RE: Where the Deer and LNT-lope play?

[Jack_Earley@RL.GOV]

<<For Chernobyl-magnitude releases, yes, they can be to the immediately

proximate environment.>>





Rather recently someone posted a note here that indicated that

realistically, a Chernobyl event was hazardous only to the operators (MM, I

remembered to include them this time) and firefighters, while beneficial to

the surrounding environment. Just depends on what you're referring to as the

immediately proximate environment. Or on what your definition of is is. . .

.



Jack Earley

Radiological Engineer





-----Original Message-----

From: Vincent A King/KINGVA/CC01/INEEL/US [mailto:KINGVA@INEL.GOV]

Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2002 1:37 PM

To: radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu

Subject: Re: Where the Deer and LNT-lope play?







I wasn't discussing the acceptability of producing contaminated soil; the

area in discussion, according to the information you provided from

'Newsday,' is in "...a radioactive area they [BNL] are in the process of

cleaning up..."



Within this context, and based on what little we've heard so far, my first

inclination is not that there is a "serious programmatic failure" in the

current programs for site access control, environmental monitoring,

controlling radioactive material, etc.



As far as 'producing contaminated soil', we do it every day as far as the

anti's are concerned.  If we (meaning the nuclear industry in general,

excluding medical facilities, which, thankfully, don't fall under this

condemnation) release a single radioactive atom that lands somewhere on

earth, we have produced 'contaminated' soil.



And when we release radioactive materials to soil, air, or water, they

enter the food chain.  Does that mean such releases are dangerous?  For

Chernobyl-magnitude releases, yes, they can be to the immediately proximate

environment.  For routine nuclear facility operations releasing within

legal limits, certainly not.



I agree with Franz and others -- we Radsafers draw way too many conclusions

from way too little information sometimes.  I think it would help our

credibility if we were a little more careful about pronouncing judgement on

things we don't yet have the facts about, or in areas where we're a little

out of our depth.



Not to put a damper on a lively conversation, of course.



Vincent King,

Idaho Falls



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