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Management of Commercially Generated Radioactive Waste - U.S. ...

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Issue<br />

137<br />

RISK PERSPECTIVES<br />

Several commenters noted that the reader's perspective <strong>of</strong> relative risk would be<br />

further enhanced if health effects due to natural background were stated as a range rather<br />

than as a discrete value. (58, 124)<br />

Response<br />

By and large, reference to natural background as a comparison has been made on a basis<br />

<strong>of</strong> dose. Health effects for the regional population from natural background over a 70-yr<br />

period would (on the basis used in this Statement) range from 1,000 to 9,000.<br />

Issue<br />

Several commenters stated that a summary presentation should be provided for each<br />

option <strong>of</strong> all the elements <strong>of</strong> risk. (58, 124)<br />

Response<br />

From the standpoint <strong>of</strong> classical risk assessment, this issue calls for a detailed<br />

examination, and DOE does not feel that the data is available to make such a presentation<br />

with any confidence.<br />

However, Chapter 7.0 <strong>of</strong> the final Statement does outline from a systems viewpoint the<br />

impacts <strong>of</strong> waste management (i.e., radiological and nonradiological impacts, land use, mate-<br />

rials and energy requirements).<br />

Issue<br />

The Statement should specify incremental risk in initiating repository program in near-<br />

term versus deferring initiation until additional (or "complete" data) is obtained. (38,<br />

134, 217)<br />

Response<br />

The Statement analyzed the environmental impacts <strong>of</strong> repository startup for the<br />

years 1990 through 2010 as part <strong>of</strong> the proposed action. The Statement also looked at<br />

repository startup in the year 2010 to 2030 and the associated impacts as part <strong>of</strong> the alter-<br />

native action. The Statement did not perform a "risk calculation" per se comparing near-<br />

term repository startup versus a deferred startup.<br />

Issue<br />

Several commenters noted that the Statement should provide rationale for what is con-<br />

sidered acceptable risk and/or define adequate safety. (6, 58, '97, 98, 124, 154)

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