United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Environmental Monitoring
Systems Laboratory
P.O. Box 15027
Las Vegas NV89114
EPA-600/4-81-047
DOE/DP/00539-043
June 1981
Research and Development
&EPA Offsite Environmental
Monitoring Report
Radiation Monitoring
Around United States
Nuclear Test Areas,
Calendar Year 1980
prepared for the
Nevada Operations Office
U.S. Department of Energy
-------
Available from the National Technical Information Service
U.S. Department of Commerce
Springfield, VA 22161
Paper Copy, A06
Microfiche, A01
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EPA-600/4-81-047
DOE/DP/00539-043
June 1981
UC-41
ERRATA
for
OFFSITE ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING REPORT
Radiation Monitoring Around United States Nuclear Test Areas,
Calendar Year 1981
Analytical errors discovered after printing of this report necessitate the
following changes.
Page 53 (Table 6), delete: Project Dribble
Well HM-1
Project Dribble,
Well HM-2A
Project Dribble,
Well HM-2B
Project Dribble,
Well HM-3
No manmade radioactivity was found in samples from these wells.
Page 90 (Table B-ll), change the 3H concentrations as indicated:
Baxterville, 3/26 Well 106 <0.01
Well HM-1
Baxterville, 3/26 Well 61 <0.01
Well HM-2A
Baxterville, 3/25 Well <10 <0.01
Well HM-2B
Baxterville, 3/26 Well <10 <0.01
Well HM-3
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EPA-600/4-81-047
DOE/DP/00539-043
June 1981
OFFSITE ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING REPORT
Radiation monitoring around United States
nuclear test areas, calendar year 1980
D. D. Smith, R. F. Grossman, W. D. Corkern,
D. 0. Thome and R. G. Patzer
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory
Las Vegas, Nevada 89114
and
J. L. Hopper
Reynolds Electrical & Engineering Company, Inc.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89102
prepared for the
U.S. Department of Energy
under Memorandum of Understanding
Number DE-AI08-76DP00539
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SYSTEMS LABORATORY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89114
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DISCLAIMER
This report has been reviewed by the Environmental Monitoring Systems
Laboratory—Las Vegas and approved for publication. Mention of trade names or
commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
ii
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PREFACE
The U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) used the Nevada Test Site (NTS)
from January 1951 through January 19, 1976, for conducting nuclear weapons
tests, nuclear rocket-engine development, nuclear medicine studies, and other
nuclear and non-nuclear experiments. Beginning January 19, 1976, these
activities became the responsibility of the newly formed U.S. Energy Research
and Development Administration (ERDA). On October 1, 1977 the ERDA was merged
=- with other energy-related agencies to form the U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE). Atmospheric nuclear tests were conducted periodically from January 27,
_4_ 1951, through October 30, 1958, after which a testing moratorium was in effect
until September 1, 1961. Since September 1, 1961, all nuclear detonations
^ have been conducted underground with the expectation of containment, except
v for four slightly above-ground or shallow underground tests of Operation
v Dominic II in 1962 and five nuclear earth-cratering experiments conducted
tO under the Plowshare program between 1962 and 1968.
ro
Prior to 1954, an offsite surveillance program was performed by the Los
~ Alamos Scientific Laboratory and the U.S. Army. From 1954 through 1970, the
U.S. Public Health Service (PHS), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
«._ (EPA) from 1970 to the present, provided an Offsite Radiological Safety
f~' Program under a memorandum of understanding. The PHS or EPA has also provided
offsite surveillance for nuclear explosive tests at places other than the NTS.
Since 1954, the objective of this surveillance program has been to
measure levels and trends of radioactivity, if present, in the environment
surrounding testing areas to ascertain whether the testing is in compliance
with existing radiation protection standards. Offsite levels of radiation and
radioactivity are assessed by sampling milk, water, and air; deploying
dosimeters; and sampling food crops, soil, etc., as required. To implement
protective actions, provide immediate radiation monitoring, and obtain
environmental samples rapidly after any release of radioactivity, personnel
with mobile monitoring equipment are placed in areas downwind from the test
site prior to each test. Since 1962, aircraft have also been deployed to
rapidly monitor and sample releases of radioactivity during nuclear tests.
Monitoring data obtained by the aircraft crew immediately after a test are
used to position mobile radiation monitoring personnel on the ground. Data
from airborne sampling are used to quantify the amounts, diffusion, and
transport of the radionuclides released.
Prior to 1959 a report was published for each test series or test
project. Beginning in 1959 for reactor tests, and in 1962 for weapons tests,
surveillance data were published for each individual test that released
radioactivity off site. From January 1964, through December 1970,
iii
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semi-annual summaries of these reports for individual nuclear tests were also
published.
In 1971, the AEC implemented a requirement, now referred to as the DOE
Manual, Chapter 0513, that each contractor or agency involved in major nuclear
activities provide annually a comprehensive radiological monitoring report.
This is the tenth annual report in this series; it summarizes the activities
of the EPA during CY 1980.
iv
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CONTENTS
Preface. iii
Figures v1i
Tables ix
Abbreviations and Symbols x
Program Summary -- 1980 1
Introduction . 2
Description of the Nevada Test Site. ........... 2
Airborne releases of radioactivity at the NTS during 1980 16
Other tests. 17
Methods 18
Special test support 18
Routine monitoring and sampling . 18
Medical Liaison Officer Network 43
Quality Assurance 43
Results and Discussion 46
Riola Test . . 46
Air Surveillance Network . 47
Noble Gas and Tritium Surveillance Network .... 47
Thermoluminescent Dosimetry Network 50
Milk Surveillance Network. 51
Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program 52
Animal Investigation Program 52
Offsite Human Surveillance Program .... 54
Medical Liaison Officer Network (MLON) . 55
Dose Assessment 55
References • • 57
Appendix A. Sampling and Analysis Procedures and Quality Assurance. . . 59
Analytical Procedures 59
Replicate Sampling Program . 60
Intercomparison Studies 62
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CONTENTS (Continued)
Appendix R. Data Summary for Monitoring Networks 65
Table B-l. 1980 Summary of Analytical Results for Air
Surveillance Network Active Stations 65
Table B-2. 1980 Summary of Analytical Results for Air
Surveillance Network Standby Stations 70
Table B-3. 1980 Summary of Plutonium-239 Concentrations at
Selected Air Surveillance Network Stations 75
Table B-4. 1980 Summary of Analytical Results for the
Noble Gas and Tritium Surveillance Network 76
Table B-5. 1980 Summary of Radiation Doses for the
Dosimetry Network 78
Table B-6. 1980 Summary of Radiation Doses for Offsite Residents. . 81
Table B-7. 1980 Summary of Analytical Results for the
Milk Surveillance Network 82
Table B-8. 1980 Summary of Tritium Results for the NTS
Monthly Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program. . . 84
Table B-9. 1980 Tritium Results for the NTS Semi-Annual
Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program 85
Table B-10. 1980 Tritium Results for the NTS Annual
Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program. ...... 87
Table R-ll. 1980 Tritium Results for the Off-NTS
Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program 88
Table B-12. Tritium Results for special samples: Long-Term
Hydrological Monitoring Program - Project Dribble. . . 98
Appendix C. Radiation Protection Standards for External and
Internal Exposure 99
DOE Annual Dose Commitment 99
EPA Drinking Water Regulations for Radionuclides 99
DOE Concentration Guides 100
vi
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FIGURES
Number . Page
1 Location of the Nevada Test Site. . . . 3
2 Nevada Test Site roads and facilities . 4
3 Groundwater flow systems around the Nevada Test Site. . 7
4 General land use within 300 km of the Nevada Test Site. . . . . . 9
5 Distribution and number of family milk cows and goats,
by county , 11
6 Distribution of dairy cows, by county .... .12
7 Distribution of beef cattle, by county. . . . 13
8 Distribution of sheep, by county. 14
9 Population of Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah
counties near the Nevada Test Site 15
10 Air Surveillance-Network stations within Nevada ......... 19
11 Air Surveillance Network stations in States other than Nevada . . 20
12 Noble Gas and Tritium Surveillance Network stations ....... 22
13 Thermoluminescent Dosimeter Network stations 23
14 Milk Surveillance Network stations 25
15 Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling
sites on the Nevada Test Site ...•«, 27
16 Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling
sites surrounding the Nevada Test Site. . . . . 28
17 Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling sites
for Projects Gnome and Coach, Carlsbad, New Mexico. ...... 29
18 Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling
sites for Project Shoal, Fall on, Nevada 30
vii
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Number Page
19 Long-Term Hydro!ogical Monitoring Program sampling
sites for Projects Dribble and Miracle Play, vicinity of
Tatum Salt Dome, Mississippi 31
20 Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling
sites for Projects Dribble and Miracle Play,
Tatum Salt Dome, Mississippi 32
21 Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling
sites for Projects Dribble and Miracle Play,
Tatum Dome, Mississippi 33
22 Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling
sites for Project Gasbuggy, Rio Arriba County,
New Mexico. 34
23 Long-Term Hydro!ogical Monitoring Program sampling
sites for Project Rulison, Rulison, Colorado 35
24 Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling
sites for Faultless Event, Central Nevada Test Area 36
25 Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling
sites for Project Rio Blanco, Rio Blanco County,
Colorado 37
26 Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling
sites for Project Cannikan, Amchitka Island, Alaska 38
27 Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling
sites for Project Mil row, Amchitka Island, Alaska . . .... 39
28 Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling
sites for Project Longshot, Amchitka Island, Alaska 39
29 Background sampling sites for the Long-Term Hydrological
Monitoring Program on Amchitka Island, Alaska ........ 40
30 Wildlife collection sites on the Nevada Test Site ....... 42
31 Location of families participating in the Offsite
Human Surveillance Program, 1980. . 44
32 Distribution of Network concentrations of krypton-85 48
33 Trend in annual concentrations of krypton-85. ......... 50
viii
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TABLES
Number Page
1 Characteristics of Climatic Types in Nevada 6
2 Total Airborne Radionuclide Releases at the NTS During 1980 . , 16
3 Annual Average Krypton-85 Concentrations in Air, 1972-1980. . . 49
4 Dosimetry Network Summary for the Years 1971-1980 51
5 Network Annual Average Concentrations of Tritium and
Strontium-90 in Milk, 1975-1980 .... 52
6 Water Sampling Locations Where Samples Were Found to
Contain Manmade Radioactivity .53
ix
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ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS
ym mi crometer
prem microrem (rem = rad x correction factor)
yCi/g microcurie per gram
uCi/ml microcurie per mllliliter
AEC Atomic Energy Commission
ASN Air Surveillance Network
C temperature in Celsius
CG Concentration Guide
Ci Curie
cm centimeter
CP-1 Control Point One
CY Calendar Year
DOE U.S. Department of Energy
DOE/NV U.S. Department of Energy, Nevada Operations Office
EMSL/LV Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory-
Las Vegas
EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ERDA Energy Research and Development Administration
ERDA/NV Energy Research and Development Administration,
Nevada Operations Office
ft feet
GZ Ground Zero
h hour
kg kilogram
keV kiloelectron volts
km kilometer
kt kiloton
LCL lower confidence limit
LLL Lawrence Livermore Laboratory
LTHMP Long-Term Hydro!ogical Monitoring Program
m meter
MDC minimum detectable concentration
MeV megaelectron volts
MLON Medical Liaison Officer Network
mm millimeter
MPa megapascal
mrem/y millirem per year
mrem/d mi Hi rem per day
mR milliroentgen
mR/h milliroentgen per hour
MSL Mean Sea Level
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yCi microcurie
MSN Milk Surveillance Network
nCi nanocurie
N6TSN Noble Gas and Tritium Surveillance Network
NTS Nevada Test Site
PHS U.S. Public Health Service
pCi picocurie
SMSN Standby Milk Surveillance Network
TLD thermolunrinescent dosimeter
UCL Upper Confidence Limit
US6S United States Geological Survey
WSN Water Surveillance Network
y year
3H tritium or hydrogen-3
HTO tritiated water
Ba barium
Be berylium
Cs cesium
I iodine
K potassium
Kr krypton
Pu plutonium
Ra radium
Ru ruthenium
Sr strontium
Te tellurium
U uranium
Xe xenon
Zr zirconium
xi
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xii
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PROGRAM SUMMARY — 1980
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Environmental Monitoring
Systems Laboratory in Las Vegas (EMSL-LV) continued its Offsite Radiological
Safety Program for the Nevada Test Site (NTS) and other sites of past under-
ground nuclear tests. For each test, the Laboratory provided airborne
meteorological measurements, ground and airborne radiation monitoring teams,
and special briefings to the Test Controller's Advisory Panel.
Test-related radioactivity from the NTS was detected offsite following
the Riola Test conducted on September 25, 1980. This consisted of xenon-133
(3.4 x 10~n yCi/ml) and xenon-135 (3.6 x 10~10 yCi/ml) in a compressed
air sample collected at Lathrop Wells, Nevada. The estimated dose equivalent
to the whole body of a hypothetical receptor at Lathrop Wells from exposure to
the radioxenon was 0.011 mrem, which is 0.006 percent of the radiation pro-
tection guide for a suitable sample of the general population.
Whole-body counts of individuals residing in the environs of the NTS
showed no manmade radionuclides attributable to the testing program.
The only radioactivity from non-NTS sites of past underground nuclear
tests was due to tritium in water samples collected from the Project Dribble
Site near Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and the Project Long Shot Site on Amchitka
Island, Alaska. The maximum concentrations measured at these locations were 1
and 0.1 percent of the Concentration Guide for drinking water, respectively.
A small amount of airborne radioactivity originating from nuclear tests
carried out by the People's Republic of China was detected during 1980 at some
stations scattered throughout the Air Surveillance Network.
The Laboratory's Animal Investigation Program sampled tissues from
wildlife and domestic animals on and around the NTS. Data from analysis of
these tissues are published separately in an annual report.
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INTRODUCTION
The EMSL-LV conducts the Offsite Radiological Safety Program for the NTS
and other sites designated by the Department of Energy (DOE) under a
memorandum of understanding between DOE and EPA. This repdrt, prepared in
accordance with the DOE Manual, chapter 0513 (ERDA 1974) covers the program
activities for calendar year 1980. It contains descriptions of pertinent
features of the NTS and its environs, summaries of the EMSL-LV doslmetry and
sampling methods, analytical procedures, arid the analytical results from
environmental measurements. Where applicable, dosimetry and sampling data are
compared to appropriate guides for external and internal exposures of humans
to ionizing radiation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE NEVADA TEST SITE
Historically, the major programs conducted at the NTS have been nuclear
development, proof-testing and weapons safety, testing peaceful uses of
nuclear explosives (Plowshare Program), reactor engine development for nuclear
rocket and ramjet applications (Projects Pluto and Rover), high-energy nuclear
physics research, and seismic studies (Vela Uniform). During 1980, nuclear
weapons development, proof-testing and weapons safety, and nuclear physics
programs were continued. Project Pluto was discontinued in 1964; Project
Rover was terminated in January 1973; Plowshare tests were, terminated in 1970;
Vela Uniform studies ceased 1n 1973. All nuclear weapons tests since 1962
have been conducted underground.
Site Location
The NTS is located in Nye County, Nevada, with its southeast corner about
90 km northwest of Las Vegas (Figures 1 and 2). It has an area of about 3,500
square km and varies from 40 to 56 km in width (east-west) and from 64 to
88 km in length (north-south). This area consists of large basins or flats
about 900 to 1,200 m above mean sea level (MSL) surrounded by mountain ranges
rising 1,800 to 2,300 m above MSL.
The NTS is surrounded on three sides by exclusion areas, collectively
named the Nellis Air Force Range, which provide a buffer zone betv/een the test
areas and public lands. This buffer zone varies from 24 to 104 km between the
test area and land that is open to the public. Depending ujton wind speed and
direction, from 1/2 to more than 6 hours will elapse before any release of
airborne radioactivity could pass over public lands.
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I L V
! Nellie'•U-V
L Atr Force I
f Range **
50 100 150
Scale in Kilometers
Figure 1. Location of the Nevada Test Site.
3
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Experimental Farm
Nuclear Rocket
Development Station /
Desert Game
Range
Las Vegas
(65 miles from Mercury)
Figure 2. Nevada Test Site roads and facilities.
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Climate
The climate of the NTS and surrounding area is variable, due to its
variations in altitude and its rugged terrain. Generally, the climate is
referred to as continental arid. Throughout the year, there is insufficient
water to support the growth of common food crops without irrigation.
Climate may be classified by the types of vegetation indigenous to an
area. According to Houghton et al. (1975), this method of classification of
dry condition, developed by Doppen, is further subdivided on the basis of
temperature and severity of drought. Table 1 (Houghton et al. 1975)
summarizes the characteristics of climatic types for Nevada.
As Houghton et al. point out, 90 percent of Nevada's population lives in
areas with less than 25 cm of rainfall per year or in areas that would be
classified as mid-latitude steppe to low-latitude desert regions.
According to Quiring (1968), the NTS average annual precipitation ranges
from about 10 cm at the lower elevations to around 25 cm on the higher
elevations. During the winter months, the plateaus may be snow-covered for a
period of several days or weeks. Snow is uncommon on the flats. Temperatures
vary considerably with elevation, slope, and local air currents. The average
daily high (low) temperatures at the lower altitudes are around 50°F(25°F)
in January and 95°F(55°F) in July, with extremes of 110°F and -15°F.
Corresponding temperatures on the plateaus are 35°F(25°F) in January and
80°F(65°F) in July with extremes of 100°F and -20°F. Temperature extremes as
low as -30°F and higher than 115°F have been observed.
The wind direction, as measured on a 30-m tower at an observation station
about 9 km NMW of Yucca Lake, is predominantly northerly except during the
months of May through August when winds from the south-southwest predominate
(Quiring 1968). Because of the prevalent mountain/valley winds in the basins,
south to southwest winds predominate during daylight hours of most months.
During the winter months southerly winds have only a slight edge over
northerly winds for a few hours during the warmest part of the day. These
wind patterns may be quite different at other locations on the NTS because of
local terrain effects and differences in elevation.
Geology and Hydrology
Geological and hydrological studies of the NTS have been in progress by
the U.S. Geological Survey and various other organizations since 1956.
Because of this continuing effort, including subsurface studies of numerous
boreholes, the surface and underground geological and hydrological character-
aracteristics for much of the NTS are known in considerable detail. This is
particularly true for those areas in which underground experiments are
conducted. A comprehensive summary of the geology and hydrology of the NTS
has been edited by Eckel (1968).
Two major hydrologic systems shown in Figure 3 exist on the NTS (ERDA
1977). Ground water in the northwestern part of the NTS or in the Pahute Mesa
area has been reported to flow at a rate of 2 m to 180 m per year to. the south
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TABLE 1. CHARACTERISTICS OF CLIMATIC TYPES IN NEVADA (from Houghton et al. 1975)
Climate
Type
Alpine
tundra
Humid
continental
Subhumid
continental
Mid-latitude
steppe
Mid-latitude
desert
Low-latitude
desert
Mean Temperature
°C
(°F)
Winter Summer
-18° to -9°
( 0° to 15°)
-12° to -1°
(10° to 30°)
-12° to -1°
(10° to 30°)
-7° to 4°
(20° to 40°)
-7° to 4°
(20° to 40°)
-4° to 10°
(40° to 50°)
4° to 10°
(40° to 50°)
10° to 21°
(50° to 70°)
10° to 21°
(50° to 70°)
18° to 27°
(65° to 80°)
18° to 27°
(65° to 80°)
27° to 32°
(80° to 90°)
Annual Precipitation
cm
(inches)
Total* Snowfall
38 to 114
(15 to 45)
64 to 114
(25 to 45)
30 to 64
(12 to 25)
15 to 38
( 6 to 15)
8 to 20
( 3 to 8)
5 to 25
( 2 to 10)
Medium to
heavy
Heavy
Moderate
Light to
moderate
Light
Negligible
Dominant Percent
Vegetation of Area
Alpine
meadows
Pine-fir 1
forest
Pine or scrub 15
woodland
Sagebrush, 57
grass, scrub
Greasewood, 20
shadscale
Creosote 7
bush
*Limits of annual precipitation overlap because of variations in temperature which affect the
water balance.
