The Yucca Mountain Standard: Proposals for Leniency

1995 ◽  
Vol 412 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. H. Pigford
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Spent Nuclear Fuel ◽  
National Research Council ◽  
Yucca Mountain ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Geologic Repository ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Protection ◽  
The U.S

AbstractThe proposed geologic repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, for spent nuclear fuel and other highly radioactive waste needs an official standard to protect the public from release of radioactivity. Standards proposed by the U.S. Congress, the nuclear industry (NEI), the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the TYMS Committee of the National Research Council (NRC) are reviewed. Each of these proposals would introduce a degree of leniency not heretofore experienced in radiation protection. No adequate scientific justification is presented. Some scientifically invalid proposals are said to be justified on the grounds of policy. Most leading industrial nations are designing geologic repositories to meet the traditional criteria for safety and for protecting public health, including quantitative calculations of doses for the periods when significant doses can occur, rather than stopping calculations at 10,000 years as many in the U.S. would have us do. There is no evidence that they are seriously seeking more lenient standards for public health protection. The U.S. has the resources and skills to protect future people from our waste with the same care that we now protect the public from radiation. We should assert our will to do so. The Yucca Mountain project will be seriously damaged if it is directed to depart from the traditional conservative criteria for determining safety and protection of public health, criteria that are adopted in other countries working on geologic disposal.

Yucca Mountain Project Status

2002 ◽  
Vol 757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Kiess ◽  
Stephen H. Hanauer
Keyword(s):  
Spent Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Nuclear Regulatory Commission ◽  
The United States ◽  
Yucca Mountain ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Geologic Repository ◽  
Regulatory Standard ◽  
Regulatory Commission ◽  
High Level ◽  
The U.S

ABSTRACTThe Yucca Mountain site was designated in July 2002 as the United States' location for a geological repository for spent nuclear fuel and other high-level radioactive wastes. This site designation was a watershed event in the history of the project, enabling the U.S. Department of Energy to seek a license from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to construct and operate a geologic repository. Summarized below are the history and technical basis for this site designation and some key anticipated future events. Many of the significant events to date have been framed by the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (and Amendments) and the requirements of the regulatory standard.

Creep Analyses of Titanium Drip Shield Subjected to Rockfall Static Loads in the Proposed Geologic Repository at Yucca Mountain

2002 ◽  
Vol 713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett W. Neuberger ◽  
Charles A. Greene ◽  
G. Douglas Gute
Keyword(s):  
Residual Stress ◽  
Yucca Mountain ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Rock Block ◽  
Von Mises Stress ◽  
Segment Length ◽  
Geologic Repository ◽  
Static Loads ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
The U.S

ABSTRACTThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has included a drip shield (DS) as a principle component of the engineered barrier system (EBS) for the proposed high-level nuclear waste geologic repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The current DS design consists of titanium grade 7 (Ti Gr 7) plates and Ti Gr 24 support beams and bulkheads. The intended functions of the DS are to divert dripping water around and prevent rockfall damage to the waste package (WP). Sustained static loading of the DS may occur as a result of rockfall or drift collapse. These static loads may cause residual stress that approaches the yield stresses of the different DS materials. This level of residual stress would enable various creep mechanisms to transpire. A preliminary assessment of the potential for DS creep after a dynamic rock block impact is presented in this paper by expressing the DS residual Von Mises stress levels as fractions of the Ti alloy yield stress (YS). It was determined, using creep data from similar alloys that the residual stress levels within a DS after a 2-tonne rock block impact per DS segment length could cause creep in both the Ti Gr 7 plates and Ti Gr 24 bulkheads and support beams. The results of this study will assist the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in evaluating the risk significance of the expected DS performance characteristics under actual repository conditions.

scholarly journals A Panel Evaluation of the Changes in the General Public’s Social-Media-Following of United States’ Public Health Departments during COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272199545
Author(s):  
Areej Khokhar ◽  
Aaron Spaulding ◽  
Zuhair Niazi ◽  
Sikander Ailawadhi ◽  
Rami Manochakian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
State Level ◽  
The State ◽  
Public Health Department ◽  
Health Departments ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Departments ◽  
The Social ◽  
The U.S

