States, Scientists Urge Drinking Water Standard For EPA Radiological Guide

摘要

Some states and radiation scientists are calling on EPA to develop a protective drinking water level for exposures to radiation in the intermediate aftermath following radiological emergencies, noting that the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant accident showed that applying the existing radionuclides drinking water regulations to accident conditions failed to be feasible. At the same time, environmentalists say EPA should drop all efforts to establish a drinking water protective level that is weaker than Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) limits, but instead should give local and state authorities clear guidance on how to ensure the safety of water supplies during such periods. Environmentalists want EPA to withdraw the guidance, which they say weakens public health protections. And drinking water utilities are questioning many of EPA's assumptions about their ability to provide clean water supplies after an incident, calling them naive and asking to meet with the agency about the issue.