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/ /* \
\
Ash Meadows
Ground Water System
0 10 20 30 40
3/81 Scale in Kilometers
» ^ Flow Direction
— —• — Ground Water System Boundaries
— •—•— Silent Canyon Caldera
Timber Mountain Caldera
Figure 3. Groundwater flow systems around the Nevada Test Site.
7
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and southwest toward the Ash Meadows Discharge Area in the Amargosa Desert.
It is estimated that the ground water to the east of the NTS moves from north
to south at a rate of not less than 2 m nor greater than 220 m per year.
Carbon-14 analyses of this eastern ground water indicate that the lower
velocity is nearer the true value. At Mercury Valley in the extreme southern
part of the NTS, the eastern ground water flow shifts southwestward toward the
Ash Meadows Discharge Area.
The water levels-under the NTS vary from depths of about 100 m beneath
the surface of valleys in the southeastern part of the site to more than 600 m
beneath the surface of highlands to the north. Although much of the valley
fill is saturated, downward movement of water is extremely slow. The primary
aquifer in these formations is the Paleozoic carbonates that underlie the more
recent tuffs and alluviums.
Land Use of NTS Environs
Figure 4 is a map of the off-NTS area showing a wide variety of land
uses, such as farming, mining, grazing, camping, fishing, and hunting within a
300-km radius of the NTS. For example, west of the NTS, elevations range from
85 m below MSL in Death Valley to 4,420 m above MSL in the Sierra Nevada
Range. Parts of two major agricultural valleys (the Owens and San Joaquin)
are included. The areas south of the NTS are more uniform since the Mojave
Desert ecosystem (mid-latitude desert) comprises most of this portion of
Nevada, California, and Arizona. The areas east of the NTS are primarily
mid-latitude steppe with some of the older river valleys, such as the Virgin
River Valley and Moapa Valley, supporting irrigation for small-scale but
intensive farming of a variety of crops. Grazing is also common in this area,
particularly to the northeast. The area north of the NTS is also mid-latitude
steppe, where the major agricultural activity is grazing of cattle and sheep.
Minor agriculture, primarily the growing of alfalfa hay, is found in this
portion of the State within 300 km of the NTS Control Point-1 (CP-1). Many of
the residents grow or have access to locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Industry within the immediate off-NTS area includes approximately 40
active mines and mills, two oil fields at Trap Springs and Eagle Springs, and
several industrial plants in Henderson, Nevada (Figure 4). The number of
employees for these operations may vary from one person at several of the
small mines to several hundred workers for the oil fields north of the NTS and
the industrial plants in Henderson. Most of the individual mining operations
involve less than 10 workers per mine; however, a few operations employ 100 to
250 workers.
The major body of water close to the NTS is Lake Mead (120 km southeast),
a manmade lake supplied by water from the Colorado River. Lake Mead supplies
about 60 percent of the water used for domestic, recreational, and industrial
purposes in the Las Vegas Valley. Some Lake Mead water is used in Arizona,
southern California, and Mexico. Smaller reservoirs and lakes located in the
area are used primarily for irrigation and for watering livestock. In
California, .the Owens River and Haiwee Reservoir feed into the Los Angeles
Aqueduct and constitute the major sources of water for the Los Angeles area.
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•Tonopah ^ " \/ V
O O GRAZING
i \EIVGRAZING//
W Mellifi Ff RMvSO Lx'
Mojave Desert
DAIRIES'* •
C • CedarCity
\DA/
DAIRIES
0
3/81
50 100
Scale in Kilometers
A Camping & Recreational
Areas
O Hunting
• Fishing
OMines
A Oil Fields
^ —
Lake Havasu
Figure 4. General land use within 300 km of the Nevada Test Site.
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Many recreational areas, in all directions around the NTS (Figure 4) are
used for such activities as hunting, fishing, and camping. In general, the
camping and fishing sites to the northwest, north, and northeast of the NTS
are utilized throughout the year except for the winter months. Camping and
fishing locations to the southeast, south, and southwest are utilized through-
out the year. The hunting season is from September through January.
Dairy farming is not extensive within 300 km of the NTS. A survey of
milk cows during the summer of 1979 showed 8,200 dairy cows, 730 family milk
cows and 258 family mil-k goats in the area. The family cows and goats are
distributed in all directions around the NTS (Figure 5), whereas most dairy
cows (Figure 6) are located to the southeast (Moapa River, Nevada; Virgin
River Valley, Nevada; and Las Vegas, Nevada), northeast (Lund), and southwest
(near Barstow, California).
Grazing is the most common land use within 300 km of the site.
Approximately 280,000 cattle and 180,000 sheep are distributed within the
area as shown in Figures 7 and 8, respectively. The estimates are based on
information supplied by the California county agents during 1980, from 1979
agricultural statistics supplied by the Nevada Department of Agriculture and
from 1978 census information supplied by the Utah Department of Agriculture.
Population Distribution
Figure 9 shows the current population of counties surrounding the NTS
based on preliminary 1980 census figures. Excluding Clark County, the major
population center (approximately 462,000 in 1980), the population density
within a 150 km radius of the NTS is about 0.5 persons per square kilometer.
For comparison, the 48 contiguous states (1980 census) had a population
density of approximately 29 persons per square kilometer. The estimated
average population density for Nevada in 1980 was 2.8 persons per square
kilometer.
The offsite area within 80 km of the NTS (the area in which the dose
commitment must be determined for the purpose of this report) is predominantly
rural. Several small communities are located in the area, the largest being
in the Pahrump Valley. This growing rural community, with an estimated
population of about 3,600, is located about 72 km south-southwest of the NTS
CP-1. The Amargosa Farm Area, which has a population of about 1,600, is
located about 50 km southwest of CP-1. The largest town in the near-offsite
area is Beatty, which has a population of about 900 and is located
approximately 65 km to the west of CP-1.
The Mojave Desert of California, which includes Death Valley National
Monument, lies along the southwestern border of Nevada. The National Park
Service (1980) estimates that the population within the Monument boundaries
ranges from a minimum of 900 permanent residents during the summer months to
as many as 35,000 tourists and campers on any particular day during the major
holiday periods in the winter months, and as many as 80,000 during "Death
Valley Days" in the month of November. The largest town and contiguous
populated area in the Mojave Desert is Barstow, located 265 km south-southwest
10
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0 50 100 150
3/S1 Scale in Kilometers
Figure 5. Distribution and number of family milk cows and goats, by county.
11
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0 50 100 150
3/81 Scale in Kilometers
Figure 6. Distribution of dairy cows, by county,
12
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Scale in Miles
25 50 75 100
0 50 100 150
3/81 Scale in Kilometers
Figure 7. Distribution of beef cattle, by county.
13
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Carson
City
3,000
Scale in Miles
0 25 50 75 100
0 50 100 150
3/81 Scale in Kilometers
Figure 8. Distribution of sheep, by county.
14
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Storey.
1,500
Carson
City
33,600
Douglas
19,500
San Bernardino
877,500
Scale in Miles
25 50 75 100
0 50 100 150
3/Bi Scale in Kilometers
Figure 9. Population of Arizona, California, Nevada, and
Utah counties near the Nevada Test Site (1980).
15
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of the NTS, with a population of about 17,600. The next largest populated
area is the Ridgecrest-China Lake area', which has a population of about 20,000
and is located about 190 km southwest of the NTS. The Owens Valley, where
numerous small towns are located, lies about 50 km west of Death Valley. The
largest town in Owens Valley is Bishop, located 225 km west-northwest of the
NTS, with a population of about 5,300 including contiguous populated areas.
The extreme southwestern region of Utah is more developed than the adja-
cent part of Nevada. The largest community is St. George, located 220 km east
of the NTS, with a population of 11,300. The next largest town, Cedar City,
with a population of 10,900, is located 280 km east northeast of the NTS.
The extreme northwestern region of Arizona is mostly range land except
for that portion in the Lake Mead Recreation Area. In addition, several small
communities lie along the Colorado River. The largest town in the area is
Kingman, located 280 km southeast of the NTS, with a population of about
9,200.
AIRBORNE RELEASES OF RADIOACTIVITY AT THE NTS DURING 1980
All nuclear detonations during 1980 were conducted underground.
Occasional releases of low-level radioactivity occurred during reentry
drilling and radioactive noble gases leaked to the atmosphere during the
evening hours after the Riola test was conducted on September 25. Table 2
shows the total quantities of radionuclides released to the atmosphere, as
reported by the DOE Nevada Operations Office.
TABLE 2. TOTAL AIRBORNE RADIONUCLIDE RELEASES
AT THE NTS DURING 1980
Radionuclide
Tritium
Krypton-85
Iodine-131
Xenon-133
Xenon- 13 3m
Xenon-135
Xenon-135m
Half -Life
(days)
4,500
3,916
8.04
5.29
2.33
0.38
0.01
Quantity Released
(Ci)
450
87
1.0
1,262
1.69
2,228.46
476
Total 4,506.15
16
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There is also a continuous low-level release of tritium and krypton-85
on the NTS. Tritium is released primarily from the Sedan Crater and by the
evaporation of water from ponds formed by drainage of water from, or
ventilation of, the tunnel test areas in the Rainier Mesa. The seepage of
krypton-85 and tritium to the surface from underground test areas is
suspected. The short-lived iodines and xenons are released only during a
venting or during a drill back operation.
OTHER TESTS
The name, date, location, yield, depth, and purpose of each under-
ground nuclear test conducted off the NTS since 1961 have been discussed
in previous reports (Nuclear Radiation Assessment Division, 1980). No off-NTS
nuclear tests were conducted during 1980.
17
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METHODS
SPECIAL TEST SUPPORT
Before each nuclear test, mobile monitoring personnel were positioned in
the offsite areas most likely to be affected should a release of radioactive
material occur. These monitors, equipped with radiation survey instruments,
gamma exposure-rate recorders, thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD's), portable
air samplers, and supplies for collecting environmental samples, were prepared
to conduct a monitoring program directed from the NTS Control Point (CP-1) via
two-way radio communications.
In addition, for each event at the NTS, a U.S. Air Force aircraft, with
two Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Company monitoring personnel equipped
with portable radiation survey instruments, was airborne near surface ground
zero to detect and track any radioactive effluent. One EMSL-LV cloud sampling
and tracking aircraft was also airborne over NTS to obtain samples, assess
total cloud volume, and provide long-range tracking in the event of a release
of airborne radioactivity. A second EMSL-LV aircraft was airborne to gather
meteorological data and to perform cloud tracking. Information from these
aircraft was used in positioning the radiation monitors.
ROUTINE MONITORING AND SAMPLING
The Offsite Radiological Safety Program for the NTS consisted of
continuously operated dosimetry and air sampling networks and scheduled
collections of milk and water samples at locations surrounding the NTS.
Air Surveillance Network
The Air Surveillance Network (ASN) is operated to monitor environmental
levels of radioactivity from NTS operations. During 1980, the ASN consisted
of 25 continously operating sampling stations and 97 standby stations in 21
western States (Figures 10 and 11).
Samples of airborne particulates were collected at each active station on
4-in (10-cm) diameter glass-fiber or Microsorban polystyrene fiber filters at
a flow rate of about 350 m3 per day. Filters were changed after sampler
operation periods of 2 or 3 days (700 to 1,100 m3). Activated charcoal
cartridges directly behind the filters collected gaseous radioiodine and were
changed at the same time as the filters. The stations were operated by State
and municipal health department personnel or by local residents. All air
filters and charcoal cartridges were mailed to the EMSL-LV for analysis. All
18
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Awinnemucca
A Battle Mtn.
, Elko
A Lovelock
ACurrie
A Reno
^Eureka
A Ely
I
N
Duckwater ^
Angleworm Rn.,
Round Mtn. A
Hot Creek Rn.A
Stone Cabin Rn.0
Clark's Sta.-
Currant
Maint.
. Sta.
Lund
Geyser
°*%f
Scotty's
Fleur De Lis
Warm Springs
Tempiute
A '
Rachel
|Blue Eagle
^Sunnyside
^ Pioche
|Hiko I
^Cahente
) Alamo
Beatty^
Lathrop Wells
Lavada's Market
Scale in Miles
50 100
150
3/81
50 100 150
Scale in Kilometers
200
Glendale
ndian Springs
Spring Meadows Rn.
s»
Pahrump
0 Active ASM Station (19)
A Stand-by Station (31)
Figure 10. Air Surveillance Network stations within Nevada.
19
-------
=S=S=S=;g '
^Washington
North Dakota \Minnesota
Oregon /
f Idaho
A
South Dakota
California/ Nevada
Shoshone
Arizona I New Mexico
Scale in Miles
100 300 500
100 300 500 700
Scale in Kilometers
• Active ASN Station (6)
A Stand-by ASN Station (66)
3/81
Figure 11. Air Surveillance Network stations in States other than Nevada.
20
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standby stations were operated for 1-week periods each quarter for performance
evaluation.
The filters and cartridges were analyzed by gamma spectrometry. If fresh
fission products had been detected on the filters, radiochemical analysis
would have been performed for strontium-89,90 and plutonium isotopes on
selected filters. Appendix Table A-l summarizes the analytical procedures and
minimum detectable concentrations (MDC's) for each analysis. Quarterly
composites from 11 ASN stations were analyzed for plutonium-238 and
plutonium-239.
In anticipation of airborne radioactivity from the atmospheric nuclear
test by the People's Republic of China at 2130 PDT on October 15, 1980, 92 of
the standby stations were activated from October 13, 1980, through November 7,
1980.
Noble Gas and Tritium Surveillance Network
The Noble Gas and Tritium Surveillance Network is used to measure the
airborne levels of radiokrypton, radioxenon, and tritium. This network
consists of six stations on and six stations off the NTS as shown in Figure 12
(the Area 51 station is considered an NTS station).
Two sampling systems are used in this Network: a compressor-type air
sampler and a molecular sieve sampler. The compressor-type equipment
continuously samples air over a 7-day period and stores it in two pressure
tanks, which together hold approximately 1 cubic meter of air at about 220 psi
(1.6 MPa). The tanks are exchanged weekly and returned to the EMSL-LV where
their contents are analyzed. The separated krypton and xenon fractions are
counted by liquid scintillation for krypton-85 and radioxenon.
A molecular sieve column is used to collect water from air. A prefilter
is used to remove particles before air passes through the molecular sieve
column. Approximately 5 cubic meters of air are passed through each sampler
over a 7-day sampling period. Water absorbed on the molecular sieve column is
recovered, and the concentration of tritium (HTO) in water, reported as uCi/ml
of air and pCi/ml of water recovered, is determined by liquid scintillation
counting techniques.
Thermoluminescent Dosimetry Network
The Thermoluminescent Dosimetry Network comprises 79 stations at both
inhabited and uninhabited locations within a 300-km radius of the CP-1. Each
station is equipped with three Harshaw Model 2271-G2 (TLD200) thermolumines-
cent dosimeters (TLD's) to measure gamma exposure doses resulting from
environmental background as well as accidental releases of gamma-emitting
radioactivity (Figure 13). Within the area covered by the Network, 24 offsite
residents wore dosimeters during 1980. All TLD's were exchanged quarterly.
A station was added at Valley Crest, California, at the beginning of the
first quarter, 1980. The station at Selbach Ranch was moved approximately 1
mile to Lavada's Market, to prevent further vandalism.
21
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|Tonopah
Rachel
Neliis
Air Force
Range
I Hike
Indian Springs
• Las Vegas
w
I
Scale in Miles
0 10 20 30 40 50
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
3/81 Scale in Kilometers
JNoble Gas & Tritium Sampling Locations
Nevada
\
Nevada Test Site &
Neliis Air Force Range
Location
Map
Figure 12. Noble Gas and Tritium Surveillance Network stations.
22
-------
N
Mammoth Mtn.
Bishop
Independence •
Lone Pine^
Olancha^
Scale in Miles
50
3/81
50 100
Scale in Kilometers
100
150
• Eureka
• Young Rn.
• Ely
Kirkeby Rn.
Round Mtn.
Duckwater (
.Blue
'Jay
Currant
*Blue Eagle •Geyser
Rn •Sunnyside
Hot Creek " ~Lund
Rn
Manhattan • *
Stone Cabin •
Warm Springs* * Nyala»*Casey.s Rn
Clark s Sta.^ 4 J '
Tonopah^ Twin Spgs. Rn. aven* •Complex I
^———Diablo* •Pine Creek Rn. •Pioche
Goldfield* f *TtR hu I ^Koynes I
Reed Rn-iLdt • • •Hiko |
ween; City Smt.^jrHR;,rheJ-Tempiute •Caliente
| Garrison
Ridgecresl
• Barstow
• Baker
iThermoluminescent Dosimeter Stations (79)
Figure 13. Thermoluminescent Dosimeter Network stations.
23
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The Model 2271-G2 dosimeter consists of two small "chips" of dysprosium-
activated calcium fluoride mounted ia a window of Teflon plastic attached to a
small aluminum card. An energy compensation shield of 1.2-mm thick cadmium
metal is placed over the card containing the chips, and the shielded card is
then sealed in an opaque plastic card holder. Three of these dosimeters are
placed in a secured, rugged, plastic housing 1 meter above ground level at
each station to standardize the exposure geometry. One dosimeter is issued to
each of 24 offsite residents who are instructed in its proper wearing.
After appropriate corrections were made for background exposure accumu-
lated during shipment between the laboratory and the monitoring location, the
TLD readings for each station were averaged. The average value for each
station was then compared to the values obtained during the previous year to
determine whether the new value was within the range of previous background
values for that station. The data from each of the personnel dosimeters were
compared to the background value measured at the nearest station.
The smallest exposure above background radiation that can be determined
from these TLD readings depends primarily on the magnitude of variations in
the natural background exposure rate at the particular station. In the
absence of other independent exposure rate measurements, one must compare the
present exposure rate with valid prior measurements of natural background.
Typically, the smallest net exposure detectable at the 99 percent significance
level for a 90-day exposure period would be 5 to 15 mR above background.
Depending on location, the background ranges from 15 to 35 mR. The term
"background," as used in this context, refers to naturally occurring radio-
activity plus a contribution from residual manmade fission products, such as
world-wide fallout.
Milk Surveillance Networks
Milk is one of the most important pathways by which manmade radionuclides
enter the diet of man. For this reason, milk produced near the NTS is
monitored routinely. The six most common fission products found in milk are
tritium, strontium-89 and -90, radioiodines, cesium-137, and barium-140.
Concentrations of potassium-40, a naturally occurring radionuclide found in
milk, are not reported.
The routine Milk Surveillance Network (MSN) and the Standby Milk Surveil-
lance Network (SMSN) were continued during 1980 to monitor concentrations of
radionuclides in milk. The MSN consisted of 21 sampling sites (Figure 14) at
which EMSL-LV personnel collected 4 liters of raw milk each quarter from
family cows, commercial producers, and pasteurization plants. In the event of
a release of radioactivity from the NTS, the MSN would be expanded to permit
extensive sampling in the affected area within a 480 km radius of CP-1 to
assess the radionuclide concentrations in milk, the radiation doses that could
result from the ingestion of milk, and the protective actions required. Milk
from suppliers and producers beyond 480 km is normally collected by the SMSN
operators however, EMSL-LV monitors are prepared to collect samples as far out
as necessary to assure adequate and timely coverage.