Importance: Social media is widely used by various segments of society. Its role as a tool of communication by the Public Health Departments in the U.S. remains unknown. Objective: To determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on social media following of the Public Health Departments of the 50 States of the U.S. Design, Setting, and Participants: Data were collected by visiting the Public Health Department web page for each social media platform. State-level demographics were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention was utilized to collect information regarding the Governance of each State’s Public Health Department. Health rankings were collected from “America’s Health Rankings” 2019 Annual report from the United Health Foundation. The U.S. News and World Report Education Rankings were utilized to provide information regarding the public education of each State. Exposure: Data were pulled on 3 separate dates: first on March 5th (baseline and pre-national emergency declaration (NED) for COVID-19), March 18th (week following NED), and March 25th (2 weeks after NED). In addition, a variable identifying the total change across platforms was also created. All data were collected at the State level. Main Outcome: Overall, the social media following of the state Public Health Departments was very low. There was a significant increase in the public interest in following the Public Health Departments during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: With the declaration of National Emergency, there was a 150% increase in overall public following of the State Public Health Departments in the U.S. The increase was most noted in the Midwest and South regions of the U.S. The overall following in the pandemic “hotspots,” such as New York, California, and Florida, was significantly lower. Interesting correlations were noted between various demographic variables, health, and education ranking of the States and the social media following of their Health Departments. Conclusion and Relevance: Social media following of Public Health Departments across all States of the U.S. was very low. Though, the social media following significantly increased during the early course of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it still remains low. Significant opportunity exists for Public Health Departments to improve social media use to engage the public better.

scholarly journals Increase in hepatitis A cases in the Czech Republic in 2008 - preliminary report

2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (40) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Fabianova ◽  
J Cástková ◽  
C Beneš ◽  
J Kyncl ◽  
B Kriz
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Viral Hepatitis ◽  
Preliminary Report ◽  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Health Protection ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
The Public ◽  
Viral Hepatitis A ◽  
Public Health Protection

The public health protection authorities in the Czech Republic report a rise in cases of viral hepatitis A (HAV) since the end of May 2008. In total, as many as 602 HAV cases have been reported in 2008 until the end of calendar week 39 (28 September).

scholarly journals Exploring Agenda-Setting for Healthy Border 2010

2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles T. Kozel ◽  
Anne P. Hubbell ◽  
James Dearing ◽  
William M. Kane ◽  
Sharon Thompson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Agenda Setting ◽  
Border Health ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Public ◽  
Mexico Border ◽  
Paso Del Norte ◽  
Policy Agendas ◽  
The U.S

Policy makers take action largely on issues that attain the pinnacle of the policy agenda (Pertschuck, 2001). As a result, how decision makers choose which issues are important has been the subject of much research. Agenda-setting conceptualizes the process of how issues move from relative unimportance to the forefront of policymakers’ thoughts (Dearing & Rogers, 1996). An area within agenda-setting research, Health Promotion Agenda-Setting, provides Health Promotion practitioners with an innovative framework and strategy to set agendas for sustained courses of action (Kozel, Kane, Rogers, & Hammes, 1995). In this interdisciplinary and bi-national exploratory study, funded by the Center for Border Health Research of the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, we examine agenda-setting processes in the Paso del Norte Region and evaluates how the public health agenda is determined within the U.S.-Mexico border population. Integrating both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, the current research is focused on identifying deficiencies in the public health infrastructure in the U.S.-Mexico border area, and identifying channels that exist for working toward the bi-national goals presented in Healthy Border 2010 (U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission, 2003). Research directions, design, and methodologies for exploring health promotion agenda-setting in applied settings, such as Healthy Border 2010, provide health practitioners and policy makers the potential to improve public health leadership by influencing the public health and policy agendas.

scholarly journals RADIATION HYGIENE AND SAFETY OF NUCLEAR INDUSTRY

2019 ◽  
Vol 96 (9) ◽  
pp. 868-874
Author(s):  
O. A. Kochetkov ◽  
A. P. Panfilov ◽  
V. Yu. Usoltsev ◽  
Vladimir N. Klochkov ◽  
S. M. Shinkarev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Protection ◽  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Spent Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Exposure Limits ◽  
The Public ◽  
Methodological Foundation

