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Re: still our own worst enemy



Keith Welch asked:

> Now, having said all that, I must admit that because of the news reports
> I read (the blown out roof), I have been wondering if in fact it there
> was some potential for any significant releases from the event.  Can
> someone set me straight on that?

First of all, Keith was correct in summarizing my previous points 
posted. To look for something that is categorically known NOT to 
exist is outrageous, if done only for the purpose of placating the 
public or politicians. Now to the question above:

According to Valerie Putman, who has been tracking the information 
and has much of the data (published on the their website at INEEL) 
there was no explosion (the picture was from another facility at a 
different time and had nothing to do with a criticality accident) .. 
there was no release of any particulates, and that the exclusion 
boundary established by JCO was about 300 meters, which is what she 
said was the correct exclusion zone for the "direct" exposure from 
the facility. Valerie also stated that there was no further exposure 
emanating from the facility, WHEN they decided to put up the 
shielding. The shielding was in the proper configuration .. if it 
were only put up when it could have been useful. Valerie also stated 
that the individual who entered the facility to implement a shutdown 
of the reactor that was still in a critical state, was not provided 
any shielding at all. 

For those who are speculating about what actually occurred there, 
what the dose estimates were and what the area surveys showed on a 
time-line, Valerie will be more than happy to provide you with the 
appropriate information.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sandy Perle					Tel:(714) 545-0100 / (800) 548-5100   				    	
Director, Technical				Extension 2306 				     	
ICN Worldwide Dosimetry Division		Fax:(714) 668-3149 	                   		    
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