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DANGER: RADIOACTIVE RECYCLING ALERT
This came across my screen today--more misinformation to promote the
anti-nuclear cause.
--Susan Gawarecki
Return-Path: <dianed@igc.org>
Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 15:53:33 -0400
From: "Diane D'Arrigo" <dianed@igc.org>
Reply-To: dianed@nirs.org
Organization: NIRS
DANGER: RADIOACTIVE RECYCLING ALERT
ARE CONSUMER PRODUCTS RADIOACTIVE NOW? WHAT IS GOING ON?
Some radioactive metal and other materials from the maintenance and
decommissioning of nuclear power and weapons factories are being
"cleared" for "free release" into the marketplace. Rather than isolating
radioactive waste, the generators hope to save or make money selling it
into commerce. Radioactivity will end up in consumer products and
building materials. Some is already being recycled but MUCH MORE IS
COMING --The floodgates are about to open! Unless this practice is
stopped immediately, there will be massive amounts of radioactively
contaminated metal and other materials released for manufacturing daily
household items such as silverware, cars, toys, furniture, medical
supplies, etc. The amount being "cleared" for recycling could increase
tremendously as nuclear power reactors and weapons sites close and
dismantle.
WHO IS LETTING THIS HAPPEN?
The US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) is quietly releasing radioactive
material on a case-by-case basis from many of its nuclear weapons
complexes across the country. DOE has entered a precedent-setting
contract, at Oak Ridge,TN that could release over 100,000 tons of
radioactively contaminated nickel, steel scrap and copper. The metal
would go to metal processing facilities, then to product manufacturers
with no warning, labeling, notification or consent from potentially
exposed workers or future owners of the products. Any items made from
these metals could be contaminated. This action violates the National
Environmental Policy Act and common sense. The contract is being
challenged in court.
The US NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (NRC):
1) is getting ready to set standards that will legalize "clearance" of
radioactively contaminated materials into the marketplace and
radioactive sites for unrestricted use. A rulemaking process is underway
to "allow[s] quantities of materials to be released" from nuclear power
reactors and facilities for recycling in general commerce,
2) has a technical analysis out for public comment (deadline 7/5/99) on
assumptions and estimates of radiation doses from recycling radioactive
copper, aluminum, steel and concrete.
3) is approving the importation of radioactive metal from foreign
nuclear reactors for "clearance" into and recycling in the US
marketplace.
The TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION (TDEC), an
"agreement state agency" that licenses and regulates (instead of the
NRC), has licensed several radioactive metal companies to process and
release radioactive metal into the marketplace. TDEC, in late March
1999, approved a precedent-setting license amendment that will allow
volumetrically contaminated (radioactive inside and throughout) metal to
be released to commerce. It is unclear when that actual recycling will
begin, but if it does, it will be the first known deliberate release of
large quantities of volumetrically contaminated metal in US history. And
it is tip of the iceberg.
HOW CAN RADIOACTIVE "CLEARANCE"/RELEASE/ RECYCLE INTO COMMERCE BE
STOPPED AND PREVENTED?
Make your position clear to the decision-makers. Contact your local,
state and federal legislators and agency-heads that are charged with
protecting consumers, public health and the environment. Pass
resolutions.
SOME CONTACTS:
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, DC 20555
1-301-415-7000 (Switchboard)
Email: chairman@nrc.gov
Tennessee Department of Environmental Conservation
Division of Radiological Health
401 Church Street 3rd Floor
Nashville, TN 37243-1532
Secretary Bill Richardson
US Department of Energy
Washington, DC 20585
Senator _________
US Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Representative______________
US House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
202-224-3121 or 225-3121 Congressional switchboard
For more information contact Nuclear Information and Resource Service
1424 16th Street NW Suite 404 Washington, DC 20036; 202-328-0002;
dianed@nirs.org
--
==================================================
Susan L. Gawarecki, Ph.D., Executive Director
Oak Ridge Reservation Local Oversight Committee, Inc.
136 South Illinois Avenue, Suite 208
Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830
Phone (423) 483-1333; Fax (423) 482-6572; E-mail loc@icx.net
VISIT OUR UPDATED WEB SITE: http://www.local-oversight.org
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