Fourth Quarter 2004
INEEL Quarterly Site Environmental Report
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S.M. Stoller Corporation
Environmental Surveillance, Education and Research Program
ISSN NUMBER 1089-5469
Stoller-ESER-80
Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory Offsite Environmental
Surveillance Program Report:
Fourth Quarter 2004
June 2005
Contributors:
Marilyn Case, Christopher Martin
Program conducted for the U.S. Department of Energy, Idaho Operations Office
Under Contract DE-AC07-00ID13658
By the S.M. Stoller Corporation,
Environmental Surveillance, Education and Research Program
Douglas K. Halford, Program Manager
1780 First Street, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401
www.stoller-eser.com
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None of the radionuclides detected in any of the samples collected during the fourth quarter of 2004 could be directly linked with INEEL activities. Levels of detected radionuclides were no different than values measured at other locations across the United States or were consistent with levels measured historically at the INEEL. All detected radionuclide concentrations were well below guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and regulatory standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for protection of the public (See Table E-1). |
This report for the fourth quarter, 2004, contains results from the Environmental Surveillance, Education and Research (ESER) Program’s monitoring of the Department of Energy’s Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory’s (INEEL) offsite environment, October 1 through December 31, 2004. All sample types (media) and the sampling schedule followed during 2004 are listed in Appendix A. Specifically, this report contains the results for the following:
Gross alpha and gross beta measurements are used as general indicators of the presence of alpha-emitting and beta-emitting radionuclides in air. Gross alpha and gross beta results were found to have no discernable statistical distribution during the fourth quarter of 2004. Because of this, these data were statistically analyzed using nonparametric methods, including the use of the median to represent central tendency. At no time during the fourth quarter were gross alpha or gross beta concentrations from Boundary locations statistically higher than corresponding data sets for Distant locations, as one would expect if the INEEL were a significant source of radionuclide contamination. There were no statistical differences between gross alpha or gross beta results when grouped by location on a quarterly basis. Statistical analysis by month also showed no statistical difference between locations for gross alpha or gross beta.
Weekly comparisons of gross beta concentrations at Distant and Boundary locations showed no statistical differences during the fourth quarter of 2004. Gross alpha results were statistically greater at Distant locations than at Boundary locations during the week of October 27, 2004. Analysis of stations within each group showed no differences between locations suggesting natural variations.
During the fourth quarter, analysis of two ten-cartridge batches for iodine-131 (131I) yielded no detections of iodine-131 (131I) above the 3s level.
Selected quarterly composite filter samples were analyzed for gamma emitting radionuclides, strontium-90 (90Sr), plutonium-238 (238Pu), plutonium-239/240 (239/240Pu), and americium-241 (241Am). Two samples collected from air monitoring stations located at the Blackfoot and the Mud Lake QA (Q/A-2) samplers had concentrations of 241Am greater than their related 3s values. Duplicate measurements made at these locations did not have detectable concentrations of 241Am, indicating natural variation. Strontium-90 was measured above 3s in the sample collected at Monteview. All values are within the range of those measured in the past and are far less than their respective DOE Derived Concentration Guide (DCG) values.
Fourteen atmospheric moisture samples were obtained during the fourth quarter of 2004 and analyzed for tritium. Six samples each were collected from Atomic City and Idaho Falls and one each from Blackfoot and Rexburg. A total of four samples (two from Atomic City and one each from Blackfoot and Rexburg) exceeded their respective 3s values. All sample results were well below the DOE DCG for tritium in air of 1 x 10-7 mCi/mL (3.7 x 10-3 Bq/mL.
The ESER Program operates three PM10 samplers, one each at Rexburg, Blackfoot, and Atomic City. Sampling of PM10 is informational as no analyses are conducted for contaminants. PM10 concentrations were well below all health standard levels for all samples.
Sufficient precipitation occurred to allow collection of seven samples- three from the Central Facilities Area and from the EFS. Tritium was detected above the 3s values in all samples but one. The maximum concentration was below any comparison standards.
Fourteen drinking water samples were collected from southeast Idaho. Tritium was detected in half of these samples at levels below regulatory throughout southeast Idaho. One sample, collected from Hagerman, had a detectable concentration of tritium that was well within regulatory limits.
Milk samples were collected weekly in Idaho Falls and monthly at nine other locations around the INEEL. All samples were analyzed for gamma emitting radionuclides. Iodine-131 and 137Cs were not detected in any of these samples.
Milk samples were collected as part of the biannual program in which samples are analyzed for 90Sr and tritium. Two of the sample had detectable concentrations of 90Sr. Tritium was detected in four samples. Results were below the appropriate DCGs for water and within EPA measurements made in Region 10.
