r/EPA
           United States
           Environmental Protection
           Agency
             Environmental Monitoring
             Systems Laboratory
             P.O. Box 93478
             Las Vegas NV 89193-3478
EPA/600/4-89/019
DOE/DP/00539-061
May 1989
           Research and Development
Off-Site Environmental
Monitoring Report

Radiation Monitoring
Around  United States
Nuclear Test Areas,
Calendar Year 1988

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 Available to DOE and DOE contractors from the
   Office of Scientific and Technical Information
       P.O. Box 62, Oak Ridge, TN 37831
prices available frorrH(615) 576-8401, FTS 625-8401
         Available to the public from the
      National Technical Information Service
         U. S. Department of Commerce
   5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161

   Price Code: Printed Copy or Microfiche A01

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                          Department of Energy
                              Nevada Operations Office
                                 R 0. Box 98518
                             Las Vegas, NV 89193-8518
                               OEI;:,81989
Recipient

ENVIRONMENTAL STA2US AT TBE NEVADA TEST SITE

The primary mission of the Nevada Operations Office (NV) is the underground
testing of nuclear devices.  TJiare axe no major processing facilities
located at the site that would release emissions typical of conventional or
nuclear industrial operations *  TMs "Off-Site Environmental Monitoring
Report" contains infonnat,ion alxwt and analysis of results from monitoring
programs dssigrtM to wssssxee :rel©ases of radioactive materials from
activities aqretueted for the U.S. Departasant of Energy (DOE) at the several
sites j^ags^t^by NW  The results indicate that conditions at these sites
ccaply with the .standards and'requireients of the DOE, as well as other
federal and state regulations related to radiation.

In addition to,the information contained in this report, information on
monitoring and analysis related to nonradiological requirements on the
Nevada Test Site is being assembled into an additional report not yet
availably.  In general, there have besn few noncompliancesf and those that
have beeh identified are being resolved with appropriate state agencies.
Howsver, thefts are important environffiaital, issues facing NV in terms of
nuclear ei^^r&Lated grqandwater contamination, possible National Priority
listing, lifting of the desert tortoise as an endangered species, possible
listing of "Astragalus beatleyea56 as an endangered plant species, and an
interagarssy agreeasnt with the state of Nevada for implementation of the
Environmental Survey Action Plan.  These and other topics are discussed in
nor® detail in the attached summary assessment.

Questions related to environmental compliance issues should be identified
to tha Office of External Affairs on 702-295-3521.
                                   Nick c. AquilinaI
EPD/EST:DRE                        Manager

Enc.losure:
Summazy Assessment

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CERCLA Reporting

Under CERCLA, releases of hazardous or extremely hazardous
materials above a reportable quantity must be reported to the
National Response Center (NRG).  Nevada Operations Office (NV)
met with the Chief of Operations, state of Nevada Division of
Emergency Management, on October 25, 1989, to discuss reporting
procedures for underground nuclear tests conducted at the NIB.
NV has begun reporting underground tests to the State Emergency
Management Division; copies of reports that list unclassified
materials in typical tests will also be provided to the state.
This reporting is in addition to reporting to the NRC.

Endangered Species

The desert tortoise was listed under the Endangered Species Act
on August 4, 1989.  All NV operations in desert tortoise
habitats, approximately 30 percent of the NTS, are being
evaluated to determine possible impacts.  Preconstruction surveys
are under way and long-term monitoring is being implemented.

"Astragalus beatleyea" is also presently under consideration for
federal listing as an endangered plant species.  A conservation
agreement developed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for
protection of the species includes preconstruction surveys and
long-term monitoring in potential "Astragalus beatleyea"
habitats.  Should "Astragalus beatleyea" be listed as endangered,
additional activities may be required.

Interagency Agreement

NV is currently negotiating an agreement with the state to define
working relationships and responsibilities to implement the
Environmental Survey Action Plan (ESAP), the Environmental
Restoration and Waste Management Five-Year Plan, and other
regulatory requirements affecting the NTS.

Continuing Surveillance

NV recognizes the Importance of environmental audits, reviews,
surveillances, and inspections as tools to ensure compliance with
environmental regulations.  Baseline information on audits is
being compiled and is to be included in subsequent reports.
Results of an Environmental Survey of the NTS conducted in the
summer of 1987 by Headquarters have been compiled in the ESAP.
Fifty-eight of the 105 findings in the report have been closed
and 11 data record sheets have been revised; corrective action is
ongoing for the remaining findings.

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                            SUMMARY ASSESSMENT
                     ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE ACTIVITY
                U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NEVADA TEST SITE
BACKGROUND
The Nevada Test Site (NTS) must operate in compliance with environmental
and other requirements established by a number of federal and state
statutes and regulations, Executive Orders, and the U. S. Department of
Energy.  The following paragraphs summarize the NTS compliance status with
major environmental statutes:

         Clean Air Act — The NTS has 26 air quality permits with the state
         of Nevada and is in substantive compliance with permit limits.
         Procedural violations have been resolved.  NTS is assessing all
         facilities to ensure that all release points have been identified
         and permitted.

    -    clean Water Act. Safe Drink'' TXT Water Act— The NTS has nine public
         water system and sewage treatment system permits with the state
         of Nevada and is in substantive compliance with permit limits.
         Procedural violations have been resolved.  NTS is seeking permits
         for new or modifications to existing systems as they are
         identified.

         Resource Conservation and Recovery Act — The NTS has submitted
         four closure plans, two Part B permit applications, and will be
         preparing three additional closure plans resulting in substantive
         compliance with regulatory requirements.  Procedural violations
         have been resolved.  The state of Nevada is reviewing the permit
         applications.
         Comprehensive Environmen^l Ttegponse,, Compensation and Liability
         Act  fCERdA) — The Preliminary Assessment/Site Investigation
         reports have been provided to the Environmental Protection Agency
         for their review.  This action will determine the status
         regarding the National Priority List and the NTS.  Community
         right-to-know reporting requirements are fully satisfied.

Current Issues and Actions

         Groundwater
         The past and present nuclear device testing program poses
         significant environmental questions.  Each test produces large
         amounts of radioactivity and lesser amounts of hazardous
         components, both of which are known to have contaminated
         groundwater.  Questions that must be addressed by ongoing
         monitoring and research programs are the extent of contamination
         and the potential for movement of contamination off site.

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                                                                EPA-600/4-89/019
                                                               DOE/DP/00539-061
                                                                     May 1989
                   Off-Site Environmental
                   Monitoring Report

                   Radiation Monitoring Around United States
                   Nuclear Test Areas, Calendar Year 1988
                   contributors

                   C. A. Fontana, N. R. Sunderland
                   S. C. Black, B. B. Dicey, A. N. Jarvis,
                   K. S. Moroney, A. A. Mullen,
                   V. E. Niemann, D. D. Smith,
                   E. A. Thompson, and
                   Nuclear Radiation Assessment Division
 I

V)
rv
x                 prepared for the
                   U.S. Department of Energy
                   under Interagency Agreement
                   Number DE-AI08-86NV1 0522
                   ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SYSTEMS LABORATORY
                   OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
                   U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                   LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89193-3478

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                                          NOTICE

This report has been reviewed In accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's peer and
administrative review policies and approved for publication.  Mention of trade names or commercial
products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

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                          TABLE OF CONTENTS
Figures   	   v
Tables   	  vii
List of Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Conversions  	   ix

   1.0  Abstract  	   1
   2.0  Introduction	   3
   3.0  Summary	   5
   4.0  Description of the Nevada Test Site  	   7
   5.0  Radiological Safety Activities	  19
        5.1   Special Test Support	  19
        5.2   Routine Environmental Surveillance  	  20
             5.2.1   Air Surveillance Network (ASM)  	  21
             5.2.2   Noble Gas and Tritium Surveillance Network (NGTSN)  .  .  .  24
             5.2.3   Milk Surveillance Network (MSN)  	  44
             5.2.4   Biomonitoring Program   	  44
             5.2.5   Thermoluminescent Dosimetry (TLD) Network   	60
             5.2.6   Results of TLD Monitoring	  61
                    5.2.6.1   Offsite Personnel  	61
                    5.2.6.2   Offsite Stations  	  63
                    5.2.6.3   Comparison with Direct Exposure Measurements    67
             5,2.7   Pressurized Ion Chamber (PIC) Network   	  77
             5.2.8   Internal Exposure Monitoring  	  80
             5.2.9   Long Term Hydrological Monitoring Program (LTHMP)  ...  83
   6.0   Public Information and Community Assistance Programs .	m
   7.0   Quality Assurance and Procedures   	115
   8.0   Dose Assessment  	125
   9.0   Sample Analysis Procedures	127
   10.0  Radiation Protection Standards for External and Internal
        Exposure	129
   11.0  References	135
                                     iii

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                                FIGURES
Number                                                               Page

   1     Location of the Nevada Test Site (NTS)	   8
   2     Ground Water Flow Systems Around the Nevada Test Site   	  10
   3     General Land Use Within 300 km of the Nevada Test Site    ........  11
   4     Population of Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah Counties
            Near the Nevada Test Site (Based on 1986 Census Estimates) ...  13
   5     Distribution of Family Milk Cows and Goats, by County (1988)   	  14
   6     Distribution of Dairy Cows, by County (1988)   	  15
   7     Distribution of Beef Cattle, by County (1988)    	  16
   8     Distribution of Sheep, by County (1988)	  17
   9     Air Surveillance Network Stations (1988)	  22
   10   Standby Air Surveillance Network Stations (1988)	  23
   11   Noble Gas and Tritium Surveillance Network Sampling Locations	  33
   12   Weekly 85Kr Concentrations in Air by Station, 1988 Data   	  34
   13   Network Weekly Average  85Kr Concentrations in Air, 1988 Data  	  42
   14   Annual Network Average 85Kr Concentration   	  42
   15   Milk Sampling Locations Within 300 Km of the NTS	45
   16   Standby Milk Surveillance Network Stations	  46
   17   Strontium-90 Concentration in Pasteurized Milk Network Samples   ....  46
   18   Collection Sites for Animals Sampled, 1988   	  55
   19   Average 90Sr Concentration in Animal Bone	  56
   20   Locations Monitored With TLDs	  61
   21   Personnel vs. Background TLD Results	  62
   22   Mean TLD Results:  All Off Site Stations-1988	  75
   23   Mean TLD Results:  Arizona Stations-1988	75
   24   Mean TLD Results:  California Stations-1988	  75
   25   Mean TLD Results:  Nevada Stations -1988	  76
   26   Mean TLD Results:  Utah Stations -1988  .  .	  76
   27   Comparison of TLD and PIC Results-1988	  76
   28   Annual Exposure Rates as Measured by PICs -1988	  79
   29   Location of Families in the Off-site Human Surveillance Program  	81
   30   LTHMP Sampling Locations on the NTS	  85
   31   LTHMP Sampling Locations Near the NTS   	  86
   32   Amchitka Island and Background Sampling Locations for the LTHMP   .  .  87
   33   LTHMP Sampling Locations for Project Cannikin   	  88
   34   LTHMP Sampling Locations for Projects Milrow and Long Shot	89
   35   LTHMP Sampling Locations for Project Rio Blanco   	  90
   36   LTHMP Sampling Locations for Project Rulison	  91
   37   LTHMP Sampling Locations for Project Dribble - Towns and
            Residences   	  92

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                        FIGURES (Continued)
Number                                                            Page

   38  LTHMP Sampling Locations for Project Dribble - Near GZ	93
   39  LTHMP Sampling Locations for Project Dribble - Near Salt Dome	94
   40  LTHMP Sampling Locations for Project Faultless   	95
   41  LTHMP Sampling Locations for Project Shoal	96
   42  LTHMP Sampling Locations for Project Gasbuggy  	97
   43  LTHMP Sampling Locations for Project Gnome	98
                                  vi

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                                 TABLES

Number                                                               Page

   1     Characteristics of Climatic Types in Nevada	9
   2     Total Airborne Radionuclide Emissions at the Nevada Test Site
            During 1988   	20
   3     Summary pf Analytical Results for Air Surveillance Network
            Continuously Operating Stations -1988	25
   4     Summary of Analytical Results for Air Surveillance Network
            Standby Stations Operated 1 or 2 Weeks Per Quarter -1988	27
                       P^R       9*^Q
   5     Concentrations of "°Pu and "03Pu in Composited Air
            Samples -1988   	29
   6     Summary of Gross Beta Analysis for Air Surveillance Network -1988 .... 32
   7     Summary of Analytical Results for the Noble Gas and
            Tritium Surveillance Network -1988	39
   8     Annual Average esKr Concentrations in Air, 1979-1988  	41
   9     Summary of Analytical Results for the Milk Surveillance
            Network-1988	47
   10   Analytical Results for the Standby Milk Surveillance Network-1988  ...... 51
   11   Radionuclide Concentrations in Desert Bighorn Sheep Samples -1988  . . . 57
   12   Radionuclide Concentration in Tissues From Mule Deer Collected
            on the Nevada Test Site-1987/1988   	59
   13   Annual Summary TLD Results-Offsite Personnel-1988   	64
   14   Annual Summary TLD Results - Offsite Stations -1988   	68
   15   Pressurized Ion Chamber Readings -1988  	78
   16   LTHMP Tritium Results for the Monthly NTS Network for 1988  	84
   17   Water Sampling Locations Where Samples Contained Man-made
            Radioactivity-1988   	i	99
   18   Tritium Results for the LTHMP-1988  	101
   19   Samples and Analyses for Duplicate Sampling Program-1988	116
   20   Sampling and Analytical Precision -1988   	117
   21   EPA Quality Assurance Intercomparison Results-1988	118
   22   Quality Assurance Results from DOE Program-1988	120
   23   Quality Assurance Results for the Bioenvironmental Program-1988  ... 122
   24   Summary of Analytical Procedures   	127
   25   Routine Monitoring Frequency, Sample Size, MDC and
            Concentration Guides  	130
                                    vii

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      LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS, ACRONYMS, AND CONVERSIONS
ABBREVIATIONS

A LARA
All
ASN
AVG
Bq
CFR
CG
Ci
CMS
CP-1
CY
d
DAC
DOE
DOE/NV
DQO
DRI
EML
EMSL-LV
EPA
eV
9
Gy
GZ
hr
HTO
L
LTHMP
m
mL
MDC
MSL
MSN
NIST
NGTSN
NNE
NNW
NRD
NTS
Pa
PIC
QA
QC
R
As Low as Reasonably Achievable
Annual Limits of Intake
Air Surveillance Network
Average
Becquerel, one disintegration per second
Code of Federal Regulations
Concentration Guide
Curie
Community Monitoring Station
Control Point One
Calendar Year
day
Derived Air Concentration
U.S. Department of Energy
Department of Energy, Nevada Operations Office
Data Quality Objectives
Desert Research Institute
Environmental Monitoring Laboratory
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory, Las Vegas
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
electron volt
gram
Gray, equivalent to 100 rad (1 J/kg)
Ground Zero
hour
tritiated water
liter
Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring Program
meter
milliliter
Minimum Detectable Concentration
Mean Sea Level
Milk Surveillance Network
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Noble Gas and Tritium Surveillance Network
North-Northeast
North-Northwest
Nuclear Radiation Assessment Division
Nevada Test Site
Pascal - unit of pressure
Pressurized ion chamber
Quality Assurance
Quality Control
Roentgen
                                                                           continued
                                          ix

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      LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS, ACRONYMS AND CONVERSIONS
ABBREVIATIONS (Continued)
rad
rem
SD
SI
SOP
Sv
TLD
WHO
unit of absorbed dose, 100 ergs/g
dose equivalent, the rad adjusted for biological effect
Standard deviation
International System of Units
Standard Operating Procedure
Sievert, equivalent to 100 rem
thermoluminescent dosimeter
World Health Organization
PREFIXES
a
f
P
n
atto
femto =
pico =
nano =
10'18
ID'15
10'12
ID'9
f*
m
k
M
micro
mill!
kilo
mega
_
=
=
=
10'6
10'3
103
106
CONVERSIONS
               Multiply
              by
                To Obtain
        Concentration Guides
              Ci/mL
              Ci/mL
        SI Units
              rad
              rem
              pCl
              10*
              10
12
              10
              10
              0.037
pCi/L
pCi/m3


Gray (Gy = 1 Joule/kg)
Sievert (Sv)
Becquerel (Bq)

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1.0 Abstract


This report describes the Off-Site Radiation Safety Program conducted during 1988 by the Environ-
mental Protection Agency's  (EPA's)  Environmental  Monitoring  Systems  Laboratory-Las Vegas
(EMSL-LV).  This  laboratory operates an environmental radiation monitoring program in the region
surrounding the Nevada Test Site (NTS) and at former test sites in Alaska, Colorado, New Mexico,
and  Mississippi.  The surveillance program is designed to detect and document any changes in
radiation levels in the environs of nuclear test areas and to take the actions needed to protect the
health  and well-being of the public in the event of any accidental  release of radioactive  con-
taminants.  Information presented in this report includes the following results and interpretation of
data for 1988: the measurement of external exposure using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs)
and pressurized ion chambers (PICs); air surveillance including radioactive particulates, noble and
reactive gases, and tritium; long-term hydrologlcal monitoring; milk surveillance; and the biological
monitoring of both animals and humans.  Comparison of the measurements and sample analysis
results with background levels and with appropriate standards and regulations Indicated that no sig-
nificant radioactivity, of recent NTS origin, was detected off site by the various EPA monitoring net-
works and there was no significant exposure to the population living in the vicinity of the NTS. The
major contribution to population exposure came from  naturally  occurring background radiation
which yielded approximately 85  mrem/yr  and worldwide fallout which accounted for about  0.14
mrem/yr.

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 2.0 Introduction
 The U.S. Atomic Energy Commission used the Nevada Test Site, between January 1951 and January
 1975, for conducting nuclear weapons tests, nuclear rocket engine development, nuclear medicine
 studies, and for other nuclear and non-nuclear experiments.  Beginning in mid January 1975, these
 activities became the responsibility of the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration.
 Two  years later this organization was  merged with other energy related agencies to form the  U.S.
 Department of Energy (DOE).
 Atmospheric  weapons  tests  were  conducted
 periodically at the Nevada Test Site from January
 1951 through October 1958 followed by  a test
 moratorium which was in  effect  until  September
 1961. Since then all nuclear detonations at the NTS
 have been  conducted  underground,  with the
 expectation of containment, except for the above
 ground and shallow underground tests of Operation
 Sunbeam and in cratering experiments conducted
 under the  Plowshare program between 1962 and
 1968.

 Prior to 1954,  an  off-site  radiation  surveillance
 program was performed by personnel from the Los
 Alamos Scientific Laboratory and the  U.S. Army.
 Beginning  In 1954, and continuing through  1970,
 this  program was conducted by the U.S.  Public
 Health Service.   Since 1970, the EPA has provided
 an  off-site Radiological Safety  Program,  both  in
 Nevada  and at  other  nuclear test  sites,  under
 interagency agreements with  the  DOE   or  its
 predecessor agencies.

 Since 1954, the  objectives of the off-site radiation
 surveillance  program  have   included:     the
 measurement and documentation of the levels and
 trends of any radiation or radioactive contaminants
 in the environment in the vicinity of atomic testing
 areas; and  the  determination as to whether the
 testing is in compliance with radiation protection
 standards,  guidelines,  and  regulations.   Off-site
 levels of radiation and radioactivity are assessed by
 sampling air and water; by measurements using
 pressurized ion chambers and thermoluminescent
 dosimeters; by sampling milk, food crops and other
 vegetation, soil,  and animals; and by biological
 assay procedures.

 Personnel with  mobile monitoring equipment are
 placed in areas downwind from the test site before
 each  test   to   provide   immediate  radiation
 measurements;  to obtain environmental samples;
 and  to initiate any action needed to protect the
 public if  radioactive  contamination of the off-site
area should occur.  Aircraft are also available to
 rapidly  monitor and sample any releases from a
 test.  Monitoring data obtained by the aircraft crew
 Immediately after a test can be used to position
 radiation monitors on the  ground.  Data from the
 aircraft may also be used to estimate the amount of
 activity  released and the diffusion, dispersion, and
 distribution    of    any    airborne   radioactive
 contaminants.

 Beginning with operation Upshot-Knothole in 1953,
 a report, summarizing the monitoring data obtained
 from each  test series, was published by the U.S.
 Public Health Service. For the reactor tests In 1959
 and the weapons and Plowshare tests in 1962, data
 were  published  only  for  the  tests  in  which
 detectable amounts of radioactivity were measured
 in an off-site area.  Publication of summary data for
 each  six-month period was initiated  in 1964.  In
 1971, the Atomic Energy Commission implemented
 a  requirement,  subsequently  incorporated  into
 Department of Energy Order 5484.1 (DOE85), that
 each agency or contractor Involved in major nuclear
 activities  provide  an   annual  comprehensive
 radiological  monitoring  report.   Sixteen  annual
 reports  were published   by  the  Environmental
 Protection Agency between 1971 and 1987.  During
 1988,  Order 5481.1 was superseded by the General
 Environmental Protection  Program Requirements
 (Order  5400.1) (DOE88)  of  the Department  of
 Energy.  This is the first annual report prepared in
 accordance with the new order. It summarizes the
 radiation  monitoring  activities  of  the   U.S.
 Environmental Protection Agency in the vicinity of
 the Nevada Test Site and at former nuclear testing
areas in the United States.  Included in this report
 are descriptions of the pertinent features  of the
 Nevada Test Site and its environs; summaries of the
 dosimetry and sampling methods; a delineation of
analytical and quality control procedures; and the
 results of  environmental  measurements.   Where
applicable,  dosimetry  and  analytical  data  are
compared   with   appropriate   standards   and
guidelines for the external and internal exposure of
humans  to ionizing radiation.

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Although  written  to  meet the  terms  of  the  federal, and local  agencies Involved In protecting
interagency agreement between the Environmental  the environment and the health and well-being of
Protection Agency and the  Department of Energy  the  public;  to   Individuals  and   organizations
as well as the requirements of Order 5400.1, the  concerned with  environmental quality  and  the
data and information  contained In this report also  possible release of radioactive contaminants  into
should be  of interest and use to the citizens of  the  biosphere;  and to scientists  and  students
Nevada,  Utah and  California who  live  in  the  Interested  In the  natural  radiation environment,
downwind areas of the Nevada Test Site;  to state,  population dosimetry. or environmental monitoring.

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 3.0 Summary
 Purpose

 "EPA is charged by Congress to protect the nation's land, air and water systems." (EPA89).  This
 policy applies to radioactive contamination of the biosphere and accompanying radiation exposure
 of the population.  To accomplish this and in agreement with the DOE policy of keeping radiation
 exposure of the general public as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA), the EPA's Environmental
 Monitoring Systems Laboratory in Las Vegas  conducts an Off-Site  Radiological Safety Program
 around the DOE's Nevada Test Site. This program is conducted under an Interagency Agreement
 between EPA and DOE. The main activity at the NTS is testing of nuclear devices, however, other
 related projects are conducted as well.
The principle activities of the Off-Site Radiological
Safety  Program  are:     routine  environmental
monitoring  for  radioactive  materials in  various
media and  for radiation in  areas which may be
affected by nuclear tests, and protective actions in
support of  the  nuclear testing program.   These
activities are conducted to document compliance
with standards, to Identify trends, and to  provide
information to the public.  This report summarizes
these activities for the calendar year of 1988.

In  1988  the  Air  Surveillance   Network  (ASM)
consisted of 31 continuously  operating  sampling
stations  surrounding  the  NTS and 78  standby
stations (operated one or two weeks each quarter)
in all states west of the Mississippi  River.  During
1988, no  airborne radioactivity related to  current
nuclear testing at the NTS was detected  on any
sample from  the ASN.    Other than  naturally
occurring  7Be the only activity detected  by this
network was  238Pu  and  239Pu  from  worldwide
fallout.

The Noble Gas  and  Tritium Surveillance Network
(NGTSN) consisted of 18 stations off site  (off the
NTS and exclusion areas) In 1988.  No NTS-related
radioactivity was detected at any off-site station by
this network. As in previous years, radloxenon and
tritium levels in samples from the  off-NTS stations
were generally  below  the  minimum detectable
concentration (MDC).
The  Long Term  Hydrological Monitoring Program
(LTHMP)  involves the  analysis  of ground  and
surface water samples from  sites of nuclear tests.
These  wells and surface  water  showed  only
background radlonuclide concentrations except for
those wells that had detectable activity in previous
years  or   those  that  had  been  spiked  with
radionuclides for hydrological tests.
The Milk Surveillance Network (MSN) consisted of
29  locations within 300 kilometers of the NTS and
102 standby  locations throughout the  western
United States.  StrontIum-89  above the minimum
detectable activity was  found  In one MSN sample.
One of the standby samples collected in Minnesota
had detectable    Cs.   Tritium concentrations in
milk were at background levels. Strontlum-90 from
worldwide   fallout   from  atmospheric   testing
continued the slow downward trend documented
over the past several years.

Other foods are analyzed regularly, most of which
are meat from domestic or game animals.   The
radlonuclide most  frequently  found In  the edible
portion of the sampled animals is 137Cs. However,
Its  concentration has been near  the MDC since
1968.  Strontlum-90 in samples  of animal bone
remain at very low levels as  does 239Pu In  both
bone and liver samples.
External Exposure
External exposure  Is monitored by  a network of
TLDs at 154 fixed  locations surrounding the NTS
and  by TLDs worn by 61 off-site residents.   With
one  exception, there  were no  exposures above
natural  background  when  tests  for statistical
significance  of variation were applied.  This net
exposure above natural background  was at Warm
Springs, NV, and was determined to be due to
higher levels of naturally occurring radioactivity In
the ground  water  at  that location  (see  Section
5.2.6).    The  range  of  background exposures
measured, varied with altitude and soil constituents,
is similar to the range of such exposures found In
other areas of the U.S.

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Dose Assessment
The maximum dose calculated for an adult living In
Nevada  using  the  radionuclides  measured  in
samples collected  by  the  monltorina networks
would  have been about 0.1 ^wrem (10  mSv) for
1988.  No radioactivity originating on the NTS was
detectable  by the monitoring networks; therefore,
no  dose assessment can be  made.   However,
based  on the NTS  releases reported  in Table  2,
atmospheric dispersion calculations (AIRDOS/EPA)
indicate that the highest individual dose would have
been 0.01 ^rem (10"4 fiSv), and  the,dose  to the
population within 80 km of Control Point One (CP-1)
would have been 4.7 x 10"5 person-rem (4.7 x 10
person-Sv),  The person receiving the highest dose
was  also  exposed  to  138  mrem from  natural
background radiation.
In the unlikely event that a certain mule deer had
been collected by a hunter  rather than by  EPA
personnel, that hunter could have received a dose
equivalent of 100 mrem (1.0 mSv) if he ate all the
liver and meat from the deer.
Internal Exposure

Internal exposure is assessed  by  whole  body
counting, using a single germanium detector, lung
counting using semi-planar detectors and bioassay
using radiochemlcal  procedures.  In  1988, counts
were made on  188 Individuals from the following:
100 off-site areas around the Nevada Test Site,
EMSL-LV Laboratory, EG&G facilities throughout
the United  States,  five  DOE  contractors  and
members of the general public concerned about
possible radiation exposure. No nuclear test related
radioactivity was detected.  In  addition,  physical
examinations of the  off-site residents revealed  a
normally healthy population consistent with the age
and sex distribution of that population.
Community Monitoring Stations (CMS)

The Community Monitoring Stations are operated
for   the   Environmental    Protection   Agency,
Department  of  Energy and  the  Desert  Research
Institute by local residents.  Fifteen of the eighteen
CMS became  operational  in  1982, the  sixteenth,
seventeenth and eighteenth in 1988.  Each station is
an Integral part of the Air  Surveillance Network
(ASN),  Noble Gas and Tritium Surveillance Network
(NGTSN),  and  Thermoluminescent    Doslmetry
(TLD) network, in addition they are equipped with a
Pressurized  Ion Chamber (PIC)  connected  to a
gamma rate  recorder, and a  microbarograph.
Samples and data from these stations are analyzed
and reported by the EPA at EMSL-LV.  Data is also
Interpreted  and reported  by  Desert  Research
Institute, University  of Nevada.   Data from these
stations are reported  herein as a  part  of the
networks   In   which  they  participate.      All
measurements for  1988 were within  the  normal
background range for the United States.