24
-------
• Wells
Winnemucca
• Elko
•Reno
• Austin
| Young Rn.
Round Mtn.i
Berg Rn. I
Manzonie Rn.
Currant •
Blue Eagle Rn.
N
• Ely
• Shoshone
I Lund |
McKenzie Dairy
Bishop •
Keough Hot Springs f
Yribarren Rn.
Caliente*1
• Alamo
Buckhorn Rn.
June Cox Rn. Cedar City
Western
General Dairy
• St. George
Cottam Dairy
\
Scale in Miles
0 50 100
0 50 100 150
Scale in Kilometers
3/81
Pahrump*
Oxborrow Rn.
Indian Spgs. Seventy Five
•
• Trona
|Stanford Rn.
• Milk Sampling Locations
NOTE: When sampling location occurred
in city or town, the sampling location
lymbol was used for showing both town
and sampling location.
• Mesquite
H Hughes Bros. Dairy
• Robison Dairy
Overton
Vegas Valley Dairy
LDS Dairy Farm
H»Barstow
Bill Nelson Dairy
Hinkley
Figure 14. Milk Surveillance Network stations.
25
-------
The SMSN consists of about 140 Grade A milk processing plants in all
States west of the Mississippi River. .Federal regional offices and State
health departments can be requested to collect raw milk samples representing
milk sheds supplying milk to processing plants. During 1980, there was no
release of radioiodine from the NTS; therefore, this Network was activated
only for performance testing.
All milk samples from the MSN were analyzed for gamma emitters and
strontium-89 and -90. Six milk samples were also analyzed for tritium.
Selected samples from the SMSN were analyzed for gamma emitters, strontium-89
and -90, and tritium. Appendix Table A-l lists the analytical procedures and
detection limits for these analyses.
Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program
The Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program (LTHMP) was continued
during 1980. Wells, springs, and surface water sources near underground
nuclear detonation test areas in Alaska, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, and
Mississippi were sampled periodically to monitor for the migration of
test-related radionuclides. A deep-well water sampler, capable of collecting
3-liter samples from depths to 1,800 m, was used to collect many of the
samples from wells having no pumps.
Nevada Test Site
Figures 15 and 16 show the sampling locations on and around the NTS.
Thirteen stations are sampled monthly while 20 stations, 8 of them on the NTS,
are sampled semi annually. Eleven other offsite stations are sampled annually.
Not all stations could be sampled with the desired frequency because of
inclement weather or inoperative pumps. Two locations were not sampled: Well
UE18r and Road D windmill.
Each sample was analyzed for gamma emitters and tritium. Raw water and
filtered/acidified water were collected at each location. The raw water
samples were analyzed for tritium. Portions of the filtered/acidified samples
were analyzed for gamma emitters. Appendix Table C-l summarizes the
analytical techniques used. Suspended solids collected on each filter were
also analyzed for gamma emitters.
Other Test Sites
Water samples were collected annually from the vicinity of all off-NTS
sites of underground nuclear detonations. These sites included Project
Faultless near Warm Springs, Nevada; Project Gnome near Carlsbad, New Mexico;
Project Shoal near Fallon, Nevada; Project Dribble (Miracle Play) near
Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Project Gasbuggy near Gobernador, New Mexico;
Project Rulison near Grand Valley, Colorado; Project Rio Blanco in Rio Blanco
County, Colorado; and Projects Long Shot/Mil row/Cannikin on Amchitka Island,
Alaska. Figures 17 through 29 identify the sampling locations. All samples
were analyzed in the same manner as those samples collected for the NTS. Due
to the presence of tritium in concentrations above background in surface water
samples and well water samples collected in the past on the Project
26
-------
I
Experimental Farm Welt a A
Well 4 A
Mercury)
0 5 10
3/81 Scale in Kilometers
AMonthly(11)
• Semi-Annual (8)
Figure 15. Long-Term Hydro!ogical Monitoring Program
sampling sites on the Nevada Test Site.
27
-------
Twin Springs Rn.
^Tonopah
INyala
)Adaven Springs
TTR Well #6
Nellis
Air Force
Range
Tempiute
Road D WindmillL
Springdale*
>. Goss SpringsB
^v Beatty™
\
•Neco
Lathrop Wells
X
• Hiko
Crystal Springs
Alamo
_ • Fairbanks Springs
Well 17S/50E-14CACH
•V •Crystal Pool
Well 18S/51E-7dbB»Ash Meadows
—i
Indian Springs AFB
Sewer Co. Well #1
Death Valley Jct.»
)Calvada Well #3
lLas Vegas
Well #28
Scale in Miles
10 20 30
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
3/81 Scale in Kilometers
kShoshone
'Spring
I Annual Samples (11)
Semi-Annual Samples (12)
Nevada
Nevada Test Site
Nellis Air Force Range\«p
Ny f
Location MapXJ
Figure 16. Long-Term Hydro!ogical Monitoring Program
sampling sites surrounding the Nevada Test Site.
28
-------
Carlsbad City Well #7
USGS Wells
Loving City Well #2
PHS Well #6
PHS Well #9H
PHS Well #10
PHS Well #8
Pecos River
Pumping Station Well #1
Scale in Miles
5 10
New Mexico
0 5 10 15
Scale in Kilometers
Surface Ground Zero
<-• -Eddy County
Location Maps
A On-Site Water Sampling Locations
• Off-Site Water Sampling Locations
Figure 17. Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling sites
for Projects Gnome and Coach, Carlsbad, New Mexico.
29
-------
HS-1
Churchill County
Mineral County
N
Scale in Miles
5
0 5 10 15
3/81 Scale in Kilometers
Surface Ground Zero
Water Sampling Locations
SGZ
Churchill
County
Location Maps
Figure 18. Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling
sites for Project Shoal, Fallon, Nevada.
30
-------
N
(98 f" \(49]
Bryant
R. Mills^ Lower Little Creek>
1. Anderson
^^^ 1. Anderson (<'"
B. ChamblissB~*25K.SGZ
T. Speights Kjt' HR-L. Anderson/
^ .M,LoE"W-DanielsJr-'
Baxterville-'"- ReadV
Well Ascot 21
Lumberton
North Lumberton
Scale in Miles
5 10
3/81
5 10 15 20
Scale in Kilometers
25
^Mississippi .
Surface Ground Zero
Water Sampling Stations
La mar
County
Location Maps
Figure 19. Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling
sites for Projects Dribble and Miracle Play, vicinity of
Tatum Salt Dome, Mississippi.
31
-------
I
N
REECO Pit - C
REECO Pit - B
REECO Pit - A
Well HT-1|
(plugged 6/79)
Half Moon" Creek
Overflow \«.
u v /
\ '^: \ •'
HT-Sl x '••?*.S.r.?IUham_
Well E-7*We" HT-4 >
Well HT-2C
Scale in Feet
0 400 800 1200 16002000
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
3/81 Scale in Meters
Surface Ground Zero
Water Sampling Locations
* • /
Mississippi '
La mar
County
Tatum Dome0SGZ
"
Location Maps
Figure 20. Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling
sites for Projects Dribble and Miracle Play, Tatum Salt
Dome, Mississippi.
32
-------
— — x. ^
,_ ^i_<_>^___^ jOs.^
HMH-3// X
I ---:^-
Scale in Feet
100 200
300
0 50
3/81 Scale in Meters
100
Surface Ground Zero
Water Sampling Locations
\'
HMH-10
)
Half Moon Creek i
HMH-1 "
(plugged~6/79)
-2
HMH-11
\
IHMH-9
\
HMH-8
^Mississippi /
/ /
Lamar
County
Tatu^m Dome^SGZ
"
Location Maps
Figure 21. Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling sites
for Projects Dribble and Miracle Play, Tatum Dome, Mississippi.
33
-------
To Dulce
/7
To Blanco &
Gubernedor
Scale in Kilometers
0 8
3/81 Scale in Miles
Surface Ground Zero
Water Sampling Locations
New Mexico
Rio Arriba County
Location Maps
Figure 22. Long-Tenm Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling sites
for Project Gasbuggy, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico.
34
-------
I
Grand Valley
City Water
G. Schwat
Rn.
Grand
Potter Rn. /
.-••i /
>f Rulison x
*"**"""7 ~*v^
^•Sefcovic Rn.
Rn.
Battlement Creek
CER Test-Well
pring
Scale in Miles
0 5
0 8
Scale in Kilometers
Surface Ground Zero
Water Sampling Locations
3/81
Garfield County
Location Maps
Figure 23. Long-Term Hydrologlcal Monitoring Program sampling
sites for Project Rulison, Rulison, Colorado.
-------
SGZ
HTH 2
HTH 1
I
I
xl
x/
N
">'-'
Six-Mile WellB*
I Jim Bias Well
(Blue Jay Springs)
I Blue Jay
Maint. Sta.
Scale in Miles
Scale in Kilometers
Surface Ground Zero
Water Sampling Locations
• "CSGZ
\ ®,
iNyef
SGZN,
®J
Nye|
County
Location Maps
Figure 24. Long-Term Hydrologlcal Monitoring Program sampling sites
for Faultless Event, Central Nevada Test Area.
36
-------
Johnson
Artesian
Fawn Cr.
8400' Downstream
(plugged)
RB-S-03
Fawn Cr. 500' Downstream
RB-D-01
SGZ
Fawn Cr. 500' Upstream
Emplacement
Well
Fawn Cr. No. 3
Fawn Cr. 6800
Upstream
Rio Blanco County
Garfield County
Rio Blanco County
Scale in Kilometers
[J Water Well (Sampled)
I Surface Ground Zero
0 Artesian Well
O Windmill
A Spring (Flumed & Sampled)
• Stream
Location Maps
Figure 25. Long-Tenm Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling
sites for Project Rio Blanco, Rio Blanco County, Colorado.
37
-------
^^^^Bering Sea;
Surface Ground Zero
Sampling Locations
Figure 26. Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling
sites for Project Cannikin, Amchitka Island, Alaska.
38
-------
N
Collapse
Boundary,
Scale in Feet
0 600
200
Scale in Meters
\
Surface Ground Zero
Sampling Locations
\Clevenger \
\ CreeS \
Figure 27. Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling
sites for Project Milrow, Amchitka Island, Alaska.
Surface Ground Zero
Sampling Locations
Figure 28. Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program sampling
sites for Project Longshot, Amchitka Island, Alaska.
39
-------
Mile 27 Stream:
Bering Sea =
Cannikin -=
Pacific Ocean 5
~±Constantine Harbor
= Duck Cove Cr,
0 5 10
3/31 Scale in Kilometers
SSSSS: Base Camp Area==
Surface Ground Zero
Sampling Locations
S Bering Sea
Constantino Harbor
Constantine Spri
Clevenger L
Baker Runway
South Hangar
Maintenance Building
Sampling Locations
Pacific Ocean
Figure 29. Background sampling sites for the Long-Term Hydrological
Monitoring Program on Amchitka Island, Alaska. (Base camp area
is shown in larger scale in the lower portion of the figure.)
40
-------
Dribble site, nine more sampling locations within 100 feet of surface ground
zero and five wells used by residents.of the area were added to the routine
sampling schedule for this project. The analytical results of special water
samples collected for this project between July 18, 1979, and September 5,
1979, but not reported in last year's environmental report are reported
separately (Fenske, P. R. and T. M. Humphrey, Jr., 1980).
Animal Investigation Program
The basic responsibility of the Animal Investigation Program (AIP) is to
monitor the radionuclide burdens in, and damage to, domestic animals and
wildlife on and around the NTS. These analyses have not been completed, but
will be reported in the annual AIP report for 1980.
AIP personnel sampled mule deer, rabbits, a horse, desert bighorn sheep,
and cattle. Some of these animals were found dead as road kills or from
natural causes; others were collected by hunting or were sacrificed for
sampling. Figure 30 shows where the animals were collected.
Animals were necropsied whenever possible. Samples of adrenals, eyes-,
heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, muscle, spleen, thyroid, gonads, and gross
lesions were collected for histopathological evaluation if post mortem change
had not occurred. Tissues from large animals collected for radioanalysis
included liver, lung, tracheobronchial lymph node, muscle, thyroid, blood,
kidney, fetus, and bone samples from the femur or hock. Rumen or stomach
contents were also taken for radioanalysis. In small animals, bone from the
entire skeleton, muscle, skin, entire gastrointestinal tract, and composited
internal organs (liver, lungs, kidneys, and spleen), were collected for
radioanalysis.
Soft tissues and rumen contents were analyzed for gamma emitters. Tissue
water from blood was analyzed for tritium. If blood was not available a soft
tissue was substituted. Bone was analyzed for strontium-89 and -90 and
plutonium-238 and -239.
A sizeable mule deer herd described by Smith et al. (1978) resides in
the mountainous regions of the NTS during the summer. If they move to -^
unrestricted lands, these deer may be hunted by members of the public. A
study designed to determine migration patterns of the herd by tracking
individual deer wearing collars containing miniature radio transmitters was
begun in 1975 and continued through 1980.
During the summer and fall of 1980, 13 mule deer wereccaptured either by
the chemical restraint of free-ranging animals (Smith et al. 1978) or by
trapping (Giles 1979). These deer were outfitted with radiotransmitter
collars, ear tags, and reflective markers suspended from the collar. These 13
newly installed transmitters brought to 20 the total number of working
transmitters in the field (7 from previous years). Laboratory personnel
monitored the movements of the deer weekly with hand-held receivers and
directional antenna. Nineteen other deer were captured but were unsuitable for
collaring and were released after visible markers had been attached.
41
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\ ii-dLJa
2°b__U !\ v
Nuclear Rocket
Development Station
0 5 10 15
3/81 Scale in Kilometers
(65 miles from Mercury)
Figure 30. Wildlife collection sites on the Nevada Test Site.
42
-------
Offsite Human Surveillance Program
A whole-body counting facility has been maintained at the EMSL-LV since
1966 and is equipped to determine the identity and quantity of gamma-emit'ting
radioactive materials which may have been inhaled or ingested. A single
thallium-activated sodium iodide crystal, 28x10 centimeters, is used to
measure gamma radiation in the energy range from 0.1 to 2.5 MeV. Two phoswich
detectors (a thin thallium-activated sodium iodide crystal coupled to a thick
thallium-activated cesium iodide crystal) are placed on the chest to measure
low-energy radiation - for example, 17 keV x-rays from plutonium-239. The
most likely mode of intake for most alpha-emitting radionuclides is
inhalation, and the most important of these also emit low-energy x-rays which
can be detected in the lungs by the phoswich detectors.
The Offsite Human Surveillance Program was initiated in December 1970 to
determine levels of radioactive nuclides in a population consisting of
families residing in communities and ranches surrounding the Nevada Test Site.
Analysis is performed in the spring and fall.. This program started with 34
families (142 individuals). In 1980, 16 of these families (45 individuals)
were still active in the program. The geographical locations of the 16
families are shown in Figure 31. A whole-body count of each person is made at
the EMSL-LV to determine the body burden of gamma-emitting radio-
nuclides. A urine sample is collected for analysis and a short medical
history, complete blood count, thyroid profile and physical examination are
obtained on each participant. Results of the whole-body count are available
before the families leave the facility and are discussed with the subjects.
The results of the blood and urine tests are sent to the families along with a
letter of explanation from the examining physician.
In addition to these offsite families, counts are performed routinely on
EPA and EG&G employees as part of the health monitoring programs. Selected
individuals from the general population of Las Vegas and other cities are also
counted to obtain background data. During 1980, a total of 1,656 spectra were
obtained from persons visiting the facility.
MEDICAL LIAISON OFFICER NETWORK
The Medical Liaison Officer Network (MLON) is a nationwide volunteer
group of physicians, coordinated through the EMSL-LV, which is available to
investigate claims of radiation injury purported to be the result of the DOE
nuclear testing activities. The history and investigative procedures of MLON
were discussed by Holder (1972).
QUALITY AS'SURANCE
A quality assurance program is carried out on sampling and radioanalyti-
cal procedures to assure that data from these procedures will be valid. This
program includes instrumental quality control procedures, the analysis of
replicate samples to measure precision, and the analysis of cross-check
samples obtained from an independent laboratory to measure accuracy.
43
-------
50 100 150
Scale in Kilometers
Families, Counted (16
Figure 31. Location of families participating in the Offsite
Human Surveillance Program, 1980.
44
-------
Radioanalytical counting systems and TLD systems are calibrated using
radionuclide standards that are traceable to the National Bureau of Standards
(NBS). These standards are obtained from the Quality Assurance Division at
EMSL-LV or from NBS. Each standard source used for TLD calibrations is peri-
odically checked for accuracy in accordance with procedures traceable to NBS.
To determine accuracy of the data obtained from the TLD systems,
dosimeters are periodically submitted to the University of Texas School of
Public Health for intercomparisons of environmental dosimeters. Dosimeters
were submitted to the Fifth International Intercomparison in August 1980.
Results will be published in 1981. All TLD measurements are performed in
conformance with standards proposed by the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI 1975).
Instrument quality control charts are used to assure that instrument
background measurements and the response of laboratory instruments to a
reference standard are within required limits.
Precision of the results, as influenced by sampling and analytical
errors, is estimated through a program of replicate analysis and duplicate
sampling. Approximately 20 percent of all samples are used to determine
sampling and analytical error. About 10 percent of the samples are collected
in duplicate and analyzed to obtain an estimate of the combined sampling and
analytical error (Appendix A). An additional 10 percent of the samples are
split in the laboratory to obtain an estimate of the analytical error. For
the TLD Network, six replicate exposures are made (two chips on each of the
three TLD's) at each station. Estimates of the total error in precision are
made from the variances of these replicates (Appendix Table A-3).
Accuracy determinations are made by the analysis of intercomparison
samples provided by the Quality Assurance Division, EMSL-LV (EPA 1981). These
intercomparison samples consist of simulated environmental samples containing
known amounts of one or more radionuclides. The intercomparison samples are
analyzed, and the results sent to the Quality Assurance Division for statisti-
cal analysis and comparison with the known value and analytical values
obtained by other participating laboratories. These intercomparisons are
performed bimonthly, quarterly, or semi annually, depending upon the type of
sample. The results of the analyses of these cross-check samples for 1980 are
summarized in Appendix Table A-4.
45
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The only test-related radioactivity from the Nevada Test Site detected
offsite was released following the Riola test conducted at 8:26.5 a.m. PDT on
September 25, 1980.
The only radioactivity observed from non-NTS sites of past underground
nuclear tests was from small amounts of tritium found in water samples from
the Project Dribble site in Mississippi and the Project Long Shot site in
Alaska. These waters are not used for human consumption and do not constitute
a health hazard.
The results from the Radiological Safety Program are discussed in the
following sections, and specific data are presented in the Appendix tables.
RIOLA TEST
Immediately following this event, no radioactivity was detected onsite or
offsite by ground and aerial monitoring teams; therefore, the teams were
released 2 hours after the test. During the evening, airborne radioactivity
began seeping from the test and continued into the next day. When EPA
personnel were notified about the release by the Department of Energy at
about 7:30 a.m. the following day (September 26, 1980), an estimate of where
the effluent traveled was obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Las Vegas. Radiation monitors were then deployed to monitor
the highways surrounding the NTS and to activate standby air samplers at
Tempiute north of NTS, at Dansby's store southwest of NTS, and at the Fleur de
Lis Ranch west of NTS. Gamma-rate recorders were also placed at Lathrop
Wells, Area 51, and Dansby's store. No radiation was detected by survey
instruments used by the monitors or by the gamma-rate recorders.