Eleven potato samples and were collected from farms around the INEEL and from Colorado. Strontium-90 was detected two samples, at levels consistent with historical measurements.
Five large game animals were sampled during the fourth quarter of 2004. Two pronghorn antelope and two elk were killed as a result of vehicular collisions. Samples were also collected from a whitetail deer killed by a hunter in Montana. Every effort was made to collect thyroid, liver, and muscle tissue from each animal. However, certain tissues could not be collected from all animals due to their condition at the time of collection. Cesium-137 and iodine-131 was not measured above the 3s value in any animal tissue.
Six waterfowl were collected from the TRA sewage treatment lagoon and from Market Lake. Cesium-137 was detected in two TRA coots. The maximum dose to a human from eating one of these coots was estimated to be 0.002 mrem.
No marmots were collected for radionuclide analysis during the fourth quarter of 2004.
Thermoluminscent devices (TLD) were used to measure direct radiation around the INEEL. Results were consistent with those measured historically.
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Media |
Sample Type |
Analysis |
Results |
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Air |
Filters |
Gross alpha, gross beta |
Independent statistical comparisons of gross alpha and gross beta data indicate no differences between INEEL, Boundary, and Distant locations when data were compared on quarterly and monthly bases. No statistical differences in gross beta concentrations measured on a weekly basis. However, statistical differences were observed in gross alpha results during the week of October 27. However, this difference can be attributed to natural variation in the data. All gross alpha and gross beta results were within historical levels and were far less than applicable DOE DCGs. |
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Gamma emitting radionuclides (including 137Cs), select actinides (238Pu, 239,240Pu, & 241Am) and 90Sr |
One composite sample, collected at Howe, had a 239,240Pu measurement that was greater than its 3s uncertainty value. A measurement made at Blackfoot had a 90Sr measurements which exceeded its 3s value. The remaining radionuclides of interest were not detected. All concentrations were well below DOE DCGs and within historical measurements. |
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Charcoal Cartridge |
Iodine-131 |
No 131I was measured above the 3s value in any of the charcoal cartridge batches during the quarter. |
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PM10 |
Particulate matter |
No regulatory limits were exceeded for atmospheric particulates. |
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Atmospheric Moisture |
Liquid |
Tritium |
Four of 12 atmospheric moisture samples had tritium measured in them above their respective 3s values. No sample result exceeded the DCG for tritium in air. |
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Precipitation |
Liquid |
Tritium |
All but one of seven samples had detectable concentrations of tritium. All samples were well below regulatory limits for tritium in drinking water. All results were within EPA ERAMS measurements within Region 10. |
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Drinking Water |
Liquid |
Gross alpha, gross beta and tritium |
Gross alpha was not detected in any of the 14 samples collected. Nine samples had detectable concentrations of gross beta. Tritium was detected in half of the samples at levels below the DCG and EPA ERAMS measurements made in Region 10. |
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Surface Water |
Liquid |
Gross alpha, gross beta and tritium |
Gross alpha was not detected in any of the 6 samples collected. Four samples had detectable concentrations of gross beta. Tritium was detected in one of the samples at levels below the DCG and EPA ERAMS measurements made in Region 10. |
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Milk |
Liquid |
Iodine-131, gamma emitting radionuclides (including 137Cs) |
Radionuclides of interest were not detected in any of the weekly or monthly milk samples. Two of four milk samples collected for biannual measurements, had detectable concentrations of 90Sr Tritium was detected in four of the five of biannual milk samples. All results were within historical measurements and within results reported by the EPA ERAMS program for Region 10. |
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Potatoes |
Solid |
Gamma emitting radionuclides (including 137Cs), and 90Sr |
Eleven potato samples were collected. Strontium-90 was detected in two samples. The measurement was within historical concentrations. Cesium-137 was not detected in any sample. |
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Large Game Animals |
Solid |
Gamma emitting radionuclides (including 137Cs) |
Four game animals killed on INEEL roads and one animal collected from Montana were analyzed. No radionuclides were detected above their 3s values. |
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Waterfowl |
Tissue |
Iodine-131, gamma emitting radionuclides (including 137Cs), 90Sr, 238Pu, 239/240Pu, 241Am |
Six waterfowl samples were collected from the TRA TRA sewage treatment lagoon and from the control location at Market Lake. Cesium-137 was detected, within historical values, in the edible tissue of two Coots sampled from TRA. The estimated dose for a person eating the Coot is 0.002 mrem. |
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Marmots |
Tissue |
Gamma emitting radionuclides (including 137Cs), select actinides (238Pu, 239,240Pu, & 241Am) and 90Sr |
No marmots were collected during 2004.
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Direct radiation |
TLD |
Radiation analysis |
Results were within historical and background measurements. |