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 4.0  Description of the Nevada Test Site
 A. N. Jarvis

 The principle activity at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) is the testing of nuclear devices to aid in the
 development of nuclear weapons, proof testing of  weapons, and weapons  safety and effects
 studies.  Thus, the major activity of the EPA's Off-Site  Radiological Safety Program is radiation
 monitoring around the NTS.  This section is included to provide readers with  an overview of the
 climate, geology and hydrology, as well as with land uses, in this generally arid and sparsely popu-
 lated area of the southwest.  The Information included should provide a better understanding of the
 environment in which nuclear testing and monitoring activities take place, the reasons for the loca-
 tion of instrumentation, the weather extremes to which both people and equipment are subject, and
 the distances traveled by field monitors In collecting samples and maintaining equipment.
 Location

 The NTS is located in Nye County, Nevada, with its
 southeast corner about 90 km northwest of  Las
 Vegas (Figure 1).  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 Base
 Range Complex, which  provide  a  buffer  zone
 between 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
 upon wind speed and direction, from 2 to more than
 6 hours will elapse before any release of airborne
 radioactivity could pass over public lands.
Climate

The climate of the NTS and  surrounding area Is
variable, due to its wide range  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. (H075),  this method of  classification of  dry
condition,   developed  by  Doppen,   is further
subdivided on the basis of temperature and severity
of drought.   Table  1   (H075) summarizes  the
characteristics of climatic types for Nevada.

According to Quiring (QU68), 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 dally high
 (low) temperatures at the lower altitudes are around
 SOT (25°F) in January and 95°F (55°F) in July, with
 extremes  of  120°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
 115°Fand-306F.
 The wind direction, as measured on a 30 m tower at
 an  observation  station about 9 km NNW of Yucca
 Lake, is predominantly northerly  except during the
 months of May through August  when winds from
 the south-southwest predominate (QU68). 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
Two major hydrologic systems shown in Figure 2
exist on the NTS (ERDA77).  Ground water in the
northwestern part of the NTS or in the Pahute Mesa
area flows at a rate of 2 m to 180 m per year to the
south and southwest toward the Ash  Meadows
Discharge Area in the Amargosa Desert.  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

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Figure 1. Location of the Nevada Test Site (NTS).
                      8

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Climate Type
Alpine
tundra
Humid
continental
Subhumid
continental
Mid-latitude
steppe
Mid-latitude
desert
Low-latitude
desert
Table 1.
Characteristics of Climatic Types In Nevada
(from Houghton et al. 1975)
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°)
* Limits of annual precipitation overlap
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)
6410114
(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
Moder-
ate
Light
to
moderate
Light
Neglig-
ible
Dominant
Vegetation
Alpine
meadows
Pine-fir
forest
Pine or
scrub
woodland
Sagebrush,
grass,
scrub
Grease-
wood,
shadscale
Creosote
bush
%
of
Area
-
1
15
57
20
7
because of variations in temperature which affect the water balance.
nearer the true  value.  At Mercury Valley in the
extreme  southern part of the NTS, the eastern
ground water flow shifts south-westward toward the
Ash Meadows Discharge Area.

Land Use of NTS Environs
Figure 3 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.

Many recreational areas, in all directions around the
NTS  (Figure  3) 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

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                                                                             \
\
 Panute Mesa
 Ground Water
    System
                                                   Ash Meadows
                                                Ground Water System
  10   20    30
  Scale in Kilometers
•>•—>• Flow Direction
— — Ground Water System Boundaries
, —.— Silent Canyon Caldera
	Timber Mountain Caldera
                                                                     5/89
      Figure 2.  Ground Water Flow Systems Around the Nevada Test Site
                                   10

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  Camping &
  Recreational Areas
O Hunting
• Fishing
O Mines
A Oil Fields
                                                           JLAKE * King man
                                                           MOJAVE

                                                              !A
                                                               Lake Havasu
  Figure 3.   General Land t/se Within 300 km of the Nevada Tesf S/fe.
                                    11

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year except for the winter months.  Camping and
fishing  locations to  the  southeast, south, and
southwest are utilized throughout the year.  The
hunting season is from September through January.
 Population Distribution

 Figure 4 shows the current population of counties
 surrounding the NTS based  on 1986  Bureau of
 Census  estimates  (DOC86).    Excluding  Clark
 County, the major population center (approximately
 569,500 in 1986), 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 off-site area within 80 km of CP-1 (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 6,000 is located about 72 km
 south of the NTS CP-1. The Amargosa Farm Area,
 which has a population of about 1,200, is located
 about 50 km southwest of CP-1. The largest town in
 the near  off-site  area  is  Beatty, which  has  a
 population  of  about   2,000  and  is  located
 approximately 65 km to the west of CP-1. A  report
 by Smith  and  Coogan  (EPA84) was published in
 1984 which summarized the population distribution
within selected  rural areas  out to 200  kilometers
from the Control Point on the NTS.
The Mojave Desert of  California,  which includes
 Death  Valley National Monument,  lies  along  the
 southwestern border of Nevada. The National Park
 Service (NPS80)  estimated  that  the   population
within the Monument boundaries ranges from  a
minimum  of 200 permanent residents during  the
summer months to as many as 5,000 tourists and
campers on any particular day during  the  major
holiday periods in the winter months, and as many
as 30,000  during "Death Valley Days" in  the month
of November.   The largest town and  contiguous
populated area (about 40  square miles)  In  the
Mojave  Desert  Is   Barstow,  located  265  km
south-southwest of the NTS. with a  1986 population
of about 20,250. The next largest populated area is
the Ridgecrest-China Lake area,  which has a
current population of about 25,000 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-north-west of the NTS, with a population of
about 3,500.

The extreme southwestern  region of Utah is  more
developed than the adjacent part of Nevada.  The
largest community is St. George, located 220  km
east of the  NTS, with a population of 19,800.  The
next largest town, Cedar City, with a population of
12,380, 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 towns in the area are Bullhead City,  165  km
south-southeast of the NTS, with a 1986 population
estimate of 18,740 and Kingman, located 280  km
southeast of the NTS, with a population of about
10,760.  Figures 5  through 8 show the domestic
animal populations in the counties near the NTS.
                                             12

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  Washoe
224,600 "*•





kk

Humboldt
10,600

	 1
Pershing jr
3,700 /
NEVADA •
1
Elko I
21 ,900 •
'
/ Lander
•i— 	 y A 9nn
!
\ •
Fnrpkal *
UTAH
Box Elder
36,800
-^
Tooele
29,200

                                                    White Pine
                                                      7,600
                                                                       Millard
                                                                       14,200
    Douglas
    23,200
                                                                       Beaver
                                                                       5,100
                Mono \Esmeralda
                  ,200  V   1 ,300
                                                                 ^Washington     K?"e
                                                                    38,600
  0    50    100   150
    Scale in Kilometers
                                                           I
                                    San Bernardino
                                       1,139,100
                                                  Q%^,   \    Mojave
                                                    •^l   76'600
                                                       *VV
                         5/89
   Figure 4.  Population of Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah Counties Near the Nevada Test Site
                              (Based on 1986 Census Estimates).
                                            13

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Washoe
7(23)
Storey
 0(4)  _

Carson I
City
 0(2)

 Douglas
   3(3)
     Lyon
     7(16)
Hum6oldt
50 (20)
Pershing )r
f 12(0) /
/Lan
- L 	 / 16
I C
I, Churchill \
**f\ 28(26) /
NEVADA
Elko
135(6)
der
(0)
I
Eureka!
30(15))
( White Pine
/ 26 (8)
UTAH
Box Elder
30(12)
.**
Tooele
25(4)
Juab ,
•
Millard
                                       Nye
                                     48(115)
               Mono ^/Esmeralda
                8(4)  *    8(4)
Lincoln
30(35)
                                                                •Washington
                                                                   80 (8)
                                    NELLIS
                                    AFB RANGE
                                    COMPLEX
     50    100   150
   Scale in Kilometers
                                  San Bernardino
                                     20 (290)
       00 Cows
      (00) Goats
                     5/89
           Figure 5.  Distribution of Family Milk Cows and Goats, by County (1988).
                                          14

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Washoe
  700
  Douglas
    2,'400
     Lyon
     1,800
Beaver
2,800
               Mono \/tsmeralda
                                     NELLIS
                                     AFB RANGE —
                                      COMPLEX
                                                                   Washington
                                                                     < 500
      Scale in Miles

         50        100
     50   100   150
   Scale in Kilometers
                                   San Bernardino
                                      193,000
                   Figure 6.  Distribution of Dairy Cows, by County (1988).
                                           15

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 Washoe
27,600

  Storey
   100

  Carson I
  City
  1,100
   Douglas
   15,000
       Lyon
     36,500








Kh.

Humboldt
58,000

\

Pershing K
NEVADA

Elko
1 56,400


21,000 /
/ Lander
-, 	 / 25.000
\i Churchill \
£7l 47.000 /
/ \ L

\
\
Eureka I
21,800?
( White Pine
/ 25,500
I
•
1
1

1
•
1
1"



1
•
t
•
1
UTAH
Box Elder
28,300

-^
Tooele
1 5,000



Juab
8,400

Millard
17,100
                Mono %/Esmeralda
                        *
 0    50   100   150
    Scale in Kilometers
                                    San Bernardino
                                        7,700
                     Figure 7.  Distribution of Beef Cattle, by County (1988).
                                            16

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Washoe
3,000
                    Churchill
                     4,900
                                White Pine
                                  19,700
                                                                       Millard
                                                                       9,000
  Douglas
   6,000
Mineral
 5,000
               Mono \/Esmeralda
                                                        Lincoln
                                                        <500
7,500  «V   <5oo
                 NELUS
                 AFB RANGE
                  COMPLEX
                                                                  Washington
                                                                 I   1,500
     50   100   150
   Scale in Kilometers
                 Kern
               155,000
                                   San Bernardino
                                       10,600
                     Figure 8.  Distribution of Sheep, by County (1988).
                                           17

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5.0 Radiological Safety Activities

The radiological safety activities of the EMSL-LV are divided into two major areas: special test sup-
port and routine environmental surveillance that includes pathways monitoring, internal and exter-
nal  exposure monitoring.   Both  of these activities are designed  to  detect  any increase in
environmental radiation which might cause exposure to individuals or population groups so that
protective actions may be taken, to the extent feasible. These activities are described in the follow-
ing  portions of this report.
5.1  Special Test Support

C. A. Fontana

During all  nuclear   tests mobile  monitoring
teams are deployed around the NTS. They are
prepared to assist  in  directing  protective ac-
tions for off-site  residents should that become
necessary.  Prior to the test they ascertain the
locations of residents, work crews and domestic
animal herds, and obtain information relative to
residents  in  communities  and remote areas.
Monitors, equipped with radiation survey instru-
ments, gamma exposure-rate recorders, TLDs,
portable air samplers, and supplies for collect-
ing environmental samples, are prepared to con-
duct a monitoring program as directed from the
NTS CP-1 via two-way radio communications.
                                              **•.,',•»'•".,  '    - .*?
                                           19

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If an underground nuclear test is expected to cause
ground  motion  detectable  off  site,  then  EPA
monitors  are  stationed   at   locations  where
hazardous   situations  might  occur,   such  as
underground mines. At these locations, occupants
are notified of potential hazards so they can take
precautionary measures.

Professional EPA personnel serve as members of
the Test Controller's  Advisory  Panel to provide
advice on possible public and environmental impact
of each test and on feasible protective actions in the
event that  an accidental  release of  radioactivity
should occur.

An  EG&G cloud sampling  and tracking aircraft is
always flown over the  NTS  to  obtain  samples,
assess total  cloud volume and  provide long range
tracking in  the  event  of  a release  of airborne
radioactivity.  A second aircraft  is also flown to
gather meteorological  data and to perform cloud
tracking.   Information from these aircraft can be
used in positioning the mobile radiation monitors.

During the calendar year of 1988, EMSL personnel
were  deployed  for all underground nuclear tests
conducted  at the  NTS, none  of  which released
radioactivity that could be detected off site.
              5.2  Routine Environmental
              Surveillance

              Airborne Releases of Radioactivity at the NTS
              During 1988
              S. C. Black
              All nuclear detonations  during  1988 were con-
              ducted   underground   and  were  contained.
              Releases  of  low-level  radioactivity  occurred
              during  re-entry drilling,  seepage through  fis-
              sures in the  soil or  purging of tunnel areas.
              Table   2  shows  the  total   quantities   of
              radionuclides  released to the  atmosphere,  as
              reported by the DOE Nevada Operations Office
              (DOE89).    Because these  releases  occurred
              throughout the year and  because of the distance
              from the points of releases to the nearest off-site
              sampling   station,  none  of  the   radioactive
              material listed in this table was detected off site.
              To detect any radioactivity that might escape from
              the NTS, including that listed in Table  2, a routine
              surveillance program is conducted.  This program
              includes pathways monitoring that consists  of air,
              water, and milk surveillance networks surrounding
             Table 2 Total Airborne Radionuclide Emissions at the NTS During 1988
      Radionuclide
Half-Life (days)
Quantity Released (Ci)
          dH

         131 |

         133 |


        133Xe

        133m
            Xe
        135
           Xe
   4511

      8.04


      0.86

      5.24

      2.19

      0.38
        68.2

         3.2 X10'5

         1.1X10"4

        18.1

         0.44

         8.0
                                             20

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the NTS and a limited animal sampling program.  In
addition, external and internal exposures of off-site
populations  are assessed  using  state-of-the-art
dosimetry equipment. The following portions of this
report  detail the  results  of  these  surveillance
programs.
5.2.1  Air Surveillance Network (ASN)
V. E. Niemann

Network Design

The ASN monitors an important route of human
exposure to radionuclides, inhalation of airborne
materials.   The concentration and  the  source
must  both be determined if appropriate  correc-
tive  actions are to  be  taken.   The  ASN  is
designed to monitor the areas within 350 km  of
the NTS with some concentration of stations  in
the prevailing  downwind  direction (Figure 9).
Station   location   is   dependent  upon   the
availability of electrical power and, at stations
distant from the NTS,  of  a resident  willing to
operate  the  equipment.    This  continuously
operating network is supplemented by a standby
network  which  covers the contiguous  states
west of the Mississippi river (Figure 10).
Methods
During 1988, the ASN consisted of 31 continuously
operating  sampling  stations  and  78   standby
stations.   The  air sampler at each  station was
equipped to collect both  paniculate radionuclides
on  prefilters  and reactive  gases  on  charcoal
cartridges.  The prefilters and charcoal cartridges
from all active stations were routinely analyzed. The
prefilters from the standby stations  were routinely
                                             21

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                '#„

          Lathrop Wells

   Furnace Creek |  *\


       Death Valley Jet. |f\  m


                         X
              Shoshone9
) Community Monitoring Stations (18)

I Other Air Sampling Stations (13)



 B/89
                                       VI
                                                            50     100

                                                          Seal* in Kilonwurt
Figure 9.  Air Surveillance Network Stations (1988).
                           22

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                                                 North Dakota Minnesota
                                                   A       A
     Scale in Miles
0  100      300
500
  100   300   500    700
   Scale in Kilometers
                A Stand-by ASN    \
                  Stations (78)       f
                  5/89
            Figure 10.  Standby Air Surveillance Network Stations (1988).
                                       23

-------
analyzed; the charcoal cartridges from the standby
stations were not routinely analyzed.

Samples of airborne participates were collected at
each active station on  5-cm diameter glass-fiber
filters at a flow rate f 82 m3 per day. Filters were
changed after sampler operation periods of two to
three days  (160  to 250 m3). Activated charcoal
cartridges placed directly behind the filters to collect
gaseous radloiodine were  changed  at the same
time  as  the filters.   The  standby  network was
activated  for  one week  per  quarter  at  most
locations. The standby  samplers were Identical to
those used at the active stations and were operated
by state and municipal health department personnel
or by other local residents.  All analytical work was
done at the EMSL-LV.

Results

During 1988,  no  airborne  radioactivity related to
current nuclear testing at the NTS was detected on
any sample from the ASN. Throughout the network,
7Be  was  the  only nuclide detected by  gamma
spectroscopy.     The  principal  means  of 7Be
production is  from spallatlon  of 160 and  14N by
cosmic rays In the atmosphere. Tables 3 and  4
summarize the data from the ASN samples.  All
time-weighted  averages ("Wt-Avg" in the tables) are
less  than one  percent of the Concentration Guide
(see Section 10) for exposure to the general public.
However,  these guides  do not  apply to naturally
occurring radionuclides.

Two additional analyses are  performed  on  the
samples from the ASN: a gross beta analysis of the
filters from  five stations,  and  238Pu and 239Pu
analysis of composited filters from fourteen Western
states.

Once each  quarter, the prefilters  from selected
stations are composited and analyzed for 238Pu and
239Pu.  Those from the stations  at  Las  Vegas,
Lathrop Wells, and Rachel,  Nevada, and Salt Lake
City, Utah, are  composited as monthly samples and
submitted quarterly for analysis.  The other samples
consist of composited  filters  from two standby
stations in each of fourteen states. The results of the
238Pu and 239Pu analyses are shown in Table 5.
The  January  composite  from Lathrop  Wells,
Nevada, yielded a   Pu result above the MDC (and
greater than  the  2-sigma error).   The June
composite  from  Rachel, Nevada, yielded  results
above the MDC (and greater than the 2-sigma error)
for 238Pu and    Pu.  Because work  done  on the
 Plutonium  analytical  procedure  during the  first
 quarter of  1988 produced an  Increased yield, an
 improved (lower) MDC was achieved.  These very
 small amounts of plutonium may have been present
 over  time   but, until  improved  sensitivity was
 achieved, it was impossible to quantitate them.

 The gross beta analysis Is used to detect trends In
 atmospheric radioactivity since this analysis is more
 sensitive  than  gamma   spectrometry  for  this
 purpose.  For this study, five stations around the
 NTS are used. The three filters  per week from each
 station are  analyzed for gross  beta activity after a
 seven day delay to decrease the contribution from
 naturally-occurring  thoron daughter activity.   The
 data  suggest little  significant difference among
 stations   and   Indicate   a   relatively    stable
 concentration  compared  to previous years.   A
 summary of the data is shown in Table 6.
5.2.2  Noble Gas and Tritium Surveillance Net-
work (NGTSN)

E. A. Thompson

Network Design

There  are several sources for the radionuclides
monitored by this network.   Noble gases are
emitted from nuclear power  plants, propulsion
reactors, reprocessing facilities, and nuclear ex-
plosions. Tritium is emitted from the same sour-
ces  and is also produced  naturally.   The
monitoring network will be affected by all these
sources, but must be able to detect NTS emis-
sions.   As  a part of the monitoring  network,
samplers are located  around the NTS, particular-
ly in drainage-wind channels  leading  from the
test  areas.  Others are located farther from the
test  site and outside  of drainage-wind  channels
to provide more complete coverage, especially
for populated areas.  In 1988 this network  con-
sisted  of 18 stations as shown in Figure 11.  This
figure  also shows the location of the temporary
station operated at Mammoth Lakes, CA, during
1987 and 1988.
Methods

Samples  of  air   are  collected   by  directly
compressing air into storage tanks. The equipment
continuously samples air over a 7-day period and
stores approximately 1 m3 of air in two tanks. The
tanks are  exchanged weekly and returned to the
                                              24

-------
TABLE 3. Summary of analytical results for Air Surveillance
CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING STATIONS - 1988
Sampling Location
Death Valley Jet CA
Furnace Creek CA
Shoshone CA
Alamo NV
Austin NV
Beatty NV
Caliente NV
Stone Cabin Ranch NV
Blue Eagle Ranch NV
ElyNV
Goldfield NV
Groom Lake NV
Hiko NV
Indian Springs NV
Las Vegas NV
Lathrop Wells NV
Overton NV
Pahrump NV
Pioche NV
Scotty's Jet NV
Sunnyside NV
Rachel NV

No. Days
Detected
/Sampled
37/335
47/353
13/348
7/346
28/349
18/352
9/303
8/342
10/345
8/350
5/349
26/357
9/349
6/351
9/352
26/341
6/348
20/343
11/340
22/329
12/343
10/354

Radio-
Nuclide
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be

Network

Radioactivity Cone.
(pCi/m3)
Max
0.78
1.6
1.1
0.73
0.65
1.9
0.47
0.95
0.93
0.64
0.55
0.34
0.57
0.61
1.0
0.52
1.4
1.5
0.86
0.82
1.1
0.49

Min
0.16
0.15
0.18
0.26
0.17
0.29
0.17
0.39
0.33
0.37
0.26
0.058
0.24
0.23
0.14
0.099
0.26
0.22
0.24
0.20
0.43
0.24

WT-Avg*
0.047
0.079
0.020
0.0096
0.032
0.034
0.0098
0.013
0.014
0.010
0.0054
0.0082
0.011
0.0073
0.0088
0.018
0.011
0.036
0.015
0.030
0.022
0.010
(continued)
25

-------
                                   TABLES.  (Continued)
. Sampling Location
No. Days
Detected
/Sampled
 Radio
Nuclide
                                                                 Radioactivity Cone.
                                                                      (pCi/m3)
Max
Min    WT-Avg*
 Tonopah NV
 TTRNV
 Fallinl's fTwn Spgs)
     Ranch NV
 Cedar City UT
 Delta UT
 Milford UT
 St George UT
 Salt Lake City UT
  11/355
  63/238

  11/351
  18/348
  26/344
  26/345
  29/323
  27/344
  7Be
  7Be
  7Be
  7Be
  7Be
  7Be
  7Be
0.68
1.0

0.77
0.68
0.81
0.67
1.0
1.1
0.23
0.14

0.19
0.29
0.30
0.21
0.28
0.21
0.013
0.13

0.015
0.026
0.037
0.029
0.062
0.042
 * Wt-Avg Is a Time-Weighted Average over the location's entire sampling period.
 The following station had negligible gamma-spectra:
 Nyala NV  (sampled for 353 days.)
                                           26

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TABLE 4. Summary
STANDBY STATIONS -
Sampling Location
Klngman AZ
Alturas CA
Bishop CA
Indio CA
Rldgecrest CA
Grand Jet CO
Great Falls MT
Currant NV -
Angleworm Ranch
Duckwater NV
Desert Oasis Resort NV
Round Mountain NV
Carlsbad NM
Shlprock NM
Williston ND
Burns OR
Rock Springs WY
of analytical
OPERATED
No. Days
Detected
/Sampled
6/28
2/28
3/28
2/26
3/14
5/24
3/28
3/35
26/26
5/7
2/24
2/21
3/21
4/22
3/28
3/28
results for Air Surveillance Network
1 OR 2 WEEKS PER QUARTER - 1988
Radio-
Nuclide
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
7Be
* Wt-Avg is a Time-Weighted Average over the location's entire
Radioactivity Cone.
(pCi/m3)
Max Min
0.41 0.23
0.42 0.42
0.45 0.45
0.035 0.035
0.22 0.22
0.24 0.24
0.24 0.24
0.64 0.64
0.74 0.30
0.21 0.21
1.1 1.1
0.80 0.80
0.69 0.69
0.39 0.39
0.59 0.59
0.43 0.43
sampling period.
WT-Avg*
0.069
0.030
0.048
0.0027
0.050
0.025
0.025
0.054
0.36
0.15
0.088
0.076
0.098
0.068
0.063
0.046

(continued)
27

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                              TABLE 4.  (Continued)
The following stations had negligible gamma-spectra:  () Is number of days operated.
Globe AZ (27 days)
Tucson AZ (30 days)
Winslow AZ (26 days)
Yuma AZ (27 days)
Little Rock AR (20 days)
Baker CA (20 days)
Chico CA (29 days)
Lone Pine CA (28 days)
Needles CA (22 days)
Santa Rosa CA (28 days)
Cortez CO (21 days)
Denver CO (27 days)
Mountain Home ID (21 days)
Boise ID (28 days)
Pocatello ID (28 days)
Fort Dodge IA (32 days)
Iowa City IA (29 days)
Dodge City KS (28 days)
Monroe LA (28 days)
Minneapolis MN (28 days)
Clayton MO (28 days)
Joplln MO (28 days)
Kalispell MT (29 days)
Miles City MT (28 days)
North Platte NE (20 days)
Battle Mountain NV (20 days)
Blue Jay NV (9 days)
Currle NV - Currie Maintenance Station (19 days)
Elko NV - Phillips 66 Truck Stop (21 days)
Eureka NV (26 days)
FallonNV(18days)
Lovelock NV (14 days)
Lund NV (23 days)
Mesquite NV (27 days)
Reno NV (21 days)
Uhalde's Ranch NV (58 days)
Wells NV (19 days)
Winnemucca NV (21 days)
Albuquerque NM (21 days)
Bismarck ND (28 days)
Fargo ND (19 days)
Muskogee OK (20 days)
Medford OR (32 days)
Rapid City SD  (21  days)
AmarilloTX(21days)
Austin TX (21 days)
Midland TX (28 days)
Tyler TX (36 days)
Bryce Canyon  UT (20 days)
Enterprise UT (35 days)
Garrison UT (16 days)
Logan UT (21 days)
Parowan UT (16 days)
Vernal UT (29 days)
Wendover UT (21 days)
Seattle WA (19 days)
Spokane WA (21 days)
Worland WY (26 days)
                                      28

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Table 5. Concentrations of 238 Pu and 239 Pu-Composited Air Samples - 1988
COLLECTION
DATE
SAMPLING LOCATION 1988
AZ COMPOSITE (Winslow& Tucson) 	
03/09
06/22
07/27
11/02
CA COMPOSITE (Bishop & Rldgecrest) 	
02/24
06/17
07/29
10/31
CO COMPOSITE (Denver & Cortez) ............
02/29
06/22
07/29
12/12
ID COMPOSITE (Boise & Mountain Home) 	 	
03/14
06/29
07/29
10/31
MO COMPOSITE (Clayton & Joplln) 	 	
02/29
06/29
08/31
11/22
MT COMPOSITE (Great Falls & Miles Citv) ...
02/29
06/29
08/31
12/14
NV COMPOSITE (Las Veaas^
01/29
02/29
03/30
CONG. ±
238p
(aCI/m3)

