EnvironmentalScience and Research Foundation, Inc. March2000/67531/metadc725224/m2/1/high_re… · pronghorn antelope and seven mule deer killed on INEEL roadways were sampled, and

ESRF-035(3QT99)

Idaho National Engineeringand Environmental Laboratory Offsite

Environmental Surveillance Program Report:Third Quarter 1999

Roy Evans

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Community Monitoring Station at Mountain View Middle SchoolBlackfoot

Environmental Science and Research Foundation, Inc.March2000

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To increme public awareness aqd involvement-in the INEEL offsite environmental surveillance,.. .progr~ the Foundation sponsors two”Comm&I@ Momtoring Stations, located at Mountain View

Middle School “in’BIackfootand Madison Middle School in”Rexburg. Science teachers at the twoSchools manage the stations, ‘collect-the dat% and use the data in their classrooms. The stations house

equipment to-monitor. radioactivity and particulate (dus~ in the air, environmental radiation levels, and,-weather conditions. _Theequipment provides real-time data.for some me~urementis, such as weather

conditions and gamma-radiation:levels. ”For other types of measurements the equipment takes samplesthat are collected bylhe:station managers and sent to laboratories for analysis. Current weather

conditions- and ganima radiation levels are “&played at,each station, along with postings of laboratoryresults. The pgbfic is encouraged to visit me stations often to view-the equipment and check the data.

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ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & RESEARCH FOUNDATION REPORT SERIES,NUMBER ESRF-035(3QT99)

!SSN NUMBER 1089-5469

Idaho National Engineering and IIEC27200Environmental Laboratory Offsite o sx~

Environmental Surveillance Program Report:Third Quarter 1999

Roy Evans

Environmental Science and Research Foundation, Inc.Doyle Markham, Executive Director

March 2000

Program conducted for the U.S. Department of Energy, Idaho Operations OfficeUnder Contract DE-AC07-941D13268

Environmental Science and Research Foundation, Inc.101 S. Park Avenue, Suite 2

P.O. BOX 51838Idaho Falls, Idaho 83405-1838

>

Executive Summary

The Environmental Science and Research Foundation conducts an offsite environmentalsurveillance program for the Department of Energy’s Idaho National Engineering and Environ-mental Laboratory (INEEL). The Foundation’s environmental surveillance program monitors theeffects, if any, of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) activities on the offsite environment,collects data to confirm compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations, andobserves any trends in environmental levels of radioactivity. This report for the third quarter of1999 is based on 704 samples of air, fine particulate, atmospheric moisture, precipitation, milk,and food. All concentrations of radioactivity found in these samples were consistent withconcentrations which have been found in sampling during recent quarters and which have beenattributed in the past to natural background radiation, worldwide fallout from past nuclearweapons testing, and nuclear operations around the world. No measured concentrations could bedirectly attributed to operations at the INEEL. Concentrations in all samples were below theguidelines set by both the DOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for publicprotection.

Program Description

The Foundation collected filters weekly from low-volume air samplers at 12 offsite loca-tions. Five were at distant locations and seven were near the INEEL boundary. An additionalthree air samplers were operated on the INEEL. Replicate samplers were operated at two offsiteboundary locations for quality assurance purposes. Weekly measurements were made of grossalpha and gross beta activity in airborne particulate. Charcoal cartridges were screened weeklyfor the presence of iodine-131. At the end of the quarter, weekly filters from each location werecombined to form a composite sample for that location. These composites were then analyzedfor gamma-emitting radionuclides. Selected composites were also submitted for analyses forstrontium-90 and transuranics (plutonium-238, plutonium-239/240, and americium-24 1).

PMIO samplers were operated at three offsite locations to sample airborne particulatewith an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 microns. Particles this size can penetrate thebody’s natural air filtering system and enter the lungs. Atmospheric moisture and precipitationsamples were collected to monitor for tritium. Atmospheric moisture samples were collected bysampling continuously for 13 weeks at each of four locations. The Foundation collected monthlyprecipitation samples at one onsite location and one offsite location, as well as a weeklyprecipitation sample at a second onsite location.

The Foundation collected a weekly milk sample from a dairy in Idaho Falls and collectedmonthly milk samples from eight additional dairies around the INEEL. All milk samples wereanalyzed for iodine- 131. Lettuce from private gardens was sampled and analyzed. Threepronghorn antelope and seven mule deer killed on INEEL roadways were sampled, and thyroid,liver and muscle tissues were submitted for gamma spectroscopy.

For more information concerning the contents of this report, contact the Foundation at(208) 525-7102, or visit the Foundation’s web page (http://esrf.or~).

ii

DISCLAIMER

This repoti was prepared as an account of work sponsoredbyanagency of the United States Government. Neitherthe United States Government nor any agency thereof, norany of their employees, make any warranty, express orimplied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility forthe accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of anyinformation, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, orrepresents that its use would not infringe privately ownedrights. Reference herein to any specific commercialproduct, process, or service by trade name, trademark,manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constituteor imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring bythe United States Government or any agency thereof. Theviews and opinions of authors expressed herein do notnecessarily state or reflect those of the United StatesGovernment or any agency thereof.

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DISCLAIMER

Portions of this document may be illegiblein electronic image products. Images areproduced from the best available originaldocument.

