Second Quarter 2005
INL Quarterly Site Environmental Report
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S.M. Stoller Corporation
Environmental Surveillance, Education and Research Program
ISSN NUMBER 1089-5469
Stoller-ESER-88
Idaho National Laboratory Offsite Environmental
Surveillance Program Report:
Second Quarter 2005
November 2005
Contributors:
Marilyn Case, Russ Mitchell
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 second quarter of 2005 could be directly linked with INL 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 INL. 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 second quarter, 2005, contains results from the Environmental Surveillance, Education and Research (ESER) Program’s monitoring of the Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL) offsite environment, April 1 through June 30, 2005. All sample types (media) and the sampling schedule followed during 2005 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 radionuclides. Gross alpha and gross beta results were found to have no discernable statistical distribution during the second quarter of 2005. 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 second quarter were weekly, monthly, or quarterly gross alpha or gross beta concentrations in air collected at Boundary locations statistically greater than corresponding data for Distant locations, as one would expect if the INL 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 alpha concentrations at Distant and Boundary locations showed no statistical differences during the second quarter of 2005. Gross beta results were statistically greater at Distant locations than at Boundary locations during the week of June 8, 2005.
Iodine-131 (131I) was not detected in any batch of charcoal cartridges during the second quarter.
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). None of these radionuclides were detected in the second quarter.
Seventeen atmospheric moisture samples were obtained during the second quarter of 2005 and analyzed for tritium. One sample from Blackfoot, two samples from Atomic City and three samples each from Idaho Falls and Rexburg exceeded their respective 3s levels. The maximum value was well below the DOE DCG for tritium in air.
The ESER Program operates three PM10 samplers for particulate sampling, 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. The maximum 24-hour particulate concentration was 33.33 mg/m3 on May 27, 2005, at the Rexburg CMS. This is well below the EPA Air Quality Standard of 150 mg/m3.
Sufficient precipitation occurred to allow collection of 13 samples—two from Idaho Falls, three from the Central Facilities Area (CFA) and eight weekly samples from the Experimental Field Station (EFS) on the INL. Tritium was detected above the 3s level in eight of the samples. Measured concentrations were similar at distant and INL locations, indicating that an INL origin is not likely for the detected tritium. The maximum concentration was below any comparison standards.
Fourteen drinking water samples and one duplicate were collected from selected taps throughout southeast Idaho during the second quarter 2005. Samples were analyzed for gross alpha, gross beta, and tritium (3H). One of the samples exceeded its 3s value for gross alpha and two others exceeded for tritium. The maximum value of both was below the EPA limits established under the Safe Drinking Water Act and DOE DCGs. Eight samples exceeded the 3s value for gross beta. The maximum gross beta concentration measured, (13.5 ± 1.2) pCi/L, was from Shoshone and was below the EPA Safe Water Drinking Water Act (SDWA) screening limit of 50 pCi/L and the DOE DCG of 100 pCi/L. Levels of gross beta activity observed are not unusual given the basaltic terrain.
Six surface water samples (including one duplicate) were collected from locations throughout southeast Idaho. Samples were analyzed for gross alpha, gross beta, and tritium (3H). None of the samples exceeded their 3s value for tritium or gross alpha. Gross beta activities were detected in five of the six samples. Results were less that SDWA screening limits and DOE DCGs and were typical of historical and regional measurements.
Milk samples were collected weekly in Idaho Falls and monthly at eight other locations around the INL. All samples were analyzed for gamma-emitting radionuclides. Iodine 131 and 137Cs concentrations were not detected in any milk sample. All five samples analyzed had 90Sr concentrations above the 3s value. These values were consistent with historic measurements and are similar to those reported by the Environmental Protection Agency throughout the region. Tritium was not detected in any of the four samples analyzed.
Individual sheep from three separate flocks were sampled including a control
flock in Dubois from the Experimental Sheep Station, a flock from a southern INL
allotment, and a flock from a northern INL allotment. Two sheep were taken from
each flock. Thyroid, muscle, and liver tissue were collected and analyzed for
gamma emitting radionuclides. No 131I was found in any of the
samples. Analysis for 137Cs showed results greater than 3s in two
samples from two different animals: one from the liver of a northern allotment
sheep and one from the muscle sample of a southern allotment sheep. All
concentrations of 137Cs were similar to those found in both onsite
and offsite sheep samples during recent years.
Environmental dosimeter locations are also divided into Boundary and Distant
groupings. Boundary exposure rates ranged from a low of 0.27 mR/day to 0.36 mR/day.
The overall Boundary average was 0.33 mR/day. The Distant group ranged from 0.29
mR/day to 0.40 mR/day, with an overall average exposure also of 0.34 mR/day. No
statistical difference existed between Boundary and Distant locations. All
exposure results are consistent with those measured historically.
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Media |
Sample Type |
Analysis |
Results |
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Air |
Filters |
Gross alpha, gross beta |
There were no statistical differences noted for monthly or quarterly gross alpha or gross beta concentrations measured at INL, Boundary, and Distant locations. Gross beta concentrations were statistically higher at Distant locations than at Boundary locations during the week of June 8. No result exceeded the DCG for gross alpha or gross beta activity in air. |
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Gamma-emitting radionuclides, select actinides, 90Sr |
Gamma-emitting radionuclides, 241Am, 239/240Pu, and 90Sr were not detected in any composite sample. |
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Charcoal Cartridge |
Iodine-131 |
No detections of 131I were made during the second quarter. |
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PM10 |
Particulate matter |
Forty-four valid samples were collected from three locations. No regulatory limits were exceeded. |
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Atmospheric Moisture |
Liquid |
Tritium |
Seventeen atmospheric moisture samples were collected. Nine of the results were greater than the 3s uncertainty. No sample result exceeded the DCG for tritium in air. |
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Precipitation |
Liquid |
Tritium |
Eight of thirteen samples had tritium results greater than the 3s uncertainty. All samples were well below regulatory limits for tritium in drinking water and were within the range of historical measurements. |
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Drinking Water |
Liquid |
Gross alpha, gross beta, tritium |
Gross alpha activity was detected in one sample from Fort Hall. Gross beta activity was measured in 8 of 15 samples. The maximum was well below the EPA Safe Drinking Water Act limits. Tritium was detected in two samples at concentrations many times lower than the EPA regulatory level. |
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Surface Water |
Liquid |
Gross alpha, gross beta, tritium |
No tritium or gross alpha activity was detected in any of the six samples collected. Gross beta activity was measured above the 3s values in five samples. All concentrations were below EPA and DOE limits, and ere within historical measurements. |
|
Milk |
Liquid |
Iodine-131, gamma emitting radionuclides, 90Sr, and tritium |
Strontium-90 was detected in all five samples. All results were within historical measurements and within results reported by the EPA ERAMS program for Region 10. No other man-made radionuclides were detected in the second quarter. |
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Sheep |
Tissue |
Iodine-131, gamma emitting radionuclides |
Cesium-137 was detected in two samples: one muscle sample and one liver sample. Samples came from two sheep-one collected from the Southern grazing allotment and one collected from the Northern grazing allotment. |
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Game Animals |
Tissue |
Iodine-131, gamma emitting radionuclides |
No game animals were available for sampling during the second quarter. |
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Environmental Radiation |
TLD |
Ambient ionizing radiation |
Values were consistent with expected exposures given the altitude and location of the TLD's. There were no statistical differences between Boundary and Distant location results. |