[en] The National Bureau of Standards (NBS), in cooperation with the Environment Protection Agency and the National Science Foundation, is engaged in a research program establishing methodology for environmental sample banking. This program is aimed toward evaluating the feasibility of a National Environment Specimen Bank (NESB). The capability for retrospective chemical analyses to evaluate changes in our environment would provide useful information. Much of this information could not be obtained using data from previously analyzed samples. However, to assure validity for these stored samples, they must be sampled, processed and stored under rigorously evaluated, controlled and documented conditions. The program currently under way in the NBS Analytical Chemistry Division has 3 main components. The first is an extension survey of available literature concerning problems of contamination, losses and storage. The components of interest include trace elements, pesticides, other trace organics (PCBs, plasticizers, etc.), radionuclides and microbiological species. The second component is an experimental evaluation of contamination and losses during sampling and sample handling. Of particular interest here is research into container cleaning methodology for trace elements, with respect to adsorption, desorption, leaching and partial dissolution by various sample matrices. The third component of this program is an evaluation of existing methodology for long-term sample storage

[en] The Defense Treaty Inspection Readiness Program (DTIRP) was established by the Department of Defense in 1990 to assist defense facilities in preparing for treaty verification activities. Led by the On-Site Inspection Agency (OSIA), an element of the Department of Defense, DTIRP''s membership includes representatives from other Department of Defense agencies, the Department of Energy (DOE), the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Commerce, and others. The Office of Safeguards and Security has a significant interest in this program, due to the number of national defense facilities within its purview that are candidates for future inspections. As a result, the Office of Safeguards and Security has taken a very active role in DTIRP. This paper discusses the Office of Safeguards and Security''s increasing involvement in various elements of the DTIRP, ranging from facility assessments to training development and implementation

[en] S. 171 is an act to establish the Department of the Environment, provide for a Bureau of Environmental Statistics and a Presidential Commission on Improving Environmental Protection, and for other purposes. This act is divided into four titles: Title I: Elevation of the Environmental Protection Agency to Cabinet level; Title II: Environmental role of the United States in international organizations to which it belongs; Title III: Establishment of the Commission on Improving Environmental Protection; and Title IV: Effective date

[en] As the largest single consumer of energy in the United States, the Federal Government has a responsibility to be energy efficient. GSA is developing long-range plans and implementing actions that will achieve the goals outlined in Law and Executive Order. These actions impact all aspects of the Government and the results will benefit the entire Nation. As President Bush stated, when signing Executive Order 12759. This Order is a component, an important component, of the National Energy Strategy. And it demonstrates our commitment to a balanced approach for achieving an energy future that is secure, that is efficient, and that is environmentally sound. The General Accounting Office report, GSA - A Status Report on Energy Conservation Efforts, stated GSA developed a comprehensive building energy conservation plan which is a open-quotes... well-designed strategy for achieving energy savings.close quotes Please join in the GSA commitment to protect our environment and conserve our natural resources

[en] The ALWR Program, managed by the Electric Power Research Institute, and sponsored by U.S. utilities, several international utility companies and the U.S. DOE, has placed significant emphasis on the appropriate use of modern technology for the ALWR Man-Machine Interface Systems. While this technology provides potentially large benefits, there is little experience in the U.S. Nuclear Industry from which to base future M-MIS designs. This paper reports that, following objectives of the ALWR Program to incorporate improvements that eliminate existing problems, and after reviewing related technology and applications worldwide, a basis for the ALWR M-MIS has been established which further enhances human factors aspects of plant operation and maintenance. Main elements of this basis start with requirements for a well-integrated design process in which human factors considerations are an essential aspect from the start. This leads to detailed requirements for the M-MIS, including functional requirements for electronic implementation of procedures, alarms, displays, controls and layout of the Control Room

[en] The National Committee on Radiation Protection is a private, self-perpetuating body of radiation experts founded in 1928 which, except during World War II, has established the basic guidelines for radiation safety in the United States. This dissertation examines three themes in its history from 1928 to 1960. On an intellectual level, how do scientists make judgments when called upon to perform a legal function, instead of conduct research? On an institutional level, how does a scientific committee develop when it serves a medical, industrial, and legal constituency larger than the research community of the scientist themselves? On a political level, how has the development of atomic energy influenced both the intellectual content of the radiation safety standards and the institutional form of the NCRP? Institutional and political concerns were found to play a significant role in the NCRP's intellectual work from 1928 to 1960. The time span can be divided into three periods, revealing a growing politicization of radiation safety: professional self-regulation (1928-1941), government advisory committee (1946-1954), and public controversy and increasing legislation (1954-1960). In 1959, political controversy led to the establishment of the Federal Radiation Council, a government agency which was to replace the NCRP

[en] US Department of Energy (DOE) emergency planners are faced with a difficult question. Do DOE facilities have adequate emergency preparedness programs? The question would be more easily answered if emergency managers could go to a central guidance document that specifies all areas of concern (procedures look like this, exercises are conducted like this, etc.). However, even if such a document did exist, it would not be sufficient to ensure that programs were effectively implemented. Professionals with the required training and experience are needed to interpret complex guidance and develop effective DOE facility-specific emergency preparedness programs. An increased emphasis on the professional development of DOE and contractor emergency planners is needed. The author must strengthen the professional competence of emergency planners so they can interpret standards and implement effective programs that address the complex hazards of each facility and the many and varied interests of the DOE, contractor management, unions, local governments, the media and special interest groups

[en] This paper reports on the Hubble space telescope. The telescope is expected to help answer key questions in astronomy, astrophysics, and cosmology, such as how stars and galaxies form and evolve; the size and age of the universe; the nature of quasars, black holes, and other exotic objects; the characteristics of planets in our solar system; and evidence for existence of planets orbiting other stars

[en] In this text the author has attempted to give you a brief overview of the NRC's information responsibilities and activities, and what the future may look like. Nuclear power plant technology is changing and improving. So is the technology of the communications business. (author)

[en] The purpose of this paper is to describe EPA's Occupational Radiation, Safety, and Health Protection Program (open-quotes Programclose quotes), from its inception to the present day, emphasizing problems encountered and solutions derived in developing and implementing a centrally administered national health physics program. The Program uses written policies, guidance, practices, and methods, as well as a Radiation Safety Information Management System (RADSIMS) to manage and oversee individual Program components and trends. These components include (1) training and education, (2) monitoring and dosimetry, (3) medical/health physics guidance, and (4) quality assurance/control/improvement. The Program, which is currently operational in all ten EPA Regions, is unique in that it incorporates a national database (consistent among all Regions), tied by telecommunications into a VAX computer at Headquarters, into a health physics monitoring system for the purpose of ensuring that EPA workers occupational exposure to ionizing radiation is maintained at levels as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). Development and implementation of the Program has evolved into four distinct phases starting in FY92: (1) EPA Region IV developed a pilot-program with Headquarters, and quality action teams were formed to develop Program components and policies; phases (2) and (3) the Program was expanded into EPA Regions V, VII, and VIII (FY93) and then the remaining six regions (FY94). Phase (4) continued the implementation of the Program as needed agency-wide so as to include EPA applicable program offices and possibly some laboratories during FY96