[ RadSafe ] NRC Recommending Americans keep 50 mi distant. A new 50 mile radius EPZ needed??

[Jerry Cohen]

Several years ago, I was involved in a study that required an understanding of 
the rationale behind setting the EPZ  distance at 10 miles. The research leading 
to that decision, which likely cost >$1 million, had resulted in a six volume 
report including assessments of radiation effects, meteorological evaluations 
and other supposedly relevant  subjects. It concluded that 10 miles was a 
reasonable distance for an EPZ for nuclear power reactor sites. We spent a lot 
of effort trying to track how the 10 mile distance was derived, but despite 
considerable effort, were unsuccessful. We could only conclude that selection of 
this distance was largely arbitrary. Therefore, it is interesting to note the 
effort to raise this distance to 50 miles. Maybe now the NRC will reveal the 
reason(s) why 10 miles is not good enough, and 50 miles might be better.

Jerry Cohen



________________________________
From: Stewart Farber <radproject at sbcglobal.net>
To: The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List 
<radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu>
Sent: Thu, March 17, 2011 11:46:04 AM
Subject: [ RadSafe ] NRC Recommending Americans keep 50 mi distant. A new 50 
mile radius EPZ needed??

News reports just mentioned the US NRC Commisioner recommended that Americans in 

Japan should keep themselves 50 miles from the Fukushima site. 


This must be part of the NRC's new program to establish a 50 mile EPZ  [vs. 10 
miles now ] around the 104 US reactors. Why have a 10 mi. EPZ  [ 78 sq. miles] 
when a 50 mile radius [1963 sq. miles]  is seemingly needed per the NRC 
Commissioner for another country?

Is today's NRC Commissioner recommendation a component of a new Federal Full 
Employment Act initiative for increasing nuclear plant EPZ planners by a factor 
of 25?  I'm sure certain interests are salivating at the opportunity to 
introduce new legislation to force an increase in the current EPZ from a radius 
of 10 to 50 miles since the NRC seems to think it's advisable.


Stewart Farber, MS Public Health
Farber Medical Solutions, LLC

203-441-8433
farber at farber.info
_______________________________________________
You are currently subscribed to the RadSafe mailing list

Before posting a message to RadSafe be sure to have read and understood the 
RadSafe rules. These can be found at: 
http://health.phys.iit.edu/radsaferules.html

For information on how to subscribe or unsubscribe and other settings visit: 
http://health.phys.iit.edu