ML20126H717
| ML20126H717 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 12/18/1984 |
| From: | Minogue R NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REGULATORY RESEARCH (RES) |
| To: | Murley T NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20126H305 | List: |
| References | |
| FOIA-85-210 NUDOCS 8506180427 | |
| Download: ML20126H717 (4) | |
Text
". \y % UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 3 i W ASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 g j
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DEC 181934 MEMORANDUM FOR: Thomas E. Murley, Regional Administrator Region I FROM: Robert B. Minogue, Director Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
SUBJECT:
REQUEST FOR STUDY OF POSSIBLE EXPOSURE PATHWAYS TO MAN FOR RADIONUCLIDES DISCHARGED TO SANITARY SEWER SYSTEMS As you indicated in your October 22, 1984 memorandum, the two recent N.Y.
incidents involving radioactive materials discharged into sanitary sewer systems do suggest that further evaluation of possible exposure pathways to man would be warranted. The concentration of radioactive material by incineration or other means of volume reduction of sewage sludge was not considered in the existing regulations in 10 CFR Part 20. Various sludge disposal options such as land application, incineration, ocean disposal, or burial also need to be assessed for their potential dose contributions.
Rather than initiating an outside contract at this time to pursue this evaluation, I have asked the RES Health Effects Branch to initiate a six-month quantitative analysis to scope the problem. I believe that such a scoping study is needed to better define exposure pathways of possible interest and to ensure that any future field studies (if any can be funded) are conducted at facilities where the results can be readily generalized to typical sludge disposal operations. If such funding is not possible, the results of the scoping study can be used to define the requirements for supportive research to be imposed on individual licensees. I would appreciate any coments that you might have on the enclosed proposed study outline.
If you or your staff wish to discuss the details of this scoping study, please contact Harold Peterson (427-4578).
Robert B. Minogue, Dir tor Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
Enclosure:
Study Outline 8506180427 850417 PDR FOIA WELDONSS-210 PDR ,
. s e
Outline of Scoping Study for Evaluating Potential Hazards of Releases of Radioactive Wastes to Sanitary Sewer Systems I. Introduction A. Current Practice and Regulations
, B. Impact of Revisions to 10 CFR Part 20 C. Incidents
- 1. Description
- 2. Impact
- 3. Remedies II. Sewage Treatment and Disposal A. Characteristics B. Sedimentation Processes C. Digestion Processes D. Treatment E. Disposal Options III. Radiological Impact of Sewage Sludge Incineration A. Process and Magnitude B. Effluents and Control Measures C. Potential Pathways to Man D. Disposal Restrictions Required (on licensee)
IV. Radiologic 61 Impact of Sewage Sludge by Land Application and in Landfills A. Processes and Magnitude B. Soil-Plant Uptake C. Drinking Water Contamination D. Disposal Restrictions Required (on licensee)
V. Radiological Impact of Sewage Sludge by Other Methods A. Ocean Disposal (subject to EPA Permit - not treated in detail)
B. Marketed Sludge Products C. Other D. Possible Disposal Restrictions on Licensees VI. Sunnary and Conclusions
. .- . .,p tar
. 9 UNITED STATES
- 8 't, NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 7; y WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
%,...../
DEC 181984 MEMORANDUM FOR: Thomas E. Murley, Regional Administrator Region I FROM: Robert B. Minogue, Director Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research de
SUBJECT:
REQUEST FOR STUDY OF POSSIBLE EXPOSURE PATHWAYS TO MAN FOR RADIONUCLIDES DISCHARGED TO SANITARY SEWER SYSTEMS As you indicated in your October 22, 1984 memorandum, the two recent N.Y.
incidents involving radioactive materials discharged into sanitary sewer systems do suggest that further evaluation of possible exposure pathways to man would be warranted. The concer.tration of radioactive material by incineration or other means of volume reduction of sewage sludge was not considered in the existing regulations in 10 CFR Part 20. Various sludge disposal options such as land application, incineration, ocean disposal, or burial also need to be assessed for their potential dose contributions.
Rather than initiating an outside contract at this time to pursue this evaluation, I have asked the RES Health Effects Branch to initiate a six-month quantitative analysis to scope the problem. I believe that such a scoping study is needed to better define exposure pathways of possible interest and to ensure that any future field studies (if any can be funded) are conducted at facilities where the results can be readily generalized to typical sludge disposal operations. If such funding is not possible, the results of the scoping study can be used to define the requirements for supportive research to be imposed on individual licensees. I would appreciate any connents that you might have on the enclosed proposed study outline.
If yog or your staff wish to discuss the details of this scoping study, please contat.J Harold Peterson (427-4578).
Robert B. Minogue, Dir tar Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
Enclosure:
Study Outline l
6
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Outline of Scoping Study for Evaluating Potential Hazards of Releases of Radioactive Wastes to Sanitary Sewer Systems I. Introdur i A. Cu r. ... : Practice and Regulations B. Impact of Revisions to 10 CFR Part 20 C. Incidents
- 1. Description
- 2. Impact
- 3. Remedies II. Sewage Treatment and Disposal A. Characteristics B. Sedimentation Processes C. Digestion Processes D. Trea tment E. Disposal Options III. Radiological Impact of Sewage Sludge Incineration A. Process and Magnitude B. Effluents and Control Measures C. Potential Pathways to Man D. Disposal Restrictions Required (on licensee)
IV. Radiological Impact of Sewage Sludge by Land Application and in Landfills A. Processes and Magnitude B. Soil-Plant Uptake C. Drinking Water Contamination D. Disposal Restrictions Required (on licensee)
V. Radiological Impact of Sewage Sludge by Other Methods A. Ocean Disposal (subject to EPA Permit - not treated in detail)
B. Marketed Sludge Products C. Other D. Possible Disposal Restrictions on Licensees VI. Summary and Conclusions y.- -
7-. . . _ _ _ _ _ _ . , - , _ . . - . - . . , . , . , . .