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Title: Results of the radiological survey of the Carpenter Steel Facility, Reading, Pennsylvania

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6708359· OSTI ID:6708359

In 1944, experimental uranium-forming work was conducted by Carpenter Technology Corporation at the Carpenter Steel Facility in Reading, Pennsylvania, under contract to the Manhattan Engineer District (MED). The fabrication method, aimed at producing sounder uranium metal and improving the yields of rods from billets, was reportedly soon discarded as unsatisfactory. As part of the Department of Energy's (DOE) efforts to verify the closeout status of facilities under contract to agencies preceding DOE during early nuclear energy development, the site was included in the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP). At the request of DOE, the Measurement Applications and Development Group of the Health and Safety Research Division of Oak Ridge National Laboratory performed a radiological assessment survey in July and August 1988. The purpose of the survey was to determine if past operations had deposited radioactive residues in the facility, and whether those residuals were in significant quantities when compared to DOE guidelines. The survey included gamma scanning; direct measurements of alpha activity levels and beta-gamma dose rates; sampling for transferable alpha and beta-gamma residuals on selected surfaces; and sampling of soil, debris and currently used processing materials for radionuclide analysis. All survey results were within DOE FUSRAP guidelines derived to determine the eligibility of a site for remedial action. These guidelines are derived to ensure that unrestricted use of the property will not result in any measurable radiological hazard to the site occupants or the general public. 4 refs., 5 figs., 5 tabs.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/NE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
6708359
Report Number(s):
ORNL/RASA-89/3; ON: DE90015834; TRN: 90-027937
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English