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Title: Environmental status of the Hanford site for CY-1975. [/sup 90/Sr, plutonium isotopes, /sup 137/Cs, tritium]

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7268871· OSTI ID:7268871

Environmental data collected during 1975 showed continued compliance of Hanford operations with applicable State and Federal regulations regarding ambient pollutant levels in the environs. Levels of radioactivity in the atmosphere measured at 21 onsite stations, 17 perimeter stations and 5 distant stations showed no conclusive observable effect from Hanford operations. Levels of radioiodine, tritiated water vapor, /sup 90/Sr, plutonium, and gamma-emitting radionuclides were measured during the year. No apparent differences between levels measured at onsite, perimeter, and distant stations were detected. All analyses of sanitary water obtained from the Columbia River at 100-N, 300 Area, and Richland water plant were less-than detectable with the exception of gross alpha, gross beta, /sup 90/Sr, and on one occasion /sup 137/Cs. Tritium was measured in river water at Vernita Bridge and Richland. There was no indication that Hanford operations contributed to the observed concentrations. Radiological analyses of drinking water at FFTF and WPPSS operations showed elevated levels of /sup 3/H present due to seepage in the groundwater from the 200 Areas. A person who consumes 1.1 liters of water per working day containing 50,000 pCi/l of /sup 3/H and works 5 days per week, 50 weeks per year will incur an annual dose of approximately 1.6 mrem. Observable influx of radioactivity into the Columbia River from riverbank springs at 100-N and of NO/sub 3/, F, and U from riverbank springs at the 300 Area was apparent. These pollutants were diluted in the river to essentially background levels within a short distance from entry into the river. Watercress collected from the 100-N springs showed elevated levels of several radionuclides.

Research Organization:
Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
E(45-1)-1830
OSTI ID:
7268871
Report Number(s):
BNWL-B-477; TRN: 76-018848
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English