Since the advent of nuclear energy and weapons, scientists and governments alike have been made aware of the dangers of radiation. Extreme exposure over a short period of time can cause acute radiation sickness which can be deadly. However, radioactive particles called radionuclides can also travel through the environment and harm public health in slower ways.

In 1982, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) established long-standing regulations to protect Americans from the hazards of radioactive waste. This rule prohibits low-level waste facilities from accepting radioactive waste at or above the Class C designation with over 40 times less curies per cubic foot emitted on average than Greater-Than-Class-C wastes (GTCC).

The proposed rule changes would allow certain GTCC’s to be disposed of in low-level waste facilities with near-surface disposal. Though these facilities will be required to apply for new permits to confirm that they can handle these wastes, exceptions to limits will be considered on a case-by-case basis. This would increase the risk to public health, our environment, and the workforce handling the disposal of these wastes both now and in the future.

Send a letter below to encourage the NRC to maintain regulations that protect Americans from low-level radioactive waste!  Comments are due by midnight, August 16th.

Thank you,

The Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning Team (TCWP)