Summary of Third Quarter 1999 Results

Gross alpha and gross beta activities in low-volume air samples were within the expectedrange of values for background radioactivity. No statisticaHy significant differences were foundbetween the quarterly means of gross alpha and gross beta activities observed in samples fromthe INEEL, boundary, and distant stations. Iodine-131 was not found in any air sample.

PMIO sampling for respirable particulate continued at three locations: Atomic City, Rex-burg, and Mountain View Middle School in Blackfoot. Twenty-four-hour samples were col-lected once every six days throughout the third quarter; Observed concentrations at the threestations were all below the short-term EPA standard of 150 pg/m3 averaged over 24 hours. Oneatmospheric moisture sample from Rexburg contained detectable tritium at a low level consistentwith natural production by cosmic ray bombardment in the upper atmosphere. No tritium wasdetected in precipitation samples.

No detectable concentrations of iodine-13 1 were reported in the 38 milk samples col-lected during the third quarter. Seven of eight lettuce samples contained small but detectableconcentrations of strontium-90, consistent with levels seen in past sampling and attributable toworldwide fallout from atmospheric weapons testing. One pronghom antelope and two muledeer exhibited trace detections of cesium-137 in muscle tissue samples. One pronghom antelopeand one of the mule deer also had small concentrations of cesium- 137 in their livers. Theseconcentrations were consistent with concentrations found in recent game animal samples and areprobably attributable to worldwide fallout, although a contribution from INEEL activities cannotbe ruled out.

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Table of Contents1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...12. Air Sampling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...2

2.1 Low-VolumeAirSampling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...22.2 PM1OAir Sampling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...42.3 Atmospheric Moisture Sampling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...52.4 Precipitation Sampling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...5

3. Food Sampling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...53.1 Milk Sampling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...53.2 Lettuce Sampling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...63.3 Wild Game Sampling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...6

Appendix A: Surnniary ofEnvironmental Surveillance Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...7Appendix B: Helpful Information forReaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...9Appendix C: WeeklyGrossAlpha and Beta ActivitiesinAir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...11

Tables1. Gross Alpha ActivityinAir. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...32. Gross Beta ActivityinAir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...43. Strontium-90 Concentrations for Offsite Lettuce (1999) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...64. Cesium-137 ConcentrationsinRoad-Killed Wild Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...6A-1 Summary ofthe Foundation’s Environmental Surveillance Program . . . . . . . ...7A-2 Approximate Minimum Detectable Concentrations for Radiological Analyses ..8

Figures1. Weekly Air Sampling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...22. Gross Alpha ActivityinAir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...23. Gross Beta ActivityinAir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...34. Milk and Lettuce Sampling Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...5

, I

iv

1. Introduction

This quarterly report summarizes the data collected by the Environmental Science andResearch Foundation’s offsite environmental surveillance program for the Department ofEnergy’s Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) during the periodJuly 1 to September 30, 1999. Consistent with requirements of applicable Department of Energy(DOE) Orders, the Foundation’s environmental surveillance program monitors the effects, if any,of DOE activities on the offsite environment, collects data to verify compliance with applicableenvironmental laws and regulations, and observes trends in enviromnental levels of radioactivity.Appendix A summarizes the Foundation’s surveillance program. Information useful in under-standing this report is given in Appendix B.

Most of the reported environmental concentrations are at or near background levels of radio-activity; many results are near the detection limits of the laboratory procedures. Appendix Asummarizes the approximate minimum detectable concentrations of radioactivity which can bedetected and quantified for a given sample type and analysis. All results are reported with anassociated 2s (“two sigma”) uncertainty term. The Foundation uses the following method forinterpreting analytical results near the minimum detectable concentration: results less than orequaI to the 2s uncertainty, which includes some negative values, are considered as “notdetected.” For results greater than 2s (the 95 per cent confidence level), but not exceeding 3s (the99 per cent confidence interval), detection of the radioactivity is questionable. Results mayexceed the 2s level simply due to the inherent random nature of radioactive decay events. This isexpected to occur approximately 2.5 percent of the time. Results exceeding 3s are interpreted asindicating the detection of radioactivity.

Where appropriate, measured airborne concentrations of radioactivity in this report are com-pared to the DOE derived concentration guides. The derived concentration guide is the concen-tration of a radionuclide which, under conditions of continuous exposure for a year, would resultin an effective dose equivalent of 100 millirem (the DOE standard for members of the public).

,. >.

2. Air Sampling

2. Air Sampling

2.1. Low-Volume Air Sampling

Airborne particulate radioactivity wascontinuously monitored by 17 air samplers ‘--ikj “0*

(Figure 1), located to provide an effective!k

-e ;“ ~’*Md‘“network to detect INEEL releases of radio- .6PINEEL‘;

Rd?.qi m

activity. Five offsite air samplers are located -./- :iat distant, or background, stations and seven ■

,.JBA.r’~, ,“,, l~b.v~bC..l.”M*u- ‘-----x;w&

are boundary stations, located near the INEEL. m.DEtantbtio”Three air samplers are situated on the INEEL. ●-BoundaryLacati.n

Two replicate samplers are also operated for A-INEEL Umttion

quality control purposes. Onsite locations X-Replide Sampler

Weekly Air Sampling

were used to make comparisons of airborneconcentrations of radioactivity with boundaryand distant locations. Each air sampler aver- Figure 1

aged a flow of approximately 50 L/rein(2 ft3/rnin) through a filter head consisting of two types of filters --a 1.2-micrometer pore size par-ticulate filter and a charcoal cartridge for the monitoring of radioactive iodine. Filters on eachsampler were changed weekly.

