And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
* From: "Southeastern Native American Alliance (SENAA)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Below is an e-mail that I received from a supporter:
Date: Sat, 29 May 1999 04:32:03 -0400
From: "Diane D'Arrigo" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Tennessee leading the charge for radioactive recycling
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Good Wishes for the walk!
Since you are TN-based, I am forwarding this ALERT.
Tennessee Dept of Environmental Conservation is setting the precedent for
release of volumetrically contaminated radioactive metal into the
marketplace.
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: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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;
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Providing cultural education to indigenous
and non-indigenous children and adults
to ensure a brighter future for everyone.
Visit us and sign our guestbook at
http://members.xoom.com/senaa/index.html
E-mail us with news and other interesting
stories, articles, and comments at
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
_______________________________________________________
Get your free, private email at http://mail.excite.com/
Reprinted under the fair use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html
doctrine of international copyright law.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit)
Unenh onhwa' Awayaton
http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
