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

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6.149<br />

Regarding on- or near-pad accidents, no precise estimates <strong>of</strong> health effects from worst-<br />

case credible accidents can be made from present information. Nonetheless, dose commitments<br />

to the most exposed individual (80 rem/event) and to the population within 100 km <strong>of</strong> the site<br />

(4000 man-rem/ event) have been estimated for the on-pad accident (Bechtel 1979a). More work<br />

would be needed concerning the integrity <strong>of</strong> the nuclear waste container systems that would be<br />

employed for the space disposal option and the actual accident environments that would re-<br />

sult. Additionally, the relationship between shielding and possible health effects during<br />

recovery from major accidents would require further technical study. Under accident condi-<br />

tions, however, the stability <strong>of</strong> the HLW is expected to reduce the consequences <strong>of</strong> any loss<br />

<strong>of</strong> containment (DOE 1979a).<br />

In a space disposal reentry and burnup accident, the estimated average and individual<br />

dose is "quite small", yet the total population dose could be very large (e.g., about 107<br />

man-rem/accident to the world population) (Bechtel 1979a).<br />

Nonradiological Impacts. Generally, environmental impacts that would be caused by normal<br />

operations or nonradiological-type accidents from a space disposal option are not expected to<br />

be significant (NASA 1978). Potential environmental impacts related to the normal operations<br />

<strong>of</strong> space transportation systems that might be unique are discussed below.<br />

The types <strong>of</strong> environmental health impacts that could be attributed to normal space trans-<br />

portation activities are:<br />

* Gaseous and particulate emissions from rocket engines<br />

* Noise generated during launches and landings (including sonic booms)<br />

* Commitments <strong>of</strong> nonrecoverable resources.<br />

These effects have been studied by NASA and an environmental impact statement has been<br />

issued (NASA 1978). To date, research has indicated there would be no significant effects to<br />

the human population from a steady launch rate <strong>of</strong> 60 shuttle flights per year.<br />

During abnormal conditions, the major nonradiological concern appears to be whether or<br />

not large pieces <strong>of</strong> metal would reach the ground in the event <strong>of</strong> an upper stage failure. This<br />

question and others are the subject <strong>of</strong> ongoing investigations.<br />

Natural System Impacts<br />

Radiological and nonradiological impacts are analyzed below for the natural system.<br />

Radiological Impacts. Environmental studies <strong>of</strong> the Barnwell Nuclear Fuel Plant (AGNS<br />

1971, 1974; Darr and Murbach 1977) provide information concerning environmental impacts ex-<br />

pected from normal processing <strong>of</strong> the reference waste mix. Expected environmental effects<br />

include modest heat additions to local water systems, as well as both gaseous and liquid re-<br />

leases <strong>of</strong> radioactive and nonradioactive materials.

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