Rep. Ed Markey Questions DOE’s Radioactive Recycling Proposal
Jan. 11, 2013 --
Contact: Eben Burnham-Snyder, Rep. Ed Markey, 202-225-2836
Radioactive Scrap Metal Could be Turned into Consumer Products
WASHINGTON (January 11, 2013) – A Department of Energy proposal to allow up to 14,000 metric tons of its radioactive scrap metal to be recycled into consumer products was called into question today by Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) due to concerns over public health. In a letter sent to DOE head Steven Chu, Rep. Markey expressed “grave concerns” over the potential of these metals becoming jewelry, cutlery, or other consumer products that could exceed healthy doses of radiation without any knowledge by the consumer. DOE made the proposal to rescind its earlier moratorium on radioactive scrap metal recycling in December, 2012.
The proposal follows an incident from 2012 involving Bed, Bath & Beyond stores in America recalling tissue holders made in India that were contaminated with the radio-isotope cobalt-60. Those products were shipped to 200 stores in 20 states. In response to that incident, a Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokesperson advised members of the public to return the products even though the amount of contamination was not considered to be a health risk.
“The public concerns associated with such a proposal cannot be understated,” writes Rep. Markey to Secretary Chu.
“If these metals are being released to companies who will subsequently manufacture new consumer products from them, DOE simply has no way to ensure that different samples are not aggregated into more highly radioactive products.”
MORE
The full letter can be found
HERE.
fairewindsenergy·Published on Jan 15, 2013
http://www.fairewinds.org/
http://www.fairewinds.org/content/repairs-four-nuclear-reactors-are-so-expens...
http://www.fairewinds.org/donations
Fairewinds examines continuing problems at four US nuclear reactors, each of which have been shutdown for more than two years. Upstream dam failures continue to plague Ft. Calhoun, steam generator tube failures at San Onofre jeopardized Los Angeles. Crystal River's containment repairs burden Floridians with excessive costs.
Finally, Arnie examines a new proposal by the Department of Energy to melt radioactive scrap metal and reuse it in consumer goods like knives and forks.
= new reply since forum marked as read
