Third Quarter 2004
INEEL Quarterly Site Environmental Report
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S.M. Stoller Corporation
Environmental Surveillance, Education and Research Program
ISSN NUMBER 1089-5469
Stoller-ESER-79
Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory Offsite Environmental
Surveillance Program Report:
Third Quarter 2004
May 2005
Contributors:
Marilyn Case, Christopher Martin
Program conducted for the U.S. Department of Energy, Idaho Operations Office
Under Contract DE-AC07-00ID13658
By the S.M. Stoller Corporation,
Environmental Surveillance, Education and Research Program
Douglas K. Halford, Program Manager
1780 First Street, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401
www.stoller-eser.com
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None of the radionuclides detected in any of the samples collected during the third quarter of 2004 could be directly linked with INEEL 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 INEEL. 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 (See Table E-1.). |
This report for the third quarter, 2004, 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, 2004. All sample types (media) and the sampling schedule followed during 2004 are listed in Appendix A. Specifically, this report contains the results for the following:
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 2004. 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 concentrations at Distant and Boundary locations showed no statistical differences during the third quarter of 2004. Gross beta results were statistically greater at Boundary locations and than at Distant locations during the weeks of August 11 and September 29, 2004. Analysis of stations within each group showed no differences between locations suggesting natural variations.
During the third quarter, analysis of two ten-cartridge batches for iodine-131 (131I) yielded no detections of iodine-131 (131I) above the 3s level.
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). Two samples collected from air monitoring stations located at the Blackfoot and the Mud Lake QA (Q/A-2) samplers had concentrations of 241Am greater than their related 3s values. Duplicate measurements made at these locations did not have detectable concentrations of 241Am, indicating natural variation. Strontium-90 was measured above 3s in the sample collected at Monteview. All values are within the range of those measured in the past and are far less than their respective DOE Derived Concentration Guide (DCG) values.
Fourteen atmospheric moisture samples were obtained during the third quarter of 2004 and analyzed for tritium. Six samples each were collected from Atomic City and Idaho Falls and one each from Blackfoot and Rexburg. A total of four samples (two from Atomic City and one each from Blackfoot and Rexburg) exceeded their respective 3s values. All sample results were well below the DOE DCG for tritium in air of 1 x 10-7 mCi/mL (3.7 m 10-3 Bq/mL). The maximum value was (7.36 ± 2.09) x 10-13 mCi/mL of air ([2.72 ± 0.77] x 10-8 Bq/mL of 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 84.9 µg/m3 on Sptember 11, 2004, from Atomic City.
Sufficient precipitation occurred to allow collection of only five samples- one from Idaho Falls and two each from the EFS and the Central Facilities Area. Tritium was detected above the 3s values in the Idaho Falls sample. 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 were not detected in any sample.
Eight lettuce samples and two duplicate samples were collected from area gardens around the INEEL and from self-contained lettuce planters at EFS and Atomic City. No sample had measurable concentrations of human-made gamma emitting radionuclides or 90Sr above the 3s values.
Early in the third quarter of 2004 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.
Three large game animals were sampled during the third quarter of 2004. Two pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) were killed as a result of vehicular collisions. A three-month old mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) who died from unknown causes was also collected. 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 of the pronghorn and in the muscle tissue of the mule deer. Iodine-131 was not measured above the 3s value in any animal tissue.
No marmots were collected for radionuclide analysis during the third quarter of 2004.
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Media |
Sample Type |
Analysis |
Results |
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Air |
Filters |
Gross alpha, gross beta |
Independent statistical comparisons of gross alpha and gross beta data indicate no differences between INEEL, Boundary, and Distant locations when data were compared on quarterly and monthly bases. No statistical differences in gross alpha concentrations measured on a weekly basis. However, statistical differences were observed in gross beta results in two separate weeks. However, these differences can be attributed to natural variation in the data. All gross alpha and gross beta results were within historical levels and were far less than applicable DOE DCGs. |
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Gamma emitting radionuclides (including 137Cs), select actinides (238Pu, 239,240Pu, & 241Am) and 90Sr |
Two composite samples, collected at Blackfoot and Mud Lake (Q/A-2), had 241Am measurements that were greater than their 3s uncertainty values. Both were collected from duplicate samplers at these locations and the corresponding duplicate measurements did not exceed the 3s values. Strontium-90 was measured above the 3s level at Monteview. All results were well below DOE DCGs and within historical measurements. |
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Charcoal Cartridge |
Iodine-131 |
No 131I was measured above the 3s value in any of the charcoal cartridge batches during the quarter. |
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PM10 |
Particulate matter |
No regulatory limits were exceeded for atmospheric particulates. |
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Atmospheric Moisture |
Liquid |
Tritium |
Four of 24 atmospheric moisture samples had tritium measured in them above their respective 3s values. No sample result exceeded the DCG for tritium in air. |
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Precipitation |
Liquid |
Tritium |
Two of five samples had detectable concentrations of tritium. All samples were well below regulatory limits for tritium in drinking water. |
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Milk |
Liquid |
Iodine-131, gamma emitting radionuclides (including 137Cs) |
Cesium-137 was measured in two milk samples above the 3s values. Iodine-131 was not measured in any milk sample. The detection of 137Cs in milk around the INEEL at very low concentrations is not unusual and is indistinguishable from 137Cs levels expected from historical fallout events |
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Lettuce |
Solid |
Gamma emitting radionuclides (including 137Cs), and 90Sr |
Ten lettuce samples were collected. No result was measured above the 3s uncertainty value. |
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Wheat |
Solid |
Gamma emitting radionuclides (including 137Cs), and 90Sr |
Thirteen wheat samples were collected. No radionuclides were detected above their 3s values. |
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Game Animals |
Tissue |
Iodine-131, gamma emitting radionuclides (including 137Cs) |
Three animals were sampled. Cesium-137 was detected in the liver and muscle tissue from an antelope sampled on July 8, 2004, and the mule deer fawn muscle tissue. Cesium-137 was reported above the 3s value in muscle and liver tissues taken from a pronghorn and the muscle tissue of a mule deer. All concentrations were within the range of historical values for game animals. |
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Marmots |
Tissue |
Gamma emitting radionuclides (including 137Cs), select actinides (238Pu, 239,240Pu, & 241Am) and 90Sr |
No marmots were collected during 2004.
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