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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Safety assessment for Area 5 radioactive-waste-management site

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:60276

The Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Safety Assessment Document contains evaluations of site characteristics, facilities, and operating practices that contribute to the safe handling, storage, and disposal of low-level radioactive wastes at the Nevada Test Site. Physical geography, cultural factors, climate and meteorology, geology, hydrology (with emphasis on radionuclide migration), ecology, natural phenomena, and natural resources are discussed and determined to be suitable for effective containment of radionuclides. A separate section considers facilities and operating practices such as monitoring, storage/disposal criteria, site maintenance, equipment, and support. The section also considers the transportation and waste handling requirements supporting the new Greater Confinement Disposal Facility (GCDF), GCDF demonstration project, and other requirements for the safe handling, storage, and disposal of low-level radioactive wastes. Finally, the document provides an analysis of releases and an assessment of the near-term operational impacts and dose commitments to operating personnel and the general public from normal operations and anticipated accidental occurrences. The conclusion of this report is that the Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Site is suitable for low-level radioactive waste handling, storage, and disposal. Also, the new GCDF demonstration project will not affect the overall safety of the Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Site.

Research Organization:
Ford, Bacon and Davis Utah, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT (United States); Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Co., Inc., Las Vegas, NV (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC08-82NV10253; AC08-76NV00410
OSTI ID:
60276
Report Number(s):
DOE/NV/10253--1; ON: DE82021354
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English