One of two aircraft used for aerial monitoring left Las Vegas at 9:45
a.m. on September 26 and flew 500 feet over the terrain at the NTS and along
Highway 16 leading to Pahrump, Nevada. The aircraft detected no radiation
above background levels, and returned to Las Vegas at 12:15 p.m. the same day.
The second aircraft departed Las Vegas at 10:15 a.m. for the NTS, where a
survey was made for airborne radioactivity at an elevation of 500 feet over
the terrain. No radioactivity was detected with sensitive gamma-radiation
instrumentation except directly over the shot area. A compressed air sample,
a sample of particulates collected by electrostatic precipitation, a sample of
airborne particulates collected by filtration, and a sample of gases adsorbed
on activated charcoal were collected between 11:23 a.m. and 12:10 p.m.
directly over the Riola test location. This aircraft returned to Las Vegas
to be refitted with clean sampling media and then travelled over Highway 95
between the Mercury turn-off and eight miles east of the turn-off to the
46
-------
Nuclear Engineering Company where a second set of samples was collected
between 2:21 p.m. and 2:50 p.m.
Only gaseous radioactivity, krypton-85, xenon-133, and xenon-135 was
measured in the compressed air sample collected over the Riola test area; no
particulate radioactivity or any other radioactivity was detected in the
aerial samples collected offsite.
AIR SURVEILLANCE NETWORK
During 1980, no airborne radioactivity related to the Riola test or any
other underground nuclear test at the NTS was detected on any sample from
this Network. However, naturally occurring beryllium-7 and the fission or
activation products zirconium-95, niobium-95, molybdenum-99, ruthenium-103,
iodine-131, tellurium-132, barium-140, lanthanum-140, cerium-141, uranium-237,
and neptunium-239 from nuclear tests conducted by the People's Republic of
China were detected on air filters. Appendix Tables R-l and B-2 summarize
data from these samples. The most recent Chinese test detected was conducted
on October 15, 1980, at 9:30 p.m. POT.
Appendix Table B-3 shows the average concentration of plutonium-238
and -239 in air at selected stations of the ASM. These filter samples were
composited monthly for three Nevada stations and quarterly for four standby
air stations. The three Nevada stations represent air samples collected near
the NTS (Figure 10), while the other seven stations represent remote locations
(Figure 11).
All observed plutonium was attributed to world-wide "fallout. The
plutonium concentrations shown for 1980 are generally within the same range as
those measurements for the northern hemisphere reported for 1977 and 1978 by
Toonkel (1980) except for one high concentration of plutonium-239 observed at
Rachel, Nevada, (1.3 x lO"16 yCi/ml) during the month of July 1980, one high
value observed at St. Joseph, Missouri, (1.9 x lO-1^ yCi/ml) during the
month of January, and one high value at Austin, Texas, (6.2 x 10-16 yCi/ml)
during the month of January. The cause of the high variability observed in
these samples is suspected to be from relatively low concentrations of large
particles having a high specific radioactivity. If one assumed that all the
plutonium-239 radioactivity in the Austin, Texas, sample collected from
2,220 m3 of air was concentrated in one spherically shaped particle of
plutonium oxide, the diameter of that particle would be 1.6 pm, which is a
reasonable size for atmospheric fallout. All values were less than 1 percent
of the Concentration Guide (Appendix C) for exposure to the general public.
NOBLE GAS AND TRITIUM SURVEILLANCE NETWORK
The only radioactivity from NTS tests that was detected offsite by the
Noble Gas and Tritium Surveillance Network was xenon-133 and xenon-135 in one
compressed air sample collected during the period from 11:50 a.m., September
24, through 2:00 p.m., September 26, at Lathrop Wells, Nevada. The radio-
activity concentrations in this sample were 3.4 x 10'11 yCi/ml and 3.6 x
47
-------
10~10 pCi/ml, respectively. If these concentrations had persisted at this
location throughout the year, they would have been less than 0.4 percent of
the CG (Appendix C).
The cpncentrations of krypton-85 for the stations in the Network ranged
from 1.4 x 10"11 yCi/ml to 3.3 x 10"11 yCi/ml (Appendix Table B-4). As
shown in Figure 32, a plot of the logarithm of the concentrations for the
Network stations against probits (the number of standard deviations from the
mean) is a straight line suggesting that the data is lognormally distributed.
To aid the reader, the geometric mean of 2.10 x 10"11 yCi/ml and the
geometric standard deviation of 1.15 was evaluated and shown on the figure.
As the expected geometric standard deviation of the krypton-85 measurements
attributed to sampling, analytical, and counting errors was determined to be
1.08 from the duplicate sampling program (Appendix A), the variation in the
krypton-85 concentrations throughout the Network appears to be caused
primarily by the errors in its measurement and collection.
The annual average concentrations of krypton-85, xenon-133, xenon-135,
and tritium at each station were calculated over the time period sampled using
all values, including those less than the MDC. All concentrations listed in
Appendix Table B-4 are reported as yCi/ml of air. Because of variations in
absolute humidity, the tritium concentration in air (yCi/ml air) varies by
factors of 15 to 20 while the concentrations in atmospheric moisture (yCi/ml
water) vary by factors of up to about 7. Therefore, the tritium concentration
3.5-
3.0-
o
a 2.5-
c
o
I 2.0-
c
0)
o
c
o
O
1.5-
1980
Geometric Mean = 2.10 x 10-"
Geometric Standard Deviation = 1.15
-3.20 -2.40 -1.60 -0.80 0.00 0.80 1.60 2.40 3.20
Probit
Figure 32. Distribution of Network concentrations of krypton-85.
48
-------
in uCi per ml of water recovered is also given in Appendix Table B-4 as a more
reliable indicator of variations in tritium concentrations.
The average concentration of krypton-85 for the year at all stations
was the same (2.1 x 10"11 yCi/ml), except for the concentrations at BJY (2.3
x 10"11 yCi/ml) and Lathrop Wells (2.2 x 10"11 uCi/ml). However, only the
concentration average at BJY is significantly greater than the Network average
at the 95 percent significance level. The average concentration at this
station has been the highest in the Network more often than at any other
station, probably because of its central location on the NTS where seepage of
the radioactive noble gases from past underground nuclear detonations is
suspected.
As shown in Table 3 and Figure 33, the average concentrations of
krypton-85 for the Network has gradually increased since sampling began in
1972. This increase, observed at all stations, probably reflects the
worldwide increase in ambient concentrations resulting from the proliferation
of nuclear technology.
TABLE 3. ANNUAL AVERAGE KRYPTON-85 CONCENTRATIONS IN AIR, 1972-1980
85Kr Concentrations (xlO'11 yCi/ml)
Sampling
Locations
Beatty, Nev.
Diablo & Rachel, Nev.*
Hiko, Nev.
Indian Springs, Nev.
NTS, Mercury, Nev.
NTS, Area 51, Nev.
NTS, BJY, Nev.
NTS, Area 12, Nev.
Tonopah, Nev.
Las Vegas, Nev.*
Death Valley Jet.,
Calif.*
NTS, Area 15, Nev.f
NTS, Area 400, Nev.1"
Lathrop Wells, Nev.1"
Network Average
1972
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
.6
.6
•6
-
.6
.6
.7
.6
.6
.6
.6
-
_
-
.6
1973
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
.6
.6
.6
-
.6
.6
.8
.6
.6
.6
.5
-
-
-
.6
1974
1.7
1.7
1.7
-
1.8
1.7
1.9
1.8
1.8
1.7
1.8
_
-
-
1.8
1975
1.9
1.8
1.7
2.0
1.8
1.8
1.9
1.8
1.7
1.8
1.7
-
_
-
1.8
1976
2.0
1.9
1.7
2.0
1.9
2.0
2.0
2.0
1.9
1.8
2.0
-
-
-
1.9
1977
2.0
1.9
1.9
2.0
2.0
1.9
2.1
1.9
1.9
2.0
2.0
-
-
-
2.0
1978
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.2
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
-
-
-
2.0
1979
1.9
1.9
1.9
1.9
1.9
1.9
2.1
1.9
1.8
-
1.9
1.9
1.8
1.9
1.9
1980
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.3
2.1
2.1
-
-
2.1
2.1
2.2
2.1
*Removed 1979
^ew stations 1979
^Station at Diablo was moved to Rachel in March 1979.
49
-------
c 4.0 n
o
a.
o
"x
6
c
3.0-
2.0-
0)
o>
CD
I
1.0-
1970
72 73 74 75 76 77787980
Year
90 2000
Figure 33. Trend in annual concentrations of krypton-85.
As in the past, tritium concentrations in atmospheric moisture samples
collected at all off-NTS stations and at the NTS stations at Mercury and Area
51 were generally below the minimum detectable concentration (MDC) of about
4 x 10~7 yCi/ml water, except for occasional detectable concentrations. All
detectable concentrations observed at off-NTS stations were considered to be
representative of the environmental background. A few of the values above the
MDC at Area 51 and Mercury appeared to be slightly above the environmental
background which fluctuated up to 3 x 10~6 yCi/ml. The NTS stations at Area
51, BJY, and the Area 12 had tritium concentrations consistently above
background; the concentration average for these stations were factors of 1.7
to 17 times the average for all off-NTS stations.
THERMOLUMINESCENT DOSIMETRY NETWORK
Appendix Table B-5 lists the maximum, minimum, and average dose equivalent
rate (mrem/day) and the annual adjusted dose equivalent rate (average in
mren/day times the number of days in the year) measured at each station in the
Network during 1980. No allowance was made for the small additional exposure
due to the neutron component of the cosmic ray spectrum. No station exhibited
an exposure in excess of background.
Appendix Table B-6 lists the personnel number, associated background
station, the maximum, minimum, and average dose equivalent rate (mrem/d) and
50
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dose equivalent (mrem) measured for each offsite resident monitored during
1980. No resident dosimeter exhibited an exposure in excess of background.
The average dose equivalent rates of the offsite residents were generally
lower than their background stations due to the shielding provided by their
bodies and by their homes or places of work.
Table 4 shows that the average annual dose rate for the Dosimetry Network
is consistent with the Network average established in 1975. Annual doses
decreased from 1971 to 1975 with a leveling trend since 1975, except for a
high bias in the 1977 results attributed to mechanical readout problems. The
trend shown by the Network average is indicative of the trend exhibited by
individual stations.
TABLE 4. DOSIMETRY NETWORK SUMMARY
FOR THE YEARS 1971-1980
Environmental Radiation Dose Rate
(mrem/y)
Year
Maximum
Minimum
Average
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
250
200
180
160
140
140
170
150
140
140
102
84
80
62
51
51
60
50
49
51
160
144
123
114
94
94
101
95
92
90
MILK SURVEILLANCE NETWORK
The analytical results from the 1980 milk samples are summarized in
Appendix Table R-7, where the maximum, minimum, and average concentrations of
tritium, strontium-89, and strontium-90 in the samples collected during 1980
are shown for each sampling location. No milk samples from the Standby Milk
Surveillance Network were analyzed this year for comparison. However,
comparisons in the past have shown no significant difference, and this year's
results are similar to those of previous years, as shown by Table 5 which
lists the Network average concentrations of tritium and strontium-90 for the
years 1975 through 1980.
51
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TABLE 5. NETWORK ANNUAL AVERAGE CONCENTRATIONS OF
TRITIUM AND STRONTIUM-90 IN MILK, 1975-1980
Average Concentrations x 10~9 yCi/ml
Year ^H
1975 •
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
<400
<400
<400
<400
<400
<400
<3
<2
<2
1.2
<3
<2
LONG-TERM HYDROLOGICAL MONITORING PROGRAM
Table 6 lists the locations at which water samples were found to contain
manmade radioactivity. Radioactivity in samples collected at these locations
has been reported previously, except for the HM wells, which were added to the
program this year. The data for all samples analyzed are compiled in Appendix
Tables B-8 through B-12 together with the percent of the relevant CG listed in
Appendix C.
None of the radionuclide concentrations found at the locations listed in
Table 6 are expected to result in radiation exposures to residents in the
areas where the samples were collected. Well C, Test Well B, and Well UE7ns
are located on the NTS and are not used for drinking water. USGS Wells 4 and
8, which were contaminated with the reported radionuclides during tracer
studies years ago, are on private land at the Project Gnome site and are
closed and locked to prevent their use. The HM wells and the HMH holes at the
Project Dribble site are about 1 mile from the nearest residence and are not
sources of drinking water for humans. The shallow wells at the Project Long
Shot site are in an isolated location and are not sources of drinking water.
No gamma-emitting radionuclides were detected in any sample by gamma
spectrometry analysis, except for USGS Well 8, which was contaminated with
cesium-137 during a radioactive tracer study many years ago. The minimum
detectable concentration is about 6 x 10~9 yCi/ml.
ANIMAL INVESTIGATION PROGRAM ;
No animal damage claims were made during 1980. Annual reports which
summarize analytical results from biological samples collected for the Animal
Investigation Program are published separately.
52
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TABLE 6. WATER SAMPLING LOCATIONS WHERE SAMPLES WERE FOUND TO
CONTAIN MANKADE RADIOACTIVITY
Sampling
Location
NTS, Well C
NTS, Test Well B
NTS, Well UE7ns
Project Gnome,
USGS Well 4
USGS Well 8
Project Dribble,
Wells HMH-1 through ]
Project Dribble
Well HM-S
Project Dribble
Well HM-1
Project Dribble
Well HM-L
Project Dribble
Well HM-2A
Project Dribble
Well HM-2B
Project Dribble
Well HM-3
Project Long Shot,
Well WL-2
Project Long Shot,
Well GZ, No. 1,
Type of
Radioactivity
3H
3H
3H
3H
3H
9oSr
il 3-H
3H
3H
3H
3H
3H
3H
3H
3H
Concentration
(x ID'9 yCi/ml)
<20 - 47
110 - 180
1,400 - 3,200
400,000*
7,600*
440,000*
72*
5,600*
<400 - 34,000
36,000
2,000
2,600
1,300
1,300
860
370
4,700
% of
Cone.
Guide
<0.01
<0.01
0.1
10
2,500
10
0.7
1,900
1
1
0.07
0.09
0.04
0.04
<0.01
<0.01
0.2
(continued)
53
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Sampling
Location
Project Long Shot,
Well GZ, No. 2
Project Long Shot,
Mud Pit, No. 1
Project Long Shot,
Mud Pit, No. 2
Project Long Shot,
TABLE 6.
Type of
Radioactivity
3H
3H
3H
3H
(Continued)
Concentration
(x 10-9 yd/ml)
400
830
1,100
2,000
% of
Cone.
Guide
0.01
0.03
0.03
0.07
Mud Pit, No. 3
*These radionuclide concentrations are the result of tracer studies conducted
in the 1960's and not the result of underground tests conducted at the
project Gnome site.
NTS Mule Deer Migration patterns for the winter of 1979-1980 differed
from the patterns observed during the last few winters. Tracking of the deer
equipped with radiotransmitter collars revealed that when they left Areas 19
and 20, they dispersed over a wider area of the NTS and the Nellis Air Force
Range (NAFR), and several migrated to the north. One male deer traveled west
from the NTS onto the NAFR in the vicinity of Black Mountain, which is
approximately 40 km north northeast of Beatty, Nevada. Two does wintered in
the NAFR just west of the Area 20 boundary. One doe and one buck wintered
north of Area 19 on the NAFR in the southern portion of the Belted Range.
A doe captured on December 4, 1979, at the Echo Peak trap site was
observed in June and August 1980 by survey crews working on the MX site
selection in the Barley Creek area of Nye County. These sightings reported by
the Nevada Department of Wildlife, took place over 160 km from the capture
point. The remainder of the deer tagged in Area 19 went south to the Timber
Mountain, 40-Mile Canyon, and Beatty Wash areas.
The winter of 1980-1981 was very mild and little migration was noted. As
of December 31, 1980, all radio-equipped deer remained within a few kilometers
of their original capture location.
OFFSITE HUMAN SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM
During 1980, a total of 652 whole-body and 1,004 phoswich spectra were
obtained from offsite residents and employees of EPA and EG&G. Seventy-seven
of these whole-body spectra were from family members participating in the
54
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Offsite Human Surveillance Program. Small amounts of cesium-137 were found in
about half of the family members counted. The maximum, minimum and average
concentrations of cesium-137 found in the offsite residents were 3 x 10~8,
<5 x 10-9 and 1 x 10-8 MCi/g of body weight, respectively. These values
are similar to 1978 and 1979 results (averages of 1.3 x 10~8 and 1.4
x 10~8 yCi/g, respectively).
Body burdens of cesium-137 in the offsite population are similar to those
in other U.S. residents from California to New York (Patzer, 1981). All
spectra were representative of normal background for people and snowed only
natural potassium-40 in addition to the cesium-137 levels representative of
world-wide fallout. No plutonium was detected in any of the phoswich spectra.
The concentration of tritium in urine samples during 1980 ranged from <3
x 10'7 to 1.6 x 10~6 yCi/ml with an average of 5 x 10~7 yCi/ml. These
are generally within the range of background concentrations normally observed
in surface waters or atmospheric moisture as reported in Table B-4 for offsite
stations. However, the tritium distribution between the spring (May-July) and
fall (October-December) samples was uneven. During the spring period, only
four of 32 samples had detectable (>3 x 10~7 yCi/ml) levels of tritium
present. In the fall, only the four samples collected prior to October 20 had
less than detectable levels and the 27 samples collected after October 20 all
had detectable tritium concentrations. The values in these samples ranged
from 4.4 x 10~7 to 1.6 x 10"6 yCi/ml) with an average of 7.5 x 10"7
yCi/ml. Six additional samples collected in December have not yet been
analyzed. This general pattern for tritium in urine concentrations has also
been noted in urine samples from EMSL-LV employees. The reason for these
seasonal increases has not been identified.
As in the past, medical examination of the offsite families revealed a
generally healthy population. No abnormal results were observed in the
hematological examinations and thyroid profiles which could be attributed to
past or present NTS testing operations.
MEDICAL LIAISON OFFICER NETWORK (MLON)
The MLON made 15 investigations of persons with claims of alleged
radiation injury, responded to 12 inquiries and completed six evaluations of
radiation injury claims. The MLON Conference was held at the Environmental
Monitoring Systems Laboratory, Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 8-10, 1980.
The purpose of the meeting was to update current information on the biological
effects of radiation, its diagnosis and treatment.
DOSE ASSESSMENT
The only radioactivity detected in an offsite populated area was
xenon-133 (1.7 x 10~9 yCi-h/ml) and xenon-135 (1.8 x 1Q-8 uCi-h/ml) in
a compressed air sample collected at Lathrop Wells, Nevada, during the period
September 24 to 26 following the Riola test.
55
-------
The estimated dose equivalent to the whole body of a hypothetical
receptor at Lathrop Wells from the exposure to the radioxenon would be
(1.97 x IP"8 yCi'h/ml) (500 mrem/year) = n
(lO-7 yCi/ml) (8,760 hours/year) (1 mrem/1,000 yrem)
This dose equivalent is 0.006 percent of the radiation protection standard
(170 mrem per year) for a suitable sample of the general population.
Based upon a population of 65 at Lathrop Vlells the estimated population
dose for the area is 0.00072 person-rem. As this area is within 80 km of the
center of the NTS, the 80 km population dose would be the same. This dose is
small compared to the 6.2 person-rem that residents of Lathrop Wells received
from natural background radiation during this report period.
56
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REFERENCES
ANSI. 1975. "American National Standard Performance Testing and Procedural
Specifications for Thermoluminescent Dosimetry (Environmental
Applications)." ANSI N545-1975. American National Standards Institute,
Inc., New York, New York.
