NUREG-0686, Responds to Ltr Expressing Concern Re Release of Kr-85 from Tmi.Potential Physical Health Impact on Public from Using Any of Proposed Strategies for Removing Kr-85 Is Negligible.W/O Supporting Documents
| ML20062J853 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 11/03/1980 |
| From: | Snyder B Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Herbein K AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20062J858 | List: |
| References | |
| RTR-NUREG-0686, RTR-NUREG-686 NUDOCS 8011120553 | |
| Download: ML20062J853 (3) | |
Text
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'o, UNITED STATES y
( (,g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION h
\\.[./. C WASHING TON, D. C. 20555 E
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3 sd NOV 3 1980 4'
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US Mrs. Kathy Herbein 625 Carbon Avenue o
'S Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111 s
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Dear Mrs. Herbein:
-/
Your letter to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission about the release of krypton-85 from the Three Mile Island nuclear station and urging the facility's permanent shutdown was referred to me for response.
I regret that this answer has been delayed for so long. The accident and its consequences have created a substan-tial increase in the agency's workload, which has prevented me from responding
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to you as promptly as I would have liked.
With regard to your concern about the purging of the radioactive krypton gas from the reactor building of TMI Unit 2, Metropolitan Edison Company sutrnitted to NRC a " Safety Analysis and Environmental Report" (November 13, 1979) in which it evaluated alternative methods for the disposal of the krypton gases, such as purging and cryogenic processing, and selective absorption. NRC also evaluated alternative methods for disposal of the krypton gas to determine what effect de-contamination would have on workers, on the public health and safety,'and on the environment. Based on its evaluation, NRC issued an environmental assessment (NUREG-0662 and two addenda) for public comment on March 26, 1980, and received approximately 800 comments. These comments were considered in the staff's preparation of the " Final Environmental Asse'ssment for Decontamination of the Three Mile Island Unit 2 Reactor Building Atmosphere" (NUREG-0662), vols.1 and 2, copies of which are enclosed for your infonnation.
From this process have emerged the following NRC staff conclusions:
- The potential physical health impact on the public of using any of the proposed strategies for renoving the krypton-85 is negligible.
- The potential psychological impact is likely to grow the longer it takes to reach a decision, get started, and complete the process.
- The purging method is the quickest and the safest for the workers on Three Mile Island to accomplish.
- Overall, no significant environmental impact would result from use of am of the alternatives discussed in the assessment.
On June 12, 1980, the Connission issued an Order for Temporary Modification of License, authorizing controlled purging of the krypton-85 from the reactor l
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I Mrs. Kathy Herbein !
building atmosphere.
In a separate Memorandum and Order, also issued on June 12, 1980, the Commission discussed rationale for its decision. Actual purging operations began on June 28, 1980, and were completed on July 11, 1980. The doses resulting from the purge were well within those predicted in section 7.1 of volume 1 of NRC's final environmental assessment.
Copies of both Commission issuances are also enclosed.
A team of investigators from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Environ-mental Protection Agency, and the Department of Health, Education and Welfare calculated the doses to-the people living within 50 miles of the Three Mile Island site and estimated the number of new cancers that would result from the exposure to the radioactivity that leaked out of the plant.
The team reported their work in a report entitled, " Population Dose and Health Impact of the Ac-cident at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Station" (NUREG-0558). They concluded that the offsite collective dose associated with radioactive material released from March 28, 1979, to April 7,1979, represents minimal risks (that is, a very v
small number of additional health effects to the offsite population). Also en-i closed for your information is the summary of NUREG-0558.
With regard to your comments concerning the possible future operation of TNI, the Commission has ordered that a public hearing be conducted to determine whether TMI-1 should be operated and, if so, under what conditions the restart would take place. Prior to start of the hearings, the NRC staff is conducting a review of technical information concerning the restart of Unit 1.
As part of this review, the NRC staff has been conducting meetings with the licensee in the presence of the public, and the public was given the opportunity to raise ques-tions and to make statements. During the hearing, the technical issues that are appropriate to assure the public health and safety will also be addressed.
In addition, the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board has indicated that NRC should consider the psychological impact of future operation on the nearby communities.
A copy of the Commission Order that outlines the issues to be considered is also enclosed for your information. The hearing is scheduled to begin ct 9:00 a.m.,
October 15, 1980, at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Hearing Woom, 25 North Court Street (ground floor), Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
j As for Unit 2, the licensee has not yet submitted to the NRC a proposal for overall plant recovery, although the licensee is conducting feasibility studies.
It is not possible at this time to determine when such proposals for recovery may be subnitted or how much time will be needed for the required reviews and approvals in connection with Unit 2's recovery.
I would note, however, that the licensee's authority to operate Unit 2, except for those actions necessary to keep the reactor shut down, was suspended by Order of July 20, 1979.
The goal of the U.S. Nuclear Waste Management Program is to provide assurance that existing and future nuclear waste from military and civilian activities, including spent fuel from the once-through nuclear power cycle, can be isolated' from the biosphere so as to pose no significant threat to public health and
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i Mrs. Kathy Herbein I safety and to the environment.
The NRC is responsible for providing the frame-work of criteria and regulations that will ensure that the disposal methods de-veloped for all types of rrdioactive waste are consistent with the achievement of this goal of safe, long-term waste disposal.
Regarding your desire for the NRC to phase out nuclear power plants, NRC's primary responsibility consists in the licensing, inspection, and enforcement of regulations for nuclear power plants in the interest of public health and safety and for the protection of the environment. Changes in NRC's regulatory responsibilities can stem from the public's will and the resulting Congressional action.
I appreciate your concerns and assure you that every effort is being made to ensure the continued protection of the health and safety of the public, not only at Three Mile Island, but also at all nuclear power plants.
{
Sincerely, A
ernard J Snyde, Program Director Three M e Island Program Office Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Enclosures:
1.
NUREG-0662, vols.1 & 2 2.
Order for Temporary Modification of License of June 12, 1980 3.
Memorandum and Order of June 12, 1980 4
Summary of NUREG-0558 5.
Order and Notice of Hearing of August 9,1979, 9
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