Various screening analyses were performed weekly. Charcoal cartridges were screenedweekly in batches for ’311activity. If activity was detected in any batch greater than a preset actionlevel, cartridges were then analyzed individually. Particulate filters were counted each week forgross (nonspecific) beta activity in a low-background beta counter after waiting a minimum offour days for the naturally-occurring daughter products of radon and thoron to decay. The particu-late filters were also counted for gross alpha activity. At the end of the quarter, weekly filtersfrom each location were combined to forma composite. Composites were analyzed for ‘37CS.Selected composites were also analyzed for ‘Sr sor transuranic radionuclides (238Pu,239n40Pu,and“’Am).

No ‘3’1was detected in any of the weekly ~ 4charcoal cartridges during the third quarter. ~

Figure 2 shows the weekly gross alpha ln3Y

activities measured throughout the quarter. AU ~measured gross alpha activities were within the g’expected range of background levels. Meangross alpha activities measured on the INEEL ~ ,were not significantly different from thosemeasured.at offsite locations. Table 1 sum-marizes the gross alpha measurements for the 0, , , , , , , , , ,0 ,, ,2 ,,quarter. Weekof the Quarter

/ I

Figure 2 Gross Alpha Activity in Air

Table 1Gross Alpha Activity in Alr

Third Quarter 1999

Gross AipItri Concentration ‘{x IO-IS@hUIJ

& ticetionIUnnber of Range of

!2!!e samples Samuk.s .~ M&mwith 95% Confidence Interval

DisBkrckfoot 13

ttust1.2-4.3 2.8 & 1.0

Craters of tbe Moon 13 0.4-3.4 1.7 ~ 0.8

Idaho Falls 13 0.5-3.4 2.2* 1.1Rexburg 13 0.3-2.8 2.1 * 0.9Mountain View MiddIe

School (Replicate)13 (13) 1.4-3.1 (0.9-4.0) 2.2 &0.8 (2.2& 1.0)

Group Mean 2.2 * 1.0

BoArco 13 1.0-3.3 1.9 * 0.9

undiuyAtomic C@ (Repticate) 13 (12) 1.2-4.1 (1.2-3.0) 2.1 *0.9 (1.9zt 1.0)FAA Tower 13 0.5-3.0 1.7 * 1.0Howe 13 1.2-8.7 3.2 & 1.8Monteview 13 0.8-3.2 2.3 * 1.0Mud Lake 13 1.3-3.6 2.4 * 0.9Reno Ranch 13 -0.7-3.0 1.7*1.O


INEEL

EFS 13 0.8-2.5 1.8&l.O

Main Gate 13 0.6-2.7 1.8 t 0.9Van Buren 13 1.2-3.3 2.2* 1.1


DOE DerAYedConcentration @ride 20

Figure 3 shows gross beta activities over the 13-week quarter. All measured beta activitieswere al;o within the rmge of expected back- ~ground values. Table 2 summarizes gross beta

;!: ; !:::: , ::: :!:;: ;:: ,::;,! ::: ,,::;:._-_p___I----+----------- -- _-+___-- _-&___Q+-- iair activity measurements for the quarter. :;! :::::: ::; ::,;:: ::;There was no statistically signific~t differencebetween the means of gross beta activitiesmeasured onsite and those measured offsite.

Replicate low volume samplers wereoperated for quality assurance purposes atMountain View Middle School in Blackfootand at Atomic City. T-tests were performed to 6,0 i; i!:!!!!! i:detect differences between the samplers and

;:: :; ;{: ;:: :i:!.-___&---+their corresponding replicate sampler for both

—Disr8at ‘-------- Boundary::::;: —INEEL

gross alpha-and gross beta. At the 95 per cent 0; ~ ~ i ; i ; ; ; ;. ;, ;, ~,1 ,

confidence level, there were no significantWeak of the Quarter

F@ure 3 Gross Beta Activity in Air

.. -,.,. . . .,, .rn. . .. \.,...>. t..’ %-... , . .. . . -.7.: ...< . . . . .,, -.,. ,. .,.—7 -–. ~,

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2. Air %i.nmlin~

differences in replicate measurements of gross alpha or gross beta activity at either location.Appendix C contains the observed values of gross alpha and gross beta activities found in weeklyair samples.

Table 2Gross Beta Activity in Air

Third Quarter 1999

. . ... :,, .~,. ~G@+$~~@ Gnwi?ration,,:’w.~;‘ .. . ... . ,. ,:.~ !..’....,>,... *. .,’‘....: ,., . ‘{XI(P imiom : ‘ ‘ : ~~‘ ‘ , ‘ 4

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+ Location . ~,“tiumberoi. : ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘. ‘ ‘ “’’,;”; .’””< ‘ ““ ~. ‘,

YE: Ratige of.flamplii .:

Sanmlw ‘“ . ;IVleahxwth XP7’’f?onfiikisicektefial.

