Computer models used to support cleanup decision-making at hazardous and radioactive waste sites
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)
Massive efforts are underway to clean up hazardous and radioactive waste sites located throughout the United States. To help determine cleanup priorities, computer models are being used to characterize the source, transport, fate, and effects of hazardous chemicals and radioactive materials found at these sites. Although the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the US Department of Energy (DOE), and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) have provided preliminary guidance to promote the use of computer models for remediation purposes, no agency has produced directed guidance on models that must be used in these efforts. As a result, model selection is currently done on an ad hoc basis. This is administratively ineffective and costly, and can also result in technically inconsistent decision-making. To identify what models are actually being used to support decision-making at hazardous and radioactive waste sites, a project jointly funded by EPA, DOE, and NRC was initiated. The purpose of this project was to: (1) identify models being used for hazardous and radioactive waste site assessment purposes; and (2) describe and classify these models. This report presents the results of this study. A mail survey was conducted to identify models in use. The survey was sent to [approx] 550 persons engaged in the cleanup of hazardous and radioactive waste sites; 87 individuals responded. They represented organizations including federal agencies, national laboratories, and contractor organizations. The respondents identified 127 computer models that were being used to help support cleanup decision-making. There were a few models that appeared to be used across a large number of sites (e.g., RESRAD). In contrast, the survey results also suggested that most sites were using models which were not reported in use elsewhere. Information is presented on the types of models being used and the characteristics of the models in use.
- OSTI ID:
- 6962061
- Journal Information:
- Risk Analysis; (United States), Vol. 12:4; ISSN 0272-4332
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
DECISION MAKING
DECONTAMINATION
DETOXIFICATION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
REMEDIAL ACTION
WASTE MANAGEMENT
CLEANING
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MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
SIMULATION
WASTES
054000* - Nuclear Fuels- Health & Safety
052002 - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage
990200 - Mathematics & Computers