RE: Sewer disposal of rad waste

["Jean-Francois, Stephane" <stephane_jeanfrancois@merck.com>]

Sorry if my answer comes late and may add more confusion but I think
there is definitively two separate issues here: Legal requirements and
corporative image.

 I saw numerous responses on RADSAFE stating that the sewer disposal
practices are legal. In Canada, it is the same thing for certain
activities, for certain isotopes, etc. BUT some municipalities have a
"no rad waste" policy and a good corporation should take that into
consideration.

Talking about corporate image, it is NEVER good for a corporation to
admit that they are discarding radioactive material in the public sewer
system even if they are not in an illegal position.

My advice: Stick to the regulations, proove if possible, that you are
way below them (even big research centers are below limits) and evaluate
the risk of possible legal actions from community groups,
environmentalist etc. 

But never forget that any challenges in court, even if you are right, is
expensive (time and money) and bad publicity for your company.


Stephane JF
RSO
Gestion du Risque\Risk Management
Merck Frosst Canada 

* 514.428.8695
Fax: 514.428.4917
*stephane_jeanfrancois@merck.com
This opinion is mine and does not involve my employer.
> ----------
> From: 	Richard J Sobilo[SMTP:rjsobilo@beckman.com]
> Sent: 	Thursday, December 11, 1997 1:40 PM
> To: 	Multiple recipients of list
> Subject: 	Sewer disposal of rad waste
> 
Message cut

	...We have been successfully using this disposal method for
> many years ,but they now want to review whether this is best for the
> company, looking from a legal perspective.  I am in the process of
> putting
> together the reasons I can think of, but am asking anyone out there
> for
> their input also in case I forget about something. Anyone care to post
> their ideas? Nuclides disposed of are your typical research and
> academic
> institution beta emitters. I'm kind of looking for pro sewer disposal
> ideas.
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> 
> Rich Sobilo   NRRPT
> RSO
> 
>