2010/11/20-Comment (3) of Sheryl Garling on FR Doc # 2010-29108

Q.(2) Relative to the example case regarding the potential use of Th230 extracted from “high grade uranium ores” for some nefarious activity, does the NRC have any evidence of the toxicity of this isotope, a secular equilibrium daughter of U238, as a significant health hazard at any concentration? Refer to EPA’s 1990 document TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE FOR THORIUM that addresses this question. The benefit from developing uranium ore bodies to support nuclear power generation far outweighs the risk of terrorists utilizing a pure alpha emitter as a weapon of mass destruction. It should be noted that currently unlimited quantities of 1% solutions of both Natural Thorium (Th232) and Natural Uranium analytical metal standards may be purchased by non licensed facilities.