RE: DOE's decision on MOX fuel (vs. NORM)

["Charles Meyer" <CMEYER@brc1.tdh.state.tx.us>]

     With respect to cmeyer@tdh.state.tx.us' comments, below.
     
     Someone correct me if I am in error, but I believe that respirable 
     particle size comes into play here, and although there is a lot of 
     Th-232 in the sand, if you protect the workers from nuisance dust in 
     accordance with the standard (ANSI Z88.2?) [I don't remember the ISO, 
     but I think there is one], then you will achieve a sufficient 
     reduction.  Good, bad, or indifferent, NORM is usually handled 
     differently.  It's the "good" radiation versus "bad" radiation thing, 
     as a colleague pointed out the other day.
     
         george_cicotte@health.ohio.gov
     my own opinion, etc.

George,

I agree that particle size can play a critical role in the spacial 
and temporal distribution of dose and there have a significant effect 
on the effective dose.  My concern is that I have not seen any study 
that demonstrates that the sand blasting dusts produce non-respirable 
particles.  Could you give me a citation or two.  And I don't agree 
that it is good radiation vs. bad radiation, but rather a case of 
good regulation vs. bad regulation.  It appears to me based on 
statements the EPA makes that they wish to have their cake and eat it 
too.  That is they claim to regulate base on risk, yet ignore their 
own risk numbers when promoting radon "awareness".  EPA is not alone 
in the regulation by convenience game, NRC does the same as well as 
lesser agencies.  My actual point was to make the point that no one
talks about the threat from Th-232 which is obviously more radiotoxic 
than Pu-239, yet they will screw themselves into the ceiling about a little 
tramp plutonium on mox fuel rods.
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<>    Charles R. (Russ) Meyer                  <>
<> Email: cmeyer@tdh.state.tx.us           <> 
<>     Phone:(512)834-6688                       <>
<>        Fax:(512)834-6654                        <>
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