RESRAD analysis of the validity of generic limits on residual sup 238 U radioactivity in soil

Conference · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1990 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States)

OSTI ID:5864418

Wood, R; Eckart, R ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Cincinnati, OH (United States)

Unrestricted use of sites contaminated by radioactive material requires that an acceptable level of residual radioactive contamination (in picocuries per gram of soil) be determined. Acceptable levels often are stated by regulatory bodies as residual isotope concentrations generic across all sites. For example, the past US Nuclear Regulatory Commission position on residual depleted uranium in soil was 35 pCi/g for unrestricted site release. The goal of this study is to show, using calculational methods typically employed in cleanup studies, that generic residual contamination limits may not provide consistent levels of protection to future site residents. Site-specific analysis containing conservative site use assumptions should be performed to ensure minimal future health risks. This study investigated three different sites contaminated with equal {sup 238}U concentrations (35 pCi/g of soil). Results were calculated using the US Department of Energy code RESRAD, which employs pathway analysis methods to determine radionuclide uptake, performs dose calculations using ICRP-30 methods, and provides output at user-selected time intervals. The dose calculations used dose conversion factors that would, for each pathway, maximize the dose received from that pathway. The output selected for this study was the annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) to the maximum individual.

• OSTI ID: 5864418
• Report Number(s): CONF-910603--
• Journal Information: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States), Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States) Vol. 63; ISSN TANSA; ISSN 0003-018X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
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ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ACTINIDES
AGRICULTURE
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CALCULATION METHODS
CLEANING
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HUMAN POPULATIONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
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INDUSTRY
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MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
METALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEI
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POPULATIONS
R CODES
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION PROTECTION
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
REGULATIONS
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SOILS
SOLUBILITY
SPONTANEOUS FISSION RADIOISOTOPES
TIME DEPENDENCE
URANIUM
URANIUM 238
URANIUM ISOTOPES
US DOE
US NRC
US ORGANIZATIONS
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YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES