Assessment of the radiological impact of the inactive uranium-mill tailings at Grand Junction, Colorado

Technical Report · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:5569390

Haywood, F F; Goldsmith, W A; Jacobs, D G; Perdue, P T; Ellis, B S; Hubbard, Jr, H M; Shinpaugh, W H

Results of a radiological survey of the inactive uranium-mill site at Grand Junction, Colorado, made in May and June 1976, are presented along with descriptions of techniques and equipment used to obtain the data and an assessment of increased risk of health effects attributable to radiation and radionuclides from the tailings. The data obtained indicate that the tailings are adequately stabilized to prevent significant wind and water erosion. The average above-ground gamma-ray exposure rate measured over the tailings pile was 170 ..mu..R/hr and that around one of the former mill buildings was 100 ..mu..R/hr. Soil samples at a distance of 960 m to the east and west of the center of the tailings pile contained an above-background level of /sup 226/Ra. An estimate of potential health effects of exposure to gamma rays around a former mill building and to radon daughters produced by radon dispersed from the tailings has been made for occupants of the site.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5569390
• Report Number(s): ORNL-5457
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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