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

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6.91<br />

* The capability for corrective action over a long period is uncertain, and site selection<br />

criteria and performance assessment capability are nonexistant.<br />

* No site is currently, or potentially in the future, available to the U.S. for R&D.<br />

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

Health impacts, both radiological and nonradiological, and natural system impacts are<br />

analyzed below.<br />

Health Impacts<br />

Radiological impacts would in many ways be similar to those for mined geologic disposal<br />

but would have the added problem <strong>of</strong> extensive interim storage. Nonradiologic impacts might<br />

occur both as a result <strong>of</strong> routine operations or in abnormal or accidental conditions.<br />

Radiological Impacts. Ice sheet disposal would be different from the mined geologic re-<br />

pository and other alternatives because <strong>of</strong> the requirement for extensive interim storage <strong>of</strong><br />

either processed waste or spent fuel. Such storage would be necessary because lead times for<br />

research, development, and testing are 10 to 30 years longer than those for geologic disposal<br />

(DOE 1979). During this time, radiological effects would include doses to occupational per-<br />

sonnel, the normal release <strong>of</strong> radioactive effluents to the atmosphere, and the potential for<br />

accidental release <strong>of</strong> radioactivity. At this time, no studies are available that provide a<br />

quantitative estimate <strong>of</strong> these impacts; however, it is expected that they would be similar to<br />

those from fuel storage facilities.<br />

Preparation <strong>of</strong> waste for ice sheet disposal would be similar to that for mined geologic<br />

disposal methods. Likewise, the radiological effects associated with this option are as-<br />

sumed to be similar to those associated with geologic disposal methods. The radiological<br />

risks and impacts from the transportation <strong>of</strong> the waste would be to the Artic or Antarctic es-<br />

sentially the same as those discussed in subseabed disposal. The ice sheet disposal option is<br />

not sufficiently developed to estimate the radiological effects <strong>of</strong> routine operations on the<br />

ice sheet.<br />

Accidents while unloading at the ice shelf seaport or during transport over the ice could<br />

create retrieval situations that would be difficult in the polar environment. Quantitative<br />

estimates <strong>of</strong> the radiological impact <strong>of</strong> such accidents are not available.<br />

Nonradiological Impacts to Man and Environment. Potential nonradiological impacts could<br />

occur during all phases <strong>of</strong> ice sheet disposal operations. As with many <strong>of</strong> the alternative<br />

disposal strategies, impacts can be categorized as to whether they would occur during waste<br />

preparation, transportation, or emplacement activities. In general, those impacts associ-<br />

ated with transportation and emplacement would warrant the most analysis. <strong>Waste</strong> preparation<br />

impacts would be similar to those for other disposal strategies discussed earlier.

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