More than three-dozen nuclear critics and environmental groups contend in a recent letter that President Donald Trump’s executive actions could weaken radiation protections and endanger public health.
“The Trump White House has issued numerous executive orders (EO), including one directing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to revise its long-standing radiation rule, Standards for Protection Against Radiation,” the organizations said in a Nov. 12 letter.
“Although Part 20 [within Chapter 10 in the Code of Federal Regulations] is already inadequate in many respects, it is still far better than the revisions now being proposed,” according to the letter sent by the Sierra Club, Beyond Nuclear, Physicians for Social Responsibility and other groups.
The letter was sent to NRC, the White House Office of Management and Budget, the Surgeon General’s office and other government representatives, including Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.).
The organizations claim that special interests are using Executive Order 14300 issued in May on NRC reform as a vehicle to water-down radiation standards.
NRC has not made a revision yet, and “has been hearing that the Part 20 exposure (external only) should be taken from the existing 100 mr [millirem] a year, per license, to 500 mr,” according to the letter.
“Accepting weaker radiation protections amounts to accepting an ever-increasing level of avoidable human disease and suffering,” the letter goes on to say. “It is not too late for the NRC to uphold genuine family values—those that prioritize the health of children and future generations—by resisting efforts to trade human safety for nuclear industry expansion.”