Antinuclear

NRC says uranium wastes radioactive for 1000 years

The [uranium mining waste] design must provide “reasonable assurance of control of radiological hazards to be effective for 1,000 years, to the extent reasonably achievable, and, in any case, for at least 200 years,” according to the NRC.

Risk assessment a complex task – Experts described the top threat from uranium mining, and regulators cited thorough efforts, League of Individuals for the Environment, Inc, By Duncan Adams, 23 March 2010, One thousand years. If uranium mining and milling of ore happens someday near Chatham, Va., Virginia Uranium or another company involved could be required by Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations to design a disposal system that can safely impound mining wastes for a millennium.

The design must provide “reasonable assurance of control of radiological hazards to be effective for 1,000 years, to the extent reasonably achievable, and, in any case, for at least 200 years,” according to the NRC.Related regulations apply to conventional open pit or underground mining. Different disposal regulations would apply if other methods are used.
In short, uranium mining wastes can be dangerous for generations.

Milling leftovers, called tailings, contain radiation and heavy metals. Among other hazards, the tailings release radon gas and can become dust in the wind and groundwater contaminants.

Experts about the dangers of uranium mining say the tailings can present the greatest hazard to human health and the environment.

“My concern would not be so much about radiation from the ore,” said Susan Pinney, an associate professor and epidemiologist at the University of Cincinnati. “Usually, exposure comes from the tailings.”

Pinney added, “Inhaling uranium dust is really the source of the body burden of uranium.”…………
According to NIOSH, research has revealed higher than expected rates of blood cancers, chronic kidney disease and nonmalignant lung diseases among mill workers. Lung cancer deaths also were higher than expected.

League of Individuals for the Environment, Inc. – Flash Player Installation

March 23, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, uranium | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear wastes, radioactive, uranium