California. 1980. Personal communication with California county agents.
Eckel, E. R., ed. 1968. "Nevada Test Site." Memoir 110. The Geological
Society of America, Inc., Boulder, Colorado.
EPA. 1981. "Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory Intercomparison Studies
Program 1978-1979." EPA-600/4-81-004. Environmental Monitoring and
Support Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Las Vegas,
Nevada. (Available from U.S. Department of Commerce, NTIS, Springfield,
VA 22161.)
ERDA. 1974. ERDA Manual, Chapter 0513, "Effluent and Environmental
Monitoring and Reporting." U.S. Energy Research and Development
Administration, Washington, D.C.
ERDA. 1977. "Final Environmental Impact Statement, Nye County, Nevada."
ERDA-1551. U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration, Nevada
Operations Office, Las Vegas, Nevada. (Available from U.S. Department of
Commerce, NTIS, Springfield, VA 22161.)
Fenske, P. R. and T. M. Humphrey, Jr., 1980. "The Tatum Dome Project Lamar
County, Mississippi" NVO-225. U.S. Department of Energy. Nevada
Operations Office, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Giles, K. R. 1979. "A Summer Trapping Method for Mule Deer."
EMSL-LV-0539-27. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental
Monitoring and Support Laboratory, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Holder, L. E. "National Network of Physicians Investigates Claims of
Radiation Injury in the Non-Occupationally Exposed Population." American
Journal of Public Health. October, 1972.
Houghton, J. G., C. M. Sakamoto, and R. 0. Gifford. 1975. "Nevada's Weather
and Climate." Special Publication 2. Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology,
Mackay School of Mines, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, pp. 69-74.
National Park Service. 1980. Personal communication with Chief Ranger R.
Rainer, Death Valley National Monument, Death Valley, California.
57
-------
Nevada Department of Agriculture. 1979. "Nevada Agricultural Statistics
1979." Nevada Crop and Livestock Reporting Service, Reno, Nevada.
Patzer, R. G. and M. E. Kaye, 1981. "Results of a Human Surveillance Program
in the Offsite Area Surrounding the Nevada Test Site." Submitted to
Health Physics to be published in 1981.
Potter, G. D., R. F. Grossman, W. A. Bliss, D. J. Thome', 1980. "Offsite
Environmental Monitoring Report for the Nevada Test Site and Other Test
Areas used for Underground Nuclear Detonation, January through December
1979." EMSL-LV-0539-36. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Quiring, R. E. 1968. "Climatological Data, Nevada Test Site, Nuclear
Rocket Development Station (NRDS)." ERLTM-ARL-7. ESSA Research
Laboratories, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Smith, D. D., K. R. Giles, D. E. Bernhardt, and K. W. Brown. 1978. "Animal
Investigation Program 1976 Annual Report, Nevada Test Site and Vicinity."
EMSL-LV-0539-20. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental
Monitoring and Support Laboratory, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Toonkel, L. E. 1980. "Appendix to Environmental Measurements Laboratory,
Environmental Quarterly." EML-371 Appendix, UC—11. Environmental
Measurements Laboratory. U.S. Department of Energy, New York, N.Y.
10014.
Utah Department of Agriculture. 1979. "Utah Agricultural Statistics, 1978."
State of Utah Department of Agriculture, Salt Lake City, Utah.
58
-------
APPENDIX A. SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS PROCEDURES
AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES
The procedures for analyzing samples collected for offsite surveillance,
described by Johns et al. in "Radiochemical Analytical Procedures for Analyses
of Environmental Samples" (EMSL-LV-0539-17, published by the EMSL-LV in 1979)
are summarized in Table A-l.
TABLE A-l. SUMMARY OF ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES
Type of
Analysis*
Nal(Tl) Gamma
Spectrometry*
IG & Ge (LI)
Gamma
Spectrometry*
89-90Sr
Analytical
Equipment
Nal detector
calibrated at
10 keV per
channel (0.05-
2.0 MeV range).
IG or Ge(L1)
detector cali-
brated at 0.5 keV/
channel (0.4
to 2 MeV range)
Individual detec-
tor efficiencies
rangl ng from
~1SX to. 35%.
Low-background
th1 n-wl ndow ,
gas-flow pro-
portional
counter with a
5.7-cm diameter
window (80 ug/cm2)
Counting
Period
(m1n)
10 mln. for
air charcoal
cartridges
Individual
air filters,
30 m1n;
air filter
composites,
M200 mln.
100 ml n for
milk, water,
suspended
sol Ids.
50
Analytical Sample
Procedures Size
Radlonucllde 700-1200 in3
concentra- for air cc
tlons quan- samples.
tlfled from
gamma spec-
tral data by
computer
using a least
squares
technique.
Radlonucllde 700-1200 ra3
concentration for air
quantified filters;
from gamma 4 liters
spectral data for milk
by on-line and water.
computer pro-
gram. Radlo-
nuclides In air
filter composite
samples are
Identified only.
Separation of 1.0 liter
strontium by wet for milk
chemical method. or water.
After an Ingrowth 0.1-1 kg
period, yttrium for tissue.
Is separated and
90Sr activity Is
calculated from
the activity of the
90Y daughter. 89Sr
activity 1s obtained
by decay curve
analysis.
Approximate
Detection
Limit**
4X10'1" uCI/ml.
For routine milk
and water generally,
•v-lxlO-8 uCI/ml for
most common fallout
radlonuclldes 1n a
simple spectrum.
Filters for Lony-
Term Hydro, sus-
pended sol ids, 6 . Ox
10-9 uC1/ml.
89Sr = 5xlO-9
pC1 /ml
90Sr » 2x10- 9
uCI/ml.
59
(continued)
-------
TABLE A-l. (Continued)
Type of
Analysis*
3H
Analytical
Equipment
Automatic
liquid
scintillation
counter with
output printer.
Counting
Period
(min)
200
Analytical
Procedures
Sample pre-
pared by
distillation
and counted with
liquid scintilla-
tion counter.
Sample
Size
5 ml
for water
Approximate
Detection
Limit**
4xlO'7 uCi/ml
3H Enrichment
(Long-Term
Hydrological
Samples)
238,239pu
23-*,235,238y
Automatic
scintillation
counter with
output printer.
Alpha spectro-
meter with 450
mm2, 300-um
depletion depth,
silicon surface
barrier detectors
operated in
vacuum chambers.
200
1000-1400
Sample concen-
trated by
electrolysis
followed by
distillation.
Water sample or
acid-digested
tissue samples
separated by ion
exchange, electro-
plated on stainless
steel planchet
and counted by
alpha spectro-
meter.
250 ml
for water
IxlO-8 ud/ml
1.0 liter
for water;
0.1-1 kg
for tissue;
5,000-
10,000 m3
for air.
238pu = 8xlO"U
uCi/ml
239pu 23-U,
235U>'238U '
4xlO-» uCi/ml for
water; for tissue
samples, 0.04 pCi
per total sample for
all isotopes; 5 =
lOxlO"6 pCi/m3
for filters and all
isotopes.
85Kr, 133Xe,
135Xe
Automatic 200
liquid scintil-
lation counter
with output
printer.
Physical
separation by
gas chroma-
tography; dis-
solved in
toluene
"cocktail" for
counting.
0.4-1.0 mj 85Kr = 4xlO"12
for air pCi/ml
133Xe. 135Xe =
4xlO-{2 yd/ml
*Johns, F. B., P. B. Hahn, 0. J. Thome, and E. W. Bretthauer. Radlochemical Analytical Procedures for
Analyses of Environmental Samples, EMSL-LV-0539-17, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EMSL-LV, Las
Vegas. 1979.
**The detection limit for all samples received after January 1, 1978 is defined as 3.29 sigma where
sigma equals the counting error of the sample and Type I error = Type II error = 5 percent. (Corley,
J. P., D. H. Denham, 0. E. Micheles, A. R. Olsen and D. A. Waite, "A Guide for Environmental
Radiological Surveillance at ERDA Installations," ERDA 77-24 pp. 3.19-3.22, March, 1977, Eneryy
Research and Development Administration, Division of Safety, Standards and Compliance, Washington, D.C.
*Gamma spectrometry performed by thallium activated sodium iodide (Nal(Tl)), intrinsic germanium (IG),
or lithium-drifted germanium diode (Ge(Li)) detectors.
REPLICATE SAMPLING PROGRAM
The replicate sampling program was initiated for the purpose of routinely
assessing the errors due to sampling, analysis, and counting of samples
obtained from the surveillance networks maintained by the EMSL-LV.
The program involves the collection and analysis of replicate samples from
the ASN, the NGTSN, the LTHMP, and the SMSN. Due to difficulties anticipated
60
-------
in obtaining sufficient quantities of milk for duplicate samples from the Milk
Surveillance Network, duplicate samples are normally collected during the
annual activation of the SMSN.
At least 30 duplicate samples from each network are normally collected
and analyzed over the report period. Since three TLD cards consisting of two
TLD chips each are used at each station of the Dosimetry Network, no
additional samples were necessary. Table A-2 summarizes the sampling
information for each surveillance network.
TABLE A-2. SAMPLES AND ANALYSES FOR REPLICATE SAMPLING PROGRAM'
Number of
Surveillance Sampling
Network Locations
ASN (1978)
NGTSN (1978)
Dosimetry (1980)
SMSN (1978)
LTHMP (1978)
121
11
78
150
134
Sets of
Samples Replicate
Collected Samples
Per Year Collected
8,300 533
572 52
308 308
150 ^30
i_ O i o O
Number of
Replicates
Per Set
2
2
4-6
2
2
Sample
Analysis
Gross beta,
Y Spectrometry
8^Kr, 3H, HTO,
H20
Effective dose
from gamma
'•"K
3H
*0nly the Dosimetry Network had a sufficient number of replicate results
during 1980. The duplicate sampling results reported for all other networks
are for 1978.
Since the sampling distributions of each sample type appeared to be log
normal from a review of cumulative frequency plots of the results, the
variance of each set of replicate sample results was estimated from the
logarithms of the results in each set.
The variance, s2, of each set of replicate TLD results (n=6) was
estimated from the logarithms of the results by the standard expression,
2 =
(x.j - x)2/ (n - 1)
61
-------
Since duplicate samples were collected for all other sample types, the
variances, s2, for these types were calculated from s2 = (0.886R)2, where R is
the absolute 'difference between the logarithms of the duplicate sample
results. For small sample sizes, this estimate of the variance is
statistically efficient* and certainly more convenient to calculate than the
standard expression.
The principle that the variances of random samples collected from a
normal population follow a chi-square distribution (x2) was then used to
estimate the expected population variance for each type of sample analysis.
The expression used is as follows:**
- l)s2 / I (ni - 1)
where n-j-1 = the degrees of freedom for n samples collected for the
ith replicate sample
s2 = the expected log-variance (variance of logarithm
values) of the ith replicate sample
s2 = the best estimate of sample log variance derived from
the variance estimates of all replicate samples (the
expected value of s2 is o2).
The 99% upper confidence limit for the total error (sampling + analytical
+ counting errors) of the geometric mean (antilog of mean of log values) of
any group of samples collected from a given network was then determined as the
antilog (2.57s).
Table A-3 lists the expected geometric standard deviation (antilog
and its 99% upper confidence limit (UCL) for most analyses.
INTERCOMPARISON STUDIES
Data from the analysis of intercomparison samples are statistically
analyzed and compared to known values and values obtained from other
participating laboratories. A summary of the statistical analysis is given in
Table A-4, which compares the mean and standard deviation of three replicate
analyses with the known value and lists the values of two other statistical
parameters used for evaluating the results. The mean range plus standard
error of range is a measure of the precision of the analysis, and the
*Snedecor, G. W., and W. G. Cpchran. Statistical Methods. The Iowa State
University Press, Ames, Iowa. 6th Ed. 1967. pp. 39-47.
**Freund, J. E. Mathematical Statistics. Prentice Hal 1, Englewood, New
Jersey. 1962. pp 189-235.
62
-------
TABLE A-3. UPPER CONFIDENCE LIMITS OF SAMPLING AND ANALYTICAL/COUNTING
ERRORS*
Surveillance
Network
ASN
NGTSN
Dosimetry
SMSN
LTHMP
Analysis
Gross B
7Be
131j
132Te
llt0Ba
14l*Ce
85Kr
3H
HTO
Y (TLD)
«»0K
3H (conv.)
3H (enrich.)
Sets of
Replicate
Samples
Evaluated
533
86
23
13
28
21
44
51
20
308
32
36
50
Expected
Geometric
Std. Dev.
s
2.03
1.46
1.48
1.53
1.50
1.52
1.088
1.42
2.29
1.046
1.086
1.12
1.34
99% UCL of
Total Error
(Geometric
mean times
appropriate
value below)
6.2
2.6
2.8
3.0
2.8
2.9
1.2
2.4
8.4
1.12
1.2
1.3
2.1
*0nly the Dosimetry Network had a sufficient number of replicate results
during 1980. The duplicate sampling results reported for all other networks
are for 1978.
normalized deviation is a measure of the accuracy of the analysis when
compared to the grand average of the results of all intercomparison
participants or to the known concentration. The determination of these
parameters is explained in detail separately.* If the values of these two
parameters (in multiples of standard normal deviate, unitless) lie between
control limits of -3 and +3, the precision or accuracy of the analysis is
within normal statistical variation. However, if the parameters exceed these
limits, one must suspect that there is some other cause other than normal
statistical variations that contributed to the difference between the measured
values and the known value. As shown by this table, the cesium-137 analysis
for air filters exceeded the control limit for the comparison to the grand
average and was close to exceeding it for the comparison to the known value.
Further evaluation of these comparisons revealed that incorrect preparation of
the intercomparison sample was the cause of the difference and not the method
of analysis. When this was corrected, subsequent evaluations showed that the
normalized deviations were within the control limits.
*"Environmental Monitoring Seri.es - Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory
Intercomparison Studies Program 1980-1981". National Technical Information
Service, Springfield, Virginia, 22161. February 1981.
63
-------
TABLE A-4. 1980 QUALITY ASSURANCE INTERCOMPARISONS
Analysis
3H in water
60Co in water
134Cs in
water
137Cs in
water
131I in milk
137Cs in milk
llf0Ba in milk
137Cs in air
filters
(pCi/filter)
Month
Feb
Apr
Jun
Aug
Oct
Dec
Feb
Jun
Oct
Feb
Jun
Oct
Feb
Jun
Oct
Jan
Apr
Jul
Jan
Apr
Jul
Jan
Apr
Jul
Mar
Jun
Sep
Mean of Mean Range
Replicate Plus
Analyses Standard
± Std. Dev. Error of
(x 10'9 yd/ml ) Range (x
1,827 ± 204
Lost
2,471 ± 58
1,320 ± 191
2,952 ± 126
2,220 ± 92
12 ± 2
7 ± 1
16 ± 0
11 ± 3
12 ± 0
15 ± 0
30 ± 5
17 ± 1
16 ± 0
<10
30 ± 3
<10
36 ± 3
27 ± 1
34 ± 2
<20
<10
<10
12 ± 4
15 ± 0
16 ± 0
0.29
--
0.19
0.59
0.39
0.31
0.47
0.24
0
0.59
0
0
1.12
0.12
0
__
0.26
--
0.59
0.24
0.15
_ _
--
--
0.83
0
0
Known
Value
10~9 pCi/ml)
1,750
3,400
2,500
1,210
3,200
2,240
11
5
16
10
11
20
30
17
12
0
33
0
40
28
35
0
0
0
20
12
10
Normalized
Deviation from:
Grand Avg.
Cone.
0.2
__
0.3
0.5
-0.9
-0.2
0.1
0.3
0
0.1
0.4
-1.3
-0.4
-0.1
1.3
_ _
-0.5
--
-1.5
-0.7
-0.7
—
--
-3.8
0.3
1.4
Known
Cone.
0.4
--
-0.1
0.6
-1.2
-0.1
0.3
0.7
0
0.2
0.3
-1.7
0.0
0.1
1.5
— _
-0.9
--
-1.3
-0.3
-0.3
--
--
-2.8
1.0
2.0
64
-------
TABLE B-l.
APPENDIX B. DATA SUMMARY FOR MONITORING NETWORKS
1980 SUMMARY OF ANALYTICAL RESULTS FOR AIR SURVEILLANCE NETWORK
ACTIVE STATIONS*
Sampling
Location*
Death Valley Oct.,
CA
Furnace Creek,
CA
Shoshone,
CA
Alamo,
NV
Area 51, NTS,
NVi
No.
Days
Detected
107.9
19.0
3.0
15.0
8.0
109.0
18.5
3.0
26.7
7.7
105.7
23.0
4.0
25.0
10.0
81.1
9.3
12.8
3.0
0.9
64.5
2.9
3.0
5.9
3.0
3.0
3.0
Type of
Radio-
activity
7Be
95Nb
95Zr
103R(J
141Ce
?Be
95Nb
95Zr
103Ru
itiCe
?Be
95Nb
95Zr
103Ru
i^iCe
TBe
95Nb
103Ru
141Ce
23?u
TBe
95Nb
"Mo
103Ru
11+°La
237JJ
239Np
Radi
(x
Cmax
3.2
0.12
0.036
0.075
0.060
0.58
0.093
0.088
0.049
0.049
2.3
0.14
0.14
0.11
0.063
2.9
0.047
0.064
0.031
0.78
4.0
0.055
0.027
0.065
0.083
0.35
0.15
oactivity Cone.
10- 12 yCi/ml)
Cmin
0.19
0.031
0.036
0.031
0.028
0.12
0.043
0.088
0.016
0.025
0.14
0.023
0.081
<0.013
0.027
0.026
0.034
0.028
0.031
0.78
0.25
0.055
0.027
0.026
0.083
0.35
0.15
cavg
0.10
0.0033
<0.001
0.0019
<0.001
0.084
0.0034
<0.001
0.0026
<0.001
0.090
0.0043
0.0012
0.0030
0.0012
0.10
0.0011
0.0014
<0.001
0.0020
0.13
<0.001
<0.001
0.0011
0.0010
0.0044
0.0019
(continued)
65
-------
TABLE B-l. (Continued)
Sampling
Location*
Beatty,
NV
Blue Eagle Ranch,
NV
Twin Springs Ranch, NV
Glendale,
NV
Goldfield,
NV
Hiko,
NV
No.
Days
Detected
117.1
20.0
2.0
27.0
1.0
14.0
95.4
21.1
6.0
23.0
3.0
26.8
80.1
10.1
18.2
6.0
60.9
16.1
3.1
1.0
10.2
1.0
4.0
1.0
1.0
4.1
4.0
1.0
82.9
15.0
7.0
Type of
Radi o-
activity
7 Be
95 Nb
95 Zr
103 Ru
131 Z
i^Ce
7 Be
95 Nb
95 Zr
103RU
1*1 Ce
7 Be
7 Be
95 Nb
103 Ru
i^Ce
7 Be
95 Nb
95 Zr
99 Mo
103 Ru
1311
132Te
ll+°Ba
i*°La
I'+iCe
237U
239Np
7 Be
95 Nb
I"3 Ru
Radioactivity Cone.
