead to cancer.

Genetic effects may appear in the evmaad perscn's direct offspring, or may appear several generaticos later, &::peeding cn whether the altered genes are dcminant or recessive.

Although radiation is known to cause cancers at high doses, currently there are no data to unequivocally establish the occurrence of cancer following exposure to low doses -- below about 30,000 mrem (300 mSv). Studies of a population exposed to chrcnic low-levels of radiaticn above rormal background have shown to biological effects. 'Ihis ITi1=ticn includes occupationally spM radiaticn hkers and people living in areas having high levels of background radiation (above 1,000 mran (1 m9v) per year].

In the abaanoe of sufficient data to the contrary, the radiation protecticn oormunity ocnservatively asstr.es that any amount of radiation may pose sczne risk for causing cancer and hereditary effects, and that the risk is higher for higher level doses. 'Ibe NRC's cbse limits for both radiaticn uhrs and n=ir_cs of the public were developed cn that basis. (NRC regulaticus and radiation exposure limits are ocntained in Title 10 of the Cbde of Federal Regulations under Part 20).

C%ntact: .

Cynthia G. Jcnes, Sr. Invel Advisor for Health Physics Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, ,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Comnissicn, Washington, D.C. 20555, (301) 415-7853 l

i n

a lad Vt s r I r n b

Xua tuu r

a ao ngr E e n lc a l

on lor o mkc V

I Ns u c Aa ps t

oa r

fb T -, l - -

F.

C

!= ,i!  ; , ! [ii ' g! l E

P S m)m e

i e r

0 0

9 0

0 8

0 0

0 0

6 0

0 5

0 0

4 0

0 3

0 0

1 R l l

i1 m(

r s

E 0 m y

a la dn P 0 0

1 c

r v

f o

rs e m d

y o i r

c i

t r

sly a

n s a b m er N

ti i l e x s ra mb u do e r u o r eM I

i l

p l o c t l

ae l a y ai n a c l l a

S uh nt nr e nd s

o ne ui m o

u n ue nos n

E Afo d Am F r

A n

Ad S -

< ';' l 15' O

D 0 0

1 0

9 0

8 0

7 0

6 0

5 0

4 0

2 01 N t s e

y a

O I

h i

l f

g r

eg sn c

r u

o y i

t c

n r

x T a m i

a od s r a o dils l l l r

- t a

A ua x l

l p abn l

a A - r I s u e -

t s st o n nmt e nh g

' D a no a Tr Afrm h

C Tl ag ri f L e

A n

1. v

/ l ( /

\ /

h g's R -

0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 me 1

l- I -

i r

l l

i m

1

i 3 .

o.

.C o 5 i $ *

.m o g.u mu m. 8 VC. C c) C y, O

=Z* m E 'E o "

da h

.h d *b .c O MO Iw.Oow33 "q)

I3V g

- m  ?

.., .? @

o ,

, , . . , ..q....... _.,.....),..._

< a x e m

l.. 3.

l.-

l I! c  ;

CL  !  ;

[: [g l

g n!

l @! 9 l  ;

J l

. j '- E "C

i f o o o o o o o @

Z

- m" E.

u c)^E o o

6 o

o 6

o o

6 o

o 6

o o

6 o

o 6

o o

6 y

2 30 o o o o o o a w M o8 a n o to e m m - -

3 W 8 C . To .0 M Ei

• $$$ $ 5 O H xaa cW)5 C- 8 3a En=

C

's a

o Co <oE o= E Z EO O

H

<C O

M,.u_m o^ o o o o coE 5

a b

8

.E c) 8 oE o o o o oo m g ct e ct o

ct o

ct o

ct o

o. ct.8 o LO E m

Q) o o@ m o v N "

E g

~

8 ct e

I illl l' s0 0 0 0 t s s s r y y s

y m00 008 0 e6 r 4 5 0 ho l s

o a a a e

y d d =d a

e S i3 l

l h f i

l 2 22 5 7 1 8 1

T i

M d s e C l e

e t

c e

)

r y -

E A g

n p

x

/

m e

F s o

E

~

r m

F s e L o

0 0

E c t )

r t h 0, r u .

