First Quarter 2007
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-105
Idaho National Laboratory Offsite Environmental
Surveillance Program Report:
First Quarter 2007
October 2007
Contributors:
Marilyn Case, Russ Mitchell
Program conducted for the U.S. Department of Energy, Idaho Operations Office
Under Contract DE-AC07-06ID14680
By the S. M. Stoller Corporation,
Environmental Surveillance, Education and Research Program
Douglas K. Halford, Program Manager
120 Technology Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402
www.stoller-eser.com
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None of the radionuclides detected in any of the samples collected during the first quarter of 2007 could not be directly linked with INL Site 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 Site. 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. |
This report for the first quarter of 2007 contains results from the Environmental Surveillance, Education and Research (ESER) Program’s monitoring of the Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Site’s offsite environment, January 1 through March 31, 2007. All sample types (media) and the sampling schedule followed during 2007 are listed in Appendix A. Specifically, this report contains the results for the following:
Air sampling, including air filters and charcoal cartridges, atmospheric moisture, and 10 micron particulate matter (PM10)
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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 quarterly gross alpha or gross beta concentrations measured at INL Site, Boundary and Distant locations. During March, gross alpha concentrations were statistically higher at Distant locations than other sample groups. No other monthly differences were found. Some weekly differences were noted but these appear to be normal variability in the data. No result exceeded the DCG for gross alpha or gross beta activity in air. |
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Gamma-emitting radionuclides, select actinides (241Am, 238Pu, and 239,240 Pu), 90Sr |
Cesium-137 was found in two samples, but the detections were not confirmed by recounts. Americium-241, Plutonium-238 and Plutonium-239/240 were each found at one location at low levels. All reported detections were within the range of historical measurements. |
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Charcoal Cartridge |
Iodine-131 |
No detections of 131I were made during the first quarter. |
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PM10 |
Particulate matter |
Forty-two valid samples were collected from three locations. No regulatory limits were exceeded. |
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Atmospheric Moisture |
Liquid |
Tritium |
A total of nine samples were collected. All of these samples had tritium results greater than the 3s uncertainty. Concentrations were consistent with those reported across the region and with previous results. |
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Precipitation |
Liquid |
Tritium |
Nine samples were collected. Seven of the results were greater than the 3s uncertainty. No sample result exceeded the DCG for tritium in air. |
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Milk |
Liquid |
Iodine-131 and gamma-emitting radionuclides |
No manmade radionuclides were detected in any samples. |