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~,~t””Blackfoot 13 21-37 30*2

antCraters of the Moon 13 18-33 2622Idaho I%k 13 21-41 31*3Rexburg 13 0-34 25*2Mountain View Middle 13 (13) 20-36 (21-34) 26~2(28*2)

School (Replicate)Group Mean 27*1

Bou Arco 13 19-36 26Y2ndary

Atomic City (Replicate) 13(12) 20-35 (22-37) 26~2 (29&3)FAA Tower 13 19-44 27*2Howe 13 22-46 30*3Monteview 13 21-37 28*2Mud Lake 13 21-34 27*2Reno Ranch 13 22-38 2722

Group Mean 28~1

INE EFS 13 22-35 28*2EL

Main Gate 13 21-33 26?2Van Buren 13 19-33 28*3

Group Mean 28*1

,, ., . . . . ;.,?,, p’~EB@Ja Gtiide]i@~}.3000,..,’ . ~ ,“’,. ...’, .. . . . ,., ,., .,

No samples exhibited concentrations of human-made gamma-emitting radionuclides.Selected quarterly composite samples were analyzed for transuranics of interest (241Am, 238Pu,and239n40Pu).Americium-241 was reported as detectable in two samples. The composite samplefrom Arco was reported to contain 24]&n at a concentration of (2.8 & 2.2) x 10-18~Ci/mL, and the

composite sample from the replicate sampler at Mountain View Middle School in Blackfoot wasreported to contain 241b at a concentration of (2.5 & 2. 1) x 10-18pCi/rnl. These reported

concentrations are in the range of two to three sample standard deviations, and detection istherefore questionable. Several composite samples were also selected for 90Sr analysis.Strontium-90 was reported as detectable in two samples; the composite sample from MadisonMiddle School in Rexburg was reported to contain (7.6& 5.7)x 10-17pCi/mL, and the samplefrom Mud Lake was reported to contain (6.9 & 5.7) x 10-17pCi/ml of ‘Sr. These detections arealso in the questionable range of two to three sample standard deviations. Whether or not thereported detections of 241Amand ‘Sr represent real environmental concentrations, these values arefar below the applicable derived concentration guides and present no threat to human health.

A

. I

3. Food Sanmlinz

2.2 PMIO Air Sampling

Air sampling for respirable particulate continued at Madison Middle School (Rexburg),

Mountain View Middle School (BIackfoot), and Atomic City. PMIO samplers were used tosample airborne particulate with aerodynamic diameters smaller than 10 microns. Particles thissize can penetrate the body’s natural air filtering system and enter the lungs. These filters are notanalyzed for radionuclides.

Samples were collected every sixth day from Rexburg, Blackfoot, and Atomic City. Concen-

trations at Rexburg ranged from 3 to 37 pg/m3, with an average of 20 @m3. At the Blackfootlocation, values ranged from 7 to 64 pg/m3 with an average concentration of 25 pg/m3. In AtomicCity the concentrations ranged from 7 to 42 ~g/m3 with an average concentration of 23 pg/m3.The EPA standard is 150 pg/m3 averaged over 24 hours, and 50 pg/m3 averaged over the entireyear.

2.3 Atmospheric Moisture Sampling

Four atmospheric moisture samples were obtained from Idaho Falls, Rexburg, Blackfoot andAtomic City during this reporting period. Samples were collected bypassing air through acolumn of silica gel which absorbed water vapor. Tritium concentrations were determined by ex-tracting water from the silica gel and counting the water sample by liquid scintillation. Only thesample from Rexburg contained detectable tritium at a concentration in air of (5.8 & 5.6) x 10-14pCi/ml. Tritium at this concentration is probably attributable to natural production by cosmic raybombardment of the upper atmosphere.

2.4 Precipitation Sampling

Five precipitation samples were collected from Idaho Falls and onsite locations at the CentraIFacilities Area (CFA) and the Experimental Field Station (EFS) and analyzed for tritium. Notritium was detected at any location.

—+ *4

3. Food Sampling ‘2PL3.1 Milk Sampling

n.-j ./

AA J.AIUX ● :1.& T-m

Milk samples were collected # Aus 20

weekly in Idaho Falls and monthly at * 4 &ho Falls

~!

*%

eight other locations around the 1 T*1-15

INEEL (Figure 4). Two types ofSk.nl!mlclw

● &aot~●A

locations were sampled: single family1.a4

dairies and large commercial dairies.Pocaello

Each milk sample was analyzed for 1311Figure 4 Milk and Lettuce Sampling Locations

c

3. Food M.nmling

by gamma spectrometry. Results were decay-corrected to the time of sample collection. A totalof 38 milk samples were collected during the third quarter. None of the samples exhibiteddetectable concentrations of 1311.

3.2 Lettuce Sampling .

Eight lettuce samples were collected from private gardens and analyzed for strontium-90.Seven of the lettuce samples contained detectable amounts of strontium-90. Table 3 showssample locations and concentrations. Activities found in the samples were consistent with con-centrations observed near the INEEL in recent sampling, attributable to worldwide fallout fromatmospheric weapons testing, and posed no threat to human or livestock health.

Table 3Strontium-90 Concentrations for Offsite Lettuce (1999)

.,, ,.. . . &koMuns-90 Cottcint*tion ‘ ,‘ ~,, ‘ , ‘~. . ..’. . Dciig dry weight}’ ‘

.,, . .“.,, ., ,

Locatio . .‘. Lettuce @tce&ration * 9$90 Cosifidericektetwai

.: ./,. ,,, ,.’g . ...’ .,,,’ ,,, ,,. +’.:... ,.’.. “,, , :., . . .,, ,/.

DistantBhtckfo

Ot0.13 &0.06

Carey 0.12 * 0.08Idaho

Falls0.06 ~ 0.04

Boundsv Arco

0.12 * 0.04

AtomicCity

0.09 * 0.04

Howe ND*

Mudbke

0.16 * 0.08

Montev 0.23 &0.20. . ?. , ‘ , .,’” ..,,.:,.

