EVALUATION OF RADIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN THE VICINITY OF HANFORD FOR 1960

Technical Report · Thu Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1961

OSTI ID:4838813

Nelson, I.C. ed.

The results of the Hanford environmental monitoring program for 1960 are presented in detail. The measurement results are summarized and evaluations are made in terms of exposures and other effects. The principal Hanford source of exposure to persons in the neighborhood of the controlled area is identified with the neutron induced radionuclides present in reactor cooling water discharged to the Columbia River. The primary mechanisms of exposure from this source are the drinking of sanitary water derived from the river and the consumption of fish and waterfowl which inhabit the river. Hanford's contribution to environmental exposure through atmospheric paths is generally less than that due to fallout from nuclear detonations. Many variables, such as multiple sources, paths of intake, individual diets, periods of occupancy, and so forth, complicate expression of environmental exposure. Potential exposures are, however, calculated for hypothetical persons based on plausible assumptions on sources, diets, etc. For such individuals whose habits include ingestion of Pasco sanitary water, ingestion of local fish and waterfowl, and consumption of produce from local farms, the data suggest an intake of bone-seeking radionuclides of about 40% of that recommended by the NCRP as maximum for continuous intake by individuals in the neighborhood of controlled areas. For those persons who drink Pasco Water but who do not routinely eat fish or waterfowl from the Columbia River, the exposure appears to be on the order of 5% of the recommended maximum (in this case to the GI tract). For individuals who make no use of the Columbia River or products derived therefrom, the intake of bone seekers is estimated as about 3% of the recommended maximum, the bulk of which was due to world wide fall- out. Comparison of measurement results for 1960 with those of 1959 indicate that no significant change occurred in the radiological conditions in the vicinity of Hanford. (auth)

• Research Organization: General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
• DOE Contract Number: AT(45-1)-1350
• NSA Number: NSA-15-027890
• OSTI ID: 4838813
• Report Number(s): HW-68435
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-61
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

HEALTH AND SAFETY
ACTIVATION
ADSORPTION
AGRICULTURE
ATMOSPHERE
BIRDS
BONES
DIET
DRINKING WATER
ENVIRONMENT
FALLOUT
FISH
HYDROLOGY
INGESTION
INTESTINE
MAN
MATHEMATICS
MEASURED VALUES
MONITORING
NEUTRONS
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION SOURCES
RADIOACTIVITY
RADIOISOTOPES
SAFETY
STANDARDS
STOMACH
VARIATIONS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WATER
WATER COOLANT