EVALUATION OF RADIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN THE VINCINITY OF HANFROD, APRIL- JUNE 1963

Technical Report · Fri Aug 16 04:00:00 EDT 1963

OSTI ID:4112074

Wilson, R.H. ed.

S>Comprehensive surveillance of the occurrence of radioactive materials in air, water, and foodstuffs was continued in the vicinity of the Hanford plant. Gross beta activity in air during the second quarter of 1963 remained at levels persisting since September 1962 with the exception of a temporary small increase in May from increased deposition of world-wide fallout expected each spring. The average concentrations of I/sup 131/ in milk from farms in the neighborhood of the Hanford plant was about 8 picocuries per liter, and the maximum in an individual sample was 84 picocuries per liter. This represents an increase from the first quarter which was probably due to increased grazing on open pasture. Natural background radiation, with some contribution from world-wide fallout continued to be the primary source of environmental exposure for most people in the Hanford environs. Cooling water from the reactors, which is discharged to the Columbia River, continued to be the low level waste with the greatest potential for contributing to the radiation exposure of persons in the plant environs. For the twelve month period ending June 1963, the estimated dose to the GI tract for persons drinking Pasco sanitary water was about 2% of the applicable limit recommended by the National Committee on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP). Residents of Kennewick using Columbia River water received about one-third as much exposure. In May 1963, a fuel element failure released some fission products into the reactor cooling water and subsequently into the river that was distinguishable at Pasco as a single event. The potential dose to the thyroid of a small child comsuming one liter of water during the period of maximum concentration was approximately 10 mrems. The dose to other organs was negligible. Radiophosphorus concentrations measured in whitefish caught between Ringold and Richland continued to be within the expected range based on previous years results. Locally caught fish continued to be the major source of radioisotopes for the few persons who eat them in quantity. Summing of exposures from various sources in a manner that tends to maximize the total dose to an individual leads to estimates of about 10% of the appropriate NCRP limit for the GI tract, about 15% of the FRC guide for the total body, 30% of the FRC guide for a child's thyroid, and about 30% of the NCRP maximum permissible rate of intake for bone seeking radionuclides. (auth)

• Research Organization: General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
• DOE Contract Number: AT(45-1)-1350
• NSA Number: NSA-18-008545
• OSTI ID: 4112074
• Report Number(s): HW-78395
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AIR
BACKGROUND
BETA DETECTION
BODY
BONES
COOLING
ENRICHMENT
ENVIRONMENT
FALLOUT
FISH
FISSION PRODUCTS
FOOD
HAPO
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HYDROLOGY
IODINE 131
LEVELS
MAN
MEASURED VALUES
MILK
PHOSPHORUS 32
PLANTS
POPULATIONS
POWER PLANTS
PRECIPITATION
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION PROTECTION
RADIOACTIVITY
RADIOGRAPHY
RADIOISOTOPES
REACTORS
RIVERS
SEASONS
THYROID
WASHINGTON
WASTE SOLUTIONS
WATER