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Academy of Sciences to study risks of nuclear waste transportation

Monday, Feb. 24, 2003 | 8:58 a.m.

The National Academy of Sciences is preparing a two-year, $850,000 study on the potential risks from shipping high-level nuclear waste to a Yucca Mountain repository.

The academy's Board of Radioactive Waste Management is preparing to examine transportation cask tests, how routes are selected to the proposed repository, potential health impacts and the public's perception of risk, board director Kevin Crowley said.

President Bush and Congress designated Yucca Mountain as the nation's high-level nuclear waste repository last year.

The study is expected to be completed by 2005.

A 15-person panel will include experts in risk assessment and risk communications, health physics, transportation, regulations, public policy, social justice and nuclear security.

The study team will schedule meetings nationwide, including a Las Vegas session, Crowley said.

The academy was created by Congress in the 19th century to advise government agencies on scientific issues.

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