Baseline risk assessment for groundwater contamination at the uranium mill tailings site, Gunnison, Colorado. [Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) Project]
The Gunnison Baseline Risk Assessment for Groundwater Contamination at the Uranium Mill Tailings Site was performed to determine if long-term use of groundwater from domestic wells near the site has a potential for adverse health effects. The risk assessment was based on the results of sampling domestic wells during 1989--1990. A risk assessment evaluates health risks by comparing the amount of a contaminant taken in by a person with the amount of the contaminant that may be toxic. The Gunnison Risk Assessment used high intake values to estimate the maximum levels a person might be exposed to. The results of the risk assessment are divided into cancer (carcinogenic) risks and non-carcinogenic risks. Five key contaminants were evaluated for adverse health risks: uranium, manganese, lead antimony, and cadmium. Due to the potential health risks and the unavoidable uncertainties associated with limited groundwater and toxicity data, it is prudent public health policy to provide a permanent alternate water supply. Additionally, providing a permanent alternate water supply is cost-effective compared to long-term routine monitoring.
- Research Organization:
- USDOE Albuquerque Field Office, NM (United States). Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project Office
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-82AL14086
- OSTI ID:
- 6850005
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/UMTRA-050127-0000; ON: DE93010395; TRN: 93-009638
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Baseline risk assessment of groundwater contamination at the Uranium Mill Tailings Site near Gunnison, Colorado. Revision 1
Baseline risk assessment of groundwater contamination at the Uranium Mill Tailings Site near Gunnison, Colorado
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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ABANDONED SITES
REMEDIAL ACTION
ANTIMONY
HEALTH HAZARDS
CADMIUM
GROUND WATER
CONTAMINATION
LEAD
MANGANESE
MILL TAILINGS
URANIUM
COLORADO
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ELEMENTS
HAZARDS
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