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Re: STAR at work



Note: The first line of the letter:

"We the undersigned [x] environmental, health and community
organizations are writing to urge you..." 

I asked Al if he didn't want individual sigs. If you want individuals,
how would you suggest changing the letter? 

Thanks.

Regards, Jim
============

"Weiner, Ruth" wrote:
> 
> Thank you Al for taking the lead on this.  Add my name if you wish.
> 
> Ruth F. Weiner, Ph. D.
> Sandia National Laboratories
> MS 0718, POB 5800
> Albuquerque, NM 87185-0718
> 505-844-4791; fax 505-844-0244
> rfweine@sandia.gov
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Merkel, Jon R [mailto:merkel@bnl.gov]
> Sent: January 25, 2000 1:49 PM
> To: Multiple recipients of list
> Subject: RE: STAR at work
> 
> Al,
> 
> You have my vote. I back you 100%. Can you forward a copy of that to our
> good friend at STAR, Scott?
> I like the whole idea!
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Al Tschaeche [mailto:antatnsu@pacbell.net]
> Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2000 3:08 PM
> To: Multiple recipients of list
> Subject: Re: STAR at work
> 
> This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
> --------------4990B73B761E9393F1E9BDB3
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
> 
> I took the STAR letter and made a few, minor revisions (see below).  Which
> pro
> nuclear organizations can I get to sign the revised letter and sent it to
> New
> York Attorney General Spitzer?  Al Tschaeche antatnsu@pacbell.net
> 
> "D. Kosloff" wrote:
> 
> > "STAR" is working on a new project now that Brookhaven is shut down.
> Please
> > see below.
> >
> 
> REVISED LETTER (go to Kosloff's message for the original)
> 
> >
> > January 28, 2000
> >
> > Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
> > Office of the Attorney General
> > 120 Broadway
> > New York, NY
> >
> > Re: Recycled radioactive metals
> >
> > Dear Mr. Spitzer:
> >
> > We the undersigned [x] environmental, health and community organizations
> are
> > writing to urge you to take a leadership role on a very important health
> > issue. Presently, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is in the process
> > of legalizing the "release" or "clearance" of radioactive materials from
> > licensed, regulated control into raw materials, building supplies and any
> > other items that are sold to New York consumers. We fully support the
> > introduction of radioactive scrap metal into commerce without any
> > consumer notification and urge you to take action to ensure these products
> can
> > be sold in
> >  New York markets.
> >
> > Background:
> >
> > As nuclear power reactors are maintained and decommissioned, contaminated
> > parts, concrete rubble, and soil could be let go. The Department of Energy
> > is currently sending radioactively contaminated metals from nuclear
> weapons
> > sites to regular scrap yards to mix with clean metal for unrestricted
> public
> > use. Some states, primarily Tennessee, are licensing and permitting
> private
> > companies to process and "release" into commerce radioactive materials,
> > including metals, lead and asphalt, usually with no public hearings,
> > notification, or warning.
> >
> > These radioactive elements result from every part of the nuclear fuel
> chain
> > (mining, milling, conversion, enrichment, fuel fabrication, nuclear power
> > production, plutonium and weapons production, reprocessing,
> decommissioning
> > and waste management). Companies wanting to save money on clean-up costs
> are
> > being exempted from regulatory controls and allowed to use contaminated
> > materials as if they were not radioactive.
> >
> > Simply put, the makers of radioactive waste would much rather sell their
> > contaminated metal to scrap dealers and specialty steel companies, or to
> > other sources for reuse, than to pay to isolate it from the environment
> and
> > the public for as long as it remains radioactive, in some cases centuries
> or
> > millenia.
> >
> >
> > Why is this Safe?
> >
> > There is a safe level of exposure to ionizing radiation, so it makes sense
> > to permit exposures up to that level. Some scientists have shown that
> risks
> > from routine low doses may actually be beneficial rather than detrimental
> as
> > in single high dose exposures.
> >
> > Exposure to ionizing radiation in high doses increases the risks of
> cancer,
> > leukemia,
> > genetic defects, illnesses resulting from reduced immunity and other
> > non-cancerous illnesses. Some scientists believe the developing embryo and
> > fetus, young children,
> > the elderly and those with already impaired health face the greatest risk.
> >
> > The public could be exposed to radiation from many different contaminated
> > consumer products, ie; strollers, braces and toasters, etc. The doses are
> > thought by some to add up and to be multiplied when we are exposed to more
> > radiation and other
> > carcinogens in our lives. Doses below safe levels could be beneficial or,
> they
> > could have no effect at all.  These involuntary health benefits are being
> > imposed
> > without notification and against our will, so the nuclear industry can
> save
> > money.
> >
> > The role of New York:
> >
> > The current methods of releasing radioactive wastes from commercial
> > licensees and weapons facilities must be supported.  Some radioactive
> > wastes in consumer products pose necessary, avoidable, voluntary,
> > informed benefits. The consumers, the producers, the raw materials
> industries
> > want these radioactive wastes to provide benefits. Therefore, we believe
> that
> > your office should take steps to ensure the recycling of radioactive scrap
> > metal and ensure that they end up in commerce.
> >
> > We commend you for your strong and innovative actions on behalf of our
> > health and safety and hope that you will help us in this effort. We would
> be
> > happy to send representatives to discuss this with you further. Should you
> > require further contact please call (appropriate information here).
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> >
> >
> 
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> --------------4990B73B761E9393F1E9BDB3--
> 
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