g 1 dy o C.

i ( n/

s e t u m S l s

y D

w r

no naor e r l

a ar m e v c p i

t l gm o k N

eX s f r

k t o u tr r c0 ae a6 3 ol a . p n s b(

s O

l d i e r c r

cr oc un au es i

t i l y y ne t

- r t

l r d h e o p n n nd n I i a d y n T

t v

y o ra u e f l i i i

t - o a 5 g g an A

I cl A ac es s ng i

pl l t X r t

ei H

e 1 gi n n ai t n r k k e o o pd i

r ia l

c i o

D i

y u h y l B WWTrya T F CF A

R G

N I

'Q R

'" ~

/

e.' - p U

,S J

e ~5: pi S

E s

A E

M m

ll

s t e c def i

d ef nI u s e o I

a t

s o pht i m

f t noxl as i

o eada aielyhe r i

t s a y _

l l idael d na .

atunsios r o rc r s, sti vi rpadt earirke e f

t o upaac u

r i

ow cwcyob l o a re upi no aocnt fl l kofduea isf oe shi rd l d

t l n saot aadepor a nvxt i

cyaeedo euutsaior l ef e t r r

rt onoehnmlps e rpo hctf eo t

vn ah e a os ah yisfo hts t t

t e ods bm t

i mree l o erdin pl adks ei s nru sct ero uo a oar DfhwcDf

s .

s e n v

i o

5 t _

c i t _

a

• a _

o n i

d * = i _

A' #

NW & hw;.,mg~. ,,<;, a r '*.

m a

hkdp, r '

n *. t n .

f jh w >g %  ?.

om r

. u ' ci

2 t

% # ,d. s h

'O d },_  ;,

i

-v s t o '. eht dn 9 m di-a w 2 _

s ao.

g e e c _

( l ,'

, i hodn w

a e 1

n a

3 wam

.h

• m

}

e

• ) . .

h e *o T h 'o T '

4 .

e *- e

,  ! c ~o v

" . r u . a o  ?- .

. h .

s P

? ,

j' sm d

eo co t

a *. .

nr a  ? ae e t sh s

L' t

a f b uo m g o -

]" , o st e de Ma" f r f. v ip N

n o

_ N'u t c a a c i

t o s ie i

a d d a

. a R R

l DISTRIBUTION: EDO '

G980222 Central Files LLDP t-r/f DWM r/f DWM t/f NMSS r/f CPoland EDO r/f LCallan NMSS DO r/f RJohnson PTressler AThadani -

PNorry - SBurns EMerschoff HThompson DRathbun PUBLIC ACNW SECY-CRC-98-0315

• SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE DOCUMENT NAME:A:\chafee.res (Diskette attached)or/eseooraD/APf40L 20,1999 OFC LLDP* T.E D*. LLDP* LLDP* OGC OSP*

NA ME THarris/cv EKraus RNelson JHickey BReamer PLohaus DA1E 4/14/98 4/14/98 4/17/98 4/17/98 4/17/98 4/17 /98 M tm _

OFC DWM* NMSS* DEDR - EQEr) OCA .

NAME JGreeves CPaperiello HTh4 hon LCD DRathbun DATE 4/19/98 4/22/98 4)ff98 b/98 4/ /98 //98 l

Copieshavebeen made  ;

krOEDOand for those higthiJud.Please make remaining distribution.

Thanks, uAaA l

OEDO, 6/i (9? j 1

l I

l l

• The Honor:bb John H. Chifee United Stat:s S;nsts Washington, DC 20510-4204

Dear Senator Chafee:

I am responding to your letter of April 2,1998, which transmitted a letter from Ms. Kathie I Florsheim. She expresses cuncern about a contract between the U.S. Departme t of Energy  !