-13 ± 25
-1.6 ± 13
-0.5 ± 6.5
-3.6 ± 39
5.3 ± 11
-4.3 ± 17
-7.5 ± 5.8
-38 ±42
-4.3 ± 16
-11 ± 29
-1.1 ± 14
-51 ± 36
0.5 ± 17
-12 ± 32
-7.5 ± 5.7
-26 ± 35
-6.1 ± 11
-19 ± 75
-8.9 ± 6.9
NOT ANALYZED
-4.6 ± 8.6
-8.7 ± 23
-0.8 ± 11
-3.3 ± 2.5
0.2 ± 8.7
LOST
-5.7 ± 15
2 SIGMA
239 pu
(aCI/m3)

-1.4 ± 7
0 ± 7.6
-5 ± 3.2
-10 ± 15
9.3 ± 10
2.1 ± 10
2.2 ± 19
-5.5 ± 1.9
-1.0 ± 11
-3.6 ± 16
-4.3 ± 14
-5.1 ± 17
-3.3 ± 12
0 ±19
-11 ± 7
-8.7 ± 12
LOST
9.3 ± 43
-13 ± 8
NOT ANALYZED
-1.7 ± 6.1
0 ±13
-8.2 ± 5.3
-4.6 ± 3
6.9 ± 7.5
LOST
0 ± 8.9
(continued)
29

-------
Tables. (Continued)

COLLECTION
DATE
SAMPLING LOCATION 1988
04/29
05/03
06/19
07/29
08/31
09/30
10/31
11/30
12/30
NV COMPOSITE (LATHROP WELLS) 	
01/30
02/29
03/30
04/29
05/24
06/29
07/28
08/31
09/19
10/28
11/30
12/30
NV COMPOSITE (RACHEL) 	
01/31
02/28
03/03
04/30
05/31
06/28
07/31
08/30
09/30
10/30-
11/29
12/30
NM COMPOSITE (Albuquerque & Carlsbad) 	
03/30
06/29
12/12
CONC. ±
238 p
(aCI/m3)
-1.5
-1.2
-4.3
-0.6
-0.2
6.2
-9.1
-8.5
-8.6

0
43
-4.7
-2.5
5.9
3.2
-3.3
0.9
1.4
-3.8
-1.9
-2.2

-21
5
-1.6
5.6
-2.9
12
5.9
2.1
-0.1
-2
-1.9
-10

-1.6
-3.1
-4.5
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±

±
±
jh
±
±
±
±
;*;
±
±
±
±

±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±

±
±
±
12
9.9
11
8.5
2.9
12
10
11
11

14
72
18
10
12
8.6
2.5
3.0
4.9
6.4
1.4
1.7

40
8.5
6.3
11
12
11**
6.1*
4
1.5
1.6
1.4
14

14
25
3.4
2 SIGMA
239 p
u.
(aCi/m*)
4.4
i.2
0
1.3
-2.2
1.1
-1.3
0
-1.4

27
6.1
-1
1.3
7.4
0
-1.9
2.4
-2.8
-1.5
-1.1
-3.2

9
3.1
1.4
7
0
47
4.1
1.5
2.3
2.3
-2.7
0

-2.8
0
-6.4
±
±
±
Hh
±
±
Hh
±
±

±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±

±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±

±
±
±
6.9
5.7
6.7
12
1.4
10
4.5
5.7
5

15**
51
13
5.8
7.9
4.9
6.3
4.3
1.8
2.2
3.7
2

28
6
4.4
7.5
6.8
19**
5.6*
4.1
3.2*
6.3
1.7
6.9

9.9
14
4.1
(continued)
30

-------
Table 5. (Continued)
COLLECTION
DATE
SAMPLING LOCATION 1988
ND COMPOSITE (Bismarck & Fargo) 	
03/28
06/29
09/19
12/12
OR COMPOSITE (Burns & Medford) 	
03/21
09/21
12/12
TX COMPOSITE (Austin & Amarillo) 	
03/31
06/29
09/18
12/23
UT COMPOSITE (Logan & Vernal) 	
03/30
06/29
12/11
UT COMPOSITE (SALT LAKE CITY) 	
01/29
02/26
03/30
04/29
05/30
06/29
07/29
08/31
09/30
10/31
11/30
12/30
WA COMPOSITE (Seattle & Spokane) . . ...
03/30
06/27
12/12

CONC. ±
238 p
(aCI/m3)

-8.4 ± 16
-6.8 ± 27
-7.2 ± 5.5
-4.8 ± 3.6
5.3 ± 12
1.1 ± 5
-5.3 ± 4.1
-3.9 ±. 9.8
-98 ± 264
-13 ± 10
-8.6 ± 6.6
-2.2 ± 8.5
0.0 ± 32
-0.4 ± 5.4
0.2 ± 8.2
-8.5 ± 23
-2.7 ± 7.3
0.0 ± 7.2
3 ± 8
0.8 ± 6.3
-0.2 ± 3.3
-0.2 ± 2.7
-3.7 ± 2.9
-5.1 ± 11
-11 ± 18
-7.4 ± 16
2.2 ± 13
-8.7 ± 35
-0.6 ± 8.6

2 SIGMA
239 pu
(aCi/m3)

-0.9 ±11
3.4 ± 16
2.1 ± 19
-6.8 ± 4.4
-2.3 ± 8.4
-1.1 ± 3.8
-7.6 ± 4.9
-0.5 ± 6.9
-33 ±153
-18 ± 12
-12 ± 8
4.3 ± 6
0.0 ± 18
13 ± 14*
5.3 ± 5.8
-2.8 ± 13
0.9 ± 4.2
-0.9 ± 4.2
1.0 ± 4.6
0.0 ± 3.7
-2.5 ± 1.6
4.1 ± 5.7*
-5.3 ± 3.5
-1.3 ± 4.4
-4.5 ± 6.3
-1.8 ± 6.4
-0.7 ± 9.3
-4.3 ± 20
-6.5 ± 4.2
(continued)
31

-------
                                   Tables. (Continued)
                                                              CONC. ±  2 SIGMA
                                       COLLECTION
                                           DATE           238 Pu            239 Pu
SAMPLING LOCATION                       1988          (aCi/m3)           (aCi/m3)


WY COMPOSITE (Worland& Rock Springs)	
                                             03/30       -6.1  ±  11         -2.3  ±   8
                                             06/29      -29   ±  77         -9.5  ±  44
                                             09/26      -25   ±19        -35   ±  24
                                             12/09      -24   ±  20         -5.4  ±   7.7
All concentrations below the minimum detectable concentration (MDC) unless so noted.

 * Concentration above the MDC but smaller than the 2-slgma error term.
** Concentration above the MDC and greater than the 2-slgma error term.
TABLE 6. Summary of Gross Beta Analyses
for Air Surveillance Network- 1 988
Sampling Location
Shoshone CA
Las Vegas NV
Delta UT
Milford UT
St George UT
No. Days
Sampled
351.0
356.4
353.9
357.6
328.7 *
Radioactivity Cone.
(pCi/m3)
Max Min
0.056 0.0010
0.055 -0.0036
0.10 -0.0017
0.088 0.0013
0.072 0.001 1
Avg
0.020
0.021
0.022
0.026
0.022
* This station was out of service during May, 1988.
                                           32

-------
NEVADA J





O PYRAMID
Austin •
1 Ely*
\
\
ty ^V Tonopah^
>. . 	 , PiocheA
» ,,,...... 1 H Rachel
•^ Goldfield* 1 1— — ,«
^ UNELLISAFB ^* Calientn*
V ? RANGE COMPLEX 1 i-anentew
• Mammoth ^ e_ x-v >,
Lakes \ S rC-X— 1 	 • Alamo
\ ^^s. \ NEVAOA
^^ Beattv i TEST

\^ I
Lathrop WellMr""\J"TJ 	 ' Oyerton
* Q ^f^ v_i
\ Indian Springs W
UTAH
j SALT V.
\A /^A
>^ Salt
Lake
City







• Cedar City
• St. George
T ARIZONA



1
Pahrmnp • , _ ^J/LAKE^IEAD 1
Shoshone. \ *»* <5**T J
S ; N
*V • Scale in Milas
• Both Noble Gas and Tritium T» • o so 100
A Tritium (H-3) only S | ^==^^^===^o
5/89 ^1 Seal* in Kilom«ter>
F/0ure 11. Noble Gas and Tritium Surveillance Network Sampling Locations.
                                 33

-------
 EMSL-LV  where  their  contents are  analyzed.
 Analysis starts by condensing the samples at liquid
 nitrogen    temperature    and    using    gas
 chromatography  to separate  the  gases.   The
 separate fractions of radloxenon and radlokrypton
 are dissolved In scintillation cocktail and counted In
 a liquid scintillation counter (see Section 9.0 Sample
 Analysis Procedures).

 For tritium sampling, a  molecular sieve  column is
 used to collect water from air after it passes through
 a paniculate filter.  Up to  10 m3 of air are passed
 through the column over a 7-day sampling period.
 Water   adsorbed   on   the  molecular  sieve  Is
 recovered, and the  concentration of tritium in the
 water,  as tritlated water (HTO), Is determined by
 liquid scintillation counting (see Section 9.0 Sample
 Analysis Procedures).  This result can then be used
 to calculate the concentration of tritium In air by
 knowing the volume of air that passed through the
 sieve.
Results

Figure 12 contains plots showing the results for all
the ^Kr analyses for each station,  with the error
bars  representing  the two-sigma counting error.
The results all fell within the limits expected from
statistical variation.

A  summary  of the  results  from  the  samples
collected by the NGTSN Is shown In Table 7. This
summary consists of the maximum,  minimum and
average  concentration  for  each  station.   The
                                       number of samples analyzed Is typically less than
                                       the expected number (fifty-two) since samples are
                                       occasionally lost  in  the  analysis  procedure,  or
                                       Insufficient volume Is collected,  or no sample Is
                                       collected due to equipment problems. Caliente and
                                       Mammoth Lakes have particularly low counts for the
                                       number of samples analyzed because their noble
                                       gas systems were not installed and  operational for
                                       the entire year. At Caliente, the noble gas sampler
                                       was not Installed until late April, then  it was not
                                       functional during the  last two months of the year
                                       due to equipment problems.   The sampler  at
                                       Mammoth  Lakes was removed  about  half way
                                       through the  year because the   study  It  was
                                       supporting was completed.   The low number of
                                       samples analyzed for St.  George was due to a
                                       combination of two factors. The first of these was a
                                       series of samples with low volume, and the second
                                       was a problem with the equipment which caused It
                                       to be out of operation for several weeks. Network
                                       weekly  averages  of  85Kr  concentrations  (with
                                       two-sigma error bars) measured in 1988 are shown
                                       in Figure  13.  The measured ^Kr concentrations
                                       ranged  from  18.0 to 34.8  pCI/m3  (0.67  to  1.3
                                       Bq/m3).

                                       A paper presented by Bernhardt et al., (BE73) In a
                                       1973 symposium contained a curve predicting 85Kr
                                       concentration  for  the future.    In  recent  years,
                                       measured levels have not reached those predicted;
                                       but Instead seem to have reached a plateau. Two
                                       reasons for this may be the decision by the United
                                       States to defer fuel reprocessing which is the step In
                                      the fuel cycle where the majority of  the krypton Is
      *r
45 T~
40--
35--T
30- £
25--
20--
15--
10--
 5--
                                                                     Mammoth Lakea, CA
                               +
                                              +
+
              JAN    FEB   MAR   APR   MAY   JUN    JUL   AUG   SEP   OCT   NOV    DEC
                Figure 12.  Weekly  KKr Concentrations In Air by Station, 1988 Data.
                                              34

-------
    45
5«t
SM--
 c 30--
{.25.-
| 20--
 8 15--
^ 10--
    5--
                                                               Shoahon*. CA
                                  H - 1 - 1 - 1
                                                          1
       JAN   FEB   MAR  APR   MAY   JUN   JUL   AUG   SEP   OCT   NOV   DEC
   45
§ *0
3 35
^ 30
I 25
| 20
8 15
t
   10 +
    5
    0
                                                                  Alamo, NV
       JAN   FEB   MAR   APR   MAY   JUN   JUL   AUG   SEP   OCT   NOV   DEC
   45
   *°
   35
   30
   25
   20
   15
   10
    5
 >
 \i
 5  10--
S
                                                                  Austin, NV
1
                                              h
       JAN   FEB  MAR  APR   MAY  JUN   JUL   AUG   SEP  OCT   NOV   DEC
   45
§40f
U  -.c
o.  35 -f
>~*
c  30

l25^
 I  20--
 I  15--
     5--
                                                                 Beatty. NV
                       +
        —i	^_
      JAN   FEB   MAR   APR   MAY   JUN   JUL  AUG   SEP   OCT   NOV   DEC
                            Figure 12. (Continued)
                                    35

-------
    45
    40--

    30--

    20--
    15--
8
                                                                   Callanta, NV
                                    H	1-
       JAN   FEB   MAR   APR   MAY   JUN   JUL  AUG    SEP    OCT    NOV   DEC
    45
 c  30
 •|  25
 |  20
 8  15--
8?
                             {
                                                                      Oy, NV
       JAN   FEB   MAR   APR   MAY   JUN   JUL   AUG   SEP    OCT  NOV  DEC
    45 T
 £ 4°-'

 ^T 30 ••
 I 25--
 £ 20--
  8 15--
  C
    510 • •
  u  5-f
a^  o
                                                                   Goldflold, NV
                        H	1	1	1	h
       JAN   FEB   MAR   APR   MAY   JUN   JUL   AUG   SEP   OCT   NOV   DEC
^45
 S 40--
 S 35-.
 ^30-.

 |  20--
  j  15--
     5--
                                                             Indian Springs, NV
       JAN   FEB   MAR   APR   MAY   JUN    JUL   AUG   SEP   OCT   NOV   DEC
                            Figure 12.  (Continued).
                                     36

-------
"V45
    40 -
                                                               la* Vegas, NV
  8  15--
 <§  1°v
S
       JAN   FEB   MAR   APR   MAY   JUN   JUL   AUG   SEP   OCT   NOV   DEC
 V. 40--
 B»f
    20--
 8  15--
 <§  10"
 L.   5 " "
                                                            Lathrop Walla, NV
                                                             s
                                   H	h
       JAN   FEB   MAR   APR   MAY   JUN   JUL   AUG   SEP   OCT   NOV   DEC
^45
 S 40
 & 35
 ^ 30
 •|  25
 |  20
 8  15
 §  10
     5--
S
                                                                 Overton, NV
       JAN   FEB  MAR   APR   MAY   JUN  JUL   AUG   SEP  OCT   NOV   DEC
    45
£  40
"  35
Tj°
'"§  Z5
-|  20
 8  15
 o  10
"  5
                                                               Pahrump, NV
       JAN   FEB   MAR   APR   MAY   JUN   JUL  AUG   SEP   OCT   NOV   DEC
                           Figure 12.  (Continued).
                                    37

-------
    40
    35
    30
 Q" W"
 g 35-.;
    20
    15
S
                                                                  Rachel, W
                                   H	1	1	1-
       JAN   FEB   MAR  APR   MAY   JUN   JUL   AUG  SEP   OCT   NOV   DEC
    45
£«+
S»»
 c  30--
•|  25--
|  20--
    10--
3
                                                                Tonopah, NV
                                              _,	,	,	1	,_
       JAN   FEB   MAR  APR   MAY   JUN   JUL  AUG   SEP   OCT   NOV   DEC
 S
   40--
   35--
 §  30
 '-8  25 +•
 8  15--
 5  10-
 i   5-
3
                                                                Cadar City, UT
                             H	1	1	1	h
                                                          +
                                                            H	H
  	1	1	1_
JAN   FEB  MAR  APR   MAY   JUN   JUL  AUG   SEP   OCT   NOV   DEC
"?
 !
45
40-4-
35--
  c 30--
 » 25--
    20--
    15--
    10--
     5--
 U
 J
                                                                SL Gaorge, UT
                                   +
                                         H	1	1-
                                                            H	h
       JAN   FEB   MAR  APR   MAY   JUN   JUL  AUG   SEP   OCT   NOV   DEC
                             Figure 12.  (Continued).
                                      38

-------
TABLE 7. Summary of analytical results for the Noble
Gas and Tritium Surveillance Network - 1988
SAMPLING
LOCATION
MAMMOTH LAKES,
CA
SHOSHONE,
CA


ALAMO,
NV


AUSTIN,
NV


BEATTY,
NV


CALIENTE,
NV


ELY,
NV

'
GOLDFIELD,
NV


INDIAN SPRINGS,
NV


LAS VEGAS,
NV


NUMBER
SAMPLES
ANALYZED
26
27
43
46
49
49
49
52
50
50
42
43
51
51
44
45
50
50
23
23
48
48
45
46
50
50
46
46
50
50
41
41
48
48
49
50
51
51

RADIONUCLIDE
85Kr
133Xe
85Kr
, 133Xe
3H in atm. m.*
3H as HTO in air
85Kr
^33Xe
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
133v«
e
3H in atm. m.*
3H as HTO In air
85Kr
133v**
®
3H in atm. m.*
3H as HTO in air
85Kr
' 133Xe
3H in atm. m.*
3H as HTO in air
ssKr
133Xe
3H in atm. m.*
3H as HTO in air
85Kr
133Xe
3H in atm. m.*
3H as HTO in air
RADIOACTIVITY CONG.
(pCi/m3)* I

MAX
31
12
30
8.8
0.53
6.9
29
20
0.52
5.3
30
11
0.74
3.0
32
17
0.50
4.6
28
14
0.50
6.5
35
11
1.1
7-7
32
15
0.80
8.3
30
7.1
0.75
3.5
31
8.8
0.60
5.2

MIN
22
-8.2
21
-9.3
-0.73
-8.4
20
-9.7
-1.3
-6.8
21
-12
-0.89
-5.9
20
-11
-0.64
-7.5
20
-20
-0.53
-2!3
20
-16
-1.3
-4.8
20
-21
-0.64
-6.2
20
-7.9
-1.1
-3.0
22
-11
-0.90
-8.1

AVG
25
2.1
25
0.17
-0.0027
-0.17
25
0.58
0.023'
0.26
25
-0.95
0.019
-0.0061
26
1.4
0.044
0.27
24
-3.8
0.014
0.42
26
0.51
0.034
0.36
25
0.32
-0.0019
-0.063
25
-0.54
0.038
0.41
26
0.93
0.033
0.39
PERCENT
CONC.
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
< 0.01
—
<0.01
< 0.01
< 0.01
-
< 0.01
(Continued)
39

-------
TABLET. (Continued)
NUMBER
SAMPLING SAMPLES
LOCATION ANALYZED RADIONUCLIDE
LATHROP WELLS,
NV
•
i
OVERTON,
NV


PAHRUMP,
NV


PIOCHE,
NV

RACHEL,
NV


TONOPAH,
NV


FALLINI'S (TWIN
SPRINGS) RANCH.NV
CEDAR CITY,
UT


ST GEORGE,
UT


SALT LAKE CITY,
UT
47
47
48
48
48
51
50
50
44
44
50
50
51
51

43
48
51
50
43
43
51
51
1
1
39
42
50
49
35
39
45
45
50
50
"Kr
133Xe
3H In atm. m.*
3H as HTO In air
*5Kr
133Xe
3H In atm. m.*
3H as HTO in air
85Kr
133Xe
3Hinatm. m.*
3H as HTO In air
3Hinatm.m.*
3H as HTO ln;alr
/
Kr
133Xe
3H In atm. m.*
3H as HTO In air
85Kr
133Xe
3H in atm. m.*
3H as HTO In air
85Kr
133\/—
xe
iS*
133Xe
3H in atm. m.*
3H as HTO In air
85Kr
133Xe
3H In atm. m.*
3H as HTO In air
3H in atm. m.*
3H as HTO In air
RADIOACTIVITY CONC.
(pCI/m3)* PERCENT
nr»M/^
MAX
30
8.6
0.71
6.3
32
8.2
0.74
15
30
10
0.69
6.7
0.55
4.7

32
12
0.61
5.0
30
16
0.74
8.5
24
9.2
31
13
0.67
3.8
32
9.6
0.50
4.9
0.55
4.9
MIN
18
-14
-1.0
-12
20
-10
-0.60
-3.8
21
-11
-0.90
-8.1
-0.75
-5.1

21
-17
-0.76
-5.0
21
-12
-0.67
-6.0
24
9.2
21
-9.0
-0.73
-4.2
21
-13
-0.95
-8.3
-0.70
-6.2
AVG GUIDE**
26
-0.032
0.082
0.53
26
1.1
0.070
0.68
25
0.67
0.0051
0.18
0.035
0.27

26
0.41
0.055
0.34
25
1.0
0.022
0.10
+
•f
25
2.5
0.053
0.22
26
-0.047
0.015
0.010
0.010
0.33
< 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
* Concentrations of Tritium in atmospheric moisture (atm. m.) are expressed as Cl per mL of water collected.
** Concentration Guides used are for exposure to a suitable sample of the population In an uncontrolled area.
+ Insufficient data to calculate an average.
40

-------
TABLE 8. Annual average ^Kr concentrations in air, 1979-1988
^Kr Concentrations (pCI/m3)
Sampling
Locations
Death Valley Jet., CA*
Mammoth Lakes, CA*
Shoshone, CA
Alamo, NV
Austin, NV
Beatty, NV
Caliente, NV
Ely, NV
Goldfield, NV
Hiko, NV*
Indian Springs, NV
Las Vegas, NV
Lathrop Wells, NV
NTS, Mercury, NV*
NTS, Groom Lake, NV*
NTS, BJY, NV*
NTS, Area 12, NV*
NTS, Area 15, NV*
NTS, Area 400, NV*
Overton, NV
Pahrump, NV

1979
19
—
-
.
-
19
-
..
~
19
19
—
19
19
19
21
19
19
18
„
-
Rachel and Diablo, NV** 19
Tonopah, NV
Cedar City, UT
St. George, UT
Salt Lake City, UT*
NETWORK AVERAGE
* Stations discontinued
** Station at Diablo was
18
—
—
-
19


1980
«
—
-
..
™
21
~
..
-
21
21

22
21
21
23
21
21
21
„
~
21
21
-
-
-
21

moved to Rachel

1981
-
-------
 O
  Q.
 x_x

  C
  o
  0  23 - -
  c
  to
  o
  c
  o
 CJ
IO
00
        JAN  FEB  MAR  APR   MAY   JUN   JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT   NOV  DEC


                        Network Weekly Averages for 1988



      Figure 13.  Network Weekly Average B5Kr Concentrations in Air, 1988 Data.
    40--


"E  35--


 Sx 30--

 c
 •2  25 +
 o

 c  20 +
 v
 o

 o  15 +
 o
IT)
00
    10--


     5--
      1970
                           Annual Network Average
                                            o  o
                                                            o  o
              o  o
                    00
                          °°
                                      +
                     1975           1980


                                Time in Years
1985
1990
             Figure 14.  Annual Network Average 85Kr Concentration.
                                   42

-------
actually released  and the failure of the nuclear
power industry to grow at predicted rates.

An  historical  summary of data  for this  network
shows  its trends over time.   Network  average
krypton results for the past ten years are shown in
Table 8, while results for the period 1972-1988 have
been plotted in Figure 14.

The concentration over the whole network showed
a mean of 25.4 pCi/m3 (0.94 Bq/m3). This network
average concentration, as shown in Figure 14 has
gradually increased from the time sampling began
in 1972 to the present.  This increase, observed at
all stations,  reflects  the  worldwide  increase in
ambient concentrations resulting from the increased
use  of  nuclear  technology  as  projected  by
Bernhardt et al., (BE73). There is no evidence in the
^Kr results to indicate that the radioactive material
detected was from tests conducted at the NTS.
The analytical results for the 734 xenon  samples
counted were all  below the MDC which  varied, but
was generally around 10 pCi/m3.
As in the past, tritium concentrations in atmospheric
moisture samples from the off-NTS stations were
generally below the MDC of about  400 pCi/L of
water   (see   Section   9.0    Sample   Analysis
Procedures).   Due to the statistical nature   of
counting radioactive samples, some samples may
yield negative results or results below  the  MDC.
Results below the MDC are not necessarily real but
are below the sensitivity of the method.  The tritium
concentrations  observed  at off-NTS stations were
considered to be representative of environmental
background. The mean of the tritium concentrations
for  all  off-site  stations  was  0.25  pCi/m3  (9.3
mBq/m3) of air.  Only one  of  the  891 samples
analyzed   was   above   the   MDC   and   the
concentration measured for that sample was only
slightly above the MDC. That sample was collected
in Ely, and although there was a detectable amount
of 3H in the atmospheric  moisture, the  calculated
concentration  of   H  in  air  was less than  the
calculated MDC for that sample.

In conclusion, no NTS releases  were detected by
this monitoring network during 1988.
                                              43

-------
5.2.3 Milk Surveillance Network
K. S. Moroney

One important possible  means of  intake  of
radlonuclides by  humans  is through airborne
deposition of radioactivity on forage crops eaten
by dairy cattle, with subsequent transmission to
milk.  This pathway is monitored by EMSL-LV
through an extensive sampling and  surveillance
system.  The  system is designed  to produce
data from areas adjacent to the NTS  which could
be affected by a release of airborne radioactivity,
as well as from areas unlikely to be so affected.
In 1988,  the Milk Surveillance  Network  (MSN)
consisted of 29 locations within 300 km. of the NTS
(Figure 15)  from which samples were  collected
monthly by EPA monitors. The raw milk Is collected
in  four-liter  cubitalners   and   preserved  with
formaldehyde.
In addition,  all major milksheds west  of  the
Mississippi River, represented by 102 locations in
1988 (Figure  16), are sampled on an  annual basis
as a part of the Standby Milk Surveillance Network
(SMSN). The annual activation of the  SMSN helps
maintain readiness  and highlights  any trends of
increasing radionucllde concentrations in western
states.   One  exception to the latter portion of the
network Is Texas;  the State Health Department
performs the  surveillance of the milksheds  in that
state.  SMSN samples are supplied  by cooperating
State Food  and  Drug  Administration  personnel
upon the request  of the  Regional  EPA  offices.
These  samples, also preserved with formaldehyde
In four liter cubitainers, are mailed to EMSL-LV.

All samples are analyzed by high resolution gamma
spectroscopy  to   detect  gamma   emitting
radionuclldes.  One sample per  quarter for each
location  In  the MSN,  and  samples  from two
locations In each western state in the SMSN,  are
subjected to  radiochemical analytical evaluations.
These  samples are analyzed for tritium (3H)  by
liquid scintillation counting, and for 89Sr and ^Sr by
an ion exchange method, as outlined in Section 9.0
Sample Analysis Procedures.

Although all  the samples  collected for the MSN
were analyzed for  gamma-emitting nuclides, only
naturally occurring   K was detected.  For those
MSN    samples   analyzed  for  tritium   and
radiostrontiums, the results are displayed In Table 9.
Two MSN  samples with  ^Sr slightly above  the
minimum   detectable  activity  were  noted   at
Mesquite, Nevada, and St.  George,  Utah.   With
those exceptions, no 89Sr or ^Sr, or significant
levels of tritium, were  detected by radiochemical
analysis In the laboratory.

Results for SMSN are presented In Table 10.  One
SMSN   sample  from  Flensberg,   Minnesota,
contained  detectable 137Cs  (result  =  65  ±  9
plcocuries  per liter).  No other radionuclide aside
from naturally occurring 40K was Identified for the
SMSN.   The SMSN  had  six samples from  high
rainfall states with detectable ^Sr.