No DOE C!oncent@io~Guidelines exi..fbr Iettu&: ~ ~~‘ ‘ ‘ ‘~” “’”’ . ‘ ‘ ,; , ~,, , ,;,:;’ .” ‘;’:,,,’7’ . . .‘, ,, ’.,.,

* ND= tson-detectable’concentrationsless @anOYo&ru& Stassdad detii@ls ;‘ ‘~ , ‘,,. ,.~,,’ ,,. ~ / ‘‘ . “,< ~ ‘; ~‘.. ‘ .,., . .

3.3 Wild Game Sampling

Three pronghom antelope and seven mule deer killed accidently on INEEL roads weresampled during the third quarter of 1999. Liver, muscle and thyroid samples were collected andanalyzed for cesium- 137 by gamma spectroscopy. Muscle tissue from one pronghom antelopeand two mule deer exhibited detectable cesium-137 activities. Liver tissue samples from onepronghom antelope and one mule deer also contained detectable cesium-137 activity. Table 4summarizes these detections. All of these small activities are within the range of historical valuesand can be attributed to the ingestion of radionuclides from worldwide fallout from atmosphericnuclear weapons testing. /

6

Table 4Cesium-137 Concentrations in Road-Killed Wild Game

Third Quarter 1999

Collection Date Species . T- ‘ CS.137Conce@xafion@2i&x la+* 2A

07/06/99 pronghorn muscle 3.9 ~ 2.7

I 07/06/99 pronghorn liver 6.5 ~ 5.0

I 07126199 mule deer muscle 9.5 ~ 3.2

I 0912W99 mule deer liver 4.4 * 3.7

7

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I

Appendix A

Summaryof

Environmental Surveillance Networks

Table A-1 ISummary of the Foundation’s Environmental Surveillance Program

Sample Type CollectionLocations

Analysis Frequency Distant Boundary INEEL

Alr . . .,. ,

Grnss AlphaBlackf00t(2), Craters of the Moon, Idaho

weeklyArco, Atomic City, FAA Tower, Howe, Main Gate, EFS, Van

Falls, Rexburg Monreview, Mud Lake, Reno Ranch Buren

Grnss Beta Blackfoot(2), Craters of the Moon, Idaho Arco, Atomic City, FAA Tower, Howe,131~ weekly

Main Gate, EFS, VnnFalls, Rexburg Monteview, Mud Lake, Reno Ranch Buren

Gamma Spec Blackfoot(2), Craters of the Moon, Maho Arco, Atonric City, FAA Tower, Howe,

Particulate Massquarterly

Main Gate, EFS, VanFalls, Rexburg Monteview, Mud Lake, Reno Ranch Buren

‘SrTransumnics

qnarterly Rotating schedule Rotating schedule Rotating schedule

PM-10 evesy sixth day Rexburg, Blackfoot(2) Atomic C]ty None

Air Moisture . .

Tritium 4 to 13 weeks Idaho Falls Atorrric C@ None

PrecipitationTritium monthly I Id~rr Falls Nnne

Tritium

CFA

weekly None None EFS

Surface H,O. .

Gross Alpha,

‘. ,.semiannually Twin Falls, Bubl, Hngerrnan

Grnss Beta, ‘H Idaho Falls, BlissNone None

Drinking H20 . . . ., . .

Grnss Alphasemiannually

Aberdeen, Blackfoot, Carey, Idaho Falls, Arco, Atomic City, Howe, Monteview, None

Grnss Beta, ‘H Fort Hall, Mirridoka, Roberts, Shnshone Mud Lake

Milk ., ,,

i“I

,.. :.weekly Idaho Falls None None

1X11 Blackfoot, Carey, Diewich, Mirridok~,monthly Howe, Terrcmrs, Arco None

Roberta

Tsitium Blackfoot, Cay, Diersich, Idaho Falls,

%rannually

Minidnka, RobertsHowe, Terreton, Am Nnne

Potatnes . .CmunaSpec

‘%r annually Blackfoot, Idaho Falls, Rupert Arco, MonteView, Taber None

WheatGarnrm Spec Bhckfoot, Dtetricb, Idaho Falls, Arco, Mnrrteview, Mud Lake, Taber,

‘%rannually

Mbddnka, Carey TerretnnNone

Lettuce . . . .,, ,,, ,

Gansrsw Spec Blackfnot, Cnrey, Id~ho Falls, Pocatello*‘%r

Arco, Atomic City, Howe, Mud Lake.annually

(* nnne available in 1999) MmtteviewNnne

PishGamma Spec annually None None Big f..ost River

Sheep t ‘,. . ., ,

Gaslrml sfxc wmudly BIackfnot Nnne lNEEL ~

WaterfOwI

“ng areas

t , , :, :,Gamma Spec

‘Sr Tmr.suranicsannually Fort Hall None Waste disposal ponds

Game . . ‘.. ..’ . ,. . ,,, , ,,,

Gamma Spec varies None None lNEEL rnads

Soil . . ,,..’. . . . . ,, ~, , ,,.,,

Gmnrrra SpeC‘“Sr biennially

Carey, CIYsod Ice Caves, Blackfoot, St. Butte City, Morrtcview, Atomic City, FAANone

TranaumNcsAnthony Tower, Howe, Mud Lake (2), Reno Ranch

TLDs . . . ....>.. . ,, ,., ... .,..

