US NRC Press Release re Thyroid Protection/Emergencies

[Mike Grissom <mikeg@SLAC.Stanford.EDU>]

Radsafer's,

The following recent release from the US NRC addresses and
invites public comment on a frequently discussed issue on
radsafe:

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Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Office of Public Affairs
Washington DC 20555

Telephone: 301/415-8200 -- E-mail: opa@nrc.gov
No. 98-12
January 16, 1998

      NRC SEEKS COMMENT ON PETITION FOR RULEMAKING
 CONCERNING USE OF THYROID-PROTECTING DRUG IN EMERGENCY
                       RESPONSE

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is seeking public comment
on a petition for rulemaking which asks that the NRC modify
its regulation, 10 CFR 50.47 (b) (10), to require that
nuclear power plant emergency plans consider the inclusion
of the use of potassium iodide, a thyroid-protecting drug,
for the general public.

The deadline for comments is February 17.

Current Federal policy, published July 24, 1985, calls for
potassium iodide to be stockpiled for distribution during
emergencies to emergency workers and institutionalized
persons. If taken in time, the substance blocks most of the
thyroid gland's uptake of radioactive iodine. It could thus
help reduce the risk of thyroid cancer and other diseases
that might otherwise be caused by exposure to radioactive
iodine which could be dispersed in a severe nuclear
accident.

The Commission last year voted to approve a proposed
revision to the current Federal policy which would offer to
provide funding for states which want to stockpile potassium
iodide for use by the general public in the event of a
nuclear power plant emergency.

The rulemaking petition now pending before the Commission
calls for a change in NRC regulations to specify that states
and licensees consider the use of potassium iodide, as well
as evacuation and sheltering, in the preparation of nuclear
power plant emergency plans.

The petition was filed by Peter G. Crane, an NRC staff
attorney who took the action as a private citizen. The
original January 16 deadline for comments has been extended
by 30 days to allow sufficient time for public comment.
Persons wishing copies of the petition may write: Rules and
Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services,
Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, Washington, DC 20555. A copy of the petition and
other related documents are also available at the NRC Public
Document Room, 2120 L Street NW (Lower Level), Washington,
DC. The petition also may be accessed on the Internet at:

http://ruleforum.llnl.gov/cgi-bin/rulemake?source=KI_PETITION .

Comments should be mailed to: Secretary, U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attention:
Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff. Comments also may be
delivered to 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, between
7:30 a. m. and 4:15 p. m. on Federal workdays.  They also
may be provided through the NRC's interactive rulemaking
website, which may be reached via the Internet at:

	http://www.nrc.gov

by looking for rulemaking under the heading "Public
Participation and School Programs."

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