Fourth 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-112
Idaho National Laboratory Offsite Environmental
Surveillance Program Report:
Fourth Quarter 2007
June 2008
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 fourth quarter of 2007 could 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 fourth 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, October 1 through December 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:
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Media |
Sample Type |
Analysis |
Results |
|
Air |
Filters |
Gross alpha, gross beta |
There were no statistical differences between Boundary and Distant location gross alpha or gross beta quarterly, monthly and weekly data in the fourth quarter. 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 above the detection level in two samples, but the values were not confirmed by recounts. One composite from an onsite location had detectable concentrations of 241Am, 238Pu, and 239,240 Pu. |
|
|
Charcoal Cartridge |
Iodine-131 |
No detections of 131I were made during the fourth quarter. |
|
Atmospheric Moisture |
Liquid |
Tritium |
A total of 12 samples were collected. Four of these samples had tritium results greater than the 3s uncertainty. No sample result exceeded the DCG for tritium in air. |
|
Precipitation |
Liquid |
Tritium |
Eleven samples were collected. Eight of the results were greater than the 3s uncertainty. Concentrations were consistent with those reported across the region and with previous results. |
|
Milk |
Liquid |
Iodine-131, gamma-emitting radionuclides, 90Sr |
Thirty-five samples, including two duplicates were collected. No manmade gamma-emitting radionuclides or Iodine-131 were detected in any sample. Strontium-90 was detected at low levels in all four samples analyzed. Results were within historical measurements. |
|
Potatoes |
Solid |
Gamma-emitting radionuclides, 90Sr |
Eight samples were collected. Cesium-137 was detected in one sample from Mud Lake but not confirmed by recount. Strontium-90 was not detected in any sample. |
|
Waterfowl |
Tissue |
Gamma-emitting radionuclides, 90Sr, select actinides (241Am, 238Pu, and 239,240 Pu) |
Six radionuclides were found in tissues from ducks collected at the Reactor Technology Complex, including three radionuclides found in edible tissue. Concentrations were generally similar to those found in the previous year. The estimated dose from eating the entire edible mass of the duck with the highest concentrations was estimated at 0.015 mrem. |
|
Environmental Radiation |
TLD |
Ambient ionizing radiation |
Values were consistent with expected exposures given the altitude and location of the TLDs. There were no statistical differences between Boundary and Distant location results. |
Fourth Quarter 2007
INL Quarterly Site Environmental Report
Return to Index