Review of Environmental Monitoring for Radionuclides in Air at the Sandia National Laboratory

The Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) is a major laboratory of the Department of Energy (DOE) in the nuclear weapons complex. Past and present operations have resulted in the contamination of air, soil, biosphere, groundwater and surface water with radioactive and other pollutants that pose a risk to human health and the environment. This report focuses on the monitoring of radioactive pollutants that are or could be present in ambient air, i.e. outside breathable air. Ambient air monitoring can be conducted either close to potential sources of emissions on the property of Sandia National Laboratory itself, on the perimeter of the plant, or in greater distance. This report provides an assessment of the current monitoring system for radionuclides in ambient air at SNL. The following issues are addressed: (a) whether monitoring at SNL is at par with state-of-the-art systems, and (b) whether it provides for detection of unmonitored and/or short-term releases from sources at the site. Chapter 2 describes existing and potential sources for airborne radionuclides at and around SNL and presents the official estimates of radionuclide releases and resulting radiation exposures to members of the public. Chapter 3 compares the existing monitoring system for radionuclides in air at SNL with the systems that exist at other DOE sites. Chapter 4 evaluates the adequacy of the monitoring system with respect to detect unmonitored and/or short-term releases and the compliance with regulatory requirements. Chapter 5 provides recommendations based on the analysis. This research was completed money allocated during Round 3 of the Citizens’ Monitoring and Technical Assessment Fund (MTA Fund). Clark University was named conservator of these works. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at [email protected]://commons.clarku.edu/albcenter/1001/thumbnail.jp

New Mexico\u27s Right to Know: The Impacts of LANL Operations on Public Health and the Environment

Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety (CCNS) contracted with Bernd Franke, Catherine M. Richards, M.S., Steve Wing, Ph.D., and David Richardson, Ph.D. to investigate the following public health issues concerning LANL emissions: • Historical and current emissions of radioactive materials from LANL (Los Alamos National Laboratory) operations into the air; • Incidence and mortality rates for LAC (Los Alamos County) residents for 24 types of cancer compared with state and national reference populations; and • Occupational health studies of LANL employees exposed to radionuclides. These studies focus on localized impacts at LANL and in LAC. LANL employees and LAC residents may receive the highest dose of radiation because of their proximity to the facility. Therefore, exposure of LANL employees and LAC residents may serve as an indicator of impacts to those living in the surrounding communities. This research was completed money allocated during Round 1 of the Citizens’ Monitoring and Technical Assessment Fund (MTA Fund). Clark University was named conservator of these works. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at [email protected]://commons.clarku.edu/ccns/1000/thumbnail.jp

Microanalysis of Heterogeneous Radiation in Particulate Matter as an Aid to Nuclear Source Identification

Radionuclides in particulate matter associated with outdoor and indoor dusts were analyzed to determine the form and concentration of radioactive isotopes present. These radioactive isotopes, such as Strontium 90, Cesium 137, and Uranium 235, consist of, or are sorbed onto fine particulate matter, (PM). The airborne dispersion of this fine particulate matter results in the facilitated transport of these sorbed or neat radionuclides. Sources of particulate-bound radioactive contaminants include fallout from weapons testing, accumulation of radon daughters, transport of soils containing naturally-occurring radioactive material, remediation of radiologically-contaminated sites, and nuclear material processing. Radiological contaminants in PM, may exist as trace contamination in homogenous collections of particles, but may also exist heterogeneously, as a small number of high-concentration radionuclides among a larger set of uncontaminated particles. A total of 114 samples of indoor and outdoor airborne dusts were collected from a former nuclear weapons production facility near Richland, WA, the Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the Yakama Indian Nation in Wapato, WA. Los Alamos, NM was also the site of the May 2000 Cerro Grande wildfire. The wildfire created very large amounts of airborne particulate matter, including smoke and soot. The area affected by open burning included 43,000 acres. At the national laboratory, greater than 7600 acres were affected, including some areas that were radiologically- contaminated, such as a U-238 ammunition firing area. (LANL, 2007) This introduces a potential source of hot particles in dusts and other archived particulate matter, which may remain in the environment. LANL Airborne radionuclide surveillance has historically found higher uranium levels during windy periods, and saw elevated air uranium levels associated with the Cerro Grande fire. (Ibid, p. 108) Dust samples were sieved to pass a 150 micron screen and analyzed by gamma spectroscopy. Samples with higher activity were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis, SEM/EDS. The results of gamma spectroscopy and individual particle counts were compared to determine the degree of radioactive heterogeneity in each sample. Radioactive heterogeneity, isotopic distribution, and particle size can be related to the source of the radioactive PM. Radiological contaminants in particulate matter, (PM), may exist as trace contamination in homogenous collections of particles, but may also exist heterogeneously, as a small number of high-concentration radionuclides among a larger set of uncontaminated particles. Residential and source area dusts were collected from locations surrounding, and potentially impacted, by operational and remedial activities at the HNR. The dust samples were analyzed, by multiple means, in order to identify those with radiologically- contaminated particles. Samples with higher activity were further analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis, (SEM/EDS), to determine if the radiological contamination was homogenous or heterogeneous. Two case studies were followed. The method isolated and analyzed lead and bismuth from naturally occurring radioactive material in coal fly ash. The method isolated and fingerprinted thorium, and the rare earths cerium, lanthanum, samarium, neodymium, and gadolinium in sedimentary cerium monazite minerals, nuclear waste processing dusts, and fission waste products in a WWTP effluent channel

