Hazard analysis for cesium shipments
The rail shipment of large quantities of radiocesium involves a potential accidental release of this material in a readily available form to the biosphere. The magnitude of the associated potential damage to man and his environment is evaluated in this report. The evaluation of the consequences of an accidental release of Cs-137 from the Shielded Transfer Tank, Model II (STT) assumes loss of Cs-137 to the atmosphere or to surface-water. Release to the atmosphere could result from a collision followed by fire or explosion. In the event of a fire, a small fraction of the Cs-137 vould be volatilized. An explosion would disperse the Cs-137 still adsorbed to Decalso as particulates. In either case, the material is assumed to be dispersed by atmospheric mechanisms which can be described by modified Sutton equations. The accident involving a fire or explosion assumes that 1 percent or 10 percent, respectively, of 90,000 curies of Cs-137 is dispersed in a metropolitan area. Contamination of the surrounding suburban area is also involved. Damage estimates amount to about 60 million dollars and 400 million dollars, corresponding to a 1 percent and a 10 percent release respectively. Another possible type of accident involves the release of the Decalso (an inorganic ion exchange carrier for the cesium) into a river. However, the release of Cs-137 by elution into the river results in minor damage compared to the atmospheric release cases.
- Research Organization:
- General Electric Co., Richland, WA (United States). Hanford Atomic Products Operation
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 10132940
- Report Number(s):
- HW-69561; ON: DE94007887
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 11 May 1961
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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