Idaho radionuclide exposure study: Literature review

Technical Report · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5811680· OSTI ID:5811680

Baker, E G; Freeman, H D; Hartley, J N

Phosphate ores contain elevated levels of natural radioactivity, some of which is released to the environment during processing or use of solid byproducts. The effect of radionuclides from Idaho phosphate processing operations on the local communities has been the subject of much research and study. The literature is reviewed in this report. Two primary radionuclide pathways to the environment have been studied in detail: (1) airborne release of volatile radionuclides, primarily /sup 210/Po, from calciner stacks at the two elemental phosphorus plants; and (2) use of byproduct slag as an aggregate for construction in Soda Springs and Pocatello. Despite the research, there is still no clear understanding of the population dose from radionuclide emissions, effluents, and solid wastes from phosphate processing plants. Two other potential radionuclide pathways to the environment have been identified: radon exhalation from phosphogypsum and ore piles and contamination of surface and ground waters. Recommendations on further study needed to develop a data base for a complete risk assssment are given in the report.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 5811680
• Report Number(s): PNL-6358; ON: DE88002573
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500300* -- Environment
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Terrestrial-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560151 -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
560161 -- Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DOCUMENT TYPES
DOSES
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FEDERAL REGION X
FERTILIZER INDUSTRY
FLUIDS
GASES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HEAVY NUCLEI
HUMAN POPULATIONS
IDAHO
INDUSTRY
ISOTOPES
MINERAL INDUSTRY
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEI
PHOSPHATE ROCKS
POLONIUM 210
POLONIUM ISOTOPES
POPULATIONS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIOISOTOPES
RADON
RARE GASES
REVIEWS
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
USA