These results are expected, and data from  both
networks are consistent with data from previous
years.  These results are also consistent with the
results shown In Figure 17 for the Pasteurized Milk
Network    operated   by   the  EPA's   Eastern
Environmental Radiation  Facility In Montgomery,
Alabama.  No result was available for Salt Lake City.
Results from the New Orleans samples have been
consistently higher over the  years,  and reflect the
higher rainfall In that area.   Data overall shows a
trend of slowly  decreasing levels of ^Sr over the
past several years (EPA88).

5.2.4 Biomonitoring  Program

D. D. Smith

The pathways  for transport of radionuclides to
humans include air,  water, and food.  Monitoring
of air, water, and milk are discussed elsewhere
In this report.  Meat from local animals and lo-
cally grown fruit and vegetables are food com-
ponents   that   may  be  potential   routes  of
exposure to off-site residents.

Methods
Samples  of muscle, lung, liver, kidney, blood, and
bone are  collected  periodically  from   cattle
purchased from commercial herds that  graze areas
adjacent to the NTS.  The soft tissues are analyzed
for gamma-emitters.  Bone and liver are analyzed
for strontium and plutonium and blood/urine or soft
tissue is analyzed for  tritium.  Each -November and
December, bone and kidney samples which are
donated by licensed  hunters from desert bighorn
sheep killed in  southern  Nevada (Figure 18)  are
analyzed   for strontium,  plutonium and tritium.
These kinds of  samples have been collected and
analyzed  for up  to 31  years to determine long-term
trends.   During  1988, four NTS mule deer were
collected and sampled in the same  manner as the
cattle.
                                              44

-------
               Winnemucca^
                                                      Wells*
                                              Elko»
      PYRAMID
       LAKE
                                 NEVADA IUTAH
                                          •
                                          I
                                          •

                                          |

                                          I
  Reno
                                  • Austin
                                 • Young Rn.
                       Larsen Rn.B
                                 • McGill
                               • Ely
                       McKay Rn.B
                       Round Mtn.
                          Berg Rn.
                         _
                         Tonopah
                                                                  • Herbecke Rn.
                                                                  • Shosnone
                .
              Lemon Rn.
                Dyer*
                     T*
       I. Brown Rn.
          Bishop •
   Goldfield
         B
V Fayne Rn.
 >Scott Rn.'

   \
           Manzonie Rn.   • Lund
I           Currant •   Peacock Rn/   •
        ,   ,  ,  _  _   McKenzie Dairy I
       Blue Eagle Rn.B                *
            • Jay Springs Rn.          |
  Warm,-    BNyala              •
 Springs T".      Sharp's Rn.         |
         Springs
          DO          Darrel
         ! nil.  QaoKal  . .
                      Hansen
.	     _      BRn.
•RANGE COMPLEX [p-enover
               Farms
 • Town Locations
• Milk Sampling Locations
NOTE: When sampling location occurred
in city or town, the sampling location
symbol was used for showing both town
and sampling location

5/89
                                                         Cedar City
                                                        I Brent Jones
                                                         Dairy
                            Springdale»
Lathrop Wells
  John Deerfl
           ^*
                          Moapa
                    _        •
                    RockviewB
            Indian       Dairies
              Springs             fj   |
    Pahrumpjt      i ac^BIPS Dairy Farm
                    Vegas
                                                St. George
                                                  Cannon Farm/
                                                B Gentry Dairy   —1 —
                                           ,.   l—"™  ™' AR'IZONA
                                           Mesquite
                                                 -
                                                 • Speda Brothers
                                              Knudsen Corf/L. Marshall Rn.
                                             jLogandale
                         • Ridgecrest
                       • Cedarsage Farm
                                                           V!
                                 • Hinkley
                                 • Bill Nelson Oairy/
                                   Desert View Dairy
                                                                                                  100
                                                     50     100
                                                   Seal* in Kilomete
                                                                    150
              Figure 15.  Milk Sampling Locations Within 300 km of the NTS.
                                                45

-------
          Figure 16.  Standby Milk Surveillance Network Stations.
                                    New Orleans
                                    Salt Lake City*
                                    Las Vegas
                                                        *No sample reported for 1988
               1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
Figure 17.  Strontium-90 Concentration in Pasteurized Milk Network Samples.
                                  46

-------
TABLE 9. Summary of Analytical
Results for the Milk
COLLECTION
DATE
SAMPLING LOCATION 1988
BENTON CA 	
Irene Brown Ranch
HINKLEY CA 	
Bill Nelson Dairy
Desert View Dairy (Alt for B.
RIDGECREST CA 	
Cedarsage Farm




ALAMO NV 	
Courtney Dahl Ranch




AUSTIN NV 	
Young's Ranch




BLUE JAY NV 	
Blue Jay Sprgs-Jim Bias

CURRANT NV 	
Blue Eagle Ranch



Manzonie Ranch





01/21
04/13
12/01
01/21
04/13
04/13
Nelson)
10/04

01/21
04/13
07/14
10/04


03/02
06/01
09/01
12/01


01/13
04/12
06/07
10/19

08/16
11/02

01/05
04/06
07/12
12/07

01/05
04/06
07/12
10/12

NO
580
210
430
320
340

521
181
93
864


245
243
129
70



659
NO
183

-162
122


232
72
NO


210
118
398
3H
(pCi/L)


SAMPLE **
± 240
± 240
±

±
±
±
±


±
±
±
±


**
±
240
380*
250

243
369*
234*
235


386*
386*
238*
241*



241
SAMPLE **
+

+
±

**
±
±
239*

238*
234*


366*
246*
SAMPLE **

**
±
±
±


378*
244*
246
Surveillance Network- 1988
CONC ± 2 SIGMA
(pCi/L) (pCi/L)


GOATS DRY **
-2.4 ± 3.7*
-2.0 ±14*
-0.8
2.1
OUT OF

-2.3
-2.7
-2.7
-4.3


0.6
2.2

1.4


-0.4
-1.4

1.6
1.4
±10* 0.8
± 2.7* 0.3
BUSINESS
**

± 4.4*
± 4.9*
± 3.2*
± 10.2*


± 5.2*
± 2.4*
**
± 5*


± 6.2*
± 3.6*

1.3
1.4
1.3
1.0


0.0
-0.0
-0.3
-0.2


1.0
1.5
COW DRY **
-2.3

-2.5
-3.2

-4.1
1.6
-3.3
COW

1.0
2.3
-0.7
-0.1
± 7*

± 20.5*
±11*

± 1.2*
± 3*
± 10.7*
DRY**

± 3.7*
± 4.8*
± 2.6*
± 5.8*
1.8

1.1
1.6

2.6
1.1
2.7


0.2
0.2
0.5
1.1

**
**

±
±
±
±


±
±
±
±


±
•±
**
±

±
±

+
±
±
**

±
±
±
±

1.6*
2.3*
6.5*
1.2*

2.8*
2.1*
1.7*
1.2*


2.0*
1.4*
2.5*
1.2


3.6*
1.6*

1.6*

1.8*
1.7*

6.2*
1.2*
6.9*


2.0*
1.9*
1.4*
1.2*
(continued)
47

-------
TABLE 9. (Continued)
SAMPLING LOCATION
DYER NV 	
Ozel Lemon
ELY NV 	
McKay, Robert and Caria
GOLDFIELD NV 	
Frayne Ranch
Susie Scott Ranch
LAS VEGAS NV 	
LDS Dairy Farms
LATHROP WELLS NV 	
John Deer Ranch
LOGANDALE NV 	
Leonard Marshall
Knudsen Dairy
LUND NV 	
Rue Peacock
COLLECTION
DATE 3H
1988 (pCi/L)

01/12
04/15
07/12
10/19

**
423 33 236
188 as 241*
NO SAMPLE **
(Alt. for W. Burdic)
12/01 117 ae 236*
01/13
07/28
10/19
12/14
06/17
09/16
10/19
12/15
02/08
05/06
08/01
11/01
01/12
04/15
08/08
12/15
03/01
05/02
07/01
08/04
10/02
11/01
02/01
07/12
08/02
11/02
NO SAMPLE **
190 as 244*
NO SAMPLE **
NO SAMPLE **
6.7 ae 370*
-54 as 240*
NO SAMPLE **
NO SAMPLE **
94 33 368*
398 33 227
94 ae 247*
303 33 236
NO SAMPLE **
326 33 383*
-32 33 231*
NO SAMPLE **
**
308 33 367*
160 33 240*
170 33 247*
457 33 245
237 33 232*
509 33 235
-68 33 232*
107 33 235
161 33 231
CONC ± 2 SIGMA
89Sr
(pCI/L)

6.2 33 6.4*
3.6 33 7.3*
-2.0 33 4.1*
COW DRY **
-1.2 33 5.7*
GOAT DRY **
-0.1 33 2.0*
GOAT DRY **
GOATS DRY **
1.1 33 7.0*
GOATS DRY **
GOATS DRY **
1.4 33 8.0*
1.2 ae 2.3*
-4.4 3327.4*
0.8 33 4.9*
GOATS DRY **
-2.9 33 7.8*
7.3 3330.6*
GOATS DRY **
**
-1.2 33 7.8*
-0.4 33 9.7*
**
-3.1 33 7.0*
1.0 33 8.2*
-4.4 3310.6*
2.7 33 4.5*
-4.2 3316.8*
0.1 33 8.4*
90Sr
(pCi/L)

-0.4 33 3.7*
0.6 33 3.2*
0.8 33 2.0*
**
0.8 33 1.3
**
1.3 33 1.3*
**
**
-0.1 33 4.1*
**0.7 33 2.1*
**
**
0.7 33 2.2*
0.5 33 1.8*
1.0 332.0*
0.0 33 1.1*
**
1.2 332.7*
-1.1 33 2.4*
**
ALTERNATE
1.0 33 2.7*
1.5 335.4*
-0.8 33 1.3*
1.2 33 1.3*
-0.1 33 1.3*
1.2 332.6*
1.0 333.0*
0.9 33 1.3*
0.6 33 1.7*
(continued)
48

-------
TABLE 9. (continued)
COLLECTION

SAMPLING LOCATION
LUND NV 	
McKenzie Dairy


MCGILL NV 	
Larsen Ranch

MESQUITE NV 	
Speda Brothers Dairy






MOAPA NV 	
Rockview Dairies Inc.







NYALA NV 	
Sharp's Ranch




CALIENTE NV 	
June Cox Ranch




ROUND MT NV 	
Berg's Ranch



SHOSHONE NV 	
Harbecke Ranch






DATE
1988


02/01
05/04


01/05


02/01
04/04
05/02
08/09
09/12
11/01


02/01
05/02
07/01
07/01
08/11
10/03
11/01


02/02
05/05
08/09
11/01


01/06
04/04
07/11
10/03


03/10
09/15
12/14


01/05
03/01
06/07
09/01
12/01

3H
(pCi/L)


309 38 378*
SOLD OUT **


NO SAMPLE **


333 33 380*
365 33 370*
155 39 371*
243 33 255
**
268 33 244


400 33 230
294 33 371*
98 33 236*
(HIGH Sr ABOVE
-20 33 252*
39 33 234*
36 33 249*


378 33 399*
164 33 376*
71 33 253*
159 33 235*


**
300 33 385*
-12 33 252*
200 33 250*


NO SAMPLE **
NO SAMPLE **
-16 33 242*


**
428 33 238
583 33 246
201 33 239*
51 33 226*

CONC ± 2 SIGMA
^Sr
(PCi/L)


-2.7 33 6.*
**


SOLD COW **


-0.7 33 7.2*
-9.8 33 6.9*
-6.9 33 7.9*
**
**
2.0 33 9.9*


-1.8 33 6.6*
-1.5 33 5.4*
-3.1 3322.6*
MDA)
-9.7 3323.1*
0.1 3315.9*
**


-4.8 3310.3*
1.6 33 7*
2.9 3316.2*
0.9 3313.4*


LOST
4.2 33 4.6*
1.1 33 5.1*
-0.6 33 6.4*


COW DRY **
COW DRY **
**


1.5 33 4.1*
7.9 3324.6*
-0.1 33 2.1*
**
3.7 33 6.2*

^Sr
(PCi/L)


**
**


**


0.7 ae 1.8*
2.3 ae 2.6*
1.6 ae 0.9
0.4 33 3.0
0.5 331.4*
0.1 33 1.6*


1.2 33 1.7*
1.1 33 1.7*
1.3 3313.5*

2.1 33 2.0
0.7 33 2.8*
0.3 33 1.4*


1.5 33 2.6*
1.0 333.1*
0.4 ae 1.3*
0.6 33 1.4*


LOST
-0.2 33 1.8*
0.3 33 3.3*
0.5 33 1.2*


**
**
1.0 33 1.6*


2.0 33 2.2*
1.3 3314*
0.0 33 1.3*
3.2 33 3.2*
0.25 33 1.4*
(continued)
49

-------
TABLE 9. (Continued)
COLLECTION

SAMPLING LOCATION
RACHEL NV 	
Penoyer Farm

C. Castleton


WARM SPRINGS NV
Twin Springs Ranch
CEDAR CITY UT 	
Brent Jones Dairy






ST GEORGE UT 	
Gentry Dairy



Truman Cannon

DATE
1988


02/02

05/04
08/02

12/06


01/04
03/01
06/06
07/01
09/12
12/01

01/04
03/01
06/06
09/12

12/01
* CONCENTRATION IS LESS THAN THE MINIMUM
** SAMPLES NOT ANALYZED.

3H
(pCI/L)


130 as 372*

NO SAMPLE **
NO SAMPLE **

130 33 249*


295 33 384*
318 33 353*
315 33 375*
140 33 234*
40 33 239*
148 33 243*

253 33 390*
199 33 374*
448 33 239
155 33 155*

293 33 244
CONC ± 2 SIGMA
^Sr
(pCi/L)


6.6 33 7.2*

COW DRY **
COW DRY **

**


-2.1 33 5.4*
-1.9 33 6.4*
0.3 33 2.7*
-0.5 33 3.8*
**
-0.2 33 5.1*

-3.3 33 1.3*
6.0 33 9.1*
-0.4 33 2.4*
**

2.4 33 6.4*

*°Sr
(pCi/L)


0.1 33 1.8*

**
**

0.8 33 1.9*


1.6 332.8*
1.7 332.3*
0.2 33 1.7*
0.9 33 1.7*
1.1 33 1.0*
0.8 33 1.2*

1.3 334.8*
0.2 33 2.1*
1.3 33 1.4*
1.3 33 1.1

-0.4 33 1.4*
DETECTABLE CONCENTRATION (MDC).



50

-------
TABLE 10. Analytical results for the Standby Milk Surveillance Network 1988
COLLECTION CONC. ± 2 SIGMA
DATE ^H ^Sr
SAMPLING LOCATION 1988 (pCi/L) (pCi/L)
Taylor AZ Sunrise Dairy
Tucson AZ Shamrock Dairy (Pima Co)
Little Rock AR Bordens
Russellville AR Arkansas Tech Univ
Bakersfield CA Carnation Dairy
Weed CA Medo-Bel Creamery
Willows CA Foremost Foods Company
Grand Junction CO
Colorado West Dairies
Pueblo CO Hyde Park Dairy Co
Boise ID Meadow Gold Dairies
Burlington IA MS Valley Milk Pro
Dubuque IA MS Valley Milk Assn
Ellis KS Mid-America Dairy
Sabetha KS Mid-America Dairy
Manhattan KS Kansas State University
Ellis KS Mid-America Dairy
Sabetha KS Mid-America Dairy
Manhattan MS Kansas City University
Monroe LA Borden's
Flensburg MN Flensburg Co-op Cmry
(Sobieski Dairy)
Fosston MN Land O'Lakes Inc

07/07
07/11
07/11
07/17
08/08
08/16
08/15
06/29
08/29
08/23
06/24
06/16
07/18
07/20
07/20
07/18
07/20
07/20
08/02
08/01
08/02

160 ±380*
83 ±240*
140 ±230*
244 ±241*
142 ±230*
-11 ±233*
107 ±236*
177 ±233*
243 ±236***
117 ±241*
140 ±241*
353 ±240***
116 ±234*
-147 ±230*
56 ±241*
116 ±234*
-147 ±230*
56 ±241*
248 ±250*
66 ±235*
33 ±229*

3.6 ±5.0*
1.5 ±4.5*
-1.3 ±5.3*
-2.1 ±5.2*
-0.9 ±2.3*
-1.1 ±1.8*
-1.0 ±1.2*
0.9 ±5.6*
**
**
5.2 ±9.6*
1.4 ±7.2*
-8.9 ±5.7*
1.1 d35*
-4.8 ±6.6*
-8.9 ±5.7*
1.1 d34.9*
-4.8 ±6.6*
**
**
-1.7 ±1.8*

^Sr
(pCi/L)
-1.9± 3.7*
-1.0± 3.5*
2.8± 4.1*
2.9 ± 4.4*
0.8 ± 1.8*
0.8 ± 1.6*
0.8± 1.1
-0.05 ±3.7*
1.5± 1.9*
1.3 ± 1.6*
-1.0± 5.0*
1.6± 4.0*
***
5.5 ± 3.0
-3.0 ±29*
2.5 ± 5.7*
***
5.5 ± 3.0
-3.0 ±29*
2.5 ± 5.7*
1.9 ± 3.0*
1.4 ± 2.4*
***
2.0 ± 1.0
(continued)
51

-------
TABLE 10. (Continued)
COLLECTION CONC. ± 2 SIGMA
DATE ^H ^Sr
SAMPLING LOCATION 1988 (pCi/L) (pCi/L)
Rochester MN Rochester Dairy Co-op
Aurora MO Mid-America Dairy Inc
Jackson MO Mid-America Dairymen Inc
Billings MT Beatrice Foods Co
Havre Mt Vita-Rich Dairy
Norfolk NE Gillette Dairy
North Platte NE Mid America Dairymen
Superior NE Mid-Amer Dairymn-D Fritz
Albuquerque NM Borden's Valley Gold
La Plata NM Rothlisberger Dairy
Bismarck ND Bridgemens Creamery
Grand Forks ND Minnesota Dairy
Enid OK AMPI Goldspot Division
McAlester OK OK State Penitentiary
Corvallis OR Sunny Brook Dairy
Medford OR Dairygold Farms
Tillamook OR Tillamook Co Crmy
Sioux Falls SD Land O'Lakes Inc
Volga SD Land O'Lakes Inc
Provo UT BYU Dairy Products Lab
Moses Lake WA Safeway Stores Inc
Seattle WA Consolidated Dairy Prod

08/02
08/29
06/27
06/15
08/18
07/21
07/11
07/21
06/29
07/05
07/27
07/07
09/06
09/26
07/25
07/26
07/28
06/17
06/20
07/15
09/01
08/11

161 ±235*
304 ±241*"
31 ±230*
43 ±230*
305 ±250***
25 ±232*
131 ±238*
135 ±236*
123 ±231*
21 ±241*
245 ±234*
143 ±239*
163 ±240*
142 ±244*
61 ±234*
88 ±239*
138 ±239*
97 ±233*
129 ±234*
20 ±232*
311 ±253***
319 ±265***

-5.1 ±5.9*
**
-0.1 ±3.0*
1.4 ±11*
**
-0.38 ±1.7*
-2.1 ±2.6*
-0.9 ±3.7*
-3.4 ±15*
15 ±17*
1.0 ±2.6*
-2.3 ±4.0*
**
**
-4.4 ±6.1*
-1.4 ±3.3*
-0.5 ±3.4*
3.0 ±5.2*
1.9 ±15*
-0.2 ±2.0*
**
-3.7 ±17.2*

^Sr
(PCi/L)
3.4 ± 4.1*
***
4.9 ± 2.6
1.7± 2.1*
1.5± 6.1*
-0.6 ± 3.0*
***
2.4 ± 1.2
***
3.7 ± 1.5
2.2 ± 3.4*
0.0 ± 9.9*
-5.0 ±12*
0.9 ± 1.6*
2.3 ± 3.4*
0.0 ± 2.2*
1.5 ± 2.0*
1.6± 5.7*
1.1± 2.1*
1.5± 2.3*
0.6 ± 3.0*
0.5 ± 8.7*
0.7 ± 1.8*
**
1.9±13.1*
(continued)
52

-------
                               TABLE 10.  (Continued)
SAMPLING LOCATION
                          COLLECTION
                             DATE
                              1988
    H
  (pCi/L)
                                                      CONC. ± 2 SIGMA
                                                            89,
   Sr
(pCi/L)
                               90,
  'Sr
(pCi/L)
Spokane WA Consolidated Dairy

Powell WY Cream of the Valley Dairy
                              09/01

                              07/23
324 ±250
                                              384 ±235
              -6.3 ±  4.4*
                             2.4 ±  2.2
  **
 ***
Concentration is less than the minimum detectable concentration (MDC).
Samples not analyzed.
Concentration is greater than the minimum detectable concentration (MDC).
       SAMPLES FROM THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS WERE ANALYZED BY GAMMA
                               SPECTROSCOPY ONLY:
                     In all cases gamma spectroscopy results were negligible.
       SAMPLING LOCATION
                        COLLECTION
                            DATE
                            1988
SAMPLING LOCATION
           COLLECTION
              DATE
               1988
       Joseph City AZ
         Midway Dairy              07/11
       Tempe AZ
         United Dairyman of AZ      07/11
       YumaAZ
         Golden West Dairy         07/12
       Batesville AR
         Hills Valley Foods           09/19
       Fayetteville AR
         University of AR            07/20
       Helendale CA
         Osterkamp Dairy No 2       08/08
       Chino CA
         CA Inst for Men            08/09
       Holtville CA
         Schaffner & Son Dairy       08/08
       Manteca CA
         Dejager Dairy #2 North      08/10
       Oxnard CA
         Chase Bros Dairy           08/09
       Redding CA
         McColl's Dairy Prod         08/15
       San Jose CA
         Marques Bros Mexican Impo 08/02
       San Luis Obispo CA
         Cal State Poly              08/08
                                        Smith River CA
                                          Country Maid Dairy           08/01
                                        Soledad CA
                                          CTF Dairy                   08/04
                                        Tracy CA
                                          DeuelVoclnst               08/15
                                        Colorado Springs CO
                                          Sinton Dairy Co              07/05
                                        Delta CO
                                          Arden Meadow Gold Dairy     08/18
                                        Lewiston ID
                                          Golden Grain Dairy Prod       06/16
                                        Pocatello ID
                                          Rowland's Dairy              08/17
                                        Twin Falls ID
                                          Associated Dairy Inc          08/17
                                        Kimballton IA
                                          AMPI Receiving Sta           06/21
                                        Lake Mills IA
                                          Lake Mills Coop Crmy         07/11
                                        Lemars IA
                                          Wells Dairy                  07/12
                                        Hammond LA
                                          Southeastern LA College       08/03
                                        Dalton MN
                                          Dalton Co-op Creamery        07/28
                                                                     (continued)
                                        53

-------
                        TABLE 10.  (continued)
SAMPLING LOCATION
COLLECTION
    DATE
    1988
SAMPLING LOCATION
COLLECTION
    DATE
    1988
Saugus CA
  Wayside Honor Ranch      08/08
SebastopoICA
  WM Miller Dairy            08/16
Jefferson City MO
  Central Dairy Co           07/19
Boseman MT
  Darlgold Farms            06/15
Great Fall MT
  Meadow Gold Dairy        06/17
Mtssoula MT
  Community Creamery      08/22
Caldwell ID
  DCA Receiving Sta         06/15
Chapped NE
  Leprino Foods             07/25
Fallen NV
  Creamland Dairy           07/25
Logandale NV
  Knudsen Dairy             07/24
Reno NV
  Model Dairy               07/26
YeringtonNV
  Valley Dairy               07/25
Devils Lake ND
  Lake View Dairy            07/05
Fargo ND
  Cassclay Creamery         07/29
AtokaOK
  Mungle Dairy              09/07
Claremore OK
  Swan Bros Dairy           09/08
Myrtle Point OR
  Safeway Stores Inc         07/26
               Nicollet MN
                  Nicollet County Dairy          08/01
               Chillicothe MO
                  Mid-America Dairymen        06/15
               Eugene OR
                  Echo Springs Dairy           07/25
               Grants Pass OR
                  Valley of Rogue Dairy         07/25
               Klamath Falls OR
                  Medo Bel Creamery          08/17
               Union OR
                  Gram-Bell Dairy              07/25
               Omaha NE
                  Roberts Dairy-Marshall Gro     07/11
               Redmond OR
                  Eberhard's Creamery Inc      07/25
               Mitchell SD
                  Culhanes Dairy              08/17
               Rapid City SD
                  Brown Swiss Dairy           06/21
               Beaver UT
                  Cache Valley Dairy           08/24
               North Ogden UT
                  Western General Dairy        07/08
               Richfield UT
                  Ideal Dairy                  07/05
               Smithfield UT
                  Cache Valley Dairy           07/13
               Cheyenne WY
                  Dairy Gold Foods            06/10
               Laramie WY
                  Univ of WY (Dairy Farm)        09/14
               Riverton WY
                  Albertson's Plant              06/10
                                 54

-------
                                                           • Nyala
                                                       .C. Smt.
                                                             Tempi ute
                                                                Smt.
                                                                   Handcock Smt.
     NELLIS AFB
     RANGE COMPLEX
                                                                                       DESERT
                                                                                      NATIONAL
                                                                                      WILDLIFE
                                                                                       RANGE
                                          '/NEVADA'••:": "
                                          "-..TEST  '.I-'"
                                         '•''•  'SITE'/''"/,
                 Furnace
                  Creek
                                                                        Tf Searchlight
               O Bighorn Sheep
               D Mule Deer
               A Cattle
5/89
Symbol numbers represent the
animal identification numbers
                   Figure 18.  Collection Sites for Animals Sampled, 1988.
                                            55

-------
Results

Analytical data from bones and kidneys collected
from desert bighorn sheep during the late fall  of
1987   are  presented  In  Table  11.    Tritium
concentrations reported  from the kidneys ranged
from 100 pCi/L to 970 pCi/L with a median value of
510 pCi/L  Kidney tissue  concentration Ira eight
animals exceeded the minimum detectable activity
of 560 pCi/L  The naturally occurring ^K was the
only gamma-emitting radionuclide detected In the
kidneys of the sheep.  Strontium-90  levels In the
bones (average 2.3 pCi/g ash) are consistent with
those reported in recent years (Figure 19).
Plutonium concentration  In tissues from the desert
bighorn sheep were also similar to those reported in
previous years.   Counting errors exceeded the
reported concentrations  in the majority  of bone
samples.   Plutonium-238 concentrations in bone
ash ranged from 0.02 fCI/g to 8.2  fCI/g ash with a
median of 2.95 fCi/g ash. The 239Pu concentrations
ranged from -0.07 fCi/g ash to 17 fCi/g ash with a
median value of 2.6 fCi/g ash.
Eight beef cattle were sampled during 1988, four in
May and four in October.   All eight animals were
purchased from G. L Coffer of Beatty, Nevada, and
grazed  the  Beatty  Wash  adjacent  to  Yucca
Mountain and  Area 30 of NTS (Figure 18). Tritium
concentrations  In  blood   did  not  exceed  the
minimum  detectable  activity in any  of the eight
animals.   The only gamma-emitting radionuclides
detected other than naturally occurring 40K,  was
137Cs (15  ± 7 pCI/kg)  in the muscle from an aged
cow.   Strontlum-90  concentration  in  bone  ash
samples from the 1988 cattle ranged from 0.2 pCi/g
of ash to 0.8 pCI/g ash with an average of 0.6 pCi/g
of ash  (Figure 19).  Strontium-90  concentrations in
bones from four cattle from the Steve Medlin Ranch
           30-|
                                11  12
          H Bighorn Sheep

          I   I Deer

          133 Cattle
          Numbers at top of columns indicate
          the number of bone samples in each
          category. (Numbers prior to 1964
          are unknown)
                                                                                   iq
                                               70          75
                                                Year (1956-1987)
                                        ,80
                      Figure 19.  Average   Sr Concentrations in Animal Bone.
                                               56

-------
Table 11. Radionuclide concentrations in desert bighorn sheep samples - 1987
Bighorn Sheep Bone
(collected ^Sr
Winter 1987) (pCi/g Ash)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Median
Range
1.9
2.2
2.9
2.1
6.4
1.6
2.4
2.3
1.2
1.7
1.0
3.6
6.7
1.3
2.3
1.0
0.9
0.5
1.0
1.0
1.8
0.5
±
+
±
+
+
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
+
±
jr
+
j;

-
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
1.0
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.7
0.2
0.2
0.1
0.07
0.06
0.07
0.08

6.7
Bone
238pu
(fCi/gAsh)
4.8
1.2
1.8
2.4
5.6
2.8
5.1
2.2
1.2
1.1
2.2
0.02
3.1
3.1
8.2
5.4
4.9
3.2
1.1
4.2
2.95
0.02
±4.5
± 4.0**
±3.1**
± 3.6**
±3.5
± 3.6**
±3.2
±3.1
± 4.2**
± 3.9**
± 4.3**
± 0.03**
±3.1
±3.1
±4.0
±3.6
±3.2
± 3.6**
±3.5
±3.4

- 8.2
Bone
239pu
(fCi/g Ash)
17
4.7
1.5
2.2
0.1
3.2
6.6
2.7
2.9
-0.07
2.9
-0.2
0.5
1.0
6.1
4.2
0.8
1.0
2.4
7.0
2.55
-0.2
±
±
±
+
+
+
+
±
±
±
±
±
Hh
±
±
+
±
±
+
±

4.7
2.7
1.9**
2.3**
1.4**
2.5
2.8
1.6
2.4
1.4**
2.2
0.8**
1.1**
1.7**
2.9
5.3**
1.5**
1.9**
2.1
3.0

- 17.0
Kidney
3H(pCi/L)*
460
570
760
100
470
120
480
180
370
380
810
710
970
760
680
340
540
580
260
510
510
100
±
±
±
±
+
±
jt
+
±
+
4;
±
±
±
+
+
±
±
±
H;

-
350
350
350
320**
350
340**
350
340**
340
340
350
350
550
350
350
350**
350
350
340**
350

970
* Aqueous portion of kidney tissue, MDA is 560 pCI/L
** Counting error exceeds reported activity
57

-------
sampled In October 1987 averaged 1.2 pCI/g of ash
(analyses were not completed In time for data to be
Included In the 1987 annual report).

