Human health risk assessment for radium discharged in produced water offshore. Phase 2
Produced water generated during the production of oil and gas can contain enhanced levels of radium and other radionuclides. This naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) may be discharged to offshore and coastal waters. This report is part of a series of studies of the health and environmental risks associated with the discharge of NORM and other contaminants in produced water into offshore and coastal waters. These assessments will provide input to regulators in the development of guidelines and permits, and to industry in appropriate discharge practices. A preliminary analysis of the risks associated with the discharge of radium in produced water to offshore waters in the Gulf of Mexico was recently completed (BNL, 1992). This preliminary assessment concluded that lifetime risks to the most sensitive populations (platform workers and recreational fishermen) appear to be small, and are not expected to exceed 1 {times} 10{sup {minus}4} even under worst-case conditions. This Phase II report presents an assessment of the potential cancer risks posed by radium discharged offshore in produced waters, and is an update and follow-up to the preliminary interim report published in 1992 (BNL, 1992). The aim of this analysis was to develop reasonable estimates of the potential human health risks associated with the discharge of radium offshore in produced water. The risk assessment focuses on offshore oil field discharges in the Gulf of Mexico off the state of Louisiana, and is less dependent on simplistic and conservative assumptions than was the Phase I coastal risk assessment, or the preliminary analysis presented in the Interim Report (BNL, 1992).
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH00016
- OSTI ID:
- 10135562
- Report Number(s):
- BNL--60107; ON: DE94008776
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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03 NATURAL GAS
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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
FISHES
GULF OF MEXICO
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HEALTH HAZARDS
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NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY
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NUMERICAL DATA
OFFSHORE SITES
OIL WELLS
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RISK ASSESSMENT
WASTE WATER