Formerly utilized MED/AEC sites remedial-action program. Radiological survey of Kent Chemical Laboratory, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, September 7-13, 1977
A comprehensive radiological survey was conducted at the Kent Chemical Laboratory at the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. General radiochemistry and/or physics research was performed at this facility during the MED/AEC era in the 1940s. The building is now used as laboratories, offices, and classrooms. The survey was undertaken to determine the location and quantities of any radioactive materials remaining from the MED/AEC operations. Nineteen spots of contamination possibly resulting from MED/AEC occupancy in 12 rooms exceeded the allowable limits for /sup 226/Ra and /sup 239/Pu as given in the ANSI Standard N13.12. Under current use conditions, the potential for radiation exposure to occupants of this building from these sources of contamination is remote. Concentrations of radon daughters in the air of the building were below the limit of 0.01 Working Level above background as given in the Surgeon General's Guidelines. Concentrations of radionuclides in soil samples from near the laboratory were essentially at background levels. The maximum potential dose for external penetrating radiation resulting from exposure to the radioactivity remaining from MED/AEC operations was calculated to be 500 mrem a year, which is equal to the 500 mrem standard for an individual in an uncontrolled area. In order to reduce the potential for radiation exposure, remedial measures such as stabilization of the contamination in place would be applicable as a short-term measure. In order to reduce the risk in the event that building modifications take place in the future, health physics procedures and coverage are recommended. The long-term solution would involve decontamination by removal of the radioactive residues from the 12 rooms or areas where contamination possibly resulting from MED/AEC activities was detected.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31-109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 5362122
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/EV-0005/25; ANL-OHS/HP-82-101; ON: DE82016059; TRN: 82-013048
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BUILDINGS
RADIATION MONITORING
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
SOILS
AIR
CESIUM 137
CHICAGO
DAUGHTER PRODUCTS
DECONTAMINATION
MANHATTAN PROJECT
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIUM
RADON
URANIUM
ACTINIDES
ALKALI METAL ISOTOPES
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CESIUM ISOTOPES
CLEANING
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION V
FLUIDS
GASES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
ILLINOIS
ISOTOPES
METALS
MONITORING
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
RADIOISOTOPES
RARE GASES
USA
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
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