Concentrations of  238Pu  did  not  exceed  the
counting errors In any of the bone and liver samples
collected from cattle during October 1987, or 1988.
Liver  concentrations   of   239Pu   exceeded  the
counting  error In all  samples.    Concentrations
ranged from 6.3 to 28 fCI/g ash (median of 11 fCi/g
ash) for the Medlln cattle and from 6 to 31 fCI/g ash
(median 12  fCI/g  ash)  for liver samples from the
Coffer  cattle.   Plutonlum-239 concentrations in
cattle bone samples exceeded the counting error In
only one of the Medlln animals (20  ± 13 fCI/g ash)
and one of  the 1988 cows (4.8 ± 2.5 fCi/g ash).
Whole body concentrations of plutonlum In two fetl
from the 1988 October cattle were similar to those
found In their dams, i.e., 238Pu concentration did
not  exceed  its  counting  error  and   239Pu
concentrations were 1.1 ±1.7 and 6.1 ± 3 fCI/g of
ash.

During 1988, four  NTS mule deer were sampled.
Analytical  data from these animals plus those from
the last two  mule deer sampled in  1987 (data from
these animals was not available for 1987 annual
report) are presented In Table 12.

Other than  the naturally  occurring ^K, the only
gamma-emitting radionuclldes detected were 137Cs
In the soft tissues of deer  #4 (1987) and deer #3
(1988) and 106Ru and 125Sb In the rumen contents
of the same animals.  The  106Ru values in rumen
contents were 50  and  54  pCI/kg, respectively, and
the 125Sb values were  1500  and  110  pCi/kg,
respectively:  the kidneys  of deer  #3  (1988) also
contained 220 pCi/kg of 106Ru.

Strontium-90 values In the 1988 deer ranged from
0.5 to 2.2  pCi/g of bone ash with an average value
of 1.2 pCI/g  of ash (Figure 19). The ^Sr values In
the two 1987 deer were 1.3 and 1.7 pCi/g of bone
ash (average for all 1987  deer were 1.0 pCI/g of
bone ash). Bone levels of 238Pu and 239Pu did not
exceed the counting error In any of the deer. Soft
tissue concentrations of 239Pu, which exceeded the
counting errors, ranged from 1.3 fCI/g of ash (lung
1988 No. 3) to 52 fCi/g of ash (muscle 1988 No. 1).
Soft tissue concentration of 23^Pu, which exceeded
the counting errors, occurred In muscle samples
from three of the  1988 deer and ranged from 0.1
fCi/g of ash to 6.9 fCi/g of ash.
Detectable tritium concentrations  found  in  the
kidneys of two 1988 deer were quite elevated In the
kidneys of two deer (No. 1,1.5 //Ci/L of tissue water
and No. 3, 39 /iCi/L of tissue water).  Both of these
animals and No. 4 from 1987 were collected in close
proximity to the tunnel area of Area 12 and probably
were drinking from the drainage waters in this area.
These unfenced drainage waters continue to be a
potential  source  of exposure to  the  off-site
population which may consume meat from mule
deer or migratory fowl which travel off  the NTS.
Dose estimates from  consumption of NTS deer are
presented in the dose assessment section.
Two migratory ducks  from the Overton Wildlife
Refuge were collected through the cooperation of
the Nevada Department of Wildlife. Other than 40K,
no gamma-emitting  radionuclides were  detected.
Strontium-90  concentrations in  bones were  0.2
pCI/g  of  ash  in both  ducks.   Plutonium-238
concentrations exceeded the counting errors in the
muscle  of duck  No.  1  (21 ± 4.4  fCi/g ash).
Plutonium-239 levels exceeded the counting error in
the muscle of duck No. 1 (53 ± 14 fCi/g ash) and
Internal organs of duck No. 2 (12  ± 5 fCi/g ash).
Certain radionuclide analyses of  composited tissue
from two NTS chukars collected during 1987 were
not completed prior to publishing the 1987 annual
report.  Therefore, that  data  Is summarized  as
follows:  the ^Sr value of the bones was 0.04 ±
0.03 pCi/g of bone ash.  Plutonlum-238 values that
exceeded  the counting error were 100 ± 17 fCi/g
bone ash  and 18 ± 6 fCi/g of ash from internal
organs.   Plutonlum-239 values that exceeded  the
counting error were 930 ± 130 fCI/g of bone ash, 40
± 15 fCi/g of ash from muscle and 170 ± 20 fCi/g
ash from the internal organs.

During the summer of 1988, samples  of produce
were collected from  the Fallis and  Penoyer Farm
gardens In Rachel, Nevada.  All of these samples
(turnips,  turnip  greens,  potatoes,  squash,  and
cucumbers) were submitted for  gamma analysis,
the spectra  were  negligible  for  all  samples
collected.
                                              58

-------
Table 12. Radionuclide Concentration in Tissues From Mule Deer
Collected on the Nevada Test Site - 1988
Tissue

Thyroid
Kidney
Muscle
Liver
Lung
Rumen
Contents
Blood
Bone

Liver
Lung
Rumen
Contents
Blood
Bone

Kidney
Lung
Muscle
Rumen
Contents
Bone

Liver
Muscle
Rumen
Contents
Bone

137Cs
(pCI/Kg)

ND
270 ± 40
90 ±20
90 ±20
120 ± 30

830 ± 40
NA
NA

ND
ND

ND
NA
NA

ND
ND
ND

ND
NA

ND
ND

ND
NA

3H
(uCi/L)
Mule Deer No. 4
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

NA
41 .4 ±0.08
NA
Mule Deer No. 5
NA
NA

NA
0.23 ± 0.02
NA
Mule Deer No. 1
1.5 ±0.004
NA
NA

NA
ND
Mule Deer No. 2
NA
NA

NA
NA
-•
238pu
fCi/g/ash
Collected 07/28/87
NA
NA
ND*
NA
ND*

53 ±11
NA
ND*
Collected 11/02/87
ND*
ND*

ND*
NA
ND*
Collected 03/1 1/88
ND*
ND*
0.1 ± 0.07

9.5 ± 68
ND*
Collected 05/23/88
ND
ND*

ND*
ND*

239pu
fCi/g/ash

NA
NA
ND*
NA
ND*

205 ± 27
NA
ND*

11 ±9
8.9 ± 3.6

39 ±17
NA
ND*

ND*
4.6 ± 3.9
52 ± 14

24 ± 7.8
ND*

6.7 ± 4.6
6.3 ± 3.1

3.1 ± 7.3
ND*

90Sr
fCi/g/ash

NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
1.7 ±0.1

NA
NA

NA
NA
1.3 ±0.1

NA
NA
NA

NA
2.2 ± 1.3

NA
NA

NA
1.1 ±0.1
(continued)
59

-------
Table 12. Continued

Tissue

Kidney
Liver
Lung
Muscle
Rumen
137C3
(pCi/Kg)

60 ± 14
35 ±2
ND
50 ±17

Contents
Bone

Muscle
Liver
Lung
Rumen
NA

ND
ND
ND

Contents ND
Bone
ND =
ND* -
NA «.
NA
Not Detected
Counting error exceeds
Not Analyzed
3H
(uCi/L)
Mule Deer No.
39 ± 0^002
NA
NA
NA

ND
NA
Mule Deer No.
NA
NA
NA

NA
NA

reported activity

238PU
fCi/g/ash
3 Collected 09/13/88
NA
ND*
ND*
6.9 ± 54

NA
ND*
4 Collected 10/24/88
ND*
ND*
6.3 ± 5.9

9.9 ± 8.5
ND*



239pu
fCi/g/ash

NA
5.8 ± 3.3
1.3 ±0.6
7.6 ± 3.8

ND
ND*

4.2 ± 2.0
ND*
8.6 ± 4.4

11 ±8
ND*



90Sr
fCi/g/ash

NA
NA
NA
NA

30 ± 13
1 ±0.1

NA
NA
NA

NA
0.5 ± 0.05



5.2.5  Thermolumlnescent Dosimetry Network
B. B. Dicey
EPA's primary method  of measuring external
radiation  exposures  is the  thermoluminescent
dosimeter (TLD).   Calendar year  1988 repre-
sented the first full year of operations using the
Panasonic TLD system.  This system, installed
in  1987,  provides   greater  sensitivity  and
precision than was possible using film or the
previous TLD system.  There is an added ad-
vantage  In that the dosimeters  used are more
nearly tissue-equivalent. This facilitates correlat-
ing individual measured exposures with the ab-
sorbed biological dose equivalent.
Network Design
The TLD  network  is  designed to measure total
ambient gamma exposures at specified locations
rather than exposures to specific individuals.  This
method is generally preferred because of multiple
uncontrollable variables associated with personnel
monitoring.    Measuring  environmental  ambient
gamma exposures  In fixed locations provides a
reproducible  Index which can  then  be  easily
correlated to  the maximum exposure an individual
would have received were he continuously present
at that location.  In addition to the fixed locations,
several  Individuals  residing within and  outside
estimated fallout zones from past nuclear tests at
the NTS have been monitored.  These individuals
are  monitored  both  to  determine  individual
exposures and to confirm the validity of correlating
fixed-site  ambient   gamma   measurements  to
projected Individual exposures.

A network of environmental stations and monitored
personnel   has  been  established  In  locations
encircling  the NTS.  Monitoring locations are as
shown on  Figure 20.  This arrangement permits
both an estimate of average background exposures
and prompt detection of any increase due to NTS
activities.

Net exposure to an individual is  determined by
comparing the results of each dosimeter issued to
that individual with  the results  obtained from the
previous four dosimeters located at the associated
reference background location established for that
individual.   The  reference background  dosimeters
measure ambient gamma radiation exposure.  An
associated    reference   background   dosimeter
reading that varies  by greater  than a  statistically
determined amount from the historical mean is not
used  in calculating net exposures to  individuals
because this variation could represent an  anomaly
or a contribution from NTS activities.
                                              60

-------
Monitoring of off-site personnel is  accomplished
with the  Panasonic  UD-802  dosimeter.   This
dosimeter contains two elements of Li2B4O/:Cu and
two of CaS04:Tm phosphors.  The four elements
are behind 14, 300,300, and 1000 mg/cm2 filtration,
respectively.  Monitoring of  off-site  environmental
stations  is  accomplished  with  the  Panasonic
UD-814 dosimeter. This dosimeter contains a single
element   of  Li2B4Or:Cu  and  three   replicate
CaS04:Tm elements. The first element is filtered by
14 mg/cm2 of plastic and the remaining three are
filtered by 1000 mg/cm2 of plastic and lead.  The
three  replicate  phosphors are  used to provide
Improved statistics and extended response range.

5.2.6  Results of TLD Monitoring

5.2.6.1 Off-Site Personnel
    During 1988 a total of 61 individuals living in
    areas surrounding the Nevada Test Site were
    provided with personnel TLD dosimeters.  All
    measured exposures are presumed to be due
    to  gamma radiation and hence are numeri-
    cally equivalent to absorbed dose.
Of the 61  individuals monitored, 57  showed
zero detectable exposure above that measured
at the associated reference background loca-
tion.   One  individual  did  not  return  the
dosimeter for processing.  Three apparent in-
dividual exposures were slightly greater than
the associated  reference background.  These
ranged from  3.6 to  10.0 mrem for the year.
Each of these represented total exposures  ob-
tained from several dosimeters worn during the
year.  Apparent  exposures  to  an individual
dosimeter of less than three  times  the  as-
sociated reference background are  considered
to be within the range of normal variation for the
Panasonic TLD system.  Therefore, none of the
three apparent net  individual exposures  are
considered to represent an abnormal occur-
rence.   Figure  21  illustrates that the TLD
monitoring results for off-site personnel were all
well  within  the  range of the associated refer-
ence background values.   Table 13  lists  the
results of off-site personnel TLD monitoring for
1988.
                                                                     50  100  150
                                                                   Scale in Kilometers
                            Figure 20.  Locations Monitored with TLDs.
                                               61

-------
  PERSONNEL  vs  BACKGROUND  TLD  RESULTS
                           Alamo — Corn Cr«*k Station*
Alamo   Austin   Bvatty   Blu* Cagl*  Calient*  Cadar City    Compl«K I      Corn Cr««k
    a    TLD R««ult.             °C °r°^I	  « Mean «»f. Bkg.

                                                                   M?	?,?„?„
         Coyote         Crystal
     a    TLD Results
              D. Valley       Delta
                	  3X Mean  Pel
                                                              Ely

       Geldfl«ld
     a    TLD  R«
Hlko Met Cr««k Ind Spring  Koy»n'»
         Background Location
                                                         UNLV     USDI — LV   Lovado*
        Figure 21.   Personnel vs. Background TLD Results.
                                    62

-------
mR/m
Res
     S
     o
                                    Mllford — Round  Mountain Station*
U
o
1
*.
o
1
            20
                                                                                 a o
                     fiW
                                                 V
                                                                            tDa
              Mllford  Mlna
II M HIM 11 M 11 Ml 11 M 1111 11 I Ml
 Nyolo   Overton Pa hrumpPenoyer Ploche
                                                                     Rach«l
                                                                            n i mi nun i mi nm
                                                                                  Round Ml
            60
                                         Background Location
                      TLD Rexult*                	  3X Mean Ref. Bkg.
                                    Shoshone — Twin Spring* Station*
            30 -
            ao-
                                      an
                                                                                  co
                                             a a
                a-i   n a
             Sho*hone   Sliver Pk. Stone Cab.


                 O    TLD Reeult*
                                            St. G«orgo
                                                       Tonopah
                                                                                Twin Sprg*
               Background Location
                     	  3X Mean Ref. Bkg.
                                    Figure 21.  (Continued).
5.2.6.2 Off-Site Stations
    During 1988 a total of 154 off-site  stations
    were  monitored  to determine  background
    ambient gamma radiation levels.  The annual
    adjusted dose equivalent  (mrem/year) was
    calculated by  multiplying the average daily
    rate for each station by 365.
    During 1988 the maximum apparent net annual
    exposure to an off-site station was measured to
    be 225 mrem. This exposure, at Warm Springs,
    NV, was felt to be due to high levels of naturally
                          occurring  radioactive  material  in  a stream.
                          During the first two  quarters of  1988 the TLD
                          was located adjacent to the stream.  Average
                          ambient  gamma  radiation readings measured
                          by TLDs were 0.85 mR/day.   The  TLD was
                          moved away from the stream for the second
                          half of 1988. Average readings with the TLD lo-
                          cated away from the stream were 0.38 mR/day.
                          If the TLD had been  located away from the
                          stream for the entire year, the adjusted dose
                                              63

-------
Table 13. Annual Summary TLO Results - Off site Personnel - 1988
ASSOCIATED REFERENCE
BACKGROUND STATION RESIDENT
LOCATION No.
(See Table 14)
*** CALIFORNIA ***
DEATH VALLEY JCT.CA
DEATH VALLEY JCT, CA
SHOSHONE, CA
*** NEVADA ***
ALAMO, NV
AUSTIN, NV
BEATTY.NV
BEATTY, NV
BLUE EAGLE RANCH, NV
CALJENTE, NV
CAUENTE, NV
COMPLEX 1.NV
COMPLEX 1.NV
CORN CREEK, NV
CORN CREEK, NV
CORN CREEK, NV
COYOTE SUMMIT, NV
COYOTE SUMMIT, NV
CRYSTAL, NV
ELY, NV
ELY, NV
GABBS, NV
GABBS, NV
OLDFIELD, NV



304
331
60

22
329
38
21
9
2
336
10
11
25
56
223
15
14
301
47
233
302
305
7

MEASUREMENT PERIOD
START END
DATE DATE

01/07/88 01/06/89
01/07/88 01/05/89
01/04/88 01/04/89

01/05/88 01/04/89
01/13/88 01/12/89
01/05/88 01/06/89
01/06/88 01/06/89
01/05/88 01/04/89
01/05/88 01/04/89
02/03/88 01/04/89
01/06/88 01/05/89
01/06/88 01/05/89
01/04/88 01/03/89
01/04/88 01/03/89
01/04/88 01/03/89
01/05/88 01/04/89
01/05/88 01/04/89
01/04/88 01/04/89
01/05/88 01/11/89
01/04/88 01/11/89
01/14/88 01/10/89
01/14/88 03/11/88
01/14/88 01/11/89

DOSE
EQUIV. RATE
(mrem/day)

MAX.

0.57
0.18
0.21

0.22
0.41
0.43
0.20
0.18
0.39
0.44
0.32
0.37
0.10
0.17
0.23
0.32
0.27
0.17
0.27
0.28
0.32
0.28
0.49


MIN.

0.05
0.07
0.02

0.04
0.08
0.09
0.03
0.02
0.09
0.08
0.05
0.08
0.02
0.05
0.01
0.03
0.09
-1.16
0.04
0.05
0.03
0.17
0.04


AVG.

0.22
0.15
0.10

0.13
0.20
0.23
0.13
0.11
0.22
0.16
0.19
0.22
0.06
0.11
0.08
0.17
0.16
0.01
0.15
0.15
0.12
0.23
0.20

NET
ANNUAL COMMENTS
DOSE
(mrem)*

10.00
0.00
0.00

0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
(continued)

-------
Table 13. (Continued)
ASSOCIATED REFERENCE
BACKGROUND STATION RESIDENT
LOCATION
(See Table 14)
OLDFIELD, NV
GOLDFIELD, NV
HIKO, NV
HOT CK RNCH, NV
INDIAN SPRINGS, NV
INDIAN SPRINGS, NV
IONE, NV
IONE, NV
KOYEN'S RANCH, NV
LAS VEGAS (UNLV),NV
LAS VEGAS (UNLV), NV
LAS VEGAS (USDI).NV
LAS VEGAS (USDI), NV
LAVADA'S MARKET. NV
LAVADA'S MARKET, NV
MINA, NV
MON SYS LAB ROOM 22
NYALA, NV
OVERTON, NV
OVERTON, NV
PAHRUMP, NV
PENOYER FARMS, NV
PIOCHE, NV
RACHEL, NV
RACHEL, NV
RACHEL, NV
ROUND MT, NV
SILVER PEAK, NV

No.

19
40
232
3
37
6
333
343
300
49
335
326
297
332
342
307
339
18
348
57
36
248
293
264
54
334
299
341

MEASUREMENT PERIOD
START END
DATE DATE
01/05/88 01/11/89
01/06/88 01/11/89
01/04/88 01/04/89
01/06/88 01/05/89
01/04/88 01/03/89
01/04/88 01/03/89
02/09/88 10/18/88
10/18/88 01/10/89
01/11/88 01/12/89
01/04/88 01/03/89
01/15/88 10/04/88
01/04/88 01/03/89
01/04/88 01/03/89
01/05/88 10/04/88
10/04/88 01/04/89
01/14/88 01/10/89
09/15/88 01/11/89
01/05/88 01/04/89
12/01/88 01/03/89
01/05/88 11/28/88
01/04/88 01/04/89
01/05/88 01/05/89
01/05/88 01/04/89
01/11/88 01/05/89
01/06/88 01/03/89
01/11/88 01/05/89
01/13/88 01/12/89
10/08/88 01/11/89

DOSE
EQUIV. RATE
(mrem/dav)

MAX.
0.56
0.48
0.24
0.28
0.14
0.16
0.55
0.19
0.26
0.22
0.24
0.18
0.13
0.25
0.19
0.36
0.27
0.19

0.28
0.17
0.30
0.39
0.35
0.25
0.33
0.47
0.11


MIN.
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.07
0.04
0.00
0.08
0.15
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.02
0.08
0.01
0.03
0.13
0.04

0.04
0.02
0.04
0.10
0.09
0.04
0.08
0.07
0.10


AVG.
0.16
0.15
0.14
0.17
0.08
0.07
0.25
0.17
0.14
0.13
0.11
0.08
0.06
0.14
0.11
0.14
0.19
0.12

0.14
0.07
0.18
0.20
0.18
0.12
0.19
0.19
0.10

NET
ANNUAL COMMENTS
DOSE
(mrem)*
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
TLD NOT RETURNED
3.60
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
(continued)

-------
.8
Table 13. (Continued)

ASSOCIATED REFERENCE
BACKGROUND STATION
LOCATION
(Sea Table 14)
STONE CABIN RNCH, NV
TONOPAH, NV
TTR. NV
TWIN SPRGS RNCH, NV
*** UTAH ***
CEDAR CITY, UT
DELTA, UT
.DELTA. UT
MILFORD, UT
MILFORD. UT
ST. GEORGE, UT


DOSE
MEASUREMENT PERIOD EQUIV. RATE


RESIDENT imrem/davl
No.

29
42
52
8

44
345
344
347
346
45
$TABT END
DATE DATE MAX. MIN.
01/05/88 01/04/89 0.33 0.08
01/06/88 01/13/89 0.60 0.05
01/04/88 01/04/89 0.36 0.05
01/05/88 01/04/89 0.31 0.08

01/05/88 01/04/89 0.29 0.04
11/03/88 01/06/89 0.15 0.08
11/03/88 01/06/89 0.16 0.12
11/03/88 01/06/89 0.28 0.19
11/03/88 01/06/89 0.20 O.I 8
01/08/88 01/06/89 0.26 0.04
* Net annual dose = (Average Gross mR/day * 365.25) - (Adjusted Annual Dose Equivalent for Ref. Bkg.
Apparent net annual dose values < =
# of People Monitored
Ave. Max mrem/day
Ave. Min mrem/day
Ave. Mean mrem/day
61
0.29
0.04
0.15
2 mrem are reported as zero.

Min. Net Annual Dose (mrem)
Max. Net Annual Dose (mrem)
Mean Net Annual Dose (mrem)

AVG.
0.21
0.18
0.21
0.21

0.16
0.12
0.14
0.23
0.19
0.11
Station)






NET
ANNUAL COMMENTS
DOSE
(mrem)*
0.00
0.00
4.60
0.00

0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00



0
10
0.30

-------
equivalent for that station would have been ap-
proximately 139 mrem.

The minimum net annual exposure to an off-site
station was measured to be 23 mrem, noted at
several sites.  The mean net annual exposure
for all off-site stations of 72 mrem represented a
slight decrease from that reported in previous
years.   A  major factor contributing to  this
decrease was that, for most of 1988, associated
reference background readings  no longer re-
quired adjustment to account for differing sen-
sitivities  of  the  Panasonic  and the  former
Harshaw TLD systems.

Table 14 summarizes  the results of off-site sta-
tion TLD monitoring for 1988.

Preliminary information gathered during  1988
indicates the possibility that some TLD readings
may be slightly lowered due to self-annealing of
the phosphors during  the hottest portion of the
year.   This phenomenon  will  be studied in
greater detail during the coming year.

Because of the great range in  the results, an
average for all off-site station TLDs is not an ap-
propriate tool for estimating  individual  ex-
posures.   Environmental  ambient  radiation
levels vary markedly with natural radioactivity in
the soil, with altitude,  and other factors.  If en-
vironmental TLD data is to be used in estimating
the background  radiation exposure of an in-
dividual,  the  dose equivalent for the  station
   location closest to that individual would be the
   most appropriate reference point.

