Key Issues
Emergency Preparedness Near Nuclear Power Plants
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Federal Agencies Set Emergency Plan Zones
The EPA, the NRC and other federal agencies developed the planning basis for a radiological emergency preparedness program in 1978.
The Federal Radiological Preparedness Coordinating Committee—chaired by the director of the DHS sector-specific agency—uses these planning tools to coordinate all federal responsibilities for assisting state and local governments in radiological emergency planning and preparedness activities.
This multi-agency federal task force determined that a 10-mile radius encompassing a nuclear power facility is an appropriate EPZ in the event of a release of radioactive material from the reactor. The projected radiation doses that would result from most hypothetical reactor accidents would not be a threat to public health and safety beyond the 10-mile zone, the task force concluded.
The task force also established a 50-mile zone to limit public exposure to radioactive materials through consumption of contaminated water, milk or foods.
Evacuation and/or sheltering, and consideration of distributing KI, are required only for those residents within the 10-mile EPZ, according to federal protective action guidelines.
Although unlikely, a serious reactor accident likely would evolve over a period of several hours, thus providing time for orderly evacuation or sheltering, if necessary, in the 10-mile EPZ.
Each year, the companies that operate nuclear plants provide residents within the 10-mile EPZ with information explaining radiation and telling them measures to take in the event of an emergency.
KI Unnecessary Beyond 10 Miles of a Plant
In 2002, Congress passed a law to make available to state and local governments enough KI tablets for stockpiling and distribution to the population within 20 miles of a nuclear power plant. However, the law permits the government to waive the KI program if it finds a more effective way to protect the public from potential exposure to radioactive iodine.
The National Academy of Sciences recognized that sound science and public policy did not support widespread distribution of KI.
In January 2008, OSTP issued a “decision memorandum” stating that distribution of KI in the region 10 to 20 miles from a nuclear power plant is unnecessary. “I have determined that a more effective preventive measure does exist for the extended zone covered by the Act, namely avoidance of exposure altogether through evacuation of the potentially affected population and interdiction of contaminated food,” wrote OSTP Director John Marburger.
OSTP’s decision is entirely independent of the likelihood of an accident that could produce radioactive iodine concentrations of concern beyond the 10-mile EPZ. However, Marburger noted that the likelihood of such a situation arising is on the order of one in a million to one in 10 million.
He also said the type of event that could release radioactive iodine would release other radioisotopes as well. “Evacuation and interdiction of contaminated food products are the preferred actions to prevent exposures to these other radionuclides, and will have to be taken in response to such an event in any case.”
Federal Agencies Set Emergency Plan Zones
The EPA, the NRC and other federal agencies developed the planning basis for a radiological emergency preparedness program in 1978.
The Federal Radiological Preparedness Coordinating Committee—chaired by the director of the DHS sector-specific agency—uses these planning tools to coordinate all federal responsibilities for assisting state and local governments in radiological emergency planning and preparedness activities.
This multi-agency federal task force determined that a 10-mile radius encompassing a nuclear power facility is an appropriate EPZ in the event of a release of radioactive material from the reactor. The projected radiation doses that would result from most hypothetical reactor accidents would not be a threat to public health and safety beyond the 10-mile zone, the task force concluded.
The task force also established a 50-mile zone to limit public exposure to radioactive materials through consumption of contaminated water, milk or foods.
Evacuation and/or sheltering, and consideration of distributing KI, are required only for those residents within the 10-mile EPZ, according to federal protective action guidelines.
Although unlikely, a serious reactor accident likely would evolve over a period of several hours, thus providing time for orderly evacuation or sheltering, if necessary, in the 10-mile EPZ.
Each year, the companies that operate nuclear plants provide residents within the 10-mile EPZ with information explaining radiation and telling them measures to take in the event of an emergency.
KI Unnecessary Beyond 10 Miles of a Plant
In 2002, Congress passed a law to make available to state and local governments enough KI tablets for stockpiling and distribution to the population within 20 miles of a nuclear power plant. However, the law permits the government to waive the KI program if it finds a more effective way to protect the public from potential exposure to radioactive iodine.
The National Academy of Sciences recognized that sound science and public policy did not support widespread distribution of KI.
In January 2008, OSTP issued a “decision memorandum” stating that distribution of KI in the region 10 to 20 miles from a nuclear power plant is unnecessary. “I have determined that a more effective preventive measure does exist for the extended zone covered by the Act, namely avoidance of exposure altogether through evacuation of the potentially affected population and interdiction of contaminated food,” wrote OSTP Director John Marburger.
OSTP’s decision is entirely independent of the likelihood of an accident that could produce radioactive iodine concentrations of concern beyond the 10-mile EPZ. However, Marburger noted that the likelihood of such a situation arising is on the order of one in a million to one in 10 million.
He also said the type of event that could release radioactive iodine would release other radioisotopes as well. “Evacuation and interdiction of contaminated food products are the preferred actions to prevent exposures to these other radionuclides, and will have to be taken in response to such an event in any case.”
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