Aberdeen, BlackfooL Craters of the

Gamma Radiation semiannual Moon, Idaho Falls, Minidoka, Rexburg,Arco, Atomic Chy, Howe, Monteview,Mud f4ce, Reno Ranch

NoneRobert<

Table A-2Approximate Minimum Detectable Concentrations for Radiological Analyses

Sample Tvpe Analvsis Approximate Minimum Derived Drinking WaterDetectable Concentration Guideb Detection Lirnit.f

Concentration” f!E!21ME

Air (particulate tilter)d cross rdpha 1 x 10-15pCi/ml 2 x ItY*’pCtiml .-

&oss beta 3 x 10-’5pCi/mI 3 x 10-’*pctiml .-

Specific gamma 3 x 1016pCi/ml 4 x ItY’”pCtiml -.(“’CS)

~Pu 2 x 10-” pCtiml 3 x 1014pCi/ml --

239/240pu 3 x 10-lgpCi/ml 2 x 10-’4pcdrnl --

~lAm 2 x 101’pCtimI 2 x 1014pCdmI --

“Sr 3 x 10-17pCtiml 9 x 1012pCtiml --

Air (charcoal cmtridge)d 131[ 4 x 10-’5pCi/rnl 4 x ItY’”pCtiml --

Air (atmospheric moisturey ‘H 4 x 1012pCi/ml 1 x 10-7pCi/mI .-

Air (precipitation) ‘H 1 x 10_7pCtiml 2 x 11Y3~Ctiml --

Water (drinking & surface) GrOSS alpha 3 pctil 30 pcdl 3 pci/1

Gross beta 2 pciil 100pctil 4 pcin

3H 100 pci/1 2 x 10’ pcdl 1000pci/1

Milk 131* 3 x ltY’pCtiml -- --

Wheat Specific gamma 4 x 109 pcdg -- --

(’3’CS)

%lc.r 5 x 10-’pcl/g .- . .

Lettuce Specific gamma 1 x 10-7pctig -- --(’3’CS)

wsr 2 x 107pcilg -- -.

a. The MDC is mrestimate of the concentration of radioactivity in a given sample type that can be identified with a 9570level of confidencemrd a precision of plus or minus 100% under a specified set of typical laboratory measurement conditions.b. DCGS,set by the DOE, represent reference values for radiation exposrue. They correspond to concentrations which would result in amdiation dose of 100 mrern/yr through a particular exposure mode such as direct exposure, inhrdation, or ingestion of water.c. Thcxe limits we required by the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR 141). The “detection timit” is the terminologyused by the EPA and means the same as the MDC defined above.d. The approximate MDC is based on an average filtered air volume (pressure corrected) of 570 m3/week.e. The approximate MDC is expressed for tritium (m tritiated water) in air, and is based on an avemge filtered air volume of 25 m3,a..suming an avemge sampling period of eight weeks.

9

.x .. .... -

Appendix BHelpful Information for Reader

Radionuclide Nomenclature

Radionuclides are sometimes expressed with the one-or two-letter chemical symbol for theelement. A radionuclide is an unstable, or radioactive, form of an element. A given element may havemany different radionuclides. Each is designated by a superscript number to the left of the chemicalsymbol. This number is the atomic weight of the radionuclide, equal to the number of protons andneutrons in its nucleus. Radionuclides which may be used in this report are shown in the following table:

Sw!!?Q!

‘H‘BeSlcr

~Mn58f.o

‘co

%zn

WSr

‘sNb

TritiumBeryI1ium-7Chromium-5 1Manganese-54CobaIt-58CobaIt-60Zinc-65Strontium-90Niobium-95

SY!m!!131~

‘“cs

137c~

q-e

181Hf

238pu

z39n40pu

24l*M

Radionuclide

Iodine-131Cesium-134Cesium-137Cerium-144Hafnium-18 1Plutonium-238Plutonium-239/240Americium-241

Scientific Notation

Scientific notation is used to express numbers which are very small and very large. A very smallnumber will be expressed with a negative exponent, e.g., 1.3 x 10-6.To convert this number to the morecommonly used form, the decimal point must be moved &&tby the number of places equal to theexponent (in this case, six). The number thus becomes 0.0000013.

For large numbers, those with a positive exponent, the decimal point is moved to the Q@ by thenumber of places equal to the exponent. The number 1,000,000 (or one million) can be written as1 x 106.

Unit Prefixes

Units for very small and very large numbers are commonly expressed with a prefix. Oneexample is the prefix kilo, abbreviated k, which means 1,000 of a given unit. A kilometer is thereforeequal to 1,000 meters. Prefixes that may be used in this report are:

Prefix Abbreviation Meaning Endish Translationmini m 1/1,000(=1 x 10-3) one-thousandthmicro P 1/1,000,000(=1 x 106) one-millionthpico P 1/1,000,000>000,000 one-trillionth

(=1 x 10’2)

Units of Radioactivity and Radiation Exposure and Dose

The basic unit of radioactivity used in this report is the curie, abbreviated Ci. The curie isdefined as the amount of radioactivity equivalent to 37 billion nuclear transformations per second.Historically, this was based upon the radioactivity from one gram of the radionuclide radium-226. For , I

any other radionuclide, one curie is the amount of that radionuclide that decays at this same rate.Radiation exposure is expressed in terms of the Roentgen (R), the amount of ionization produced

by gamma radiation in aii. Dose is given”in units of “Roentgen equivalent many or “rem; which takesinto account the effect of radiation on tissues. For the types of environmental radiation generallyencountered, the unit of Roentgen is approximately numerically equal to the unit of rem.

