This report for the third quarter, 2003, contains results from the Environmental Surveillance, Education and Research (ESER) Program’s monitoring of the Department of Energy’s Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory’s (INEEL) offsite environment, July 1 through September 30, 2003. All sample types (media) and the sampling schedule followed during 2003 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) (Section 3);
• Water sampling, specifically collection of precipitation (Section 4); and
• Agricultural product sampling, including milk, lettuce, wheat, large game animals, and marmots (Section 5).

Gross alpha and gross beta measurements are used as general indicators of the presence of alpha-emitting and beta-emitting radionuclides in air. Gross alpha and gross beta results were found to have no discernable statistical distribution during the third quarter of 2003. 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 third quarter were gross alpha or gross beta concentrations from Boundary locations statistically higher than corresponding data sets for Distant locations, as one would expect if the INEEL 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 and gross beta concentrations at Distant and Boundary locations showed statistical differences for three weeks. Gross alpha had a statistical difference between Boundary locations and Distant locations for the week of September 10, 2003. The Distant location was higher than the Boundary location, suggesting natural variations, probably due to atmospheric conditions (i.e., an inversion or resuspended particulates from harvesting/plowing). Gross beta statistical analysis had significant deviations for the weeks of July 16, and September 17, 2003. Analysis of stations within each group showed the Mud Lake station to be unusually low as compared to the other sites for the week of July 10, 2003. Similar analysis for the week of September 17, 2003 showed no statistical differences. As with the gross alpha result, gross beta concentrations at the Distant locations were higher than the Boundary locations, again suggesting natural variations.

During the third quarter, none of two ten-cartridge batches analyzed had iodine-131 (¹³¹I) concentrations greater than the associated 3s value.

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). Strontium-90 was detected in two composite samples collected from Dubois and Mud Lake. The composite sample collected from Howe had ²³⁸Pu and ^239/240Pu concentration greater than 3s. Four samples collected from air monitoring stations located at Craters of the Moon, Idaho Falls, Monteview, and the Rexburg Community Monitoring Stations (CMS) had ²⁴¹Am concentrations greater than associated 3s uncertainty values. With the exception of the ^239/240Pu concentration measured at Howe, these values are within the range of those measured in the past and are likely due to resuspension of particulates associated with fallout from past nuclear weapons testing. The ^239/240Pu concentration measured at Howe appears to be the result of cross-contamination with a spiked quality control sample in the analytical laboratory. All results were far less than their respective DOE Derived Concentration Guide (DCG) values.

Thirty-three atmospheric moisture samples were obtained during the third quarter of 2003 and analyzed fro tritium. Twenty-four samples were collected from Atomic City using silica gel and nine were collected from Idaho Falls using molecular sieve material. A total of 11 samples (seven from Atomic City and four from Idaho Falls) exceeded their respective 3s values. All sample results were well below the DOE DCG for tritium in air.

The ESER Program operates three PM₁₀ samplers, 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 concentration of particulates was 60.2 µg/m³ on August 18, 2003, from Rexburg.

Sufficient precipitation occurred to allow collection of only four samples: one from Idaho Falls, and one from the Central Facilities Area and two from the EFS. Tritium was detected above the 3s values in two of the samples, one from Idaho Falls and one from the EFS. The maximum concentration was below any comparison standards.

Milk samples were collected weekly in Idaho Falls and monthly at nine other locations around the INEEL. All samples were analyzed for gamma emitting radionuclides. Iodine-131 and ¹³⁷Cs was not detected above 3s in any sample collected during the quarter.

Nine lettuce samples (including one duplicate) were collected from area gardens around the INEEL. Only the man-made gamma-emitting radionuclides ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr were measured. One sample (from Idaho Falls) had detectable ⁹⁰Sr concentrations above the 3s uncertainty. One additional sample (from EFS) had ¹³⁷Cs measured above its 3s value. The maximum concentration is consistent with concentrations seen in the recent past.

Early in the third quarter of 2003 thirteen wheat samples were collected from area grain elevators. All samples were analyzed for gamma-emitting radionuclides and ⁹⁰Sr. No radionuclides were detected above the 3s level in any sample.

Six large game animals were sampled during the third quarter of 2003. All were killed as a result of vehicular collisions. These accidents all involved pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana). Every effort was made to collect thyroid, liver, and muscle tissue from each animal. However, certain tissues could not be collected from all animals due to their condition at the time of collection. Cesium-137 appeared in the muscle and liver tissues above the 3s value in one pronghorn. Iodine was also measured above between the 2s and 3s range in the thyroid of the same animal . However, immediate recounting could not support this as a true detection.

A total of five marmots were collected for radionuclide analysis. One sample from Pocatello was also use as a duplicate. Cesium-137 and ⁹⁰Sr were the only radionuclides identified above the 3s level in edible tissue. Other tissues contained measurable concentrations of other various radionuclides. The potential dose from eating the most contaminated portion of a marmot collected in 2003 was estimated to be 0.006 mrem.
 

Table E-1.     Summary of results for the third quarter of 2003.

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