Second Quarter
2009
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-123
Idaho National Laboratory Offsite Environmental
Surveillance Program Report:
Second Quarter 2009
November 2009
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 samples collected during the second quarter of 2009 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 second quarter of 2009 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, April 1 through June 30, 2009. All sample types (media) and the sampling schedule followed during 2009 are listed in Appendix A. Specifically, this report contains the results for the following:
Air sampling, including particulate air filters, charcoal cartridges and atmospheric moisture
Precipitation sampling
Milk sampling
Game animal sampling
Environmental radiation measurements
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Media |
Sample Type |
Analysis |
Results |
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Air |
Filters |
Gross alpha, gross beta |
There were no statistical differences in gross alpha or gross beta quarterly, monthly or weekly data in the second quarter. One gross alpha result was at the high end of the range normally found, possibly due to road construction activities near the sampler. 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 |
Americium-241 was detected on one composite from a distant location within the range normally found. Americium-241 was also detected on a sampler on the INL Site at a concentration above the range that has been detected during the past several years. The location was the same station where the elevated gross alpha concentration was recorded. Road construction activities may have suspended soil in the vicinity of the sampler. |
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Charcoal Cartridge |
Iodine-131 |
No detections of 131I were made during the second quarter. |
|
Atmospheric Moisture |
Liquid |
Tritium |
A total of 19 samples were collected. Twelve of these samples had a tritium result greater than the 3s uncertainty. No sample result exceeded the DCG for tritium in air. |
|
Precipitation |
Liquid |
Tritium |
Sixteen samples were collected. Fourteen of the results were greater than the 3s uncertainty. The concentration was consistent with those reported across the region and with previous results. |
|
Milk |
Liquid |
Iodine-131, gamma-emitting radionuclides, 90Sr, tritium |
Thirty-one samples, including two duplicates, were collected. No Iodine-131 or other manmade gamma-emitting radionuclides were detected in any sample. Strontium-90 was detected in all three samples analyzed and tritium was detected in two of four samples at levels similar to previous measurements. |
|
Large Game Animals |
Tissue |
Iodine-131, gamma-emitting radionuclides |
One animal (a pronghorn) was sampled. No Iodine-131 or other manmade gamma-emitting radionuclides were detected in any tissues. |
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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. |
Second Quarter 2009
INL Quarterly Site Environmental Report
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