Units of Environmental Concentrations

Concentration of radioactivity in air and milk samples are expressed in units of microcuries permilliliter (pCihnl). Concentrations in water samples are expressed as picocuries per liter (pCi/1). Federalstandards are expressed in these units. Radioactivity in foodstuffs are given in microcuries per gram(pCi/g), dry weight. Radioactivity in soil samples is expressed as picocuries per gram (pCi/g), dryweight. Annual human radiation exposure, measured by environmental dosimeters, is expressed in unitsof milliRoentgens (mR). This is sometimes expressed in terms of dose as millirem (rnrem).

Uncertainty of Measurements

Due to many variables, there is always an uncertainty associated with the measurement ofenvironmental contaminants. For radioactivity, the predominant source of uncertainty is due to theinherent statistical nature of radioactive decay events, particularly at the low activity levels encounteredin environmental samples. The uncertainty of a measurement is denoted by following the result with a“~” (uncertainty) term. This report follows convention in reporting the uncertainty as a 95% confidencelimit (or interval), designated in the tables as “Ms.” That means there is approximately a 95% level ofconfidence that the real concentration in the sample lies somewhere between the measured (reported)concentration minus the uncertainty term and the measured (reported) concentration plus the uncertaintyterm.

Negative Numbers as Results

Environmental measurements are frequently conducted at levels where the contaminant, such asradioactivity, cannot be distinguished from natural background levels. In this case, the result will still bereported by the analytical laboratory, even though it is below the measurement system’s approximateminimum detectable concentration, or is less than zero. Negative values occur when the measured resultis less than a pre-established average background level for the particular system and procedure used.These values, rather than “not detectable” or “zero,” are reported to better enable statistical analyses andto observe trends in the data.

Gross versus Specific Analyses

Many of the radiological analyses of environmental samples yield information only about theoverall, or gross, amount of a particular type of radiation (e.g., gross beta), rather than identifying andquantifying specific radionuclides. For example, rather than performing an analysis for particulargamma-emitting radionuclides, called gamma spectroscopy, one can do a gross gamma or, morecommonly, a gross beta analysis, since gamma-emitting radionuclides also emit beta particles. This typeof analysis is an effective screening tool and is much quicker and less costly than specific radionuclideanalyses.

11

. -,,-.7’7-C- .,.. .. . . .. . . . ..7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..-, . . . . . ,,.. . . -, . ..>...... ,. !.. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .,, ! , ,. —r.T. .

. . ,.- -’._’......_ ,., .

Appendix CWeekly Gross Alpha and Gross Beta Concentrations in Air

3rd Quarter 1999Gross Alpha Concentration * 2s Gross Beta Concentration * 2s

Location Collection Date (pCi/ml x 10-15) (pCi/ml x 10-1’)

Blackfoot 07/07/99

NOAA 07/14/99

07/21/99

07128/99

08/04/99

08/1 1/99

08/1 8/99

08/25199

09/01/99

09/08/99

09/15/99

09/22/99

09/29/99

Craters of 07/07/99

the Moon 07/14/99

07/21/99

07/28/99

08/04/99

08/1 1/99

08/1 8/99

08/25199

09/01/99

09/08/99

09/15/99

09/22/99

09/29/99

Idaho Falls 07/07/99

07/14/99

07/21/99

07/28/99

08/04/99

08/1 1/99

08/18/99

08/25/99

09/01/99

09/08/99

2.() * 1.()4.3 * 1.4

1.8 ~ 1.2

1.9 & o.8

“2.7 ~ 1.1

3.3 * 1.0

3.2 ~ 0.9

4.] * 1.()

4.() & 1.0

1.2 & ().7

3.1 & ().9

2.4 ~ 1.2

2.2 * ().9

1.6 & ().9

3.() & 1.1

().4 * 1.2

0.8 & ().7

3.1 & 1.2

1.6 & ().7

1.1 * 0.7

2.0 * ().7

().8 ~ 0.6

1.3 * ().7

lo& 0.6

3.4 * 1.1

1.5 * ().7

2.3 ? 1.23.4 * 1.5().8 & 1.4

0.5 * 0.72.() & 1.2

2.3 ~ I.o

1.4 & o.8

3.0 * 1.1

2.2 * 1.1

1.9 & 1.1

12


Location Collection Date

Rexburg

09/15/99

09/2199

09/29199

07/07/99

07/14/99

07/21/99

07128/99

08/04/99

08/1 1/99

08/18/99

08125/99

09/01/99

09/08/99

09/15/99

- 09/22199

09129/99

Mountain View 07/07/99

Middle School 07/14/99

(replicate) 07/21/99

07/28199

08/04/99

08/1 1/9908/1 8/99

08/25/99

09/01/99

09/08/99

09/15/99

09/22/99

09129199

Arco 07/07/99

07/14/99

07/21/99

07/28/99

08/04/99

08/1 1/99


(pCi/mlx 10-”) (pCi/ml x 10-”)

(2.1 & 1.1)

(4.0 & 1.5)

(0.9 & 1.1)

(1.9 * 0.9)

(1.5 & 1.0)

(2.1 & 0.9)(1.8 & 0.8)

(2.6 & 0.9)

(2.6 & 1.0)

(2.0 & 0.9)

(1.8 & 0.8)

(2.6 & 1.3)

(2.4 & 1.0)

(21 * 2)

(31 k 3)

(26 * 2)

(28 * 3)

(25 * 3)

(30 k 2)(26 & 2)

(29 & 2)

(27 & 2)

(31 k 2)

(27 & 2)

(34 & 3)

(26 k 2)

13

-.,—.— . . ... . — . . . .