   Figures 22 - 26 provide a  general  summary of
   mean annual background radiation levels at es-
   tablished off-site locations in Arizona, California,
   Nevada,  and Utah,  as well as  a  mean of  all
   monitored locations.
5.2.6.3 Comparison with Direct Exposure
       Measurements
   When TLD results are compared with results
   of co-located Pressurized lonization Cham-
   bers  (PICs), an  average  difference of ap-
   proximately  38%  is  noted.   The range  of
   differences was 24 to 55%. A uniform over-
   response of  PIC vs TLD continues to be ob-
   served.    This  difference  is  attributed  to
   several  factors:    (1)  The PIC measures
   ionization in  air (the Roentgen) while the TLD
   measures  energy deposited  in  matter (the
   rad).  Results of the two methods are not ad-
   justed to account for this difference; (2) The
   PIC is an  exposure rate measuring  device,
   sampling every five seconds, while the TLD
   as an integrating  dosimeter is analyzed ap-
   proximately once each quarter. Some reduc-
   tion in TLD  results may be due to a  small
   amount of loss due to normal fading (studies
   by  Panasonic have shown this loss to be
   minimal  over the sampling period used); (3)
   PICs are  more  sensitive to  lower  energy
   gamma  radiation than are the TLDs.   A
   review of  manufacturer's  specifications  for
   the  PIC  and  TLD  systems  shows  their
   responses to be  close to linear above ap-
   proximately 80 and above approximately 150
   keV, respectively; and  (4)  The PIC units are
   calibrated  by the manufacturer against  60Co,
   while the TLDs are calibrated using 137Cs.
   No adjustment is made  to account for the dif-
   fering energies at which the two systems are
   calibrated. Figure 27 correlates PIC and TLD
   results for  1988.
                                         67

-------
Table 14. Annual Summary TLO Results - Off site Stations - 1988
REFERENCE BACKGROUND
STATION LOCATIONS

*** ARIZONA***
COLORADO CITY, AZ
JACOB'S LAKE, AZ
PAGE, AZ
*** CALIFORNIA***
BAKER, CA
BARSTOW, CA
BISHOP, CA
DEATH VALLEY JCT, CA
FURNACE CREEK, CA
INDEPENDENCE, CA
LONE PINE, CA
MAMMOTH GEOTHERMAL
MAMMOTH LAKES, CA
OLANCHA. CA
RIDGECREST, CA
SHOSHONE.CA
VALLEY CREST, CA
*** NEVADA ***
ALAMO, NV
AMERICAN BORATE, NV
ATLANTA MINE, NV
AUSTIN, NV

YEAR
STATION
ESTAB-
LISHED

1985
1985
1985

1971
1971
1971
1971
1971
1971
1971
1972
1972
1971
1971
1971
1980

1971
1977
1985
1971

MEASUREMENT PERIOD

START END
DATE DATE

10/27/87 11/01/88
10/27/87 11/01/88
10/28/87 11/01/88

11/03/87 11/02/88
11/03/87 11/02/88
11/04/87 11/02/88
01/07/88 01/06/89
01/07/88 01/06/89
11/04/87 11/02/88
11/04/87 11/02/88
11/04/87 11/02/88
11/05/87 11/02/88
11/04/87 11/02/88
11/03/87 11/02/88
11/03/87 11/01/88
01/07/88 01/06/89

10/30/87 11/03/88
01/07/88 01/04/89
12/07/87 12/01/88
02/03/88 11/22/88

DOSE
EQUIVALENT RATE
(mR/day)

MAX.

0.19
0.29
0.19

0.23
0.27
0.38
0.29
0.21
0.23
0.25
0.29
0.34
0.23
0.22
0.18
0.15

0.24
0.34
0.20
0.42


MIN.

0.11
0.14
0.10

0.19
0.24
0.23
0.18
0.15
0.20
0.22
0.25
0.20
0.19
0.14
0.15
0.08

0.13
0.24
0.13
0.27


AVG.

0.15
0.23
0.14

0.22
0.25
0.28
0.23
0.18
0.22
0.24
0.27
0.27
0.21
0.18
0.17
0.12

0.19
0.28
0.18
0.34

ADJUSTED
DOSE
EQUIVALENT
(mR/year)

56
85
51

80
92
101
85
65
81
87
100
97
76
67
62
43

69
104
65
124

COMMENTS














No data 1973 -1975
No data 1973 -1975






No data 1974 - 1980

No data 1973 -1976
(continued)

-------
Table 14. (Continued)
REFERENCE BACKGROUND
STATION LOCATIONS

BATTLE MOUNTAIN, NV
BEATTY, NV
BLUE EAGLE RANCH, NV
BLUE JAY, NV
CACTUS SPRINGS, NV
CALJENTE, NV
CARP, NV
CHERRY CREEK, NV
CLARK STATION, NV
COALDALE, NV
COMPLEX 1.NV
CORN CREEK, NV
CORTEZ RD/HWY 278.NV
COYOTE SUMMIT, NV
CRESCENT VALLEY, NV
CRYSTAL, NV
CURRANT, NV
CURRIE, NV
DIABLO MAINT STA, NV
DUCKWATER, NV
ELGIN, NV
ELKO, NV
ELY. NV
EUREKA, NV
FALLON, NV
FLYING DIAMND CP, NV
GABBS, NV
GEYSER RANCH, NV

YEAR
STATION
ESTAB-
LISHED
1985
1971
1971
1971
1971
1971
1977
1985
1971
1983
1977
1971
1985
1971
1985
1983
1971
1971
1971
1971
1971
1971
1971
1971
1985
1985
1983
1971

MEASUREMENT PERIOD

START END
DATE DATE
12/15/87 11/29/88
01/05/88 01/04/89
01/05/88 01/04/89
01/06/88 01/05/89
11/02/87 11/01/88
10/27/87 11/01/88
10/27/87 11/03/88
12/10/87 12/01/88
01/04/88 01/04/89
02/09/88 11/08/88
10/28/87 11/02/88
11/02/87 11/01/88
12/15/87 11/29/88
10/28/87 11/03/88
12/16/87 11/29/88
11/05/87 11/01/88
01/06/88 01/05/89
12/10/87 12/01/88
01/04/88 01/06/89
01/06/88 01/05/89
10/27/87 11/03/88
12/15/87 11/29/88
12/09/87 12/01/88
01/06/88 01/06/89
12/14/87 12/01/88
10/30/87 11/02/88
02/09/88 11/16/88
12/07/87 12/01/88

DOSE
EQUIVALENT RATE
(mR/day)

MAX.
0.21
0.40
0.19
0.42
0.16
0.25
0.22
0.25
0.36
0.26
0.29
0.13
0.26
0.31
0.25
0.19
0.34
0.27
0.41
0.31
0.32
0.20
0.20
0.33
0.19
0.20
0.17
0.26


MIN.
0.11
0.25
0.12
0.27
0.09
0.15
0.11
0.17
0.24
0.22
0.16
0.07
0.16
0.17
0.11
0.15
0.21
0.17
0.28
0.21
0.19
0.10
0.12
0.22
0.09
0.10
0.13
0.17


AVG.
0.16
0.31
0.16
0.34
0.13
0.20
0.17
0.22
0.30
0.24
0.23
0.09
0.21
0.27
0.18
0.17
0.26
0.23
0.33
0.25
0.27
0.16
0.17
0.27
0.15
0.15
0.15
0.22

ADJUSTED
DOSE
EQUIVALENT
(mR/year)
60
113
57
125
47
73
61
81
109
89
84
34
78
98
65
61
97
86
120
91
97
57
63
98
54
56
56
82

COMMENTS


No data 1972 -1984







No data 1973


Formerly Desert Game





No data 1972 -1984



No data 1972 -1984
No data 1987
No data 1973 -1976




(continued)

-------
Table 14. (Continued)
YEAR
REFERENCE BACKGROUND STATION
STATION LOCATIONS

GOLDFIELD, NV
GROOM LAKE, NV
HALLOWAY RANCH. NV
HANCOCK SUMMIT.NV
HIKO, NV
HOT CREEK RANCH, NV
INDIAN SPRINGS, NV
IONE, NV
KIRKEBY RANCH, NV
KOYEN'S RANCH, NV
LAS VEGAS (UNLV), NV
LAS VEGAS (USDI).NV
LASVEGAS(AIRPRT),NV
LATHROP WELLS, NV
LAVADA'S MARKET, NV
UDA, NV
LOVELOCK, NV
LUND.NV
MANHATTAN, NV
MEDUN'S RANCH, NV
MESQUITE, NV
MINA, NV
MOAPA, NV
MTN MEADOWS RNCH, NV
NASH RANCH, NV
NYALA, NV
OVERTON, NV
PAHRUMP, NV

ESTAB-
LISHED
1971
1971
1971
1971
1971
1971
1971
1971
1973
1971
1981
1971
1972
1971
1981
1971
1985
1971
1971
1982
1971
1983
1983
1971
1985
1971
1982
1971

MEASUREMENT PERIOD

START END
DATE DATE
02/08/88 11/07/88
11/05/87 11/08/88
01/06/88 01/05/89
10/29/87 11/03/88
10/29/87 11/03/88
01/06/88 01/05/89
11/02/87 11/01/88
02/09/88 11/16/88
12/07/87 12/01/88
10/28/87 11/03/88
01/04/88 01/03/89
01/04/88 01/03/89
01/04/88 01/03/89
01/05/88 01/04/89
01/05/88 01/04/89
02/11/88 11/08/88
12/15/87 11/30/88
12/09/87 12/01/88
02/03/88 11/17/88
10/28/87 11/01/88
10/30/87 11/01/88
02/09/88 11/16/88
10/27/87 11/01/88
10/06/87 01/04/89
10/30/87 11/03/88
01/05/88 01/04/89
10/27/87 11/01/88
11/03/87 11/01/88

DOSE
EQUIVALENT RATE
(mR/day)

MAX.
0.21
0.22
0.38
0.37
0.18
0.28
0.15
0.24
0.19
0.23
0.13
0.19
0.16
0.27
0.29
0.22
0.20
0.21
0.32
0.30
0.17
0.22
0.21
0.21
0.21
0.25
0.17
0.22


MIN.
0.20
0.18
0.24
0.24
0.10
0.18
0.08
0.22
0.11
0.14
0.05
0.11
0.08
0.03
0.19
0.21
0.09
0.14
0.28
0.18
0.09
0.21
0.10
0.12
0.10
0.15
0.06
0.08


AVG.
0.21
0.20
0.30
0.32
0.14
0.22
0.11
0.23
0.16
0.18
0.08
0.14
0.11
0.18
0.23
0.22
0.15
0.19
0.30
0.24
0.13
0.21
0.15
0.16
0.16
0.21
0.11
0.13

ADJUSTED
DOSE
EQUIVALENT
(mR/year)
75
72
108
116
49
82
41
85
57
67
29
49
39
66
85
79
56
69
111
87
48
78
56
60
59
75
40
46

COMMENTS








— • . .




BLM Office







Formerly Tikaboo



Formerly Casey's




(continued)

-------
Table 14. (Continued)
YEAR
REFERENCE BACKGROUND STATION
STATION LOCATIONS

PENOYER FARMS, NV
PINE CREEK RANCH, NV
PIOCHE, NV
QUEEN CITY SMT, NV
RACHEL, NV
REED RANCH, NV
RENO, NV
ROUND MT, NV
RUBY VALLEY, NV
S DESERT COR CTR, NV
SCHURZ, NV
SHERI'S RANCH, NV
SILVER PEAK, NV
SPRINGDALE, NV
STEWARD RANCH, NV
STONE CABIN RNCH, NV
SUNNYSIDE, NV
TEMPIUTE, NV
TONOPAH, NV
TONOPAH TEST RNG, NV
TWIN SPRGS RNCH, NV
UHALDE'S RNCH, NV
US ECOLOGY, NV #2
WARM SPRINGS, NV
WELLS, NV
WINNEMUCCA, NV
YOUNG'S RANCH, NV
YUCCA - AMARGOSA CMS

ESTAB-
LISHED
1971
1971
1971
1971
1977
1971
1987
1971
1971
1983
1985
1971
1987
1971
1987
1977
1971
1971
1971
1972
1971
1971
1971
1971
1971
1985
1973
1988

MEASUREMENT PERIOD

START END
DATE DATE
10/28/87 11/02/88
10/28/87 11/03/88
10/27/87 11/01/88
01/04/88 01/06/89
10/28/87 11/03/88
01/04/88 01/06/89
12/14/87 11/30/88
02/03/88 11/17/88
12/17/87 11/29/88
11/02/87 11/01/88
12/14/87 12/01/88
10/30/87 05/03/88
02/09/88 11/16/88
01/06/88 01/05/89
12/08/87 12/01/88
01/05/88 01/04/89
12/07/87 12/01/88
10/29/87 11/02/88
02/09/88 11/08/88
02/10/88 11/15/88
01/05/88 01/04/89
10/28/87 11/02/88
01/06/88 01/04/89
01/04/88 01/04/89
12/16/87 11/29/88
12/15/87 11/29/88
02/03/88 11/17/88
10/20/88 01/18/89

DOSE
EQUIVALENT RATE
(mR/day)

MAX.
0.31
0.31
0.20
0.45
0.29
0.39
0.20
0.28
0.27
0.13
0.26
0.26
0.18
0.40
0.28
0.40
0.24
0.29
0.27
0.26
0.36
0.29
0.40
0.88
0.21
0.23
0.20
0.15


MIN.
0.19
0.20
0.12
0.28
0.17
0.24
0.09
0.26
0.16
0.08
0.15
0.26
0.15
0.24
0.21
0.22
0.08
0.19
0.26
0.25
0.22
0.18
0.24
0.35
0.13
0.12
0.19
0.15


AVG.
0.25
0.26
0.16
0.35
0.24
0.30
0.15
0.27
0.23
0.11
0.22
0.26
0.17
0.31
0.25
0.30
0.16
0.23
0.26
0.25
0.29
0.24
0.31
0.62
0.17
0.18
0.20
0.15

ADJUSTED
DOSE
EQUIVALENT
(mR/year)
90
95
60
127
86
108
56
98
84
39
80
95
60
112
93
110
57
86
96
92
106
86
113
225**
62
65
73
53

COMMENTS










No data 1972 -1984















No data 1972 -1984



(continued)

-------
Table 14. (Continued)
REFERENCE BACKGROUND
STATION LOCATIONS

YUCCA -BRIGHT RES.
YUCCA -CL1 03
YUCCA -CL108
YUCCA -CL1 13
YUCCA -CL1 17
YUCCA -CL128
YUCCA -CL98
YUCCA - HALE RANCH
YUCCA- MILE 47
YUCCA - NY1
YUCCA -NY11
YUCCA-NY16
YUCCA - NY21
YUCCA -NY26
YUCCA -NY36
YUCCA -NY41
YUCCA - NY46
YUCCA - NY51
YUCCA -NY56
YUCCA - NY6
YUCCA-NICKELL QUIK-S
*** UTAH ***
BOULDER, UT
BRYCE CANYON, UT
CEDAR CITY, UT
DELTA, UT

YEAR
STATION
ESTAB-
LISHED
1988
1988
1988
1988
1988
1988
1988
1988
1988
1988
1988
1988
1988
1988
1988
1988
1988
1988
1988
1988
1988

1985
1985
1971
1985

MEASUREMENT PERIOD

START END
DATE DATE
10/12/88 01/18/89
08/29/88 01/19/89
08/29/88 01/19/89
08/29/88 01/19/89
08/29/88 01/19/89
08/29/88 01/18/89
08/29/88 01/19/89
10/12/88 01/19/89
10/11/88 01/18/89
08/29/88 01/18/89
08/29/88 01/18/89
08/29/88 01/18/89
09/01/88 01/18/89
09/01/88 01/18/89
09/01/88 01/18/89
09/02/88 01/18/89
09/02/88 01/18/89
09/02/88 01/18/89
09/02/88 01/18/89
08/31/88 01/18/89
10/12/88 01/18/89

12/08/87 09/13/88
12/08/87 09/13/88
12/07/87 09/12/88
01/05/88 01/06/89

DOSE
EQUIVALENT RATE
(mR/day)

MAX.
0.22
0.08
0.09
0.08
0.08
0.12
0.08
0.13
0.25
0.12
0.13
0.09
0.13
0.19
0.28
0.30
0.20
0.28
0.18
0.15
0.20

0.21
0.18
0.17
0.24


MIN.
0.22
0.05
0.04
0.04
0.05
0.08
0.07
0.13
0.25
0.08
0.12
0.06
0.11
0.19
0.27
0.28
0.20
0.25
0.17
0.15
0.20

0.11
0.08
0.06
0.14


AVG.
0.22
0.06
0.07
0.06
0.06
0.10
0.08
0.13
0.25
0.10
0.13
0.08
0.12
0.19
0.28
0.29
0.20
0.26
0.17
0.15
0.20

0.17
0.15
0.13
0.20

ADJUSTED
DOSE COMMENTS
EQUIVALENT
(mR/year)
79
23
25
23
23
36
28
46
90
37
47
28
43
69
101
106
72
96
64
55
74

63
54
46
73
(continued)

-------
Table 14. (Continued)
YEAR
REFERENCE BACKGROUND STATION
STATION LOCATIONS

DUCHESNE, UT
ENTERPRISE, UT
PERRON, UT
GARRISON, UT
GRANTSVILLE, UT
GREEN RIVER, UT
GUNNISON, UT
IBAPAH, UT
KANAB. UT
LOA.UT
LOGAN, UT
LUND, UT
MILFORD, UT
MONTICELLO, UT
NEPHI, UT
PAROWAN, UT
PRICE, UT
PROVO, UT
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
ST. GEORGE, UT
TROUT CREEK, UT
VERNAL, UT
VERNON, UT
WENDOVER, UT
WILLOW SPRGS LDGE, UT

ESTAB-
LISHED
1985
1973
1985
1971
1985
1985
1985
1985
1985
1985
1985
1985
1972
1985
1985
1985
1985
1985
1982
1971
1985
1985
1985
1971
1985

MEASUREMENT PERIOD

START END
DATE DATE
01/07/88 01/04/89
12/07/87 09/15/88
10/29/87 01/04/89
12/08/87 12/01/88
01/06/88 01/05/89
10/28/87 11/02/88
12/08/87 09/14/88
12/07/87 12/01/88
10/27/87 11/01/88
12/08/87 09/13/88
01/05/88 01/03/89
12/07/87 09/12/88
12/09/87 09/14/88
10/28/87 11/02/88
01/05/88 01/06/89
12/07/87 09/14/88
10/29/87 01/04/89
01/05/88 01/05/89
01/04/88 01/04/89
12/09/87 09/12/88
12/09/87 12/01/88
01/07/88 01/04/89
01/06/88 01/05/89
12/16/87 11/28/88
01/06/88 01/05/89

DOSE
EQUIVALENT RATE
(mR/day)

MAX.
0.21
0.28
0.19
0.18
0.23
0.22
0.17
0.25
0.16
0.31
0.19
0.24
0.22
0.24
0.18
0.19
0.19
0.21
0.23
0.15
0.19
0.22
0.22
0.21
0.19


MIN.
0.12
0.15
0.10
0.10
0.14
0.11
0.06
0.18
0.10
0.16
0.14
0.20
0.15
0.16
0.11
0.12
0.11
0.12
0.16
0.07
0.12
0.12
0.15
0.09
0.12


AVG.
0.17
0.23
0.14
0.15
0.18
0.17
0.13
0.23
0.12
0.25
0.16
0.22
0.19
0.20
0.15
0.16
0.15
0.15
0.19
0.12
0.16
0.18
0.18
0.16
0.16

ADJUSTED
DOSE
EQUIVALENT
(mR/year)
61
84
52
54
67
63
46
83
45
91
60
81
70
74
54
57
54
56
68
42
57
65
66
59
58

COMMENTS





No data 1973 -1976








No data 1973 -1984










No data 1972 -1984

(continued)

-------
                                           Table 14.  (Continued)
No. of Stations Monitored
Avg. Max mR/day
Avg. Min mR/day
Avg. Mean mR/day

Max. Net Annual Exposure
Min. Net Annual Exposure
Mean Net Annual Exposure

157
0.24
0.16
0.20

225
23
72.3

Statistics of




•let Otr
2nd Qtr.
3rd Qtr:
4th Qtr:
YEAR
1988 Offsite Station TLD Results:
#
C.V.


OH43
0.085
0.074
0.062
0.066
Best
Std. Dev.


Onm
0.016
0.014
0.012
0.013
#
REPS


fiPQ
786
876
870
3231
#
RECORDS



131
148
145
542
#
STATS


117
131
147
143
147
NOTE TO WARM SPRINGS, NV, TLD RESULTS:

Anomalous high reading due to TLD located adjacent to stream containing high amount of Radium/Radon. TLD relocated away
from stream 3rd and 4th quarters.
Average results with TLD near stream = 0.85 mR/day.
Average results with TLD located away from stream = 0.38 mR/day.
If TLD had been located away from stream for entire year, adjusted dose equivalent would be approximately 139 mrem.

-------
 7O
 6O
 SO
 4O
 3O
 2O
 1O
1OO
 90
 ao
 70
 6O
 SO
 4O
 30
 2O
 1O
 0
   MEAN  TLD  RESULTS: ALL  OFF —SITE STATIONS
                            1971  - 198S

                                                      Figure 22.

                                   I
                                         X

                                                              X
    1971     1973    1975   1977
                               1979
                               Imar
                                      19S1    19S3    1985
ISO
I4O
130
1 2O
1 1O
1 OO
 9O
 8O
 70
 6O
 SO
 4O
 30
 2O
 1O
  O
     MEAN TLD RESULTS  -  ARIZONA STATIONS
                            1971 — 1 988
X
                                                  Figure 23.

                                                          x:
                                                          x.
           1973    1975    1 977
                               1979    1981
                               Y.ar
                                             1983    1 985    1987
1 SO
1 4O
ISO
1 2O
1 1O
1 OO
 90
 so
 7O
 6O
 30
 4O
 3O
 2O
 1 O
 O
   MEAN  TLD  RESULTS  — CALIFORNIA STATIONS
                            1971 - 1968
                                                  Figure 24.

                     i
                        X P1

                                  I
                                          i
                                             I

I
           1973    197S    1977
                               1979
                               Y«or
                                      1981    1983    198S    1987
            Figures 22 - 24. Mean TLD Results -1988.
                              75

-------
       BO -
       70 -
       60 -
       50 -
       AO -
       SO -
       20 -
       1 O -
       00 -
       90 -
       80 -
       7O -
       6O -
       50 -
       AO -
       30 -
       20 -
       1 O -
        O -
            MEAN  TLD  RESULTS  —  NEVADA STATIONS
                                  1971  — 1988
    X
                                                     Figure 25.
             I Kx  -V Kx
                           173
                                  X
XI Kxl
                                                 xl -XI Kxl Kxl KX
          1971    1973    1975    1977
                                     1979
                                     Y«ar
                                            1981    1983    1985   1987
150
140 -
130 -
120 -
110-
1OO -
 90
 80
 70 -
 60 -
 50 -
 *O —
 30 -
 2O -
 1O -
              MEAN  TLD  RESULTS  —  UTAH  STATIONS
                                  1971 —  1988
                                                            Figure  26.
               Xl KXI r XI K XI KX
                                                 XI KX
                                                       x:
                                                           XI K X
                                                                  XI r x
          1971    1973    1975    1977
                                     1 979
                                     Y«ar
                                            1981    1983    1985    1987
             COMPARISON  OF TLD  AND PIC  RESULTS
                                     1 988
Figures 25 - 27.  Mean TLD Results and Comparison of TLD and PIC Results -1988.
                                   76

-------
5.2.7 Pressurized Ion Chamber (PIC) Network

C. A. Fontana

The  Pressurized  Ion Chamber is a  spherical
shell filled with argon gas to  25 times atmos-
pheric pressure. Inside the chamber is a spheri-
cal electrode with a charge opposite to the outer
shell.  When gamma radiation penetrates the
sphere, ionization of the gas occurs and the ions
are  collected by  the electrode, the  current  is
measured and the intensity of the radiation field
is determined.

There are 28  PICs deployed around the  Nevada
Test Site, of these,  18 are at Community Monitoring
Stations described  in Section 6.1. In addition, there
are ten other PIC locations.   Data  are collected
weekly in the form  of magnetic tapes, paper tapes,
and  via a  satellite telemetry  system.   Data are
displayed in ^R/hr on a digital readout  display at
each location for  easy  access by the public.
Computer analysis  of the data is accomplished on a
weekly basis  at  EMSL-LV.  Trends are  noted  and
compared to previous years.  During 1988,  as in
previous years  background levels dropped in  the
higher elevation locations during the winter.  This
drop is attributed to snow cover shielding the PIC
from low energy gamma radiation coming from  the
ground.
For an  11 hour period during the week of August
22-29,  1988, the PIC located  at Lathrop  Wells
showed    elevated    readings    which    were
approximately twice the level normally expected.
Upon further investigation these elevated readings
were determined to be due to the presence of a
shipment of low-level radioactive waste which was
en route to the U.S. Ecology low level radioactive
waste disposal site in nearby Beatty, Nevada.

This finding contributed to a decision to expand the
scope  of monitoring adjacent to the disposal site.
Through a cooperative agreement with the Nevada
State Health Division, additional equipment Is being
installed.   It is  anticipated that the expanded
monitoring adjacent to the disposal site will  be fully
operational in 1989.
                                              77

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Data for 1988  is displayed  in  Table  15 as the
average /iR/hr and annual mR/yr from each station.
Figure 28 shows annual averages for each location
in mR/yr  as  compared to the  maximum  and
minimum United States background (BEIR80).  The
U.S.  background maximum and minimum  values
shown  represent the  highest and lowest  values
respectfully, of the combined terrestrial ahd cosmic
components of  environmental  gamma  radiation
nationwide. When these data are compared to TLD
results for the same 28 stations, it Is found that the
PIC exposure Is approximately 38% higher than the
TLD exposure. This has been attributed primarily to
the differences in  energy response  of  the  two
systems.  Since PICs have a greater sensitivity to
lower energy gamma  radiation,  they  normally
record higher apparent exposure rates than do the
TLDs.

The 1988 PIC data is consistent with previous  year
trends.  No prolonged unexplained deviations from
background levels occurred during 1988.
Table 15. Pressurized Ion Chamber Readings -1988

Station
Alamo, NV
Austin, NV
Beatty, NV
Caliente, NV
Cedar City, UT
Complex I, NV
Delta, UT
Ely, NV
Furnace Creek, CA
Goldfield, NV
Indian Springs, NV
Las Vegas, NV
Lathrop Wells, NV
Mammoth Lakes, CA
Medlins' Ranch, NV
Milford, UT
Nyala, NV
Overton, NV
Pahrump, NV
Pioche, NV
Rachel, NV
St. George, UT
Shoshone, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
Stone Cabin Ranch, NV
Tonopah, NV
Twin Springs Ranch, NV
Uhaldes Ranch, NV
No. of
Weekly
Values
50
49
50
49
52
49
9
51
50
47
49
50
49
24
52
10
45
52
51
52
46
51
45
45
41
46
45
51
Exposure Rate (uR/hr)*

Minimum
12.9
13.7
16.4
13.1
9.7
14.0
11.6
11.4
9.5
14.6
8.5
6.0
13.9
14.6
14.2
16.9
11.6
9.0
7.6
11.2
13.5
8.8
9.7
11.0
14.2
16.3
15.7
14.1

Maximum
13.5
20.6
17.5
15.2
10.8
16.5
12.1
12.7
10.5
16.2
9.4
6.4
14.6
17.8
16.2
18.4
13.1
10.5
8.0
13.4
17.0
9.6
11.3
12.4
18.4
17.8
18.7
18.5

Average ± S.D.
13.1 ± 0.2
19.2 ± 1.6
16.9 ±0.3
14.6 ± 0.4
10.3 ± 0.2
15.8 ± 0.5
11.9 ±0.1
12.2 ± 0.2
10.0 ± 0.3
15.7 ± 0.3
9.1 ± 0.1
6.2 ± 0.9
14.2 ± 0.2
16.9 ± 0.9
15.8 ± 0.3
17.9 ± 0.4
12.6 ± 0.3
9.5 ± 0.3
7.7 ± 0.1
12.7 ± 0.4
15.9 ± 0.8
9.1 ± 0.2
10.5 ±0.5
11.6 ±0.3
16.7 ± 0.9
16.8 ± 0.3
16.9 ± 0.5
17.0 ± 0.9

mR/yr
115
168
148
128
90
138
104
107
88
137
80
54
124
148
138
157
110
83
67
111
139
80
92
102
146
147
148
149
* Weekly Averages
                                             78

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              Alamo -
             Austin -
             Beatty -
           Caliente -
         Cedar  City -
          Complex I -
              Delta -
                 Ely-
      Furnace Creek -
          Goldfield-
     Indian Springs -
          Las Vegas -
      Lathrop Wells -
      Mammoth Lakes -
     Medlin's Ranch -
            Milford-
              Nyala -
            Overton -
            Pahrump -
             Pioche -
             Rachel -
         St. George -
           Shoshone -
          Salt  Lake -
  Stone Cabin Ranch -
            Tonopah -
Twins Springs Ranch
      Uhaldes Ranch -

         U.S. Background
                                                                        300
                                     Milliroentgens Per Year
              Figure 28. Annual Exposure Rates as Measured by PICs -1988.
                                    79

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5.2.8 Internal Exposure Monitoring
A. A. Mullen

Internal  exposure Is caused by ingested or in-
haled radlonuclldes that remain in the  body
either temporarily or for longer times because of
storage In tissues. At EMSL-LV two methods are
used to detect such body burdens: whole-body
counting and urinalysls.

