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

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398<br />

ALTERNATIVE DISPOSAL CONCEPTS<br />

Therefore, the conclusion drawn was that the number <strong>of</strong> facilities, increased volumes<br />

and greater diversity <strong>of</strong> waste streams would imply a more complicated waste management<br />

program.<br />

Draft Section 3.9.5<br />

Issue<br />

The length <strong>of</strong> this secton (3.9.5) could be reduced to that <strong>of</strong> the last paragraph since<br />

most <strong>of</strong> the remaining information has been previously discussed. (124)<br />

Response<br />

A revised version <strong>of</strong>-the section on partitioning and transmutation appears as Sec-<br />

tion 6.1.7, Transmutation. This revision should be found more succinct. In particular,<br />

secondary impacts from partitioning.-are reflected in an expanded section, 6.1.7.4, Impacts<br />

<strong>of</strong> Construction and Operation (Preemplacement).<br />

Draft p. 3.9.9<br />

Issue<br />

The discussion <strong>of</strong> iodine partitioning is somewhat misleading. Partitioning is accomp-<br />

lished by air-sparging <strong>of</strong> the dissolver solution to force the last few percent <strong>of</strong> iodine<br />

into the <strong>of</strong>f-gas. The lodox process is one <strong>of</strong> several possible methods for recovery <strong>of</strong><br />

iodine from the <strong>of</strong>f-gas. The hazard posed by the 1% or less that is not removed from the<br />

solution should be quantified and put in perspective.<br />

The consideration <strong>of</strong> the disposal <strong>of</strong> recovered iodine appears to have failed to<br />

include consideraton <strong>of</strong> isotopic dilution as an added protection against hazards arising<br />

from possible release from geologic confinement at some time in the "distant future."<br />

Emplacement <strong>of</strong> iodine wastes, either in seabed sediments or salt depositories (assuming<br />

iodine content similar to.seawater), would provide a high degree <strong>of</strong> protection against the<br />

possibility <strong>of</strong> significant future up-take <strong>of</strong> 1291 by any individual. (58)<br />

Response<br />

The discussion <strong>of</strong> iodine partitioning now appears in Section 4.3.4.2, Gaseous Radio-<br />

nuclide Recovery. The new Transmutation Section 6.1.7 deals with actinide partition and<br />

128<br />

transmutation. Accordingly, there is no specific treatment <strong>of</strong> the I hazard, but the<br />

general treatment in 4.7.2.3, Radiological Effects <strong>of</strong> Reprocessing Fuel Cycle <strong>Waste</strong> Manage-<br />

ment, is considered adequate to the purpose <strong>of</strong> the GEIS. The points made pertaining to<br />

mitigation <strong>of</strong> the potential hazard <strong>of</strong> iodine release are certainly valid.

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