(DOE) and BNFL, Inc. (BNFL), for the sale and recycling of contaminated metal from a uranium enrichment facility. We have discussed the contract with DOE and the State Tennessee. Our

' understanding is that the contract involves decommissior'ing DOE buildings ' Oak Ridge, Tennessee. As such, the work performed by BNFL at the Oak Ridge site i not under the regulatory jurisdiction of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) However, some contaminated material may be sent for decontsmination to Manufacturi Science Corporation (MSC), a private facility in Oak Ridge. MSC is licensed by the State o Tennessee, an NRC Agreement State, to process radioactively contaminated materials. the materialis decontaminated to criteria established by the State under its agree ent with NRC, it is released for unrestricted use. If the material cannot be decontaminated, it 's returned to DOE for disposition under DOE regulatory authority. The criteria establi ed by the State are consistent with NRC guidance. By copy of this letter, we are referring th' inquiry to DOE, for response to your office and Ms. Florsheim, concerning matters relating t DOE's regulatory authority.

Your letter also expresses concern about potential rule ing by the U.S. Environmental i Protection Agency (EPA) and NRC. Although EPA, D , and NRC have had preliminary l discussions regarding potential rulemaking concernin. the recycle and reuse of decontaminated i materials, no formal plans have been made in this r gard. If the NRC does proceed with rulemaking, we would follow our standard proced e, which would provide foi oublic comment.

I trust this letter responds to your concerns.

Sincerely, L. Joseph Callan Executive Director for Operations cc: William Murphie, DOE EM DISTRIBUTION: EDO G980222 C:ntral Files LLDP t-r/f DWM r/f DWM t/f NMSS r/f CPoland EDO r/f LCallan ' NMSS DO r/f RJohnson PTressler AThadani PNorry SBurns EMerschoff HThompson DRathbun PUBLIC ACNW SECY-C C-98-0315

• SEE PREVIOUS CONCLd, ENCE DOCUMENT NAME:A:\cha' fee.res (Diskette attached)OP/PROOPED/APflit. 30,1998 OFC LLDP* [ T. ED*. LLDP* LLDP* OGC

• OSP*

NAME THarrI/cv EKraus RNelson JHickey BReamer PLohaus DATE 4/[4/98 4/14/98 4/17/98 4/17/98 4/17/98 4/17 /98 OFC DbM* Nf/$[ DEDR EDO OCA l NAME JGreeves C riello HThompson LCallan DRathbun DATE 4/19/98 4//I98 4/ /98 4/ /98 4/ /98 / /98

ThiHonorcble J:hn H. Ch:fsa United Stit:s S2 nits Washington, DC 20510-4204 . '

Dear Senator Chafee:

I am responding to your letter of April 2,1998, which transmitted a letter from Ms. Kathie j- Florsheim. She expresses concem about a contract between the U.S. Department of nergy j (DOE) and BNFL, Inc. (BNFL), for the sale and recycling of contaminated metals fro a

- uranium enrichment facility. We have discussed the contract with DOE and the St, e of l Tennessee. Our understanding is that the contract involves decommissioning D% buildings in l Oak Ridge, Tennessee.; As such, the work performed by BNFL at the Oak Ridge site is not t

under the regulatory jurisdiction of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission RC). ' However, l- some contaminated material may be sent for decontamination to Manufact ng Science l- Corporation (MSC), a private facility in Oak Ridge, MSC is licensed by th State of Tennessee,

an NRC Agreement State, to process radioactively contaminated mate ' is. If the materialis l decontaminated to criteria established by the State under its agreemefi t with NRC, it is released for unrestricted use. If the material cannot be decontaminated, it is tumed to DOE for disposition under DOE regulatory authority. The criteria establish by the State are consistent l

with NRC guidance.' By copy of this letter, we are referring this ' uiry to DOE, for response to

_y our office and Ms. Florsheim, conceming matters relating to E's regulatory authority.

The 'etter l further expresses concern about potential rule king by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and NRC. Although EPA, DO , and NRC have had preliminary discussions regarding potential rulemaking.concernin ' he recycle and reuse of decontaminated materials, no formal plans have been made in this r ard. If the NRC does proceed with rulemaking, we would follow our standard proced e, which would provide for public comment.

I trust this letter responds to your concems.

