ML20235B043

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Comments on Developments in Emergency Planning Discussed During ACRS 329th Meeting on 870910-12.Independent Assessment of Studies Re Benefits of Various Measures Taken to Protect Population in Case of Major Accident Addressed
ML20235B043
Person / Time
Issue date: 09/16/1987
From: Kerr W
Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards
To: Zech L
NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
References
ACRS-R-1273, NUDOCS 8709230510
Download: ML20235B043 (1)


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, UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION n

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(,E L ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON REACTOR SAFEGUARDS q

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September 16,.1987-The Honorable Lando W.= Zech,- Jr.

Chairman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555

Dear Chairman Zech:

SUBJECT:

ACRS COMMENTS ON DEVELOPMENTS IN' EMERGENCY PLANNING-1 10-12, 1987, we met with During the 329th meeting of the ACRS, September representatives of the New York Power Authority, the Oak. Ridge Associ--

ated Universities, and the Sandia National Laboratories to discuss prelimina ry analyses of the benefits of various ~ measures -taken to protect the. population in case of' a major, accident at a nuclear power-plant, ' Representatives of the NRC Staff took part in the discussion.

l This matter was also the subject of a' meeting of our Subcommittee on-Occupational and Environmental Radiation protection Systems held on1 June-i 22-23' 1987.

Studies reported by these groups indicate that sheltering, followed by monitoring of radiation exposure rates and relocation. of -populations -

from affected high radiation areas, within 4 to'8 hours9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br /> after an'acci-dent, yields predictions for the number of prompt fatalities lower than-

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those estimated to be provided by the evacuation expected:under current I

decision-making practices.

This was the. statistical result of a. wide i

range of accident scenarios.

Since the number of people, the distance they would need to be moved, and the disruptive impact of the sheltering--

relocation approach would normally be less than those-for the immediate

'3 evacuation approach, we believe that the NRC Staff should be ! asked to j

conduct an independent and prompt assessment of these findings.. Should this assessment confirm the reported observations, there' appears to be reason for emphasizing sheltering, where appropriate, in nuclear emer-gency response.

Sincerely,

'l William Kerr j

Chairman

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