Formerly utilized MED/AEC sites remedial action program. Radiological survey of Eckhart Hall, the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, September 14, 1976-March 22, 1977

Technical Report · Sat May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:5292747

Wynveen, R A; Smith, W H; Boggs Mayes, C; Justus, A L

A comprehensive radiological survey was conducted at the Eckhart Hall at the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. General radiochemistry and/or physics research was performed at this facility during the MED/AEC era in the 1940s. The building is now used as laboratories, offices, and classrooms. Survey measurements included alpha and beta-gamma contamination determinations, both fixed and removable; beta-gamma exposure readings at contact and at 1 m (3 ft); estimates of radon-daughter concentrations in the air; and determination of concentrations of /sup 137/Cs, the /sup 232/Th decay chain, the /sup 226/Ra decay chain, and uranium in the soil on the site. Thirteen spots of contamination were found to be fixed to or under existing surfaces and not readily available for transfer to other locations. Under current use conditions, the potential for radiation exposure to occupants of this building from these sources of contamination is remote. Concentrations of radon daughters in the air of the building were less than the limit of 0.01 Working Level (WL) above background. No long-lived radionuclides were detected in any air sample. Concentrations of radionuclides in soil samples collected around the facility indicated background levels. The presumed maximum potential internal radiation 50-year dose commitments from inhalation/ingestion of contamination remaining from MED/AEC activities were calculated to be less than 25% of the appropriate annual standards for an individual in an uncontrolled area. Remedial measures such as stabilization of the contamination in place would be applicable as a short-term measure. In order to reduce the risk in the event that building modifications take place in the future, health physics procedures and coverage are recommended. The long-term solution would involve decontamination by removal of the radioactive residues.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31-109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5292747
• Report Number(s): DOE/EV-0005/24; ANL-OHS/HP-82-102; ON: DE82017653; TRN: 82-015697
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ABANDONED SITES
DECONTAMINATION
RADIATION MONITORING
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
ALPHA DETECTION
BETA DETECTION
BUILDINGS
CESIUM 137
GAMMA DETECTION
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NUCLEAR FACILITIES
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOACTIVITY
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ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ACTINIDES
AIR
ALKALI METAL ISOTOPES
ALKALINE EARTH ISOTOPES
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
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CHARGED PARTICLE DETECTION
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ELEMENTS
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
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FEDERAL REGION V
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NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
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RADIOISOTOPES
RADIUM ISOTOPES
RARE GASES
THORIUM ISOTOPES
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YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
053000* - Nuclear Fuels- Environmental Aspects
054000 - Nuclear Fuels- Health & Safety
052000 - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Management
510301 - Environment
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500300 - Environment
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