Scientists: Test West Coast for Fukushima Radiation

As reported by USA Today, calls are growing for the U.S. federal government to test the Pacific Ocean for Fukushima fallout. Varying models predict Fukushima radioactive contamination plumes in the sea will arrive at the West Coast of North America this summer at the latest, or as early as next month.

A report presented last week at a conference of the American Geophysical Union's Ocean Sciences Section showed that some Cesium-134 has already has arrived in Canada, in the Gulf of Alaska area.

Ken Buesseler, a chemical oceanographer based at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, reports that Cesium-134 serves as a fingerprint for Fukushima.

"The models show it will reach north of Seattle first, then move down the coast," Buesseler said.

Although Buesseler is calling for more federal involvement, he's also taking matters into his own hands. He's launched "How Radioactive Is Our Ocean?" The project will use crowd-sourced money and volunteers to collect water samples along the Pacific Coast, to be shipped across the country to be analyzed.

Similarly, Cal State Long Beach marine biologist Steven Manley has launched "Kelp Watch 2014," which will partner with other organizations to monitor kelp all along the West Coast for Fukushima radiation.

Oregon state park rangers take quarterly ocean water samples to test for radioactivity, according to the article. Their program began in April 2012, tied to monitoring for Japanese tsunami debris washing up on shore.

California also monitors ocean radioactivity near the sole remaining operating nuclear power plant in the state, Diablo Canyon.

The article reports Buesseler saying that current models predict that the radiation will be at extremely low levels that won't harm humans or the environment.

However, this does not comport with the affirmations of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS), in multiple reports over decades, that any exposure to ionizing radioactivity, no matter how low the dose, still carries a health risk for cancer. NAS has found that the higher the exposure, the higher the risk of cancer, but there is no threshold below which a radioactive exposure can be called "safe." NAS also has found that these health risks for cancer from ionizinig radioactivity accumulate over a lifetime of exposures.

EPA: Should 1977 radiation standards be revised? Comments needed

The EPA is considering revising its limits for radiation releases and doses to the public from normal operation of nuclear power and other uranium facilities. In the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR), EPA makes clear that it is not proposing any changes currently but is gathering information and comments. It is hosting a series of informational webinars (scroll to bottom), the next of which is March 19, 2014 at 1pm EST (click to register). Scroll down for full webinar announcement from EPA. Watch this page for reminders, updates, and comments as they become available.

COMMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY WEDNESDAY JUNE 4, 2014 on this ANPR

From EPA: "'Environmental Radiation Protection Standards for Nuclear Power Operations' (40 CFR 190). limit radiation releases and doses to the public from the normal operations of nuclear power plants and other uranium fuel cycle facilities, the facilities involved in the manufacture and use of uranium fuel for generating electrical power. Advancements in the scientific understanding of radiation risk and new nuclear technologies and practices have led EPA to consider whether to revise the standards. EPA has issued this ANPR to request information to support our review. No changes to the current standards are being proposed at this time."

EPA ANNOUNCEMENT: Informational Webinar

Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR)
“Environmental Radiation Protection Standards for Nuclear Power Operations” (40 CFR 190)

March 19, 2014, 1:00 PM EDT

You are invited to join us in a webinar about the ANPR for “Environmental Radiation Protection Standards for Nuclear Power Operations” (40 CFR 190). In this webinar, we will go over the current standards and identify the areas where EPA is considering revisions and where we are looking for public input.  Please note that this webinar is informational and intended to help members of the public submit comments. Comments must be received in writing by June 4, 2014.

A.     REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Advanced registration is required. When you register, you will be prompted to create a password. Upon registering, you will receive an email with the webinar link and instructions.  To register:
https://epa.connectsolutions.com/anprwebinar/event/registration.html

B.     SCHEDULE OF WEBINARS

Other topic-specific webinars will be scheduled.  For more information, updates, and background information, please visit our website at: www.epa.gov/radiation/laws/190. You can subscribe to this page to be notified when additional information is posted.

C.     ABOUT THE STANDARDS & THIS ANPR

“Environmental Radiation Protection Standards for Nuclear Power Operations” (40 CFR 190). limit radiation releases and doses to the public from the normal operations of nuclear power plants and other uranium fuel cycle facilities, the facilities involved in the manufacture and use of uranium fuel for generating electrical power. Advancements in the scientific understanding of radiation risk and new nuclear technologies and practices have led EPA to consider whether to revise the standards. EPA has issued this ANPR to request information to support our review. No changes to the current standards are being proposed at this time.

D.     DOWNLOAD THE ANPR  

Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking from the Federal Register, February 4, 2014

E.     SUBMISSION OF COMMENTS

Comments are due by June 4, 2014. To be considered, comments must be submitted in writing to the 40 CFR 190 Docket No. EPA-HQ- OAR–2013–0689. Instructions for submitting comments by mail are in the ANPR. You may also submit comments electronically:

Submit Comments on Line at Regulations.gov

F.     ABOUT EPA AND NUCLEAR POWER OPERATIONS

EPA’s mission is to protect human health and the environment. The Agency sets generally applicable environmental standards that limit the amount of radioactivity that can be released into the environment. EPA does not directly regulate the daily operations of nuclear power plants or nuclear fuel facilities. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has regulatory responsibility for licensing and oversight of nuclear power plants and other commercial facilities that use radioactive materials. NRC implements EPA standards at applicable facilities.

G.     QUESTIONS?

If you need further information from an EPA staff member, please contact Brian Littleton at littleton.brian@epa.gov.(While we are happy to answer your questions, please note that EPA can only consider written comments officially submitted to the 40 CFR 190 Docket.)