08/1 8/99

08/25/99

09/01/99

09/08/99

09/15/99

09/22/99

09/29/99

Atomic City 07/07/99

(replicate) 07/14/99

07/21/99

07/28/99

08/04/99

08/1 1/99

08/1 8/99

08/25199

09/01/99

09/08/99

09/15/99

09122199

09/29199

Howe 07/07199

07/14/99

07/21/99

07/28/99

08/04/99

08/1 1/99

08/18/99

08/25/99

09/01/99

09/08/99

09/15/99

09/22/99

09/29/99

FAA 07/07/99

Tower 07/14/99


(pCi/ml x 10-’5) (pCi/ml x 1015)

2.3 ~ 0.82.32 0.8

1.5 & 0.81.1 f ().7

2.3 * 0.83.3 * 1.21.0 & ().7

1.3 * 0.9

2.2* 1.1

2.5 Y 1.1

4.1 t 1.31.6 & o.8

2.2 & 0.81.9 & ().7

2.4 ~ 0.7

1.6 & 0.71.2 * 0.7

1.4 * ().7

3.6 * 1.1I-4 & o.8

1.6 & o.9

2.6 ? 1.21.2* 1.1

3.() * 1.3

3.0 * 1.5

2.9 ~ I.2

3.6* I-I

5.3 * 2.(3

2.5 & 1.02.6 ~ 1.1

2.5 ~ I .o

8.7 & 4.9

1.6 & o.9

].()* l-l

1.43 1.()

(1.2 t 0.9)

(2.4 t 1.1)

(2.4 & 1.3)

(2.4 & 0.9)

(2.9 & 1.4)

(1.5 k 0.9)

(1.2 & 0.9)

(1.7 * 0.8)

(1.8 & 1.0)

(1.3 & 0.9)

(1.3 * 0.9)

(3.0 & 1.3)

(no sample)

(22 k 2)(30 * 2)

(29 ? 3)

(25 ? 2)

(34 k 3)

(27 ~ 3)

(27 ? 3)

(29 & 3)

(29 & 3)

(31 & 2)

(28 * 2)

(37 2 3)

(no sample)

>

14


3rd Quarter 1999


07/21/99

07128199

08/04/99

08/1 1/99

08/1 8/99

08/25/99

09/01/99

09/08/99

09/15/99

09/22199

09/29199

Monteview 07/07/99

07/14/99

07/21/99

07/28/99

08/04/99

08/1 1/99

08/18/99

08/25/99

09/01/99

09/08/99

09/15/99

09/22/99

09/29199

Mud

Lake

07/07/99

07/14/99

07/21/99

07/28199

08/04/99

08;1 1/99

08/1 8/99

08125/99

09/01/99

09/08/99

09/15/99

09/22/99

Gross Alpha Concentration * 2s(pCi/mlx 10-”)

0.5 * 1.()

1.2 & 0.93.() & 1.3

2.1 & ().9

2.020.92.52 0.9

1.3 & o.8

l.] & ().9

2.5 ~ o.9

2.4 ~ 1.2

1.8 & l.o

Gross Beta Concentration * 2s(pCUml x 10-15)

15

.,.. . .. ..... -.



Location Collection Date (pCtimIx 10-’5) (pCi/mi x 10-15)

09129/99 1.8 & 0.8 27*2

Reno 07/07/99

Ranch 07/14/99

07/21/99

07128/99

08/04/99

08/1 1/99

08/18/99

08/25199

09/01/99

09/08/99

09/15/99

09122199

09129/99

INEEL 07/07/99

Main 07/14/99

Gate 07/21/99

07128/99

08/04/99

08/1 1/99

08/18/99

08/25/99

09/01/99

09/08/99

09/15/99

09/22/99

09/29199

EFS 07/07/99

07/14/99

07/21/99

07/28/99

08/04/99

08/1 1/99

08/1 8199

08/25/99

1.55 1.1

2.6 * 1.4.o.7 & 1.8

().5 * 1.0

1.9 & 1.()

2.4 ~ 0.9

1.7 * 0.7

2.4 & 0.83.() * ().9

o.8 & o.6

1.9 & o.8

2.2 * 1.0

1.3 * 0.7

l.(j~ l-o

2.55 1.31.4* ].2

1.8 * 0.91.9 & 1.22.4 ~ 1.o2.3 ? 1.o2.4 ~ 0.9

, I

16



Location Collection Date (pCi/mlx 10-’5) (pCdml x 10-’5)

09/01/99

09/08/99

09/15/99

09122199

09129199

Van Buren 07/07/99

Avenue 07/14/99

07/21/99

07128/99

08/04/99

08/1 1/99

08/18/99

08125/99

09/01/99

09/08/99

09/15/99

09/22199

09129/99

1.3 * ().9

] .4 * 0.9

1.1 & o.8

2.4 ~ 1.4

0.8 ~ o.8

17

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