The  whole-body   counting   facility   has  been
maintained at EMSL-LV since 1966 and Is equipped
to   determine   the  identity   and  quantity   of
gamma-emitting radlonuclldes which  may  have
been Inhaled  or ingested.   Routine  examination
consists  of  a 2000 second count  in each of two
shielded  examination vaults. In one vault  a single
intrinsic  germanium coaxial   detector  positioned
over an adjustable  chair allows detection of gamma
radiation with energies ranging from 60 KeV to 2.5
MeV In the whole body.  The other vault contains an
adjustable  chair with  two germanium detectors
mounted  above the  chest   area; two   intrinsic
germanium  semi-planar detectors were used  until
the  latter part  of  the  year when  four additional
semi-planar detectors were added. The semi-planar
array is designed for detection of gamma  emitting
radlonuclides  with energy  ranges from  ten  to
300 KeV. Specially designed software was obtained
to allow individual detector spectra to be analyzed
to obtain a summation  of left-or right-lung arrays
and the total lung area. This provides much greater
sensitivity for the  transuranic radionuclides but
maintains  the   ability   to  pinpoint  "hot  spots."
Specially  designed  detector  mounts  were  also
Installed  to  allow  maximum  flexibility   for the
placement of detectors In various configurations for
skull, knee, ankle, or other geometries.
Network Design
This activity consists  of two  portions, an  Off-Site
Human Surveillance Program and a Radiological
Safety Program.  The Off-Site Human Surveillance
Program is designed  (1) to measure radlonuclide
body burdens in a representative number of families
who reside in areas that were subjected to fallout
during the early years of nuclear weapons tests, and
(2)  to  act as a biological  monitoring system for
present nuclear testing activities.  A few  families
who reside In areas not affected by such fallout
were also selected for comparative study.
Methods

The Off-Site Human Surveillance  Program  was
Initiated in December 1970, to determine levels of
radionuclides In some of the families  residing in
communities and  ranches surrounding the NTS.
Biannual counting  is performed In the  spring and
fall.  This  program started with 34 families  (142
Individuals).  In 1986,  16 of these families  (37
Individuals) were still active In the program together
with 7 families  added in recent years.  When the
Community Monitoring Station Network was started
in 1982, the families of the station managers were
added to the program. These families are counted
In the winter and summer of each year.   The
geographical  locations  of   the  families  which
participated in 1988 are shown in Figure 29.

These  persons travel to  the EMSL-LV where a
whole-body count and a lung count of each person
Is  made   to  determine  the  body   burden  of
gamma-emitting radlonuclldes.  A urine sample is
collected  for  tritium  analysis.   Results  of  the
whole-body count are available before the families
leave  the  facility  and  are  discussed with  the
subjects.  At 18-month intervals  a physical  exam,
health  history and  the following are performed:  a
urinalysls, complete blood count, serology, chest
x-ray (3-year intervals), sight screening, audiogram,
vital capacity, EKG  (over 40 years old), and thyroid
panel.   The individual  Is then examined   by a
physician.  The results of the examination can be
requested for use by their family physician.

Analysis for internally deposited  radionuclides is
also performed for  EPA  employees,  the  DOE
contractor employees, and for other workers who
may be  occupatlonally  exposed as well as  for
concerned members of the general public. Results
of counts on Individuals from Las Vegas and other
cities are used for comparison.

The  QC Program utilizes daily equipment checks
and  calibrations with  NBS traceable radionuclides.
Calibration phantoms are exchanged among this
facility  and  other  whole-body counting  facilities
across the nation for intercomparison studies.
Results

During 1988,  a total  of 600 gamma spectra were
obtained from 188 individuals,  of whom 100 were
participants  In  the Off-Site Human Surveillance
Program.  Also, 1825 spectra for calibrations and
background   were  generated.    Cesium-137  is
                                              80

-------
NEVADA"





f \ PYRAMID
Austin •
i.
V
T» OLund
\ Round Mt. OOO
C\. Q Blue Eagle Rn.
'. "IpNELUSAFB • Caliente*
^ f RANGE COMPLEX L
*^ t ~/~\ ^1 Alamo

\ ^V \NEVAoII 1 Elgi"
**. > I TEST
V ft I SITE
Beatty*
"^O0\,l Bunkervilleo
%. Indian (1
V Springs (}
UTAH
1 SALT *~v
\/l /^«
V^ Salt
Lake
City







• Cedar City


• St. George
r '"*' ™" ' "™ ' ""ARIZONA



Pahrumpjb . a I(IAKEMEAO I
Shoshone. \ v«8as ^<^J kj
\ i
V Z Scale in Milei
V • 0 50 1
^ ^nmmi initii HMjtnitnrinn Qta Cdm!K< ^^ _ • ^i™^^™!!^^^^^^^^^^^*^"™^!^^™^
                                                                Scale In Kilonuters
Figure 29.  Location of Families In the Off-Site Human Surveillance Program.
                                   81

-------
generally the only fission product detected.  As a
result of worldwide fallout following the Chernobyl
accident, trace amounts of 137Cs and  134Cs were
detected in a limited number of individuals, mainly
those contractor personnel flown in from California,
and  people stationed  in  or visiting Europe.   In
general, the spectra were representative of normal
background for people and  showed only naturally
occurring ^K.  No transuranic radionuclides were
detected in any lung counting data.

Bioassay results for the Off-Site Human Surveillance
Program showed that the concentration of tritium in
urine samples from the off-site residents varied from
0 to  1300 pCi/L (0 to 48 Bq/L) with an average value
of  140  pCi/L  (5.19  Bq/L).    Nearly  all   the
concentrations measured  were  in  the range  of
background levels measured in  water  and reflect
only natural exposure.  The 3H  concentrations in
urine samples  from EPA employees  had a range of
0 to  1200 pCi/L (44 Bq/L) with an average value of
210pCi/L(7.7Bq/L).

As    reported   in    previous   years,    medical
examinations  of  the  off-site families revealed a
generally   healthy   population.     The  blood
examinations  and  thyroid  profiles showed  no
abnormal results which could be attributed to past
or present NTS testing operations.  Two deaths
occurred  in  the  Off-Site  Human Surveillance
Program participants of causes  unrelated to  NTS
testing.

EG&G  personnel  participating  in   the  Joint
Verification Experiment, Shagan Event, in the USSR
were counted upon their return.  Those people who
visited Germany, Scandinavia, England and Ireland
were found to have very small amounts of 137Cs;
while  those  persons who travelled directly to and
from the Russian Test Site did  not pick up this
radionuclide.

One EG&G employee from California  was  also
found to have a very small body burden of 134Cs
and 137Cs.  This individual had  been eating large
quantities of imported cheeses. A limited survey of
imported  cheese available  in  local  stores  was

                                              82

-------
conducted  and  only  one,  a goat  cheese from
Norway, was found to have 134Cs and 137Cs.

Four members of the general public were counted.
Two of these were:  a man who had travelled in Italy
and was concerned about possible uptake of fission
products from the  Chernobyl-4 accident;  and a
woman travelling around the U.S.   Nothing over
natural background was detected in either person.
Additionally, a  photographer from  the  National
Geographic Magazine requested a count as she
had been in Sweden for a week and had eaten a
small   amount  of   reindeer meat,  mushrooms,
vegetables  and  cheese while photographing the
Laplanders. Cesium 134 and   Cs were detected.
A visiting scientist from Poland  also requested a
count.  Her 134Cs and  137Cs values were about
twice those found in the photographer.
5.2.9 Long-Term Hydrological Monitoring
     Program

S.C. Black

Tritium and gamma-spectral analysis were done
on samples taken from 193 wells, springs, and
other sources of water at locations where under-
ground nuclear explosives tests have been con-
ducted.  Gamma radioactivity was found in only
one sampled location  where  137Cs  had been
used in a hydrologic study.   The tritium con-
centrations found  during this sampling  year
were consistent with the levels found in previous
years, except for a slight upward trend in one
NTS well. In only three  samples were the tritium
concentrations greater than the Drinking  Water
Standards, and those samples were from wells
not accessible to the general public.

Background

Surface- and  ground-water sampling and analysis
from water sources around the  NTS have been
performed for many years.  When  underground
nuclear tests  occurred  in other  states,  water
sampling programs were instituted.  Finally, in 1972,
all of the water sampling  programs were combined
to   constitute   the  Long-Term   Hydrological
Monitoring Program (LTHMP).  At each of the sites
of underground nuclear tests, water sampling points
were established by the U.S. Geological Survey so
that  any migration of radioactivity from  the test


                                             83

-------
cavities to potable water sources could be detected
by radioanalysis.

The 23 wells on the NTS and the 32 wells in areas
around the NTS which are part of this program are
shown In Figures 30 and 31, respectively.  The
locations of the sampling points at other than NTS
locations in Nevada, and at locations In  Alaska,
Colorado, Mississippi, and New Mexico are shown
In Figures 32 through 43.
Methods

At  nearly all  locations,  the standard  operating
procedure is to collect four samples. Two samples
are collected In 500-mL glass bottles to be analyzed
for tritium. The results from analysis of one of these
is reported while the other sample  serves as a
backup in  case of  loss, or If  the  tritium  Is at
detectable concentration, as a duplicate sample.
The remaining two  samples are collected In 4 L
plastic containers (cubitainers).  One of these is
analyzed by gamma spectrometry and the other is
stored as a backup or for duplicate analysis.  For
wells  with  operating pumps,  the samples  are
collected at  the  nearest convenient outlet.  If the
well has no pump, a truck-mounted sampling rig is
used.   With  this rig it is  possible to collect 3-liter
samples from wells as deep as 1800 meters.  The
pH, conductivity, and temperature of the water are
measured when the sample is collected.

The tritium and  gamma spectrometric analyses are
described  In  Section  9.0   Sample   Analysis
Procedures.  For those samples in which the tritium
concentration Is less than 700  pCi/L (26 Bq/L), an
enrichment procedure is performed which reduces
the MDC from about 600 to about 10 pCi/L (from 22
to 0.4 Bq/L).  Also, the  first time a water source is
sampled the sample is analyzed for 89Sr and 90Sr,
226Ra, uranium isotopes, 238Pu and 239Pu.
For those operations  conducted  in  other states,
samples for the LTHMP are collected annually. For
the locations on the NTS listed in Table  16, the
samples are collected monthly, when possible, and
analyzed by gamma spectrometry as well as for
tritium.  For a few  NTS wells and  for all  the water
sources around the NTS  a  sample for tritium
analysis is  collected twice per year at about a
6-month interval. One of the semi-annual samples
Is analyzed for tritium by the conventional method,
the other by the enrichment method.  During the
other 10 months,  only a cubitainer of water  Is
collected for analysis  by  gamma  spectrometry.
Since all gamma spectra were negligible only the
tritium results are shown in Table 16.
Table 16. LTHMP Tritium Results for the Monthly NTS Network for 1988
Sampling
Location
Well 1 Army
Well 2
Well 3
Well 4
Well4CP-1
Well 5C
Well 8
Well 20
Well A
Well B Test
Well C
WellJ-13
Well U19C
Well UE18R
No.
Samples
12
12
11
11
12
12
11
12
10
9
12
12
12
7
Tritium Concentration
(PCI/L)

Max
14
11
16
18
3.7
9.0
4.4
4.4
52
156
76
5.9
8.9
.. 110

Min
-19
-16
-16
-16
-19
-18
-23
-21
14
120
5.9
-26
-18
-4.2

Avg
1.6
0.63
0.33
-0.17
-2.4
-1.8
-2.1
-2.3
37
140
29
-0.27
-0.47
17
Percent
Cone.
Guide
< 0.01
< 0.01
< 0.01
< 0.01
< 0.01
< 0.01
< 0.01
< 0.01
0.19
0.70
0.14
< 0.01
< 0.01
0.10
                                              84

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                                                                •Well 3
                      RAINIER   12
                       MESA
                                                 jWellUE15d
WellUE18r
        BUCKBOARD
           MESA
             NUCLEAR ROCKET
          DEVELOPMENT STATION
                                                        -r
                                                       Well UE5c
                                                         WelJ 58
                                                         Well 5c
    A
WellJ-13
 0     5     10

     Scale in Kilometers
          Figure 30. LTHMP Sampling Locations on the NTS.
                              85

-------
               Twin Springs Rn.
   Tonopah
                                                  Adaven Springs
     TTR Well #6
                 NELLIS AFB
                 RANGE COMPLEX
L       Springdale«
 «>    Goss Springs 4

    *\     Beatty 4
                          NEVADA

                            SITE
                 vounghans Ranch (2)
^US Ecology 0 Specie Springs
   N  • Nickells
        Lathrop Wei Is
                                      Mercury
                                      ~U
                                •USAF
          ^*>       £ Fairbanks Springs
Well 17S/50E-14CaC^
              ^   ^^ Crystal Pool
    Well 18S-51 E-7db 0 • Ash Meadows
   Death Valley Jet. •  *V
                                                        Tempi ute
                                                      Penoyer(3)
                                                             Crystal Springs
                                                               Alamo
                                                      Springs
                                                Sewer Co. Well # 1
                                   Calvada Well #1
                                                                Las Vegas
                                                                      28
   Scale in Miles
.0    20     X .
                                                  NEVADA
 0   10   20  30  40  50   60
       Scale in Kilometers     5/89
                                     NEVADA TEST SITE &
                               NELLIS AFB RANGE COMPLEX
                                                    <

                                                       N^J
                                                               Lake Mead I
                                                                   Intake
                                                                   LOCATION MAP
            Figure 31.  LTHMP Sampling Locations Near the NTS.
                                86

-------
                                                                    BERING
                                                                      SEA
   \ Surface Ground Zero

   i Sampling Locations

        Scats in Miles
             5           10
                                                            ._,
                                                            Long Snot
                                                                             CONSTANTS
                                                                             HARBOR
               Duck Cove Civ
                      Milrow
0       5       10
 Scale in Kilometers
N
                                              BASE CAMP AREA
I
                                                  Kirilof Point
                                              BERING
                                               SEA
                                     BAKER RUNWAY

                                  South Hanger
                                                                                        5/89
          Figure 32.  Amchitka Island and Background Sampling Locations for the LTHMP
                                            87

-------
              BERING
                S£A
                                                                  Banjo Point
Surface Ground Zero

Water Sampling Locations
\
                                                       Scale in Miles
                                           0                   1
                                               Scale in Kilometers
                                                                                5/89
        Figure 33.  LTHMP Sampling Locations for Project Cannikin.
                                   88

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                          /        /
                       /COLLAPSE  .
                     /'  BOUNDARY  \
                                   >\
                               W-15
©Surface Ground Zero
         Sampling Locations

           Scale in Feet
      0      600     1200
   N
                      400
Scale in Kilometers
                                         MILROW
 5/89
       Scale in Feet
      0        300
V
                                       LONG SHOT
                                                                       Long Shot
                                                                       Pond #3
      o         100
      Scale in Kilometers
© Surface Ground Zero
• Sampling Locations
            Figure 34.  LTHMP Sampling Locations for Projects Milrow and Long Shot.
                                            89

-------
                                                                             Johnson
                                                                             Artesian
                                                          Fawn Cr. No. 1
                                Fawn Cr
                      8400' Downstream
                                       Fawn Cr. 500' Downstream
                                      RB-D-01
                                      SGZ
Fawn Cr. 500'
  Upstream
                   Fawn Cr. 6800
                     Upstream
                                    Fawn Cr. No 3
                              RIO BLANCO COUNTY
                              GARFIELD COUNTY
              Scale in Miles
-© Surface Ground Zero
£ Artesian Well
O Windmill
      D Water Well
      A Spring
      I Stream
                                                      COLORADO
                                                                          RIO BLANCO
                                                                           COUNTY
LOCATION MAP
        5/89
          Figure 35.  LTHMP Sampling Locations for Project Rio Blanco.
                                     90

-------
                Schwab Rn.   Potter
        Grand Valley
         City Water'
   Grand Valley

Gardner UJ
   Rn.
           Test Well
                 Rulison
_ __ __ .^ • Sefcovic Rn.
Hayward Rn.

    Battlement Creek
                               4
                           CER •>
                                     Spring

                                      (SGZ
Surface Ground Zero
Water Sampling Locations
                          N
                                                              GARFIELD
                                                        g>SGZ| COUNTY
                0                8
                    Scale in Kilometers
                                                        LOCATION MAPS
                                                                5/89
              Figure 36. LTHMP Sampling Locations for Project Rulison.
                                      91

-------
                                       Lower Little Creek
                                          Salt Dome Timber Co.
                                               Anderson
                                                   King
                                              B.R. Anderson
t                                                    Hunt Club
                                                    R.L. Anderson
                                               W. Daniels Jr.
                             Baxterville

                          Well Ascot 21
                                                                 Lumberton
1 Surface Ground Zero
 Water Sampling Locations
                                     Scale in Miles
                                        5
                              0     5     10     15
                                  Scale in Kilometers
LAMAR
COUNTY
                                                                       LOCATION MAPS
                                                                               5/89
     Figure 37. LTHMP Sampling Locations for Project Dribble - Towns and Residences.
                                       92

-------
                                                     \
                                                      •
                                               HMH-5\
                                                                           *
                                                       HMH-10
                                                                              \
                                                            A    Half Moon    )
                                                     1      I \   Creek       /
                                                     I      \\  Overflow    /
                              HMH-7
                                                                              V
                    SGZ

                    IHMH-2                    ]

                        ^   BHMH-9

                       HMH-11
I Surface Ground Zero

 Water Sampling Locations
                            N
                                      Scale in Miles
                                0     100    200    300
0         50         100
     Scale in Kilometers
                                                 LAMAR
                                                COUNTY
                                           LOCATION MAPS
                                                  5/89
           Figure 38. LTHMP Sampling Locations for Project Dribble - Near GZ.
                                        93

-------
           A •*
          «^

        #••'

       /•'*
      \V
     ^>/
    v  •

  /••'
.^/  HM-L2

-------
  h

  \
                   Hot Creek i
                     Ranch   !
                                                 SGZi
Six-Mile Well
                                         Jim Bias Well
                                         (Blue Jay Springs)
                                                       Blue Jay
                                                    Maint Station
1 Surface Ground Zero

 Water Sampling Locations
                                     aNYE
                                     )UNTY
                                                                       LOCATION MAPS
                                                                               5/89
               Figure 40.  LTHMP Sampling Locations for Project Faultless.
                                       95

-------
         Fallen
                                    Flowing Well
                                                  H-31
                                         Hunts I
                                        Station
                                                      SGZ
 • HS-1

Smith/James
Spring
                                CHURCHILL COUNTY

                                 MINERAL COUNTY
) Surface Ground Zero
I Water Sampling Locations
                                         Scale in Miles
                                             5
                                         5       10
                                      Scale in Kilometers
         CHURCHILL
          COUNTY
                                                                         LOCATION MAPS
                                                                                  5/89
                 Figure 41.  LTHMP Sampling Locations for Project Shoal.
                                        96

-------
                            Bixler Rn.
 To Blanco &
 Gobernador
                          I Bubbling
                           Spring
  La Jara Creek
     •
     Windmill #2
                    EPNG Well 10-36
                 Cedar Spring •

            Cave Spring •
                                                                    Jicarilla
                                                                    Well #1
SGZ
       Arnold RN.
         Lower Burro I
         Canyon
                                                 I Well 28.3.33.233
© Surface Ground Zero
• Water Sampling Locations
                                      Scale in Miles
                                 0                 5
                                 0                 8
                                    Scale in Kilometers
                                   RIO
                                   ARRIBA
                                   COUNTY
                                                                        LOCATION MAPS
                                                                               5/89
                Figure 42. LTHMP Sampling Locations for Project Gasbuggy.
                                        97

-------
          Carlsbad
   Carlsbad
   City  •
    Well #7
            Loving City
              Well #2
                LRL-7

                PHS Well #6 •

PHS Well #9 •

    PHS Well #10
                                                                         PHS
                                                                         Well #8
                                                   Pecos River
                                                   Pumping Station
                                                   Well #1
                                      Scale in Miles
                                 0         5        10
©Surface Ground Zero

• On-Site Water Sampling Locations

A Off-Site Water Sampling Locations   6    5     10
                                   Scale in Kilometers
   *   N
                                EDDY
                               COUNTY
                                                                        LOCATION MAPS
                                                                               5/89
                 Figure 43. LTHMP Sampling Locations for Project Gnome.
                                        98

-------
The tritium concentration  in samples from Well A  highest tritium concentration obtained on multiple
were plotted as a running average to minimize the  sampling is reported in Table 18 on the assumption
variability in  the data.   The  plot  indicated an  it is representative of formation water.
increase in concentration  was occurring that had
started  in early 1988.  Although the  maximum (50
pCi/L) was only 0.25 percent of the Drinking Water  Results
Regulation,  the  DOE  removed   the well from  ...   ,   4l      „  ., .  t.
industrial  and culinary  water  production.  There  The  '°catlonf ,at which *he water sfmPIes uwere
were no other trends noted for these wells.            ouTndK ° °°ntal n man^e radl°actfy arf sh°wn
                                                 in Table 17 along with the analytical results.  For
Because of the variability noted in samples obtained  tritium concentrations, only those samples In which
at the  shallow  monitoring  wells  at the Project  the concentration  exceeded 0.01 of the Drinking
Dribble  site, these wells were pumped extensively  Water  Standard  (i.e., 200 pCi/L) are  shown.  The
during the 1988 sample collection trip. Some of the  radioactivity in the samples collected from those
shallow wells were pumped  and  sampled up to  locations has been  reported  in  earlier  reports.
eight times and others  less frequently.   Only the  Several samples were analyzed for plutonium and
TABLE 17. Water sampling locations where samples contained
man-made radioactivity - 1988
Sampling Location Type
PROJECT GNOME, NM
USGS Well 4

USGS Well 8

Well LRL-7

PROJECT RULISON, CO
Hayward Ranch
PROJECT DRIBBLE, MS
Half Moon Creek Overflow
Well HMH-1 through 11
Well HM-S
Well HM-L
REECo Pit Dralnage-A
PROJECT LONGSHOT, AK
Stream E of GZ
Well GZ, No. 1
Mud Pit No. 1
Mud Pit No. 2
Mud Pit No. 3
of Radioactivity

3H
^Sr
3H
^Sr
3H
137Cs

3H

3H
3H
3H
3H
3H

3H
3H
3H
3H
3H
Cone. (pCi/L)

190,000
3,600
150,000
2,300
16,000
200

250

1,400
24-35,000
11,000
1,300
230

530
2,100
250
280
420
                                              99

-------
two from the Gnome site In New Mexico were
analyzed  for  ^Sr to  confirm  results  obtained
previously.

The results of analysis for all collected samples are
shown In Table 18 together with the percent of the
relevant concentration guide that Is listed in Table
25.

Discussion
                                       i
The NTS network presently consists of 24 wells that
are sampled  periodically.    However, there  are
another 31 wells that have never been monitored.
These are being added to the NTS  network as time
permits.   They will  be sampled  and  analyzed
semiannually.

Although some positive results, that Is detectable
amounts of man-made radionuclldes, are shown for
some of  the  water  samples, none  of them  are
expected to give measurable radiation exposures to
residents in the areas where the samples were
collected.  Specifically, these were:

Project Gnome - Wells USGS 4 and 8 were used for
a hydrologlcal tracer study many years ago so the
radionuclides  detected  were  consistent   with
previous results.   These  wells  are  capped  and
locked to prevent use. Well LRL-7 is expected to
show elevated levels of radionuclides as it was used
for disposal of contaminated soil and salt.  It is also
guarded to prevent access.
Project  Dribble --  Wells  at this location  are on
private  land, about  one  mile  from  the  nearest
resident and are not sources for drinking water.

Project  Alaska  -  The shallow  wells at  Project
Longshot on Amchitka Island are In an  isolated
location and are not sources of drinking water.
                                              100

-------
Table 18.
Tritium
Results for the LTHMP - 1988
COLLECTION CONC. ± 2 SIGMA
DATE TRITIUM
SAMPLING LOCATION 1988 (pCi/L)
CARLSBAD NM
WELL 7 CITY
LOVING NM
WELL 2 CITY
MALAGA NM
WELL 1 PECOS PUMPING STAT
WELL LRL-7
WELL PHS 6
WELL PHS 8
WELL PHS 9
WELL PHS 10
WELL USGS 1
WELLUSGS4
WELL USGS 8
FRENCHMAN STATION NV
FRENCHMAN STATION

04/25

04/25

04/25
04/26
04/24
04/26
04/24
04/24
04/24
04/26
04/26

02/22

9 ±15*

17±10

10 ±15*
16000 ± 460
57 ± 10
21 ± 10
-9 ± 15*
-5 ± 16*
0.4 ± 15*
1 90,000 ± 1100
150,000 ± 1000

**


PCTOF
CONC.
GUIDE

0.05

0.08

0.05
82.0
0.29
0.10
< 0.01
< 0.01
< 0.01
955.
735.



( 1)

( 2)

( 3)
( 4)
( 5)
( 6)
( 7)
( 8)
( 9)
( 10)
( 11)


PUMP REMOVED SITE CLOSED
HUNT'S STATION
SMITH/JAMES SPRGS

SPRING WINDMILL

WELL FLOWING
WELLH-3

WELL HS-1
BAXTERVILLE MS
HALF MOON CREEK

HALF MOON CREEK OVRFLW

LOWER LITTLE CREEK
POND WEST OF GZ

ANDERSON POND
REECO PIT DRAINAGE-A
REECO PIT DRAINAGE-B
REECO PIT DRAINAGE-C

02/23
02/24
06/15
02/23

02/23
02/24

02/24

04/18
04/18
04/18
04/18
04/18
04/18
04/18
04/20
04/19
04/19
04/19

1 ± 15*
83 ±10
58 ± 10
**
NO SAMPLE WINDMILL OUT
-4± 16*
**
NOT SAMPLED
-6 ±18*

31 ± 10
36 ±9
1400 ± 390
1200 ± 380
49 ±10
28 ± 10
15 ±16*
13 ± 15*
230 ± 1 1
120 ± 10
200 ± 11

< 0.01
0.42
0.29


< 0.01


< 0.01

0.15
0,18
6.80
6.20
0.24
0.14
0.08
0.07
1.14
0.59
0.98


















( 12)



(continued)
101

-------

SAMPLING LOCATION
BAXTERVILLE MS (Cont)
SALT DOME HUNTING CLUB
SALT DOME TIMBER CO.
ANDERSON, B. R.
ANDERSON, H.
ANDERSON, R. L
CHAMBLISS, B.
DANIELS, W. JR.
KELLY, G.
KING, RHONDA
LEE, P. T.
LOWE, M.

