Re: Stuck with Smoke Detectors

["Ron L. Kathren" <rkathren@beta.tricity.wsu.edu>]

Kudos to Dick Cunningham and the NRC for what appears to be a most 
rational solution, and to Barbara Hamrick for calling it to the attention 
of RADSAFE.  Brickbats to the media.



On Mon, 27 Nov 1995 BLHamrick@aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 95-11-27 16:48:50 EST, FRANK@rover.bsd.uchicago.edu (Free
> Spirit) wrote:
> 
> >	I saw the following filler in the local paper the other day.
> >	It reminded me of previous discussions about Government workers and
> >	what they will/won't, (or can/can't) do for us.
> 
> >	DENVER - A cargo of mildly radioactive material has been sitting
> >	in a truck in a parking lot since 1983, and the shipping company
> >	and the state can't get rid of it.
> 
> I have a copy of an NRC memo dated Feb 11, 1986, from Richard E. Cunningham,
> then Director Division of Fuel Cycle and Material Safety, NMSS, and HE said
> (in part):
> 
> "1.  Our regulations are clear that secondary distributors and consumers may
> dispose of smoke detectors as ordinary trash, even in bulk.  This policy was
> clarified and emphasized by a 1980 rule change (45 FR 38340, June 9, 1980).
>  Therefore, the term "proper disposal" has no meaning, because it implies a
> (non-existent) legal restriction.  We do not believe that it is appropriate
> for a regulatory agency to imply that there are legal restrictions on
> disposal of smoke detectors by consumers.
> 
> 2.  We agree that it is not a good idea to combine large quantities of any
> exempt devices, including smoke detectors.  We frequently receive inquiries
> regarding disposal of exempt items.  We inform people that there are no legal
> restrictions on disposal, but that it is a good idea to try to "spread out"
> the disposals rather than making a large, bulk disposal. (Note for example 10
> CFR 32.19(d) which says that exempt quantities should not be combined.)
> 
> 3.  It would not seem practical or enforceable to attempt to impose legal
> restrictions on disposal of smoke detectors by retailers or consumers. . ."
> 
> If NRC's official position on this has changed, I would be very interested in
> knowing that.  Otherwise, someone should probably tell American Shippers that
> they could have thrown those smoke detectors away in the trash since 1986.
> 
> This is a personal communication, and not reviewed or endorsed by my
> employer.  I am acting as an agent of no one.
> 
> Barbara L. Hamrick
> 
> 
>