Nuclear Waste Disposal Without Public Risk

You referred to Southern California Edison’s plan to move a decommissioned reactor vessel as a Keystone Kops episode (editorial, Feb. 21). That isn’t quite fair. In spite of your melodramatic innuendoes (“nuclear corpse,” “herky-jerky tale”), the real comedic role is played by elected officials and is driven by the well-funded anti-nuclear industry. Disposal of radioactive material has become the bugaboo of the decade. Yet even though Congress assigned the responsibility for radioactive waste disposal to the states over 20 years ago, not one state has opened a new disposal facility. Why? Does the stuff present that great a risk? No. Radioactive materials from industry, medicine, research, nuclear plants and even government are safer to handle and far easier to isolate from humans than the many hazardous materials (lead in old computer parts, mercury in batteries, organic solvents and used oils) you toss into the municipal trash every day.

You are right: Perhaps lack of disposal access for an old reactor will stir policymakers to make some rational decisions about disposal of radioactive waste that does not pose a significant risk to the public.

Eric M. Goldin

Certified Radiation Safety

Professional, Oceanside