Fourth 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-92
Idaho National Laboratory Offsite Environmental
Surveillance Program Report:
Fourth Quarter 2005
July 2006
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 fourth 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 fourth 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, October 1 through December 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 radionuclides. Gross alpha and gross beta results were found to have no discernable statistical distribution during the fourth 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 fourth quarter were monthly or quarterly gross alpha or gross beta concentrations in air collected at Boundary locations statistically greater than corresponding data 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.
Weekly comparisons of gross alpha concentrations at Distant and Boundary
locations showed no statistical differences during the fourth quarter of 2005.
Gross beta results were statistically greater at Boundary locations than at
Distant locations during the weeks of November 16, 2005 and December 28, 2005,
but this appears to be due to random variability in the data.
Iodine-131 (131I) was not detected in any batch of charcoal
cartridges during the fourth quarter.
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). No manmade gamma-emitting radionuclides or transuranic radionuclides were detected. Strontium-90 was found at one distant location within the range of historical measurements.
Fourteen atmospheric moisture samples were obtained during the fourth quarter of 2005 and analyzed for tritium. Two samples from Idaho Falls and one sample each from Atomic City, Blackfoot, and Rexburg exceeded their respective 3s levels. The maximum value was well below the DOE DCG for tritium in air.
The ESER Program operates three PM10 samplers for particulate sampling, one each at Rexburg, Blackfoot, and Atomic City. Sampling of PM10 is primarily informational as no analyses are conducted for contaminants. PM10 concentrations were well below all health standard levels for all samples. The maximum 24-hour particulate concentration was 43.56 mg/m3 on December 11, 2005, at Atomic City. This is well below the EPA Air Quality Standard of 150 mg/m3.
Sufficient precipitation occurred to allow collection of 12 samples—three each from Idaho Falls and the Central Facilities Area (CFA) and six from the Experimental Field Station (EFS) on the INL. Three of the samples contained detectable concentrations of tritium, within the range reported by the EPA across the western United States.
Fourteen drinking water samples and one duplicate were collected from selected taps throughout southeast Idaho during the fourth quarter of 2005. Samples were analyzed for gross alpha, gross beta, and tritium (3H). None of the samples exceeded its 3s value for gross alpha. Six samples contained tritium above the detection limit, but within historical measurements. The maximum value was below the EPA limits established under the Safe Drinking Water Act and DOE DCGs. Eleven samples exceeded the 3s value for gross beta. The maximum gross beta concentration measured, (8.57 ± 1.05) pCi/L, was from Fort Hall and was below the EPA Safe Water Drinking Water Act (SDWA) screening limit of 50 pCi/L and the DOE DCG of 100 pCi/L. Levels of gross beta activity observed are not unusual given the basaltic terrain.
Six surface water samples (including one duplicate) were collected from locations throughout southeast Idaho. Samples were analyzed for gross alpha, gross beta, and tritium (3H). None of the samples exceeded their 3s value for gross alpha and two exceeded the 3s value for tritium. Gross beta activities were detected in all six samples. Results were less that SDWA screening limits and DOE DCGs and were typical of historical and regional measurements.
Milk samples were collected weekly in Idaho Falls and monthly at eight other locations around the INL. All samples were analyzed for gamma-emitting radionuclides and selected samples were analyzed for tritium and Strontium-90. No manmade gamma-emitting radionuclides or tritium were found in any sample. Strontium-90 was measured above the 3s uncertainty level in three of four samples analyzed, at levels consistent with those previously found. Strontium-90 is detected as a result of uptake of historical weapons derived fallout.
Eleven potato samples were collected from farms around the INL and from Colorado. No gamma-emitting radionuclides were found in any sample. Strontium-90 was found in three samples at concentrations consistent with those found in previous years attributed to uptake of historical weapons derived fallout.
Cesium-137 was detected in the muscle tissue taken from one of two game animals killed on INL roads. The detected concentration was similar to those found in both onsite and offsite tissues during recent years.
Environmental dosimeter locations are also divided into Boundary and Distant groupings. Boundary exposure rates ranged from a low of 0.27 mR/day to 0.37 mR/day. The overall Boundary average was 0.33 mR/day. The Distant group ranged from 0.29 mR/day to 0.40 mR/day, with an overall average exposure also of 0.33 mR/day. No statistical difference existed between Boundary and Distant locations. All exposure results are consistent with those measured historically.
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Media |
Sample Type |
Analysis |
Results |
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Air |
Filters |
Gross alpha, gross beta |
There were no statistical differences noted for monthly or quarterly gross alpha or gross beta concentrations measured at INL, Boundary, and Distant locations. Gross beta concentrations were statistically higher at Distant locations than at Boundary locations during the weeks of November 16 and December 28. However, no result exceeded the DCG for gross alpha or gross beta activity in air. |
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Gamma-emitting radionuclides, select actinides, 90Sr |
No manmade gamma-emitting radionuclides or actinides were detected. Detectable 90Sr was found at one distant location, well below DOE limits. |
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Charcoal Cartridge |
Iodine-131 |
No detections of 131I were made during the fourth quarter. |
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PM10 |
Particulate matter |
Forty-five valid samples were collected from three locations. No regulatory limits were exceeded. |
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Atmospheric Moisture |
Liquid |
Tritium |
Fourteen atmospheric moisture samples were collected. Five of the results were greater than the 3s uncertainty. No sample result exceeded the DCG for tritium in air. |
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Precipitation |
Liquid |
Tritium |
A total of six monthly and six weekly samples were collected. Three of these samples had tritium results greater than the 3s uncertainty. Concentrations were consistent with those reported across the region and with previous results. |
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Drinking Water |
Liquid |
Gross alpha, gross beta, tritium |
Gross alpha activity was not detected in any sample. Gross beta activity was measured in 11 of 15 samples. The maximum was well below the EPA Safe Drinking Water Act limits. Tritium was detected in six samples at concentrations many times lower than the EPA regulatory level. |
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Surface Water |
Liquid |
Gross alpha, gross beta, tritium |
No gross alpha activity was detected in any of the six samples collected. Tritium was measured in two samples. Gross beta activity was measured above the 3s values in all six samples. All concentrations were below EPA and DOE limits, and were within historical measurements. |
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Milk |
Liquid |
Iodine-131, gamma emitting radionuclides, tritium, and 90Sr |
No manmade gamma-emitting radionuclides or tritium were found in any sample. Strontium-90 was detected in three of four samples at values consistent with those previously reported and attributed to weapons testing fallout. |
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Potatoes |
Solid |
Gamma emitting radionuclides (including 137Cs), and 90Sr |
Eleven potato samples were collected. Strontium-90 was detected in three samples. The measurements were within historical concentrations. Cesium-137 was not detected in any sample. |
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Game Animals |
Tissue |
Iodine-131, gamma emitting radionuclides |
Cesium-137 was found in the muscle sample from one of the two game animals available for sampling during the fourth quarter. The detected value was well within the range of historical values. |
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Environmental Radiation |
TLD |
Ambient ionizing radiation |
Values were consistent with expected exposures given the altitude and location of the TLD's. There were no statistical differences between Boundary and Distant location results. |