tritium in ground water nei 07-07 “industry ground water protection initiative”
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Los Angeles 10/29/2010 - Tritium in Ground Water Addressed by Nuclear Energy Institute’s NEI 07-07 “Industry Ground Water Protection Initiative”To gain perspective of the issue at hand, Tritium in ground water as a result of nuclear power plant operation it should be noted that the amount of tritium found in industrial grade self-luminous exit signs is 10 to 20 curies of tritium gas. Groundwater concentration at nuclear plants is at or below 20,000 picocuries per liter, the EPA’s standard for tritium in drinking water. Tritium not only is produced naturally in the upper atmosphere but is a produced commercially for self-luminescent devices such as wrist watches and exit signs, and is a byproduct of nuclear power generation. What does this mean for the nuclear industry? The public is deathly afraid of discharge, leaks, and inappropriate disposal of radioactive materials in the environment and in ground water.TRANSCRIPT
Tritium in Ground Water Addressed by Nuclear Energy Institute’s NEI 07-07 “Industry Ground Water Protection Initiative”
To gain perspective of the issue at hand, Tritium in ground water as a result of nuclear power plant operation it should be noted that the amount of tritium found in industrial grade self-luminous exit signs is 10 to 20 curies of tritium gas. Groundwater concentration at nuclear plants is at or below 20,000 picocuries per liter, the EPA’s standard for tritium in drinking water. Tritium not only is produced naturally in the upper atmosphere but is a produced commercially for self-luminescent devices such as wrist watches and exit signs, and is a byproduct of nuclear power generation. What does this mean for the nuclear industry?
The public is deathly afraid of discharge, leaks, and inappropriate disposal of radioactive materials in the environment and in ground water. Annual reporting of allowable plant discharges and extensive environmental monitoring programs are required by the Nuclear Energy Commission (NEC). Periodic on-site inspections are also conducted by the NEC. The plant design, operations, and procedures of the nuclear power plants focuses on unplanned releases of radioactive materials into the environment. As such when elevated levels of a radioactive substance, such as Tritium, is detected the industry implements corrective action such as defined in the NEI 07-07 issued in August 2007. The NEI recognizes these concerns and systematically addresses them. NEI 07-07 is just one of the initiatives providing guidance to the nuclear energy community and addresses Tritium in ground water specifically.
An updated version, NEI 08-08, will be finalized by the end of the last quarter, 2009. It will provide a standardized approach for COL applicants for operational program elements that compliment design features. The revised NEI 08-08 is significant in providing a standard generic program description to support a determination of a Reasonable Assurance of Safety. The continual updating of monitoring programs, equipment, and reporting procedures is an evolving process to assure the public of the safe and effective management of U.S, nuclear power plants.
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