(x 10-12 yci/ml)
cmax
4.1
0.15
0.099
0.10
0.24
0.11
4.3
0.12
0.079
0.094
0.061
0.43
1.1
0.085
0.055
0.036
4.5
0.13
0.086
0.22
0.079
0.16
0.18
0.12
0.30
0.081
0.74
0.82
3.3
0.057
0.065
Cmin
0.14
0.034
0.099
0.028
0.24
0.026
0.21
0.055
0.074
0.034
0.061
0.21
0.14
0.048
0.024
0.036
0.22
0.42
0.86
0.22
0.025
0.16
0.061
0.12
0.30
0.036
0.22
0.82
0.11
0.020
0.050
Cavg
0.14
0.0038
<0.001
0.0037
<0.001
0.0018
0.16
0.0055
0.0014
0.0039
<0.001
0.069
0.089
0.0019
0.0025
<0.001
0.091
0.0037
<0.001
<0.001
0.0015
<0.001
0.0010
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
0.0041
0.0024
0.10
0.0017
0.0011
(continued)
66
-------
TABLE B-l. (Continued)
Sampling
Location*
Indian Springs,
NV
Las Vegas,
NV
Lathrop Wells,
NV
Nyala,
NV
Pahrump,
NV
No.
Days
Detected
68.0
7.0
2.0
3.0
142.5
16.9
2.0
11.0
10.0
89.8
16.0
5.0
17.8
1.1
3.8
1.1
102.0
26.0
4.0
3.0
16.0
3.0
3.0
7.0
3.0
118.3
9.0
2.0
11.0
1.0
4.0
1.0
Type of
Radio-
activity
7Be
95Nb
95Zr
103Ru
7Be
95Nb
95Zr
103Ru
1£tlCe
7Be
95Nb
95zr
103RU
132Te
i4ice
237U
7Be
95|\Jb
95Zr
"Mo
103Ru
131j
140La
141Ce
237U
7Be
95Nb
95Zr
103Ru
132Te
i^Ce
23?u
Radioactivity Cone.
(x 10- 12 pCi/ml)
cmax
3.5
0.089
0.055
0.030
2.8
0.34
0.22
0.12
0.13
2.3
0.18
0.11
0.11
0.13
0.12
0.36
4.7
0.17
0.14
0.077
0.15
0.054
0.56
0.077
0.52
5.7
0.13
0.048
0.070
0.055
0.039
0.25
Cpiin
0.13
0.028
0.055
0.030
0.20
0.033
0.22
0.031
0.030
0.16
0.043
0.024
0.023
0.13
0.055
0.36
0.15
0.046
0.099
0.077
0.038
0.054
0.56
0.048
0.52
0.15
0.030
0.048
0.026
0.055
0.037
0.25
^avg
0.099
0.0011
<0.001
<0.001
0.18
0.0045
0.0013
0.0020
0.0018
0.094
0.0040
<0.001
0.0027
<0.001
0.0010
0.0012
0.14
0.0070
0.0014
<0.001
0.0030
<0.001
0.0048
0.0012
0.0045
0.19
0.0015
<0.001
0.0013
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
(continued)
67
-------
TABLE B-l. (Continued)
Sampling
Location*
Robinson Trailer Park,
Rachel, NV
Scotty's Junction,
NV
Stone Cabin Ranch,
NV
Sunnyside,
NV
No.
Days
Detected
65.9
14.2
5.0
1.1
15.2
1.1
1.1
1.1
12.8
1.1
94.7
15.8
1.0
15.0
1.1
1.0
1.1
6.1
2.1
119.6
11.7
2.9
16.7
2.9
2.9
2.9
4.9
5.0
2.9
101.0
9.8
4.1
13.7
1.5
1.5
1.5
7.0
1.5
Type of
Radio-
activity
7Be
95Nb
95Zr
"Mo
103Ru
131j
132Te
llt°La
141Ce
237J
7Be
95Nb
99 MO
103Ru
131 I
132Te
140 La
i^Ce
23?u
7Be
95Nb
99 Mo
103Ru
131 I
^oBa
14°La
141Ce
237U
239Np
7 Be
95Nb
95Zr
103Ru
131J
132 Te
llt°La
141Ce
237u
Radioactivity Cone.
(x 10-!2 pCi/ml)
Cmax
4.8
0.11
0.075
0.17
0.12
0.11
0.21
0.69
0.050
1.1
2.8
0.13
0.080
0.11
0.16
0.17
0.50
0.089
0.54
3.7
0.22
0.14
0.15
0.079
0.14
0.99
0.12
0.84
0.33
6.0
0.58
0.54
0.14
0.14
0.12
0.52
0.093
1.5
^min
0.22
0.055
0.073
0.17
0.038
0.11
0.21
0.69
0.025
1.1
0.11
0.023
0.080
0.036
0.16
0.17
0.50
0.056
0.28
0.22
0.079
0.14
0.040
0.079
0.14
0.99
0.089
0.18
0.33
0.042
0.063
0.22
0.046
0.14
0.12
0.52
0.040
1.5
cavg
0.11
0.0038
0.0012
0.00060
0.0030
0.00040
0.00075
0.0025
0.0016
0.0039
0.11
0.0028
<0.001
0.0024
<0.001
<0.001
0.0016
0.0011
0.0025
0.16
0.0044
0.0012
0.0042
<0.001
0.0012
0.0085
0.0015
0.0083
0.0028
0.13
0.0048
0.0043
0.0031
<0.001
<0.001
0.0022
0.0014
0.0063
(continued)
68
-------
TABLE B-l. (Continued)
Sampling
Location*
Tonopah,
NV
Tonopah Test Range,
NV
Delta,
UT
Mil ford,
UT
St. George,
UT
No.
Days
Detected
103.6
16.9
3.0
1.0
20.9
1.0
1.0
1.0
9.0
1.0
1.0
97.7
15.8
3.2
16.9
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
7.5
4.8
83.0
14.1
6.1
14.1
8.1
25.3
5.0
12.0
2.0
86.7
15.1
3.0
12.0
2.0
Type of
Radio-
activity
?Be
95Nb
95Zr
"Mo
103Ru
131j
132Te
i"°La
i^ice
237U
239Np
7Be
95Nb
"Mo
103Ru
131j
132Te
14°Ba
llt°La
141Ce
237u
7Be
95Nb
95Zr
103Ru
141Ce
7Be
95Nb
103Ru
^Ce
7Be
95Nb
95Zr
103Ru
11+1Ce
Radioactivity Cone.
(x 10- !2 yCi/ml)
cmax
0.86
0.14
0.058
0.25
0.16
0.15
0.17
0.067
0.13
0.19
0.74
2.8
0.090
0.066
0.50
0.046
0.062
0.12
0.38
0.055
0.85
5.5
0.25
0.27
0.55
0.054
0.40
0.048
0.053
0.052
3.3
0.20
0.053
0.098
0.048
Cmin
0.20
0.027
0.058
0.25
0.036
0.15
0.17
0.067
0.032
0.19
0.74
0.18
0.043
0.066
0.047
0.046
0.062
0.12
0.38
0.041
0.77
0.16
0.038
0.10
0.032
0.031
0.15
0.036
0.032
0.052
0.11
0.049
0.053
0.030
0.048
Cavg
0.12
0.0035
<0.001
<0.001
0.0040
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
0.0017
<0.001
0.0022
0.13
0.0031
<0.001
0.010
<0.001
<0.001
0.0012
0.0040
0.0012
0.013
0.13
0.0048
0.0036
0.0069
0.0011
0.10
0.0029
0.0066
0.0014
0.096
0.0033
<0.001
0.0018
<0.001
^Iso known as Groom Lake.
*Samples from stations not reported here contained radioactivity less than the
MDC of about 4 x W~lk pCi/ml. The maximum and minimum concentrations reported
are only for those few samples in which radionuclides were actually detected.
The average includes all samples collected; therefore the average concentration
is usually much smaller than the minimum concentration.
69
-------
TABLE B-2. 1980 SUMMARY OF ANALYTICAL RESULTS FOR AIR SURVEILLANCE
NETWORK STANDBY STATIONS*
Sampling
Location*
Little Rock, AR
Bishop,
CA
Indio,
CA
Pocatello, ID
Austin,
NV
Battle Mountain,
NV
No.
Days
Detected
2.9
4.0
4.0
3.0
4.0
1.0
4.0
1.0
4.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
2.9
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
Type of
Radio-
activity
7Be
"Mo
103Ru
131!
132Te
1£f°Ba
1If0La
237J
239Np
"Mo
iuo|_a
I'tiCe
237U
7Be
99MO
132Te
11+0Ba
140] g
141rp
237U
"Mo
103Ru
132Te
lltlCe
237U
Radioactivity Cone.
(x ID'12 yCi/ml)
^max
0.16
0.31
0.14
0.038
0.25
0.31
0.79
0.15
0.89
2.1
0.14
0.098
0.98
0.12
0.74
0.23
0.82
0.43
0.88
0.67
6.0
0.42
4.6
0.23
0.088
0.10
0.24
1.2
0.093
2.3
Cmin
0.16
0.056
0.030
0.038
0.080
0.31
0.19
0.15
0.51
2.1
0.14
0.098
0.98
0.12
0.74
0.23
0.82
0.43
0.88
0.67
6.0
0.42
4.6
0.23
0.088
0.10
0.24
1.2
0.093
2.3
Cavg
0.025
0.027
0.013
0.0066
0.028
0.017
0.075
0.0082
0.14
0.12
0.0077
0.0054
0.054
0.0064
0.041
0.041
0.16
0.085
0.18
0.13
1.2
0.085
0.91
0.013
0.0049
0.0057
0.013
0.068
0.0052
0.1-3
Blue Jay, NV
3.1
103Ru
0.056 0.056 0.011
(continued)
70
-------
TABLE B-2. (Continued)
Sampl ing
Location*
Caliente,
NV
Currant Maint. Sta.,
NV
Currie,
NV
Duckwater, NV
Elko,
NV
Ely,
NV
Fall on,
NV
No.
Days
Detected
1.2
1.2
1.2
1.2
1.2
1.2
2.2
1.2
1.0
1.0
2.2
1.0
2.4
2.2
1.1
1.1
1.1
3.3
2.0
3.2
3.2
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
Type of
Radio-
activity
"Mo
103R(J
132Te
ltt0La
237U
99MO
131!
I32ie
i^OBa
14°La
237U
239Np
7Be
103Ru
131J
1I+0La
237u
7Be
7Be
i32Te
237u
"Mo
103Ru
131T
132Te
14°La
141Ce
237U
239Np
"Mo
103Ru
132Te
14°Ba
14°La
237u
239Np
Radioactivity Cone.
(x 10-12 yci/ml)
^max
0.14
0.075
0.21
0.93
0.98
0.13
0.22
0.14
0.25
1.4
2.3
1.1
0.30
0.11
0.15
0.92
1.8
0.23
0.42
0.044
0.23
0.43
0.25
0.30
0.25
2.6
0.25
2.9
2.5
0.17
0.11
0.14
0.18
0.67
1.0
0.64
Cmin
0.14
0.075
0.21
0.93
0.98
0.13
0.11
0.14
0.25
1.4
0.44
1.1
0.30
0.079
0.15
0.92
1.8
0.23
0.30
0.044
0.23
0.43
0.25
0.30
0.25
2.6
0.25
2.9
2.5
0.17
0.11
0.14
0.18
0.67
1.0
0.64
^avg
0.0089
0.0049
0.014
0.060
0.064
0.0085
0.019
0.0094
0.013
0.071
0.15
0.059
0.040
0.012
0.0087
0.055
0.11
OJ049
0.042
0.0084-
0.042
0.026
0.015
0.018
0.015
0.16
0.015
0.17
0.15
0.0094
0.0058
0.0076
0.0097
0.037
0.057
0.036
(continued)
71
-------
TABLE B-2. (Continued)
Sampling
Location*
Frenchman Sta.,
NV
Geyser Ranch,
NV
Lovelock,
NV
Lund,
NV
Mesquite, NV
Reno,
NV
Round Mountain,
NV
No.
Days
Detected
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
4.1
4.1
4.1
4.1
4.1
4.1
4.1
4.1
4.1
2.0
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
3.0
1.0
1.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
2.0
0.5
3.0
3.0
3.0
1.9
3.9
1.0
1.0
1.9
3.9
1.9
0.9
Type of
Radio-
activity
131!
132Te
llt0La
237U
"Mo
103Ru
131 1
132Te
ltt0Ba
I^OL-,
lltlCe
237U
239Np
7Be
103Ru
131j
llt°La
237U
7Be
"Mo
131j
132Te
ll+Ol -.
ltflCe
237U
7Be
7Be
i^La
l^tlQg
"Mo
103Ru
1311
132Te
I'tOLg
l^lQg
237(J
239Np
Radioactivity Cone.
(x 10-12 yCi/ml)
Cmax
0.053
0.28
0.86
0.63
0.058
0.073
0.062
0.085
0.17
0.72
0.046
. 0.14
0.21
0.47
0.16
0.15
1.4
1.5
0.36
0.24
0.11
0.32
0.53
0.11
0.74
1.1
0.37
0.45
0.043
0.31
0.18
0.12
0.26
2.2
0.25
1.8
1.4
Cmin
0.053
0.28
0.86
0.63
0.058
0.073
0.062
0.085
0.17
0.72
0.046
0.14
0.21
0.47
0.16
0.15
1.4
1.5
0.36
0.24
0.11
0.29
0.53
0.11
0.73
1.1
0.37
0.45
0.043
0.20
0.033
0.12
0.26
0.40
0.032
0.70
1.4
Cavg
0.0038
0.020
0.062
0.045
0.058
0.073
0.062
0.085
0.17
0.72
0.046
0.14
0.21
0.046
0.0089
0.0087
0.076
0.086
0.059
0.013
0.0062
0.035
0.029
0.0061
0.083
0.054
0.053
0.065
0.0062
0.022
0.012
0.0056
0.012
0.11
0.015
0.11
0.057
(continued)
72
-------
TABLE B-2. (Continued)
Sampling
Location*
Wells,
NV
Albuquerque, NM
Norman, OK
Austin, TX
Capitol Reef, UT
Cedar City,
UT
Dugway,
UT
Logan,
UT
Parowan, UT
Provo, UT
Salt Lake City,
UT
No.
Days
Detected
2.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.1
1.1
3.0
4.1
1.0
1.1
1.1 •
1.1
1.1
1.0
1.0
1.2
1.2
1.2
1.2
1.2
1.2
1.2
2.0
1.4
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
Type of
Radio-
activity
7Be
131j
132Te
14°La
23?IJ
"Mo
237y
7Be
7Be
7Be
"Mo
131j
132Te
23?IJ
132Te
23?u
"Mo
131i
132Te
140La
i^Ce
237y
239Np
237u
237(j
"Mo
103Ru
132Te
lttOLa
i^Ce
237u
Radioactivity Cone.
(x ID"12 yCi/ml)
Cmax
0.36
0.14
0.26
1.6
1.3
0.16
0.42
0.17
0.20
0.74
0.096
0.095
0.32
0.33
0.32
0.61
0.13
0.10
0.055
0.53
0.12
0.77
0.86
0.34
1.1
0.15
0.078
0.19
0.70
0.11
0.94
Cpiin
0.36
0.14
0.26
1.6
1.3
0.16
0.42
0.17
0.20
0.74
0.096
0.095
0.32
0.33
0.32
0.61
0.13
0.10
0.055
0.53
0.12
0.77
0.86
0.34
1.1
0.15
0.078
0.19
_ 0.70
0.11
0.94
cavg
0.040
0.0079
0.014
0.037
0.070
0.0092
0.025
0.032
0.085
0.043
0.0064
0.0064
0.021
0.022
0.018
0.034
0.0094
0.0070
0.0038
0.0038
0.0082
0.054
0.061
0.040
0.074
0.011
0.0058
0.014
0.052
0.0085
0.070
(continued)
73
-------
TABLE B-2. (Continued)
Sampling
Location*
Wendover, UT
Casper, WY
Rock Springs, WY
No. Type of
Days Radio-
Detected activity
2.0 7Be
1.0 237U
1.0 237U
Radioactivity Cone.
(x 10-12 MCi/ml)
^max
0.33
0.53
0.61
Cmin
0.33
0.53
0.61
Cavg
0.035
0.033
0.036
*Samples from stations not reported here contained radioactivity less than the
MDC of about 4 x 10"14 yCi/ml. The maximum and minimum concentrations reported
are only for those few samples in which radionuclides were actually detected.
The average includes all samples collected; therefore the average concentration
is usually much smaller than the minimum concentration.
74
-------
TABLE B-3. 1980 SUMMARY OF PLUTONIUM-239 CONCENTRATIONS AT SELECTED
AIR SURVEILLANCE NETWORK STATIONS
Sampling
Location
Barstow,
CA
St. Joseph,
MO
Las Vegas,
NV
Lathrop Wells,
NV
Rachel ,*
NV
Albuquerque,
NM
Medford,
OR
Aberdeen,
SD
Austin,
TX
Provo,
UT
Spokane,
WA
238pu Cone.
No. (x 10-18 yCi/ml) (x
n -..,/-
uays -
Sampl ed C C • C C
33.4 <10 <5 <5 28
39.3 <20 <6 <6 190
313.1 <6 <3 <3 25
300.5 <6 <3 <3 20
293.4 <30 <3 <3 130
50.7 <30 <13 <13 <30
51.7 <20 <7 <7 <20
15.4 <6 <5 <5 <10
35.7 36 <5 <5 620
55.1 <30 <6 8.1 34
39.4 <20 <3 <3 20
239pu Cone.
lO'18 pCi/ml)
r • r
^nnn avg
<20 <20
<7 16
<4 12
<4 10
<4 30
<20 <20
<20 <20
<10 <10
<20 <20
<20 18
<9 9.9
*Station replaced Diablo, Nev.
75
-------
TABLE B-4. 1980 SUMMARY OF ANALYTICAL RESULTS FOR THE
NOBLE GAS AND TRITIUM SURVEILLANCE NETWORK
Sampl i ng
Location
Beatty ,
NV
Hiko,
NV
Indian Springs,
NV
Lathrop Wells,
NV
Rachel ,
NV
Tonopah,
NV
Area 15, NTS,*
NV
No.
Days
Detected
346.4
346.5
321.5
321.5
334.4
348.9
200.0
200.0
346.5
356.6
328.8
328.8
342.4
342.5
2.1
318.6
318.6
340.4
327.1
347.9
347.9
355.5
348.5
329.0
329.0
364.5
357.5
3.0
322.7
322.7
Radio-
nuclide
85 Kr
133Xe
3H in atm. m.*
3H as HTO in air
85Kr
133Xe
3H in atm. m.*
3H as HTO in air
85Kr
133Xe
3H in atm. m.*
3H as HTO in air
85 Kr
133Xe
135Xe
3H in atm. m.*
3H as HTO in air
85Kr
133Xe
3H in atm. m.*
3H as HTO in air
85Kr
133Xe
3H in atm. m.*
3H as HTO in air
85Kr
133Xe
135Xe
3H in atm. m.*
3H as HTO in air
Radi
(x
Cmax
26
<54
1.9
12
27
<20
1.6
8.6
29
<30
2.6
20
27
34
360
2.5
17
28
<50
2.0
11
28
<40
1.7
16
29
<40
64
24
57
oactivity Cone.
10'12 yCi/ml)
Cmin
16
<3
<0.4
<0.9
15
<3
<0.4
<0.5
15
<3
<0.4
<0.5
15
<3
360
<0.4
<2
15
<3
<0.4
<1
16
<3
<0.4
<2
16
<4
64
1.6
6.9
cavg
21
<3
<0.4
1.6
21
<3
<0.4
0.53
21
<3
<0.4
1.5
22
<3
2.1
0.46
2.5
21
<3
<0.4
1.6
21
<3
<0.4
<2
21
<4
0.53
6.0
26
(conti
% of
Cone.
