EPA Documents Raise Doubts Over Intent of New Nuclear-Response Guide
Source: Global Security Newswire
Newly obtained government documents are prompting concern among critics that Environmental Protection Agency officials are seeking to use the organizations new guide for nuclear-incident response to relax public health standards, but the agency is denying the claim.
The Freedom of Information Act release comes as the agency has yet to finish collecting public comments on the so-called protective-action guide, which it issued in April after years of internal infighting and public controversy. The document is meant to give federal, state and local officials advice on responding to a wide range of radiological incidents, such as dirty bomb attacks, nuclear power plant meltdowns and industrial accidents.
The documents obtained by Global Security Newswire show EPA officials have suggested at meetings around the world that the new guide could allow for the use of long-term cleanup standards dramatically less stringent than those the agency has enforced for decades at hundreds of sites throughout the United States, critics say.
In some cases, EPA officials have not only suggested that a drastic event akin to the Fukushima nuclear power plant meltdown in Japan would necessitate more flexible guidelines, but also have made statements that critics say challenge the very science behind the agencys everyday radiation rules.
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Read more: http://www.nationaljournal.com/global-security-newswire/epa-documents-raise-doubts-over-intent-of-new-nuclear-response-guide-20130911
Mysterysouppe
(68 posts)bananas
(27,509 posts)Dr Helen Caldicott · 10,399 like this
4 hours ago ·
Excellent article on the projected weakening of the Protective Action Guidelines by the EPA and Homeland Security, including eroding away existing citizen protections in the case of a nuclear attack or accident, and of the Superfund clean-up requirements. The agency is accepting public comments on the new guide through Sept. 16.
Write in and demand that clean-up standards after a radiological accident must remain rigorous. You can access the comment area here: http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0268