First Quarter 2008
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-113
Idaho National Laboratory Offsite Environmental
Surveillance Program Report:
First Quarter
September 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 first quarter of 2008 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 first quarter of 2008 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, 2008. All sample types (media) and the sampling schedule followed during 2008 are listed in Appendix A. Specifically, this report contains the results for the following:
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Media |
Sample Type |
Analysis |
Results |
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Air |
Filters |
Gross alpha, gross beta |
There were no statistical differences between Boundary and Distant location gross alpha or gross beta quarterly or monthly data in the first quarter. Some statistical differences were noted in weekly results but it appeared to result from natural 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 239,240Pu), 90Sr |
Cesium-137 was found above the detection level in one sample, but the value was not confirmed by recount. One composite from an onsite location had a detectable concentration of 238Pu within the range of historical concentrations. |
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|
Charcoal Cartridge |
Iodine-131 |
No detections of 131I were made during the first quarter. |
|
Atmospheric Moisture |
Liquid |
Tritium |
A total of nine samples were collected. Six of these samples had tritium results greater than the 3s uncertainty. No sample result exceeded the DCG for tritium in air. |
|
Precipitation |
Liquid |
Tritium |
Ten samples were collected. None 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 |
Twenty-nine samples, including two duplicates, were collected. No Iodine-131 was detected in any sample. A reported detection of Cesium-137 was found to have resulted from a check source left on the detector shield. |
First Quarter 2008
INL Quarterly Site Environmental Report
Return to Index