This article covers basic issues of the radiation protection in nuclear industry. It contains an overview of history of the national nuclear industry including the creation of industry-specific facilities (research centers, medical units etc.). Main stages of the creating the regulatory system for radiation protection, starting from the beginning of the industrial radiation protection, stages of introducing exposure limits and implementation of the radiation protection system in international documents are described. In 1996, for the first time, radiation protection requirements in Russia were documented in the form of the Federal Law 3-FZ of 09.01.1996 “Radiation Protection of the Public". A new stage of updating the global methodological foundation of radiation protection began in 2007. IRCP recommendations of 2007 moved from the legacy practice and intervention approach focused on the process to the approach based on characteristics of exposure situation. The evolvement of new technologies (specifically, in the field of reactor engineering and used nuclear fuel) in recent years requires a special focus on the safety of the personnel and the public. This stipulates the necessity of the appropriate radiation protection support of activities for the safe implementation of modern technologies. Handling of spent nuclear fuel and generated radioactive wastes, safe decommissioning of radiation hazardous facilities, radiation protection during operation of radiation facilities in nonstandard conditions are all the issues requiring specific examination. Regulatory and procedural documents on radiation protection of the personnel and the public during development and implementation of new technologies have been developed and approved as a result of long-term work of scientists and other professionals.

scholarly journals Public Health Protection Against Bioterrorism via Respiratory Pathogenic Viral and Bacterial Agents using Protective Face Masks

CommonHealth ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-39
Author(s):  
David Brookstein
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Health Protection ◽  
Respiratory Protection ◽  
Wide Spread ◽  
The Public ◽  
Pathogenic Agents ◽  
Public Health Protection

The widespread respiratory transmission of the Covid-19 virus has taught us the importance of face masks to mitigate both the community spread of the virus and protection of wearers by face masks.  As such, there could be an extremely adverse public health possibility where respiratory pathogenic agents could be spread as a means of bioterrorism.  While eventually vaccines could mitigate wide spread infection, protective face masks are an important way to immediately   prevent respiratory infections from various pathogenic agents.  In view of the possibility of respiratory-based bioterrorism it is critical that the public might have to adopt universal usage of face masks.  The CDC recommends that all families stockpile respiratory protection as part of their personal pandemic plan because face masks should be worn by all individuals during a pandemic especially one caused by bioterrorism.

Site Investigations of Potential Repository Sites in Sweden

2003 ◽  
Vol 807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Wikberg ◽  
Kaj Ahlbom ◽  
Olle Olsson
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Spent Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Site Investigation ◽  
Management Programme ◽  
Nuclear Waste Management ◽  
Geologic Repository ◽  
The Public ◽  
Site Investigations

ABSTRACTThe Swedish nuclear waste management programme has entered the site investigation phase. Early 2002 SKB received permission from the municipalities of Östhammar and Oskarshamn to perform site investigations for a potential deep geologic repository for spent nuclear fuel. The goal of the site investigation phase is to obtain a permit to build the deep repository for spent nuclear fuel. In parallel with the investigations, consultations will be held with county administrative boards, regulatory authorities and municipalities, as well as with members of the public.

Water reclamation, reuse and public health

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 275-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.B. Rose
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Health Protection ◽  
The Public ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Problems And Solutions ◽  
Quality Water ◽  
Public Health Protection ◽  
Water Issues

The number of people who have limited access to high-quality water has increased, and while this is a growing global crisis, water issues, problems and solutions are often seen as localised. Water reuse and reclamation will play a significant role in achieving sustainability and public health protection in the future. The wastewater and reuse community should be responsible for monitoring sewage impacts and improvements as demonstrated through pathogen reduction with appropriate treatment. Viruses, Cryptosporidium and Giardia can all be reduced during treatment anywhere from 99% to 99.9999%, achieving drinking water quality, if so desired. Recommendations to achieve better access to scientific information for decision making include: 1) developing a global data base for biological contaminant loading from wastewater and 2) defining the public health protection via reuse and reclamation.

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