First Quarter 2005
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-86
Idaho National Laboratory Offsite Environmental
Surveillance Program Report:
First Quarter 2005
October 2005
Contributors:
Marilyn Case, Russ Mitchell
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 first quarter of 2005 could be directly linked with INL 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. 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 first quarter, 2005, contains results from the Environmental Surveillance, Education and Research (ESER) Program’s monitoring of the Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL) offsite environment, January 1 through March 31, 2005. All sample types (media) and the sampling schedule followed during 2005 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 first quarter of 2005. 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 first 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 INL 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, except for gross alpha during January. There was no indication of an INL release during January and the difference was attributed to natural variation in the data.
Weekly comparisons of gross alpha and gross beta concentrations at Distant and Boundary locations showed no statistical differences during the first quarter of 2005.
During the first 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). None of these radionuclides were detected in any sample. All values were within the range of those measured in the past and were far less than their respective DOE Derived Concentration Guide (DCG) values.
Eighteen atmospheric moisture samples were obtained during the first quarter of 2005 and analyzed for tritium. Five samples each were collected from Atomic City, Blackfoot and Idaho Falls and three were collected from 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 x 10-3 Bq/mL.).
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.
Sufficient precipitation occurred to allow collection of five samples—one
from the Central Facilities Area and two each from the EFS and Idaho Falls.
Tritium was detected above the 3s values in none of the samples.
Milk samples were collected weekly in Idaho Falls and monthly at nine other
locations around the INL. All samples were analyzed for gamma emitting
radionuclides. Iodine-131 and 137Cs were not detected in any of these
samples.
One large game animal, a pronghorn antelope, was sampled during the first
quarter of 2005. Every effort was made to collect thyroid, liver, and muscle
tissue from the animal. However, the liver could not be sampled due to its
condition at the time of collection. Cesium-137 and iodine-131 were not measured
above the 3s value in any tissue.
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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 INL, Boundary, and Distant locations when data were compared on quarterly bases. Monthly comparisons yielded no statistical differences except for gross alpha during January. INL releases were not indicated by this difference, which was attributed to natural variation in data. No statistical differences in gross alpha and gross beta concentrations measured on a weekly basis. 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 |
None of the radionuclides of interest were detected. All concentrations 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 18 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 |
None of five samples collected had detectable concentrations of tritium. All samples were well below regulatory limits for tritium in drinking water. All results were within EPA ERAMS measurements within Region 10. |
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Milk |
Liquid |
Iodine-131, gamma emitting radionuclides (including 137Cs) |
Radionuclides of interest were not detected in any of the weekly or monthly milk samples.. All results were within historical measurements and within results reported by the EPA ERAMS program for Region 10. |
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Large Game Animals |
Solid |
Gamma emitting radionuclides (including 137Cs) |
One pronghorn antelope was killed on an INL road.. No radionuclides were detected above their 3s values. |