Guide+
0.02
<0.01
~_
<0.01
0.02
<0.01
_ _
<0.01
0.02
<0.01
__
<0.01
0.02
<0.01
<0.01
__
<0.01
0.02
<0.01
<0.01
0.02
<0.01
__
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
—
<0.01
nued)
76
-------
TABLE B-4. (Continued)
Sampling
Location
Area 51, NTS,*
NV
Area 400, NTS,
NV
BOY, NTS,
NV
Mercury, NTS,
NV
Area 12, NTS,
NV
No.
Days
Detected
349.4
364.3
3.0
322.6
322.6
367.5
367.4
213.9
213.9
363.6
348.6
3.0
361.7
361.7
350.6
335.6
313.6
313.6
364.5
357.4
3.0
328.6
328.6
Radio-
nuclide
85Kr
l33Xe
135Xe
3H in atm.
3H as HTO in
85Kr
133Xe
3H in atm.
3H as HTO in
85Kr
133Xe
135Xe
3H in atm.
3H as HTO in
85Kr
issxe
3H in atm.
3H as HTO in
85Kr
133Xe
135Xe
3H in atm.
3H as HTO in
Radioactivity Cone.
(x 10-12 yCi/ml)
'•'max
27
<30
12
m.* 8.9
air 33
33
<50
m.* 1.9
air 7.3
32
2,100
39,000
m.* 8.0
air 32
30
<40
m.* 3.9
air 22
26
96
280
m.* 36
air 84
Cmin
16
<2
12
<0.4
<0.4
17
<3 *
<0.4
<0.30
14
<3
39,000
<0.4
0.68
15
<3
<0.3
<0.5
15
<3
280
0.51
<2
Cavg
21
<2
0.099
0.67
2.8
21
<3
<0.4
1.1
23
32
320
2.5
9.6
21
<3
0.34
1.6
21
<3
2.3
6.9
23
% of
Cone.
Guide*
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
« w
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
__ •
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
—
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
....
<0.01
Concentrations of tritium in atmospheric moisture (atm. m.) are expressed
as 10~6 yCi per ml of water collected.
^Concentration Guides used for NTS stations are those applicable to
radiation workers. Those used for off-NTS stations are for exposure to a
suitable sample of the population in an uncontrolled area. See Appendix C
for Concentration Guides.
^Also known as Groom Lake.
77
-------
TABLE B-5. 1980 SUMMARY OF RADIATION DOSES FOR THE DOSIMETRY NETWORK
Station
Location
Adaven, NV
Alamo, NV
Area 51-NTS, NV
Austin, NV
Baker, CA
Barstow, CA
Beatty, NV
Bishop, CA1
Blue Eagle Ranch, NV
Blue Jay, NV
Cactus Springs, NV
Caliente, NV
Carp, NV
Casey's Ranch, NV
Cedar City, UT
Clark Station, NV
Complex 1, NV
Coyote Summit, NV
Currant, NV
Death Valley Oct., CA
Desert Game Range, NV
Diablo Maint. Sta., NV
Duckwater, NV
Elgin, NV
Ely, NV
Enterprise, UT
Eureka, NV
Furnace Creek, CA
Measurement
Period
01/30/80
01/08/80
01/14/80
01/29/80
01/14/80
01/14/80
01/08/80
01/15/80
01/29/80
01/16/80
01/07/80
01/09/80
01/10/80
01/16/80
01/16/80
01/15/80
01/30/80
01/15/80
01/29/80
01/17/80
01/07/80
01/15/80
01/29/80
01/10/80
01/29/80
01/16/80
01/30/80
01/17/80
- 01/13/81
- 01/14/81
- 01/06/81
- 01/07/81
- 01/20/81
- 01/20/81
- 01/07/81
- 01/21/81
- 01/13/81
- 01/08/81
- 01/06/81
- 01/13/81
- 01/16/81
- 01/07/81
- 01/07/81
- 01/08/81
- 01/13/31
- 01/06/81
- 01/13/81
- 01/22/81
- 01/06/81
- 01/07/81
- 01/13/81
- 01/16/81
- 01/08/81
- 01/07/81
- 01/07/81
- 01/22/81
Annual
Dose Adjusted
Equivalent Rate Dose
(mrem/d) Equivalent
Max.
0.38
0.23
0.19
0.29
0.25
0.31
0.27
0.27
0.17
0.34
0.17
0.32
0.30
0.22
0.21
0.33
0.28
0.38
0.28
0.22
0.16
0.43
0.28
0.36
0.20
0.27
0.31
0.18
Min.
0.35
0.22
0.17
0.26
0.22
0.30
0.25
0.26
0.16
0.32
0.16
0.30
0.28
0.19
0.19
0.32
0.27
0.34
0.26
0.20
0.14
0.34
0.26
0.33
0.20
0.25
0.25
0.17
Avg.
0.36
0.22
0.18
0.28
0.23
0.30
0.26
0.26
0.16
0.33
0.16
0.31
0.29
0.21
0.20
0.32
0.28
0.35
0.27
0.21
0.15
0.37
0.27
0.34
0.20
0.26
0.28
0.18
(mrem/y)
130
81
66
100
84
110
95
95
59
120
59
110
110
77
73
120
100
130
99
77
55
140
99
120
73
95
100
65
(continued)
78
-------
TABLE B-5. (Continued)
Station
Location
Garrison, UT
Geyser Maint. Sta., NV
Glendale, UT
Goldfield, NV
Hancock Summit, NV
Hiko, NV
Hot Creek Ranch, NV
Independence, CA
Indian Springs, NV
Kirkeby Ranch, NV
Koynes, NV
Las Vegas (Airport), NV
Las Vegas (Placak), NV
Las Vegas (USDI), NV
Lathrop Wells, NV
Linda's Market, NV2
Lida, NV
Lone Pine, CA
Lund, NV
Mammoth Mtn., CA3
Manhattan, NV
Mesquite, NV
Nevada Farms, NV
Nuclear Eng. Co., NV
Nyala, NV
Olancha, CA1*
Pahrump, NV
Pine Creek Ranch, NV5
Measurement
Period
01/28/80
01/28/80
01/15/80
01/28/80
01/15/80
01/08/80
01/16/80
01/15/80
01/07/80
01/28/80
01/17/80
01/15/80
01/15/80
01/15/80
01/08/80
01/08/80
01/28/80
01/15/80
01/29/80
11/06/79
01/29/80
01/15/80
01/15/80
01/08/80
01/16/80
01/15/80
01/09/80
01/30/80
- 01/08/81
- 01/08/81
- 01/06/81
- 01/06/81
- 01/06/81
- 01/14/81
- 01/08/81
- 01/21/81
- 01/06/81
- 01/08/81
- 01/07/81
- 01/07/81
- 01/07/81
- 01/07/81
- 01/06/81
- 01/07/81
- 01/06/81
- 01/21/81
- 01/09/81
- 01/21/81
- 01/07/81
- 01/06/81
- 01/06/81
- 01/07/81
- 01/07/81
- 01/21/81
- 01/08/81
- 01/13/81
Annual
Dose Adjusted
Equivalent Rate Dose
(mrem/d) Equivalent
Max.
0.18
0.28
0.16
0.26
0.40
0.22
0.30
0.27
0.17
0.21
0.32
0.15
0.14
0.17
0.26
0.25
0.28
0.28
0.23
0.28
0.36
0.18
0.34
0.34
0.23
0.25
0.17
0.36
Min.
0.17
0.27
0.16
0.25
0.37
0.20
0.25
0.26
0.16
0.19
0.26
0.13
0.14
0.16
0.25
0.23
0.26
0.26
0.22
0.26
0.29
0.16
0.32
0.30
0.21
0.25
0.16
0.32
Avg.
0.18
0.27
0.16
0.25
0.39
0.21
0.27
0.27
0.16
0.20
0.27
0.14
0.14
0.17
0.26
0.24
0.27
0.27
0.23
0.27
0.33
0.18
0.33
0.32
0.23
0.25
0.17
0.34
(mrem/y)
66
99
59
92
140
77
99
99
59
73
99
51
51
62
95
88
99
99
84
99
120
66
120
120
84
92
62
120
(continued)
79
-------
TABLE B-5. (Continued)
Station
Location
Pioche, NV
Queen City Summit, NV
Rachel , NV
Reed Ranch, NV&
Ridgecrest, CA
Round Mountain, NV
Rox, NV
Scotty's Junction, NV
Sherri's Bar, NV
Shoshone, CA
Springdale, NV
Spring Meadows, NV
St. George, UT
Stone Cabin Ranch, NV
Sunnyside, NV
Tempi ute, NV
Tenneco, NV
Tonopah, NV
Tonopah Test Range, NV
Twin Springs Ranch, NV
Valley Crest, CA
Warm Springs, NV
Young's Ranch, NV
Measurement
Period
01/09/30
01/15/80
01/15/80
01/15/80
01/15/80
01/28/80
01/15/80
01/28/80
01/08/80
01/17/80
01/08/80
01/07/80
01/17/80
01/17/80
01/30/80
01/17/80
01/07/80
01/28/80
01/29/80
01/16/80
01/17/80
01/15/80
01/29/80
- 01/13/81
- 01/06/81
- 01/06/81
- 09/30/80
- 01/20/81
- 01/07/81
- 01/06/81
- 01/06/81
- 01/13/81
- 01/22/81
- 01/08/81
- 01/06/81
- 01/07/81
- 01/08/81
- 01/09/81
- 01/07/81
- 01/06/81
- 01/06/81
- 01/07/81
- 01/08/81
- 01/22/81
- 01/07/81
- 01/07/81
Annual
Dose Adjusted
Equivalent Rate Dose
(mrem/d) Equivalent
Max.
0.24
0.37
0.31
0.38
0.24
0.31
0.27
0.26
0.21
0.30
0.32
0.17
0.17
0.32
0.18
0.33
0.26
0.31
0.27
0.31
0.16
0.33
0.25
Min.
0.22
0.34
0.27
0.31
0.22
0.29
0.25
0.24
0.19
0.28
0.28
0.16
0.17
0.28
0.16
0.31
0.24
0.28
0.26
0.27
0.15
0.30
0.24
Avg.
0.23
0.36
0.29
0.34
0.23
0.30
0.26
0.26
0.20
0.29
0.30
0.17
0.17
0.30
0.17
0.32
0.25
0.30
0.26
0.30
0.16
0.31
0.25
(mrem/y)
84
130
110
120
84
110
95
95
73
110
110
62
62
110
62
120
92
110
95
110
59
110
92
Dosimeters not collected First Quarter 1980.
2Dosimeters stolen First and Second Quarter 1980, station moved from
Selbach Ranch to Linda's Market, Nevada Fourth Quarter 1980.
3Station snov/ed in Second Quarter 1980.
^Dosimeters stolen First and Second Quarter 1980.
5Station vandalized Second Quarter 1980.
6Dosimeters stolen Fourth Quarter 1980.
80
-------
TABLE B-6. 1980 SUMMARY OF RADIATION DOSES FOR OFFSITE RESIDENTS
Resi- Period of Measurement
No. Location Issue
1 Tonopah, NV 01/28/80
2 Caliente, NV1 01/09/80
3 Blue Jay, NV 01/16/80
4 Glendale, NV2 01/15/80
5 Lathrop Wells, NV 01/09/80
6 Indian Springs, NV 01/07/80
7 Goldfield, NV 01/28/80
8 Twin Springs Ranch,
NV3 01/16/80
9 Blue Eagle Ranch,
NV1* 01/29/80
10 Complex 1, NV 01/30/80
11 ' Complex 1, NV 01/30/80
12 Desert Game Range,
NV5 01/15/80
13 Koyne's Ranch,
NV6 01/17/80
14 Hancock Summit,
NV 01/08/80
15 Hancock Summit, NV 01/08/80
16 Tempiute, NV 01/17/80
17 Nyala, NV 01/16/80
18 Nyala, NV 01/16/80
19 Goldfield, NV 01/28/80
20 Desert Game Range,
NV 01/15/80
21 Beatty, NV7 01/08/80
22 Alamo, NV 01/08/80
23 Alamo, NV 01/08/80
24 Desert Game Range,
NV 10/23/79
25 Desert Game Range,
NV8 01/15/80
1 Dosimeter lost third quarter 1980.
2 Dosimeter damaged second quarter 1980.
3 Dosimeter lost third quarter 1980.
4 Dosmieter lost third quarter 1980.
5 Dosimeter lost second quarter 1980.
6 Dosimeter damaged second quarter 1980.
7 Dosimeter lost third quarter 1980.
8 Dosimeter lost third quarter 1980.
Collect
01/06/81
01/13/81
01/08/81
01/06/81
01/07/81
01/06/81
01/06/81
01/08/81
01/13/81
01/13/81
01/13/81
01/07/81
01/07/81
01/14/81
01/14/81
06/24/80
01/07/81
01/07/81
01/06/81
07/08/80
01/07/81
01/14/81
01/16/81
01/07/81
01/07/81
Dose
Rate
Max.
0.24
0.31
0.28
0.19
0.25
0.16
0.21
0.26
0.19
0.28
0.30
0.13
0.21
0.23
0.25
0.26
0.21
0.22
0.21
0.16
0.25
0.21
0.22
0.18
0.21
Equivalent
(mrem/d)
Min.
0.21
0.25
0.23
0.17
0.22
0.13
0.19
0.19
0.16
0.25
0.26
0.12
0.17
0.19
0.23
0.21
0.18
0.17
0.18
0.16
0.23
0.17
0.19
0.11
0.17
Avg.
0.23
0.27
0.25
0.18
0.24
0.14
0.20
0.24
0.18
0.27
0.28
0.13
0.19
0.22
0.24
0.24
0.20
0.19
0.20
0.16
0.24
0.19
0.21
0.15
0.19
Net
Exposure
(mrem)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
81
-------
TABLE B-7. 1980 SUMMARY OF ANALYTICAL RESULTS FOR THE
MILK SURVEILLANCE NETWORK
Sampling Sample
Location Type*
Hinkley, CA, 12
Bill Nelson Dairy
Keough Hot Spgs. , 13
CA
Yribarren Ranch
Trona, CA, 13
Stanford Ranch
Alamo, NV, 13
Buckhorn Ranch
Austin, NV, 13
Young's Ranch
Caliente, NV, 13
June Cox Ranch
Currant, NV, 13
Blue Eagle Ranch
Currant, NV, 13
Manzonie Ranch
Hiko, NV, 13
Darrel Hansen Ranch
Las Vegas, NV, 12
LDS Dairy Farm
Lida, NV, 13
Lida Livestock Co.
Logandale, NV, 12
Vegas Valley Dairy
No. of
Samples
4
4
3
3
1
1
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
Radio-
nuclide
89Sr
9°Sr
89Sr
90Sr
e^Sr
9°Sr
89Sr
90Sr
3H
89Sr
9°Sr
89Sr
90Sr
89Sr
.9°Sr
89Sr
90Sr
3H
89Sr
90Sr
3H
89Sr
90Sr
89Sr
90Sr
89Sr
90Sr
Radioactivity Cone.
(x 10~9 MC1 /ml)
Cmax
<5
<5
<4
<3
<2
-------
TABLE B-7. (Continued)
Sampling Sample
Location Type*
Lund, NV, 12
McKenzie Dairy
Mesquite, NV, 12
Hughes Bros. Dairy
Moapa, NV, 12
Agman Seventy-Five,
Inc.
Nyala, NV, 13
Sharp's Ranch
Overton, NV, 12
Robison Dairy
Pahrump, NV, 13
Oxborrow Ranch
Round Mountain, 13
NV,
Berg Ranch
Cedar City, UT, 12
Uestern General Dairy
St. George, UT, 12
Cottom Dairy
No. of
Samples
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
1
1
2
2
4
4
4
4
Radio-
nuclide
3H
89Sr
90Sr
3H
89Sr
90Sr
89Sr
90Sr
3H
89Sr
9°Sr
89Sr
9°Sr
89Sr
90Sr
89Sr
9°Sr
89Sr
90Sr
89Sr
9°Sr
Radioactivity Cone.
(x 10-9 pCi/nl)
Qnax ^mi n
1,100 <300
<4 <1
<3 <1
<500 <400
<2 <1
<20 0.96
<7 <1
<7 <1
<500 <400
<50 <1
<8 0.73
<20 <1
<20 <1
<3 <3
2.9 2.9
<1 <1
2.1 1.8
<4 <1
<6 <1
<4 <1
<6 0.76
Cavg
<300
<1
0.83
<400
<1
<1
1.2
<1
<400
<1
3.0
2.3
1.3
<3
2.9
-------
TABLE B-8. 1980 SUMMARY OF TRITIUM RESULTS FOR THE NTS MONTHLY
LONG-TERM HYDROLOGICAL MONITORING PROGRAM
Sampling
Location
Well 8
Well U3CN-5
Well A
Well C
Well 5c
Army Well
No. 1
Well 2
Test Well B
Well J-13
Well J-12
Well UE7ns
Well U19c
Well 3
Well 4
Alternate
No.
Samples*
12
12
12
12
11
9
12
10
11
1
2
11
8
8
Tritium Cone.
(x 10'9 uCi/ml)
cmax
45
15.
<20
58
33
32
38
200
36
<20
3,200
56
16
28
^min
<7
<9
<9
<20
<9
<9
<9
110
<9
<20
1,700
<9
<9
<9
Cavg
<7
<9
<9
33
<9
<9
<9
140
<9
<20
2,400
<9
<9
<9
% of
Cone.
Guide*
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
-------
TABLE B-9. 1980 TRITIUM RESULTS FOR THE NTS SEMI-ANNUAL
LONG-TERM HYDROLOGICAL MONITORING PROGRAM
Sampling
Location
NTS,
Well UE15d
NTS,
Test Well D
NTS,
Well UElc
NTS,
Well C-l
NTS,
Well UE5C
NTS,
Well 5b
NTS,
Test Well F**
Ash Meadows, NV,
Crystal Pool
Ash Meadows, NV,
Well 18S/51E-7DB
Ash Meadows, NV,
Well 17S/50E-14CAC**
Ash Meadows, NV,
Fairbanks Springs
Beatty, NV,
City Supply,
12S/47E-7DBD
Beatty, NV,
Nuclear
Date
2/04
7/10
2/06
7/16
2/11
7/18
2/06
7/09
2/05
7/11
2/05
7/10
2/12
2/13
7/15
2/13
7/15
7/15
2/13
7/16
2/14
7/17
2/14
7/17
Sample
Type
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Spring
Spring
Well
Well
Well
Spring
Spring
Well
Well
Well
Well
Tritium
Cone.
(x 10-9 uCi/ml)
<9
10
13
<10
<54
<10
130
<10
14
<10
<9
<10
34
10
<10
70
18
<10
<9
<10
<10
<10
<10
<10
% of
Cone.
Guide*
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
Engineering Co.
(continued)
85
-------
TABLE B-9. (Continued)
Sampl i ng
Location
Beatty, NV,
Coffers Well,
11S/48/1DD
Indian Springs, NV,
USAF No. 2
Indian Springs, NV,
Sewer Co. Inc. ,
Well No. 1
Lathrop Wells, NV,
City Supply
Springdale, NV,
Goss Springs
Date
2/13
7/17
2/14
7/15
2/14
7/15
2/12
7/16
2/12
7/17
Sampl e
Type
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Spring
Spring
Tritium % of
Cone. Cone.
(x 1(T9 yCi/ml) Guide*
12 <0.01
<10 <0.01
<10 <0.01
<10 <0.01
<10 <0.01
<10 <0.01
<9 <0.01
<10 <0.01
<9 <0.01
59 <0.01
Concentration Guides for drinking water at NTS locations are the same as
those for off-NTS locations. See Appendix C.