Program management assessment of Federal Facility Compliance Agreement regarding CAA-40 C.F.R. Part 61, Subpart H at the Los Alamos National Laboratory

An assessment of Los Alamos National Laboratory`s management system related to facility compliance with an element of the Clean Air Act was performed under contract by a team from Northern Arizona University. More specifically, a Federal Facilities Compliance Agreement (FFCA) was established in 1996 to bring the Laboratory into compliance with emissions standards of radionuclides, commonly referred to as Rad/NESHAP. In the fall of 1996, the four-person team of experienced environmental managers evaluated the adequacy of relevant management systems to implement the FFCA provisions. The assessment process utilized multiple procedures including document review, personnel interviews and re-interviews, and facility observations. The management system assessment was completed with a meeting among team members, Laboratory officials and others on November 1, 1996 and preparation of an assessment report

2006 LANL Radionuclide Air Emissions Report

This report describes the impacts from emissions of radionuclides at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) for calendar year 2006. This report fulfills the requirements established by the Radionuclide National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (Rad-NESHAP). This report is prepared by LANL's Rad-NESHAP compliance team, part of the Environmental Protection Division. The information in this report is required under the Clean Air Act and is being reported to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The highest effective dose equivalent (EDE) to an off-site member of the public was calculated using procedures specified by the EPA and described in this report. LANL's EDE was 0.47 mrem for 2006. The annual limit established by the EPA is 10 mrem per year. During calendar year 2006, LANL continuously monitored radionuclide emissions at 28 release points, or stacks. The Laboratory estimates emissions from an additional 58 release points using radionuclide usage source terms. Also, LANL uses a network of air samplers around the Laboratory perimeter to monitor ambient airborne levels of radionuclides. To provide data for dispersion modeling and dose assessment, LANL maintains and operates meteorological monitoring systems. From these measurement systems, a comprehensive evaluation is conducted to calculate the EDE for the Laboratory. The EDE is evaluated as any member of the public at any off-site location where there is a residence, school, business, or office. In 2006, this location was the Los Alamos Airport Terminal. The majority of this dose is due to ambient air sampling of plutonium emitted from 2006 clean-up activities at an environmental restoration site (73-002-99; ash pile). Doses reported to the EPA for the past 10 years are shown in Table E1

Environmental surveillance at Los Alamos during 1995

This report describes the environmental surveillance program at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL or the Laboratory) during 1995. The Laboratory routinely monitors for radiation and for radioactive and nonradioactive materials at (or on) Laboratory sites as well as in the surrounding region. LANL uses the monitoring result to determine compliance with appropriate standards and to identify potentially undesirable trends. Data were collected in 1995 to assess external penetrating radiation; quantities of airborne emissions and liquid effluents; concentrations of chemicals and radionuclides in ambient air, surface waters and groundwaters, municipal water supply, soils and sediments, and foodstuffs; and environmental compliance. Using comparisons with standards, regulations, and background levels, this report concludes that environmental effects from Laboratory operations are small and do not pose a demonstrable threat to the public, Laboratory employees, or the environment

Evaluation of Risks and Waste Characterization Requirements for the Transuranic Waste Emplaced in Wipp During 1999

Specifically this report: 1. Compares requirements of the WAP that are pertinent from a technical viewpoint with the WIPP pre-Permit waste characterization program, 2. Presents the results of a risk analysis of the currently emplaced wastes. Expected and bounding risks from routine operations and possible accidents are evaluated; and 3. Provides conclusions and recommendations