Sincerely, t

L. Joseph Callan Executive Director for Operations cc: William Murphie, DOE EM DISTRIBUTION EDO G980222 CIntral Files LLDP t-r/f DWM r/f DWM t/f NMSS r/f CPolano

. EDO r/f- LCallan NMSS DO r/f RJohnson PTressler AThadani PNorry . SBurns EMerschoff HThompson DRathbun PUBLIC {

ACNW- SECY-C C-98-0315 {

i

• SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE {

DOCUMENT NAME:Anct/ fee.res (Diskette attached) op/enoormsvarsus. me, s ees  !

OFC LLDP* [ T.ED* LLDP* LLDP* ' OGC

• OSP*

NAME~ - THarriskv EKraus RNelson JHickey BReamer PLohaus DATE- 4/1 98 4/14/98 4/17/98 4/17/98 4/17/98 4/17 /98 suam -- muni - --

umma maam m suma -

muns OFC' Dh* NMSS DEDR EDO OCA NAME /dGreeves - CPaperiello HThompson LCallan DRathbun -

l DATE 4/19/98 4/ /98 4/ /98 4/ /98 4/ /98 / /98 l

The Hontrebla John H. Chafee United St=.tts S::nita

, Washington, DC 20510-4204 .-

Dear Senator Chafee:

/i 1 am responding to your letter of April 2,1998, Which transmitted a letter from Ms. Kathie j

! Florsheim. She expresses concern about a contract between the U.S. Department of Ene,rgy.

f J l (DOE) and British Nuclear Fuels, Ltd.- (BNFL), for the sale and recycling of contaminated'

. metals from a uranium enrichment facility. -We have discussed the contract with DOE'End the l State of Tennessee. _ Our understanding is that the contract involves decommissloriIng DOE i buildings in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. As such, the work performed by BNFL at sth'e Oak Ridge site is not under the regulatory jurisdiction of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

However, some contaminated material may be sent for decontaminationpf Materials Science Corporation. (MSC), a private facility in Oak Ridge. MSC is licensed bylhe State of Tennessee,

an NRC Agreement State, to process radioactively contaminated m.aterials. If the materialis I

decontaminated to criteria established by the State under its agreefnent with NRC, it is released for unrestricted use. If the material cannot be decontaminatedjit is returned to DOE for disposition under DOE regulatory authority. The criteria established by the State are consistent with NRC guidance. By copy of this letter, we are referring fhis inquiry to DOE, for response to l

your office and Ms. Florsheim, cor ceming matters relat, inh to DOE's regulatory authority. l The letter further expresses concern about potential emaking by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and NRC. Although EPX and NRC have had preliminary discussions

- regarding potential rulemaking conceming the recycle and reuse of decontaminated materials, no formal plans have been made in this regaJd if the NRC does proceed with rulemaking, we  ;

would follow our standard procedure, whict} would provide for.public comment. '

, \

l trust this letter responds to'your concem[s-(

. Sincerely, A t g

1 - L._ Joseph Callan I( .

~

Executive Director j for Operations ec:- William Mu , DOE EM-42 DISTRIBUTION: EDO G980222' Cgntral Files LLDP t-r/f DWM r/f DWM t/f NMSS r/f CPoland

EDO r/f ' LCallan' NMSS DO r/f RJohnson PTressler AThadani

PNorry SBurni EMerschoff .

HThompson DRathbun PUBLIC

/ *SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE -

DOCUMENT NAME:Anchbfee.res (Diskette attached) 1 OFC LLDP*- / T. E D*. LLDP[ LLDE M OGOf OSP*

NAME- THarris[cv EKraus RNe$ sun hickey BReaher PLA ~is DATE 4/14/98 4/14/98 4/ /98 4098 '4//F98 - 4/17 /98 m- muun summ -

mummu -

ummuu - .

mum q OFC' NMSS DEDR EDO OCA  !

NAME kr'ekves - CPaperiello - HThompson LCallan DRathbun )

l_ DATE [ 4/h98 - ' 4/ /98 4/ /98 - 4/198 4/ /98 / /98 ACNW:YES.X NO . Category: Proprietary or CF Only IG: YES- NO1 LSS: LYES ~ - NO 12 L Delete file after distribution YES NO