**During 1980, samples were collected only once.
86
-------
TABLE B-10. 1980 TRITIUM RESULTS FOR THE NTS ANNUAL LONG-TERM
HYDROLOGICAL MONITORING PROGRAM
Sampling
Location
Shoshone, CA
Shoshone Spring
Hiko, NV
Crystal Springs
Alamo, NV
City Supply
Warm Springs, NV
Twin Springs Ranch
Nyala, NV
Sharp Ranch
Adaven, NV
Adaven Spring
Pahrump, NV
Calvada Well 3
Tonopah, NV
City Supply
Clark Station,
NV Tonopah Test
Range Well 6
Las Vegas, NV
Water District
Well No. 28
Tempi ute, NV
Union Carbide Well
Date
8/05
8/08
8/08
8/06
8/06
8/06
8/08
8/06
8/06
8/12
8/08
Sample
Type
Spring
Spring
Well
Spring
Well
Spring
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Tritium
Cone.
(x 10-9 yCi/ml)
<20
<20
<20
<20
<20
86
<20
<20
<20
<20
<20
% of
Cone.
Guide*
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
*See Appendix B for Concentration Guides.
87
-------
TABLE B-ll. 1980 TRITIUM RESULTS FOR THE OFF-NTS LONG-TERM
HYDROLOGICAL MONITORING PROGRAM (ANNUAL SAMPLES)
Sampl i ng
Location
PROJECT GNOME -- NEW
Malaga, USGS
Well No. 1
Malaga, USGS
Well No. 4
Malaga, USGS
Well No. 8
Malaga, PHS
Well No. 6
Malaga, PHS
Well No. 8
Malaga, PHS
Well No. 9
Malaga, PHS
Well No. 10
Malaga, Pecos River
Pumping Stations
Well No. 1
Loving, City
Well No. 2
Carlsbad, City
Well No. 7
Date
MEXICO
6/13
4/07
4/07
4/09
4/09
4/09
4/09
4/08
4/08
4/09
Sample
Type
Wei 1
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Tritium % of
Cone. Cone.
(x 10-9uCi/ml) Guide*
16 <0.01
400,000** 11**
440,000*** 15***
69 <0.01
<10 <0.01
<10 <0.01
11 <0.01
<10 <0.01
<10 <0.01
16 <0.01
PROJECT SHOAL — NEVADA
Frenchman,
Frenchman Station
4/29
Well
<10 <0.01
(continued)
88
-------
TABLE B-ll. (Continued)
Sampl i ng
Location
Frenchman,
Well HS-1
Frenchman,
Well H-3
Frenchman,
Flowing Well
Frenchman,
Hunts Station
Frenchman,
Spring Windmill
PROJECT DRIBBLE —
Baxterville,
City Supply
Baxtervil le,
Lower Little
Creek
Baxterville,
Well HT-1
Baxterville,
Well HT-2c
Baxterville,
Well HT-4
Baxterville,
Well HT-5
Baxterville,
Well E-7
Date
4/29
(Pump
4/29
4/29
4/03
MISSISSIPPI
3/28
3/28
Tritium
Sample Cone.
Type (x 10-9 pCi/ml)
Well <10
inoperative)
Well 22
Well <10
Well <10
Wei 1 51
Creek 32
% of
Cone.
Guide*
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
(No longer sampled. Plugged 7/79)
3/31
3/22
3/23
3/31
Wei 1 20
Well 43
Well 31
Wei 1 33
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
(continued)
89
-------
TABLE B-ll. (Continued)
Sampling
Location
Baxterville,
Well Ascot No. 2
Baxterville,
Half Moon Creek
Baxtervil le,
Half Moon Creek
Overflow
Baxterville,
T. Speights
residence
Baxterville,
R. L. Anderson
residence
Baxterville,
L. J. Bryant
residence (creek)
Baxtervil le,
Well HM-S
Baxterville,
Well HM-1
Baxtervil le,
Well HM-L
Baxterville,
Well HM-2A
Baxterville,
Well HM-2B
Baxterville,
Date
3/31
3/31
3/29
(Pump
4/01
Sample
Type
Well
Creek
Creek
inoperative)
Well
Tritium
Cone.
(x ID'9 iiCi/ml)
43
34
61
71
% of
Cone.
Guide*
<0.01 .
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
(Discontinued)
3/26
3/26
3/26
3/26
3/25
3/26
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
36,000
2,000
2,600
1,300
1,300
860
1
0.07
0.09
0.04
0.04
0.03
Well HM-3
(continued)
90
-------
TABLE B-ll. (Continued)
Sampl i ng
Location
Date
Tritium % of
Sample Cone. Cone.
Type (x 10"9 yCi/ml) Guide*
Baxterville,
B. R. Anderson
residence
Baxterville,
R. Mills
residence
Baxterville,
A. C. Mills
residence
Baxterville,
G. Kelly
residence
Baxterville,
H. Anderson
residence
Baxterville,
REECo Pit
Drainage-A
Baxterville,
REECo Pit
Drainage-B
Baxterville,
REECo Pit
Drainage-C
Baxterville,
B. Chambliss
residence
Baxterville,
Mark Lowe
residence
3/24
3/31
4/01
4/01
4/02
4/03
4/03
4/03
4/02
3/27
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Pond
Pond
Pond
Well
Well
35
65
47
27
69
43
280
210
18
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
(continued)
91
-------
TABLE B-ll. (Continued)
Sampling
Location
Baxterville,
R. Ready
residence
Baxterville,
W. Daniels
residence
Lumberton,
City Supply
Wei 1 No. 2
Purvis,
City Supply
Columbia,
City Supply
Lumberton,
North Lumberton
City Supply
Baxterville,
Pond W of GZ
PROJECT GASBUGGY --
Gobernador,
Arnold Ranch
Gobernador, Lower
Burro Canyon
Gobernador, Fred
Bixler Ranch
Gobernador,
Cave Springs
Date
3/27
3/27
3/29
3/28
3/28
3/29
3/29
NEW MEXICO '
5/09
5/11
5/09
5/11
Sample
Type
Well
Uell
Well
Well
Well
Well
Pond
Spring
Well
Wei 1
Spring
Tritium
Cone.
(x lO'9 yCi/ml)
61
24
<10
15
<20
<10
30
63
94
30
<10
% of
Cone.
Guide*
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
(continued)
92
-------
TABLE B-ll. (Continued)
Sampling
Location
Gobernador,
Windmill No. 2
Gobernador,
Bubbling Springs
Gobernador,
La Jara Creek
Gobernador,
EPNG Well 10-36
PROJECT RULISON --
Rulison, Lee L.
Hayward Ranch
Rulison, Glen
Schwab Ranch
Grand Valley,
Date
5/09
5/08
5/09
5/10
COLORADO
5/13
5/13
5/13
Sample
Type
Well
Spring
Creek
Well
Well
Well
Well
Tritium
Cone.
(x 10-9 wci/ml)
26
86
120
<10
330
360
300
% of
Cone.
Guide*
<0.02
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
Albert Gardner
Ranch
Grand Valley,
City Water
Supply
Grand Valley
Spring 300 Yds.
NW of GZ
Rulison, Felix
Sefcovic Ranch
Grand Valley,
Battlement Creek
Grand Valley,
CER Well
5/13
5/16
5/13
5/16
5/16
Spring
Spring
Spri ng
Creek
Well
31
210
310
140
240
<0.01
<0.01
0.01
<0.01
<0.01
(continued)
93
-------
TABLE B-ll. (Continued)
Sampling
Location
Rulison,
Potter Ranch
PROJECT FAULTLESS —
Blue Jay,
Maintenance Sta.
Blue Jay,
Slxmile Well
Blue Jay,
Well HTH-1
Blue Jay,
Well HTH-2
Blue Jay,
Bias Well
Date
5/16
NEVADA
6/19
6/18
6/18
6/18
6/19
Sample
Type
Spring
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Tritium
Cone.
(x 10-9 uci/ml)
230
<20
24
<20
<20
15
% of
Cone.
Guide*
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
PROJECT RIO BLANCO — COLORADO
Rio Blanco, 5/14
Fawn Creek
6,800 ft upstream
from SGZ
Rio Blanco, 5/14
Fawn Creek
500 ft upstream
from SGZ
Rio Blanco 5/14
Fawn Creek
500 ft downstream
from SGZ
Rio Blanco, 5/15
Fawn Creek
8,400 ft downstream
from SGZ
Creek
Creek
Well
Creek
110
140
110
92
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
(continued)
94
-------
TABLE B-ll. (Continued)
Sampl i ng
Location
Rio Blanco,
Fawn Creek No. 1
Rio Blanco,
Fawn Creek No. 3
Rio Blanco,
CER No. 1
Black Sulphur
Rio Blanco,
CER No. 4
Black Sulphur
Rio Blanco,
B-l Equity Camp
Rio Blanco,
Brennan Windmill
Rio Blanco,
Johnson
Artesian Well
Rio Blanco,
Well RB-D-01
PROJECT CANNIKIN —
South End of
Cannikin Lake
North End of
Cannikin Lake
Well HTH-3
Ice Box Lake
White Alice Creek
Date
5/15
5/14
5/15
5/15
5/15
5/15
5/15
5/14
AMCHITKA, ALASKA
9/19
9/19
9/19
9/19
9/19
Sampl e
Type
Spring
Spring
Spring
Spring
Spring
Well
Well
Well
Lake
Lake
Well
Lake
Creel
Tritium
Cone.
(x ID'9 yCi/ml)
42
110
140
93
100
32
11
<10
43
31
44
50
60
% of
Cone.
Guide*
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
(continued)
95
-------
TABLE B-ll. (Continued)
Sampling
Location
Pit South of
Cannikin GZ
PROJECT MILROW --
Heart Lake
Well W-5
Well W-6
Well W-8
Well W-15
Well W-10
Well W-ll
Well W-3
Well W-2
Clevenger Creek
Well W-4
Well W-7
Well W-13
Well W-18
PROJECT LONG SHOT
Well WL-2
EPA Wei 1-1
Reed Pond
Date
9/19
AMCHITKA, ALASKA
9/20
9/20
9/20
9/20
9/20
9/20
9/20
9/20
9/20
9/20 ,
(Well dried
9/20
9/20
9/20
— AMCHITKA, ALASKA
9/21
9/21
9/21
Sampl e
Type
Pond
Lake
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Creek
up)
Well
Well
Well
Well
Well
Pond
Tritium
Cone.
(x 10-9 uCi/ml)
27
27
51
63
53
43
67
110
54
44
45
47
70
140
380
460
44
% of
Cone.
Guide*
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
0.01
<0.01
(continued)
96
-------
TABLE B-ll. (Continued)
Sampling
Location
Well GZ No.
Well GZ No.
Well WL-1
Mud Pit No.
Mud Pit No.
Mud Pit No.
1
2
1
2
3
Date
9/21
9/21
9/21
9/21
9/21
9/21
Sampl e
Type
Well
Well
Well
Pond
Pond
Pond
Tritium
Cone.
(x lO'9 yCi/ml)
4700
400
40
830
1100
2000
% of
Cone.
Guide*
0.2
0.01
<0.01
0.03
0.03
0.07
BACKGROUND SAMPLES -- AMCHITKA, ALASKA
Constantine
Spring
Army Well No. 1
Jones Lake
Army Well No. 2
Army Well No. 3
Well AEC 1
Duck Cove Creek
9/20
9/20
9/20
9/19
9/19
9/19
9/20
Spring
Well
Lake
Well
Well
Well
Creek
70
68
42
30
89
89
48
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
<0.01
Concentration Guides (CG) for drinking water at onsite locations are the
same as those for offsite locations. See Appendix C for Concentration
Guides.
**The sample from Malaga, USGS Well No. 4 also contained 7.6 x 1Q-6 yCi of
strontium-90 per ml of water, which is 2,500 percent of its Concentration
Guide.
***The sample from the Malaga, USGS Well No. 8 also contained 7.2 x 10"8 uCi
of cesium-137 per ml of water and 5.6 x 10~6 yCi of strontium-90 per ml
of water. The cesium-137 concentration is 0.7 percent of its Concentra-
tion Guide, and the strontium-90 concentration is 1,900 percent of its
Concentration Guide.
97
-------
TABLE B-12. TRITIUM RESULTS FOR SPECIAL SAMPLES: LONG-TERM
HYDROLOGICAL MONITORING PROGRAM -
PROJECT DRIBBLE*
Sampling
Location
HMH-1
HMH-2
HMH-3
HMH-4
HMH-5
HMH-6
HMH-7
HMH-8
HMH-9
HMH-10
HMH-11
PS-3
Date
3/27
3/27
3/27
3/27
3/27
, 3/27
3/27
3/27
3/27
3/27
3/27
Plugged
3H Concentration
(x 10-9 yCi/ml)
14,000
34,000
530
570
6,900
1,500
1,400
400
960
<400
1,500
Not sampled
% of
Cone.
Guide
0.4
1
0.02
0.02
0.2
0.05
0.05
0.01
0.03
<0.01
0.03
*Each sample was also analyzed by gamma spectrometry. No gamma-emitting
radionuclides were detected above the MDC of ^1 x 10"8 yCi/ml.
98
-------
APPENDIX C. RADIATION PROTECTION STANDARDS FOR
EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL EXPOSURE
DOE ANNUAL DOSE COMMITMENT
The annual dose commitment tabulated below is from "Standards for
Radiation Protection" in DOE manual, Chapter 0524.
Type of Exposure
Dose limit to Individuals
in Uncontrolled Area at
Points of Maximum Probable
Exposure (rem)
Dose Limit to Suitable
Sample of the Exposed
Polulation in an
Uncontrolled Area (rem)
Whole body, gonads,
or bone marrow
Other organs
0.5
1.5
0.17
0.5
EPA DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS FOR RADIONUCLIDES
The EPA drinking water regulations for radionuclides are set forth in
Title 40 of the code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 1, Part 141. They were
published in the Federal Register, Vol. 41, No. 133, on July 9, 1976.
For purposes of the regulation listed below, "community water system" is
defined as a public water system that serves a population of which 70 percent
or greater are residents. A public water system is a system for the provision
to the public of piped water for human consumption, and has at least 15
service connections or regularly serves an average of 25 individuals daily at
least 3 months out of the year.
The regulation is stated in terms of annual dose equivalent and average
annual concentration assumed to produce that dose equivalent.
Maximum Contaminant Levels for Beta Particles and Photon Radioactivity from
Manmade Radionuclides in Community Water Systems
The average annual concentration of beta particle and photon radio-
activity from manmade radionuclides in drinking water shall not produce an
99
-------
annual dose equivalent to the total body or any internal organ greater than 4
millirem per year.
Except for the tritium and strontium-90, the concentration of manmade
radionuclides causing 4 mrem total body or organ dose equivalents shall be
calculated on the basis of a 2-liter per day drinking water intake using the
168 hour data listed in "Maximum Permissible Body Burdens and Maximum
Permissible Concentration of Radionuclides in Air or Water for Occupational
Exposure," NBS Handbook 69 as amended August 1963, U.S. Department of
Commerce. If two or more radionuclides are present, the sum of their annual
dose equivalent to the total body or to any organ shall not exceed 4 millirem
per year.
Average Annual Concentration Assumed to Produce A Total Body or
Organ Dose of 4 mrem/year
Radionuclide
Critical Organ
pCi per liter
Tritium
Strontium-90
Total body
Bone marrow
20,000
8
DOE CONCENTRATION GUIDES
This table of concentration guides (CG's) is from the DOE Manual, Chapter
0524, "Standards for Radiation Protection." All values are annual average
concentrations.
Network or Program
Air Surveillance
Network
Sampling Radio-
Medium nuclide
air 7Be
95Zr
99Nb
"MO
103Ru
131j
132Te
137Cs
ll+0Ba
14oLa
CG
UCi/ml)
1.1 x 10-8
3.3 x 10'10
1.0 x 10-9
2.3 x ID'9
1.0 x 10-9
3.3 x 10"11
1.3 x 10-9
1.7 x 10" 10
3.3 x 10-10
1.3 x 10-9
Basis of Exposure
Suitable sample
of the exposed
population in
uncontrolled
area.
(continued)
100
-------
Network or Program
Sampling
Medium
Radio-
nuclide
CG
(wCi/ml)
Basis of Exposure
Air Surveillance
Network (continued)
air
239pu
1.7 x 10-9
6.7 x 10-!°
3.3 x 10-13
Noble Gas and Tritium air
Surveillance Network,
On-NTS
85Kr
3H
133Xe
135Xe
1.0 x 10-5
5.0 x 10-6
1.0 x ID'5
1.0 x 10-5
Individual
controlled
area.
in
Noble Gas and Tritium air
Survei11ance Network,
On-NTS
85Kr
1.0 x 10-7
6.7 x 10-8
1.0 x ID'7
1.0 x 10-7
Suitable sample
of the exposed
population in
uncontrolled
area.
Long-Term water
Hydrological Program
3H
89$p
9°Sr
137Gs
226Ra
234U
235U
238U
238pu
239PU
3.0 x 10-3
3.0 x 10-6
3.0 x 10-7
2.0 x 10-5
3.0 x 10-8
3.0 x 10-5
3.0 x 10-5
4.0 x 10-5
5.0 x 10-6
5.0 x 10-6
Individual in
controlled or
uncontrolled
area.
a
an
101
-------
TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Pletse read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
1. REPORT NO.
EPA-600/4-81-047
2.
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION NO.
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
OFFSITE ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING REPORT
Radiation monitoring around United States
nuclear test areas, calendar year 1980
5. REPORT DATE
June 1981
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7. AUTHOR(S)
D. D. Smith^ R. F. Grossman, W. D. Corkern,
D. J. Thome^, R. G. Patzer and J. L. Hopper
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Las Vegas, Nevada 89114
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
X6EH10
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
MOU
DE-AI08-76DP00539
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
U.S. Department of Energy
Nevada Operations Office
P.O. Box 14100
Las Vegas, Nevada 89114
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Response - 1980 ._
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
Prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy under
DE-AI08-76DP00539
Memorandum of Understanding
16. ABSTRACT
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Monitoring Systems
Laboratory in Las Vegas continued its Offsite Radiological Safety Program for the
Nevada Test Site (NTS) and other sites of past underground nuclear tests. For each
test, the Laboratory provided airborne meteorological measurements, ground and airborne
radiation monitoring teams, and special briefings to the Test Controller's Advisory
3anel. Radioactivity from the NTS was detected in a compressed air sample collected at
Lathrop Wells, Nevada, following the Riola Test conducted on September 25, 1980. This
onsisted of xenon-133 (3.4 x 10"11 yd/ml) and xenon-135 (3.6 x 10"10 yCi/ml).
The estimated dose equivalent to the whole body of a hypothetical receptor at Lathrop
Wells was 0.011 mrem, which is 0.006 percent of the radiation protection guide for a
suitable sample of the general population. Whole-body counts of individuals residing
in the environs of the NTS showed no manmade radionuclides attributable to the testing
program. The only radioactivity from non-NTS sites of past underground nuclear tests
was due to tritium in water samples collected from the Project Dribble Site near
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and the Project Long Shot Site on Amchitka Island, Alaska.
The maximum concentrations measured at these locations were 10 and 0.1 percent of the
Concentraton Guide for drinking water, respectively. A small amount of airborne
radioactivity originating from nuclear tests carried out by the People's Republic of
:hina was detected during 1980 at some stations scattered throughout the Air
Surveillance Network t :
7.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
b.lDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS
c. COSATI Field/Group
18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
RELEASE TO PUBLIC
19. SECURITY CLASS (This Report)
UNCLASSIFIED
21. NO. OF PAGES
114
20. SECURITY CLASS (Thispage)
IINr.l A"\SIELEH
22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (R«v. 4-77) PREVIOUS EDITION is OBSOLETE
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