|
Barbara,
What does the legislation say about disposing
things such as thoriated TIG welding electrodes? Up to 4% thoriated tungsten is
exempt from federal licensing, but it is still quite radioactive.
What about kitty litter? It is not that
radioactive, but it is certainly above background. (I use a bottle filled with
the stuff as a radon/thoron check source for my instruments. Works great!) I
would expect that vast quantities of that is currently going to
landfills.
Kai
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2003 8:39
PM
Subject: Upcoming State Senate Hearing in
Los Angeles
Just wanted to let the interested list-members know,
Senator Romero's Senate Select Committee on Urban Landfills will be holding a
hearing on March 7, 2003, in Los Angeles, CA at the Ronald Reagan Building, at
300 S. Spring Street, from 10 a.m. to 1
p.m.
SUBJECT: Improper Handling and Disposal of Radioactive Waste:
Where has
it been buried? What can California do?
This information is
available on the State Senate's website at:
www.senate.ca.gov
Click on "Committees",
then on "Select", then on "Urban Landfills," then on "Agenda."
Barbara
L. Hamrick, CHP, JD
For a recap of current pending legislation, see
below:
There are currently three bills in the Senate that relate to
control of radioactive materials. These are SB 13 (Romero), SB 201
(Romero) and SB 208 (Kuehl).
SB 13 is essentially a word-for-word
reproduction of last year's SB 1970 (Romero), which was vetoed by the
Governor. It essentially prohibits the release or transfer of any
radioactivity above background, detectable with the best technology, except to
persons licensed (there are a few other exceptions in the bill, but many are,
in my opinion, too vague, or otherwise unworkable).
SB 201 calls for
the transfer of all duties currently performed by the Department of Health,
Radiologic Health Branch to be transferred to the Department of Toxic
Substances Control (DTSC), excepting certain uses at "health care facilities"
(as defined in the bill to include hospitals, clinics and education
facilities, among other things). The bill specifically authorizes the
regulation of materials while they are "on site" by DHS, and grants to DTSC
the authority to regulate them in transit to or from the site, when disposed,
including via effluent, or when they "may be" release to the
environment.
SB 208 is a word-for-word copy of the last amended version
of SB 1444 from last session. The last amended version of this bill
essentially prohibits the transfer of any lands at the Santa Susana Field
Laboratory from being transferred unless certain conditions are met, including
resort to the "above background" limitations in SB
13.
|