Reconstruction of radionuclide releases from the Hanford Site, 1944-1972

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

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-199610000-00012· OSTI ID:390964

Heeb, C M; Gydesen, S P; Simpson, J C; Bates, D J ^[1]

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1. Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richmond, WA (United States)

Historic releases of key radionuclides were estimated as a first step in determining the radiation doses that results from Hanford Site operations. The Hanford Site was built in southcentral Washington State during World War II to provide plutonium for the U.S. nuclear weapons program. As part of the Hanford Environmental Dose Reconstruction (HERD) Project, releases to the Columbia River of {sup 24}Na, {sup 32}P, {sup 46}Sc, {sup 51}Cr, {sup 56}Mn, {sup 65}Zn, {sup 72}Ga, {sup 76}As, {sup 90}Y, {sup 131}I, {sup 239}Np, and nonvolatile gross beta activity from operation of eight Hanford single-pass production reactors were estimated. Releases of {sup 90}Sr, {sup 103}Ru, {sup 106}Ru, {sup 131}I, {sup 144}Ce, and {sup 239}Pu to the atmosphere from operation of chemical separation facilities were also estimated. These radionuclides and the atmospheric and Columbia River pathways were selected for study because scoping studies showed them to be the largest contributors to dose from Hanford operations. The highest doses resulted from releases to the atmosphere of {sup 131}I from chemical separations plants in the pre-1950 period. Prior to 1950, the technology for limiting iodine releases had not been developed. Hence, a very detailed reconstruction of the hourly {sup 131}I release history was achieved for 1944-1949 using Monte Carlo methods. Atmospheric releases of the other radionuclides were estimated on a monthly basis for 1944-1972 using deterministic calculations. Monthly releases to the Columbia River for 1944-1971 were based on Monte Carlo methods.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 390964
• 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

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
AIR
COLUMBIA RIVER
COMPUTER CODES
CONTAMINATION
DATA COMPILATION
EMISSION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
FOOD CHAINS
GROUND WATER
HANFORD RESERVATION
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INGESTION
IODINE 131
MONTE CARLO METHOD
PLUTONIUM
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOACTIVE EFFLUENTS
THYROID