Fatal and nonfatal risk associated with recycle of D&D-generated concrete

Conference · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:457169

Boren, J K; Ayers, K W; Parker, F L ^[1]

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1. Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, TN (United States)

As decontamination and decommissioning activities proceed within the U.S. Department of Energy Complex, vast volumes of uncontaminated and contaminated concrete will be generated. The current practice of decontaminating and landfilling the concrete is an expensive and potentially wasteful practice. Research is being conducted at Vanderbilt University to assess the economic, social, legal, and political ramifications of alternate methods of dealing with waste concrete. An important aspect of this research work is the assessment of risk associated with the various alternatives. A deterministic risk assessment model has been developed which quantifies radiological as well as non-radiological risks associated with concrete disposal and recycle activities. The risk model accounts for fatal as well as non-fatal risks to both workers and the public. Preliminary results indicate that recycling of concrete presents potentially lower risks than the current practice. Radiological considerations are shown to be of minor importance in comparison to other sources of risk, with conventional transportation fatalities and injuries dominating. Onsite activities can also be a major contributor to non-fatal risk.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States); Tennessee Univ., Knoxville, TN (United States). Energy, Environment and Resources Center
• OSTI ID: 457169
• Report Number(s): CONF-961089--; ON: DE97004100
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONCRETES
DECONTAMINATION
GROUND DISPOSAL
RECYCLING
RISK ASSESSMENT
SURPLUS NUCLEAR FACILITIES