Plutonium release from the 903 pad at Rocky Flats

Journal Article · Tue Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · Health Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-199610000-00010· OSTI ID:390962

Mongan, T R; Ripple, S R ^[1]; Winges, K D ^[2]

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1. McLaren/Hart Environmental Engineering, Inc. Alameda, CA (United States)
2. McCulley, Frick & Gilman, Inc. Lynnwood, WA (United States)

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDH) sponsored a study to reconstruct contaminant doses to the public from operations at the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant. This analysis of the accidental release of plutonium from the area known as the 903 Pad is part of the CDH study. In the 1950`s and 1960`s, 55-gallon drums of waste oil contaminated with plutonium and uranium were stored outdoors at the 903 Pad. The drums corroded, leaking contaminated oil onto soil subsequently carried off-site by the wind. The plutonium release is estimated using environmental data from the 1960`s and 1970`s and an atmospheric transport model for fugitive dust. The best estimate of total plutonium release to areas beyond plant-owned property is about 0.26 TBq (7 Ci). Off-site airborne concentrations and deposition of plutonium are estimated for dose calculation purposes. The best-estimate of the highest predicted off-site effective dose if approximately 72 {mu}Sv (7.2 mrem).

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 390962
• Journal Information: Health Physics, Journal Name: Health Physics Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 71; ISSN HLTPAO; ISSN 0017-9078
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
AIR
DUSTS
EMISSION
HUMAN POPULATIONS
PLUTONIUM
PUBLIC HEALTH
RADIATION ACCIDENTS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
ROCKY FLATS PLANT