NRC/EPA Sewage Sludge Survey [was RE: Nuclear Laundry]

[Duane Schmidt <DWS2@nrc.gov>]

Scott Kirk, and other RADSAFERs:

The NRC and EPA, with the support of a subcommittee to the Interagency Steering Committee on Radiation Standards (ISCORS), have initiated the national survey of radioactivity in sewage sludge and incinerator ash. The subcommittee recently published a short report, which describes the results obtained at 9 "test sites," and describes plans for the full survey. The full survey involves sending questionnaires to about 600 publicly owned treatment works (POTWs), and then obtaining sludge and ash samples from up to about 300 POTWs. The project relies on voluntary cooperation by the POTWs. Right now, we have sent out the questionnaires and have been receiving responses for a couple weeks. We hope to begin sample collection within a few weeks.

For more information, the recently released report is available on the web. The NRC url (which provides a link to the report) is:
http://www.nrc.gov/NMSS/DWM/DECOM/sewerpilotreport.htm

The EPA url (directly to a list of publications, including the one of interest) is:
http://www.epa.gov/rpdweb00/tenorm/pubs.htm

I am one of the NRC members of the Sewage Sludge Subcommittee of ISCORS. So, folks are welcome to contact me about this project (but please use the web sites to obtain the report, if at all possible :-)).

Duane.

Duane Schmidt, CHP
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NMSS/DWM/DCB
Mail Stop T-7F27
Washington, DC 20555
mailto:   dws2@nrc.gov
(301)-415-6919

>>> "jskirk@mailexcite.com" <jskirk@excite.com> 7/27/99 6:34:32 PM >>>

To my understanding, the NRC and EPA are planning to implement a national
survey to determine if additional regulations are needed to further restrict
discharges to sewers.  <Major snip>


Scott Kirk, MS, CHP
jskirk@excite.com 


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