Chernobyl Nuclear Accident Congressional Hearings Transcript

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There are other litigation measures in addition to delayed evacuation
that are appropriate for tne population beyond ten .iiiles. For
instance, plans for distribution of potassium iodide medicine to the
post -ten-mile population could be implemented. Such medicine, if made
available early enough, could significantly reduce the number of thyroid
'
cancers that would occur in the population exposed to radioiodine.
In addition to the steps suggested so far, arrangements should be
made with Canada £ind Mexico to initiate and complete the difficult planning
tasks that are associated with transborder transport of radioactivity.
A consistent set of guidelines should be worked out for setting
thresholds for food and
land contamination.
Response # 5: All attempts to weaken public involvement in reactor licensing
should be halted. Public participation should be made more meaningful by
funding
intervenors.
If there is any consensus lesson from the Chernobyl accident, it is
that the nuclear industry needs criticism from a concerned puDlic.
Although the nuclear industry criticizes groups like the Union of
Concerned Scientists (UCS), reactors are safer in the United States
because UCS has been active over the years. But UCS gets involved with
only a small number of interventions. Most interventions are started by
local groups vnth little prior experience with nuclear power. The best
way to ensure that these groups participate in an effective and meaningful
way in the licensing process is to provide them with funds to pay
technical witnesses.