Radioactive materials in biosolids : national survey, dose modeling, and publicly owned treatment works (POTW) guidance.

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2005 · J. Environ. Qual.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2005.343er· OSTI ID:925345

Bastian, R K; Bachmaier, J T; Schmidt, D W; Salomon, S N; Jones, A; Chiu, W A; Setlow, L W; Wolbarst, A B; Yu, C; Goodman, J; Lenhart, T; EPA, U S; DOE, U S; NRC, U S

Received for publication March 1, 2004. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced the availability of three new documents concerning radioactive materials in sewage sludge and ash from publicly owned treatment works (POTW). One of the documents is a report presenting the results of a volunteer survey of sewage sludge and ash samples provided by 313 POTWs. The second document is a dose modeling document, using multiple exposure pathway modeling focused on a series of generic scenarios, to track possible exposure of POTW workers and members of the general public to radioactivity from the sewage sludge or ash. The third document is a guidance report providing recommendations on the management of radioactivity in sewage sludge and ash for POTW owners and operators. This paper explains how radioactive materials enter POTWs, provides criteria for evaluating levels of radioactive material in sludge and ash, and gives a summary of the results of the survey and dose modeling efforts.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
• Sponsoring Organization: SC
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-06CH11357
• OSTI ID: 925345
• Report Number(s): ANL/EA/JA-58988
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual., Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual. Journal Issue: Jan./Feb 2005 Vol. 34; ISSN JEVQAA; ISSN 0047-2425
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: ENGLISH

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ASHES
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOACTIVITY
RECOMMENDATIONS
SEWAGE SLUDGE
WASTE PROCESSING PLANTS