MILLS, A. C.
MILLS, R.
READY, R.
SAUCIER, T. S.
SPEIGHTS, T.

WELL ASCOT 2
WELL CITY
WELL E-7
WELL HM-1
WELLHM-2A
WELL HM-2B
WELL HM-3
WELL HM-L
WELL HM-L2
WELLHM-S
WELLHMH-1
WELL HMH-2
WELL HMH-3
WELLHMH-4
WELLHMH-5
WELLHMH-6
WELLHMH-7
WELLHMH-8
WELLHMH-9
WELLHMH-10
WELLHMH-11
WELLHT-2C


Table
18. (continued)
COLLECTION CONIC. ± 2 SIGMA
DATE TRITIUM
1988 (pCi/L)
,
04/19
04/18
04/19
04/19
04/18
04/18
04/18
04/18
04/19
04/19
04/18

04/18
04/18
04/18
04/18
04/18

04/19
04/18
04/19
04/18
04/18
04/18
04/18
04/18
04/18
04/18
04/19
04/19
04/17
04/17
04/17
04/17
04/17
04/17
04/17
04/17
04/17
04/19



42 ± 10
46 ±10
23 ±11
27 ±11
36 ±11
-3 ±17*
40±10
-8 ± 16*
36 ± 10
51 ±9
**
NOT SAMPLED
4 ±16*
35 ±10
80±11
46 ±9
**
NOT SAMPLED
46 ± 10
46±9
15 ±9
11 ±15*
11 ± 16*
15 ± 15*
5 ±15*
1300 ± 390
6 ±16*
11 000 ±470
35000 ± 620
17000 ±510
51 ±10
24 ±9
5400 ± 420
100 ± 10
180± 11
43 ±9
73 ±11
24 ±11
78 ± 11
**
NOT SAMPLED


PCTOF
CONC.
GUIDE

0.21
0.23
0.11
0.13
0.18
< 0.01
0.20
< 0.01
0.18
0.25


0.02
0.17
0.40
0.23


0.23
0.23
0.08
0.06
0.06
0.08
0.02
6.65
0.03
55.0
173.
85.5
0.25
0.12
27.1
0.52
0.91
0.22
0.36
0.12
0.39


(continued)
102

-------

Table 18.
COLLECTION
DATE
SAMPLING LOCATION 1988
BAXTERVILLE MS (Cont)
WELL HT-4
WELL HT-5
COLUMBIA MS
WELL 64B CITY
LUMBERTON MS
WELL 2 CITY
PURVIS MS
CITY SUPPLY
GOBERNADOR NM
ARNOLD RANCH
BIXLER RANCH
BUBBLING SPRINGS
CAVE SPRINGS
CEDAR SPRINGS
LA JARA CREEK
LOWER BURRO CANYON
RESAMPLE OF WINDMILL
POND N WELL 30.3.32.343
WELL EPNG 10-36
RESAMPLE OF WELL
WELLJICARILLA1
WELL 28.3.33.233 (SOUTH)

WELL 30.3.32.343 (NORTH)

WINDMILL 2
GRAND VALLEY CO
BATTLEMENT CREEK
CITY SPRINGS
ALBERT GARDNER RANCH
SPRING 300 YRD N OF GZ
WELL CER TEST
RULISON CO
LEE HAYWARD RANCH
POTTER RANCH
ROBERT SEARCY RN (SCHWAB)


04/19
04/19

04/18

04/18

04/18

06/22
06/21
06/21
06/22
06/21
06/21
06/22

06/21
06/23

06/22
06/21
NO
06/21
NO
06/22

06/25
06/25
06/25
06/25
06/25

06/25
06/27
06/25

(continued)
CONC. ± 2 SIGMA
TRITIUM
(pCi/L)

16 ±9
3± 15*

26 ±9

7 ±15*

2± 15*

7.5 ± 9.2
15 ±9
69 ± 10
25 ±9
83 ±10
73 ±10
12 ±9

580 ±13
750 ± 15

5 ±9.3
**
SAMPLE-WELL OUT
**
SAMPLE-WELL OUT
5.1 ± 9.5

140 ±11
-2 ± 16*
170 ± 12
84± 11
160 ±12

250 ± 12
140 ± 11
150 ±11


PCTOF
CONC.
GUIDE

0.08
0.02

0.13

0.04

0.01

0.04
0.08
0.35
0.13
0.42
0.36
0.06

2.91
3.77

0.03




0.03

0.70
<0.01
0.86
0.42
0.79

1.24
0.71
0.76
(continued)
103

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Table
18. (continued)
COLLECTION CONG. ± 2 SIGMA
DATE TRITIUM
SAMPLING LOCATION 1988 (pCi/L)
RULISON CO (continued)
FELIX SEFCOVIC RANCH
RIO BLANCO CO
B-1 EQUITY CAMP
BRENNAN WINDMILL
CER NO.1 BLACK SULPHUR
CER NO.4 BLACK SULPHUR
FAWN CREEK 1
FAWN CREEK 3
FAWN CREEK 6800FT UPSTRM
FAWN CREEK 500FT UPSTRM
FAWN CREEK 500FT DWNSTRM
FAWN CREEK 8400FT DWNSTR
WELL JOHNSON ARTESIAN
WELL RB-D-01
WELLRB-D-03
WELL RB-S-03
BLUE JAY NV
HOT CREEK RANCH SPRING

MAINTENANCE STATION
WELL BIAS
WELL HTH-1
WELL HTH-2
WELL SIX MILE

AMCHITKA AK
CLEVENGER LAKE
CONSTANTINE SPRING
DUCK COVE CREEK
JONES LAKE
RAIN SAMPLE
SITE D HYDRO EXPLORE HOLE
WELL ARMY 1
WELL ARMY 2
WELL 4 ARMY
CANNIKIN LAKE (NORTH END)
CANNIKIN LAKE (SOUTH END)
DK-45 LAKE
ICE BOX LAKE
PIT SOUTH OF CANNIKIN GZ


p6/25

06/26
06/27
06/26
06/26
06/27
06/27
06/27
06/27
06/27
06/27
06/27
06/27
06/27
06/27

07/20

07/21
07/20
07/21
07/21
07/20


09/07
09/07
09/07
09/07
09/08
09/08
09/08
09/08
09/08
09/08
09/08
09/08
09/08
09/08


160± 11

92 ±10
46 ±11
87 ±10
73 ± 10
46 ± 11
60 ±10
62 ± 10
57 ±9
53 ±10
45 ± 11
-7 ± 10*
7.9 ± 9.2*
4.8 ± 9.2*
1.2 ±9.1*

**
NOT SAMPLED
7 ±10*
0.8 ± 9.2*
-8.4 ±9.1*
-5.5 ± 9.2*
**
NOT SAMPLED

47 ± 10
53 ± 10
36 ±10
34 ±10
27 ± 10
72 ±10
48 ±10
34 ± 10
43± 11
34 ±10
44±11
36 ±9
46 ±10
38 ±10


PCTOF
CONC.
GUIDE

0.82

0.46
0.23
0.43
0.36
0.23
0.30
0.31
0.29
0.26
0.22
< 0.01
0.04
0.02
< 0.01



0.03
< 0.01
<0.01
< 0.01



0.24
0.26
0.18
0.17
0.13
0.36
0.24
0.17
0.22
0.17
0.22
0.18
0.23
0.19
(continued)
104

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SAMPLING LOCATION
AMCHITKA AK (continued)
WELL HTH-3
WHITE ALICE CREEK
LONG SHOT POND 1
LONG SHOT POND 2
LONG SHOT POND 3
MUD PIT N0.1
MUD PIT NO.2
MUD PIT N0.3
REED POND
Table
18. (continued)
COLLECTION CONG. ± 2 SIGMA
DATE TRITIUM
1988 (pCI/L)

09/08
09/08
09/07
09/07
09/07
09/07
09/07
09/07
09/07
STREAM EAST OF LONGSHOT 09/07
WELLEPA-1
WELLGZNO.1
WELL GZ NO.2
WELLWL-1
WELLWL-2
CLEVENGER CREEK
HEART LAKE
WELLW-2
WELLW-3
WELLW-4

WELLW-5

WELLW-6

WELLW-7
WELLW-8
WELLW-9

WELLW-10
WELLW-11
WELLW-12

WELLW-13
WELLW-14

WELLW-15
WELLW-16

WELLW-17
WELLW-18
WELLW-19


09/08
09/08
09/08
09/08
09/08
09/08
09/08
09/08
09/08
09/08

09/08

09/08

09/08
09/08
09/08

09/08
09/08
09/08

09/08
09/08

09/08
09/08

09/08
09/08
09/08



40 ± 10
19 ±9
38 ± 10
38 ±11
56 ±11
250 ± 12
280 ± 12
420 ± 13
28 ± 10
530 ± 14
54 ±10
21 00 ±379
81 ±10
28 ±10
180± 11
46 ± 10
31 ±9
29 ±9
23 ±9
**
NOT SAMPLED
**
NOT SAMPLED
**
NOT SAMPLED
40 ±11
32 ±10
**
NOT SAMPLED
34 ± 12
69±12
**
NOT SAMPLED
51 ±11
**
NOT SAMPLED
36 ±10
**
NOT SAMPLED
28 ± 11
50 ± 12
**
NOT SAMPLED - WELL DRY


PCTOF
CONC.
GUIDE

0.20
0.09
0.19
0.19
0.28
1.23
1.38
2.13
0.14
2.64
0.27
10.3
0.40
0.14
0.92
0.23 (13)
0.15
0.15
0.11






0.20
0.16


0.17
0.35


0.25


0.18


0.14
0.25


(continued)
105

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Table 18. (continued)
SAMPLING LOCATION
SHOSHONE CA
SHOSHONE SPRING

ADAVEN NV
ADAVEN SPRING


ALAMO NV
WELL 4 CITY

ASH MEADOWS NV
CRYSTAL POOL

FAIRBANKS SPRINGS

WELL17S-50E-14CAC

WELL18S-51E-7DB

BEATTY NV
SPECIE SPRINGS

TOLICHA PEAK


US ECOLOGY WELL (NECO)

WELL 1 1 S-48-1 DD COFFERS

WELL 12S-47E-7DBD CITY


WELL ROAD DSPICERS
YOUNGHANS RCH WELL



COLLECTION
DATE
1988

Ofl/04
06/07

05/05
09/01
10/04

04/14
09/21

02/11
07/12
03/03
08/01
02/11
07/12
02/11
07/12

03/03
08/04
02/04
07/07
NOT
01/06
06/08
02/04
07/07
03/04
08/04
07/07
02/04
11 Samples:



CONG. ± 2 SIGMA
TRITIUM
(pCI/L)

170 ±330*
0.4 ± 16*

41 ±10
150 ± 610*
95 ± 360*

-11 ±16*
60 ±610*

10 ± 13*
-53 ± 600*
7 ±13*
-33 ±610*
13 ±13*
69 ± 600*
2.4 ± 14*
-90 ± 600*

250 ± 550*
48 ±11
5 ±14*
0±600*
SAMPLED
6± 14*
-26 ± 500*
4 ±13*
16 ± 600*
5 ±13*
38 ±610*
250 ± 600*
-3 ±14*
Max. 20 ± 8*
Min. -7 ±17*
Avg. 3 ± 12*

PCTOF
CONC.
GUIDE

0.87
< 0.01

0.21
0.74
0.47

< 0.01
0.30

0.05
< 0.01
0.03
< 0.01
0.07
0.35
0.01
<0.01

1.23
0.24
0.02


0.03
< 0.01
0.02
0.08
0.03
0.19
1.24
< 0.01



(continued)
106

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SAMPLING LOCATION
BOULDER CITY NV
LAKE MEAD INTAKE

CLARK STATION NV
WELL6TTR
NOT SAMPLED
HIKO NV
CRYSTAL SPRINGS

INDIAN SPRINGS NV
WELL 1 SEWER COMPANY

WELL 2 US AIR FORCE

LAS VEGAS NV
WELL 28 WATER DISTRICT

LATHROP WELLS NV
CITY15S-50E-18CDC

NYALA NV
SHARP'S RANCH

OASIS VALLEY NV
GOSS SPRINGS

PAHRUMP NV
WELL3CALVADA

RACHEL NV
WELLS7AND8PENOYER

WELL13PENOYER


Table 18.
COLLECTION
DATE
1988

03/11
08/11

06/01
10/06

04/14
09/02

01/04
06/07
01/04
06/07

01/08
06/09

01/05
06/08

04/05
09/01

03/02
08/04

05/03
10/04

04/13
09/01
05/10
09/01

(continued)
CONC. ± 2 SIGMA
TRITIUM
(pCI/L)

99±9
110 ±610*

-2 ± 15*
180 ±360*

-16 ±15*
170 ±610*

11 ± 14*
-70 ± 500*
24 ±9
-52 ± 500*

-3 ± 330*
0± 16*

6 ±14*
-180 ±500*

-14 ±16*
38 ± 610*

13 ± 14*
-210 ± 610*

-2 ± 15*
-100 ±360*

-1 ± 15*
60 ± 610*
6± 15*
5 ± 610*


PCTOF
CONC.
GUIDE

0.50
0.57

< 0.01
0.92

< 0.01
0.84

0.06
< 0.01
0.12
< 0.01

< 0.01


0.03
< 0.01

< 0.01
0.19

0.07
< 0.01

< 0.01
< 0.01

< 0.01
0.30
0.03
0.03
(continued)
107

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SAMPLING LOCATION
RACHEL NV (continued)
WELL PENOYER CULINARY

TEMPIUTE NV
UNION CARBIDE WELL

TONOPAH NV
CITY WELL

WARM SPRINGS NV
TWIN SPRINGS RANCH

NTSNV
WELL5B

WELLC-1

WELL D TEST

WELLUE1C

WELL UE5C

WELLUE15D

WELLUE16D

Table 18.
COLLECTION
DATE
1988

02/02
67/12

01/06
06/02

06/01
10/06

04/05
09/01

02/04
07/19
02/03
07/19
04/04
08/09
03/03
08/08
02/04
07/19
01/06
06/07
02/03
07/19
(continued)
CONG. ± 2 SIGMA
TRITIUM
(pCi/L)

51 ± 330*
53 ± 600*

59 ± 330*
5 ±16*

-6 ±16*
42 ±360

-18± 16*
-120 ± 610*

140 ± 330*
-4 ±10*
5 ± 330*
9 ±10*
-230 ± 560*
9 ±9.4
-120 ± 550*
-0.2 ± 9.4*
140 ± 330*
-2 ± 10*
140 ±330*
103 ± 10
13 ± 330*
-6.3 ± 9.9*
* CONCENTRATION IS LESS THAN THE MINIMUM DETECTABLE CONCENTRATION
** SAMPLES NOT ANALYZED.



PCTOF
CONC.
GUIDE

0.25
0.26

0.29
0.03

<0.01
0.21

< 0.01
< 0.01

0.70
< 0.01
0.03
0.04
<0.01
0.05
< 0.01
< 0.01
0.70
< 0.01
0.70
0.51
0.07
< 0.01
(MDC).

FOOTNOTES
ANALYSIS
(1) 239Pu

RESULT
2.2E-03

2 SIGMA
1.8E-02*

UNITS
pCi/L
(continued)
108

-------
Table 18. FOOTNOTES (continued)
ANALYSIS
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
*
+
238pu
239pu
90 Sr
238pu
239pu
90 Sr
137Cs
239pu
90 Sr
238Pu
239Pu
90 Sr
238pu
239pu
90 Sr
238pu
239pu
238pu
239pu
90 Sr
238pu
239pu
238pu
239pu
90 Sr
239pu
90 Sr
238pu
239pu
90 Sr
234 u
235 y
238U
7 Be
RESULT
9.5E - 03
-1.2E-03
1.0E-01
-3.4E - 03
-2.7E - 03
3.0E - 01
2.0E + 02
2.9E - 03
-1.2E + 00
9.2E-04
-6.4E - 03
4.7E - 01
4.6E - 04
3.6E - 03
-2.5E + 00
5.3E - 03
1.4E-03
1.4E-02
1.6E-03
3.2E+00
9.0E - 03
-4.0E - 03
-2.2E - 03
-3.9E-03
3.6E + 03
-3.7E - 03
2.3E+03
-1.2E-02
-1.1E-02
4.9E+00
2.8E - 02
7.5E - 03
1.3E-02
7.2E-01
2 SIGMA
2.1 E- 02*
1.5E-02*
1.2E+00*
1.4E-02*
9.6E - 03*
1.5E + 00*
1.7E+01
1.0E-02*
1.9E+00*
3.2E - 02*
2.3E - 02*
1.6E+00*
1.6E-02*
1.1E-02*
4.6E+00*
1.7E-02*
1.2E-02*
1.9E-02*
1.3E-02*
4.5E + 00*
2.0E - 02*
1.4E-02*
2.0E-02*
1.4E-02*
3.6E+01
1.3E-02*
5.6E + 01
5.7E - 02*
4.1 E- 02*
2.3E+00
2.3E - 02
9.0E - 03*
1.5E-02*

UNITS
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
cpm
Concentrations of Tritium in atmospheric moisture (atm. m.) are expressed as pCi/mL of water collected.
Concentration Guides used are for 25 mrem annual exposure.
109

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 6.0  Public Information and Community Assistance Programs
 A. N. Jarvis

 In addition to its many monitoring and data analysis activities, the Nuclear Radiation Division (NRD)
 provides a comprehensive program designed to provide information and assistance to individual
 citizens, organizations, and local government agencies in communities in the environs of the NTS.
 During 1988 activities included:  participation  in public hearings; "town hall" meetings; a school
 radiation science program; continued support of Community Monitoring Stations; and a variety of
 tours, lectures, and presentations.
 Public Hearings

 A workshop on  monitoring  radioactivity In the
 environment was held by the Congressional Office
 of Technology Assessment in  Las Vegas, Nevada,
 on September 25 and 26,1988. Presentations were
 given by two NRD staff members. They described
 the criteria that must be met prior to testing  a
 nuclear device as well as the extensive monitoring,
 surveillance, and analytical activities carried out by
 the EMSL-LV to ensure that any accidental releases
 of radioactivity from the NTS will be detected and
 reported.
Town Hall Meetings
The   "town  hall"  meetings,  which  have  been
conducted  since  1982, were  continued in 1988.
These  meetings   provide  an   opportunity  for
attendees to meet directly with EPA, DOE, and DPI
personnel,  ask  questions,  and   express  their
concerns  regarding  nuclear testing.    During  a
typical  meeting,  the procedures  used and the
safeguards taken during any test are described, the
monitoring and surveillance networks are explained,
and  for meetings in Nevada the  proposed  High
Level  Waste  Repository at  Yucca  Mountain
discussed.  During 1988, meetings were held in the
communities listed below.  Attendance varied from
4 to  35 with an  average of 15  participants per
meeting.

Town Hall Meetings
February 16
February 17
March 22
March 23
May 18
May 19
June 22
June 23
Enterprise, UT
Mllford, UT
LeeViningCA
Furnace Creek CA
Delta UT
Beaver Dam AZ
Tropic UT
Escalante UT
                                 September 21
                                 September 22
                                 November 15
                                 November 16
               Gabbs NV
               Fish Lake/DyerNV
               Laughlin NV
               Needles CA
                                 Animal Investigations

                                 One of the public service functions of the EMSL-LV
                                 is to Investigate claims of Injury allegedly due to
                                 radiation  originating  from  NTS  activities.    A
                                 veterinarian, qualified by education and experience
                                 in the field of radiobiology, investigates  problems
                                 with domestic  animals  and  wildlife to  determine
                                 whether or not radiation exposure may be involved.

                                 No  animal investigations were requested during
                                 1988.
NTS Tours

To  complement the 'town-hall" meetings and to
familiarize Nevada citizens with  both the DOE
testing program at the NTS and the Environmental
Monitoring Program conducted by the EPA, tours
are arranged for business and community leaders
from towns In the environs of the NTS, as well as for
government  employees  and  the  news  media.
Between January and December 1988, the following
tours were sponsored by the EPA:

Employees of Gold Bar Mine,
Scotty's Castle and Beatty Residents  February 24

Teachers, Round Mountain, NV       April 4-5

Public Officials and
Residents of Kingman, AZ           May 9-10

Attendees, 34th Annual Conference
on Bioassay, Analytical and
Environmental Radiochemistry
October 21
                                            111

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School Science Program

The Introduction to Radiation Science Program was
conceived by the NRD staff In 1986, to provide a
service to schools In communities In the environs of
the NTS.   The aim of this  program being to
supplement  school   program  with  an  activity
Involving the Interaction between students, teachers
and NRD personnel.  Following the reactor accident
at Chernobyl, USSR, In April 1986, the need for such
a  program  became obvious  as  Indicated  by
recurring  Indications  of   misunderstanding  of
Ionizing radiation by both the media and the public.
In response, the NRD staff developed  a program
designed  to  help  students  better  understand
radiation and radioactivity and to provide them with
some of the basic knowledge  required to make
sound decisions  concerning the  many  societal
Issues arising  from  the   use  and disposal  of
radioactive materials.

Beginning in October 1986, and continuing through
1988, an  NRD staff member has  been teaching
radiation concepts  to students.   The  Instructor
spends  from  one to five  days  in  each  school.
During this time he presents lecture-demonstrations
and conducts  laboratory exercises.  During 1988,
the program was presented in the  schools listed
below:

     Virgin Valley High School,  Mesqulte, NV

     Moapa Valley High School,  Overton, NV

     Amargosa School, Amargosa, NV

     C.V.T. Gilbert School, Las Vegas, NV
Emergency Response
As a result of continued population growth in the
off-site communities, there is an Increasing need for
assistance from  and coordination with both state
and  local agencies  in  order to  implement the
protective actions that may  be  needed  if an
underground  nuclear test accidentally  released
radioactive contaminants  Into  the  environment.
Therefore, during 1988, there has been a continuing
dialogue between the EMSL-LV staff and the State
of Nevada's Division of Emergency Management as
well  as with  the  local  and  county  officials
responsible for emergency planning.

In a  continuing  effort to  provide and  Improve
personal dosimetry to citizens living In communities
In the environs of the Nevada Test Site, plans were
developed  in 1988 to replace film badge caches
with  thermoluminescent   dosimeters.     Three
thousand TLDs were received and calibrated during
1988 and are awaiting distribution to communities In
California, Nevada, and Utah.  The dosimeters will
be  issued  by county or  state personnel in the
unlikely event of a significant release of radioactive
materials from the NTS.
Community Monitoring Stations

Beginning in 1981  DOE and  EPA  established a
network of Community Monitoring Stations In the
off-site areas In order to increase public awareness
of radiation monitoring activities. The DOE, through
an Interagency agreement with EPA, sponsors the
program and contracts with the Desert Research
Institute  (DRI)  to manage the stations, and the
University of Utah to train station managers.  Each
station is operated  by  a  local resident,  in  most
cases a science teacher, who is trained in radiation
monitoring methods by the University of  Utah.
These stations  continued to be maintained by the
NRD  personnel  during  1988.   Samples  were
collected and analyzed at the EMSL-LV. The DRI
provides data  interpretation to  the  communities
involved  and pays the station operators for their
services.

During 1988, new stations were Installed at Callente,
NV, and at Milford and Delta, Utah.  Each of the 18
stations contains one of the samplers for the ASN,
NGTSN and Dosimetry networks discussed earlier,
plus a pressurized Ion chamber (PIC) and recorder
for immediate readout of external gamma exposure,
and a  recording barograph. The new  stations at
Milford and Delta are complete except for noble gas
samplers, which will  be added when the equipment
becomes available. All of the equipment is mounted
on  a  stand at a  prominent  location In  each
community  so the  residents  are  aware  of the
surveillance  and,  If  interested,  can have  ready
access to the data.  The data from these stations
are included in the tables in Section 5 with the other
data from  the appropriate  networks.   Table 15
contains a summary of the PIC data.
New computer generated reports for each station
were developed.  These reports, Issued weekly,
indicate  the current  weekly  PIC  average, the
previous week  and  previous year  averages, and
show the maximum  and minimum backgrounds in
the U.S. In addition to being posted at each station,
copies are sent to newspapers in Nevada and Utah
                                              112

-------
and provided to appropriate federal and  state  fully  operational.   With this equipment,  gamma
personnel In California, Nevada and Utah.          exposure   measurements  acquired  by   the


BBS Z 5JSS fflLKK  =SH
during 1987, was completed In 1988.  All of the  EMSL-LV by telephone line.
community monitoring stations are equipped with
transmitting equipment and the telemetry system Is
                                      113

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7.0  Quality Assurance and Procedures
K. S. Moroney and C. A. Fontana

Policy

One of the major goals of the Agency Is to ensure that all EPA decisions which are dependent on en-
vironmental data are supported by data of known quality.  Consequently, agency policy requires that
all EPA laboratories participate in a centrally managed and locally implemented Quality Assurance
(QA) Program.
 EMSL-LV's  QA policies  and  requirements  are
 summarized    in    EPA/600/X-87/241,    Quality
 Assurance Program Plan (EPA87), and are fully
 adhered to  by the  Nuclear Radiation Assessment
 Division (NRD).
Standard Operating Procedures
Elements of the QA program include local Standard
Operating   Procedures  (SOPs)   which   define
methods of sample collection, handling,  sample
control, analysis,  data validation,  trending  and
reporting.  These SOPs support the goal of the QA
program in maintaining the  quality of results within
established limits of acceptance.
 completeness of data Is attained, those which are
 used to test the internal comparability within a given
 data set, and  procedures for comparing data sets
 with historical data and other data sets.

 Completeness Is the amount of data successfully
 collected with respect to that amount intended in
 the design, and comparability refers to the degree
 of similarity of data from different sources included
 in a  single data set.   All  data  is  reviewed  by
 supervisory personnel to ensure that sufficient data
 have been collected and the conclusions are based
 upon valid data. Completeness Is an Important part
 of quality,  since  missing data may reduce  the
 precision of estimates, introduce  bias,  and thus
 lower the level of confidence in the conclusions.
Data Quality Objectives
In addition, the EPA as an  Agency  requires all
projects    Involving   environmentally    related
measurements to develop data quality objectives
(DQOs).   DQOs must clearly define the level of
uncertainty that a decision maker is willing to accept
In results derived from environmental data. DQOs
contain quantitative  statements  relating to  the
decision   to  be   made,   how   environmental
measurements will  be used, time  and  resource
constraints on data collection, descriptions of the
data or measurements to be made, specifications of
which portions of the physical systems from which
samples will be collected, and the calculations that
will be  performed on the data in order to arrive at a
result.
Data Validation
An essential element of QA is the validation of data.
Four categories of data validation  methods  are
employed by NRD:  procedures which are applied
routinely  to  ensure  adherence  of  acceptable
analytical   methods,   those  that  ensure  that
Quality Control

The  quality control  (QC) portion of the NRD QA
program consists of routine use of methods and
procedures designed to achieve and maintain the
specified level of quality for the given measurement
system.  Accuracy of analysis Is achieved through
the regular determination of bias and precision of
the results.
Bias is defined as the difference between the data
set mean value  (or  sample average for statistical
purposes) and the true or reference value (EPA87).
The   NRD   laboratory  participates  in  EPA,
DOE/Environmental    Measurements   Laboratory
(EML),  and World  Health Organization  (WHO)
laboratory  intercomparison  crosscheck  studies.
The  results of  the EPA intercomparison study are
discussed later in this  section. Blank samples and
samples  "spiked"   with  known  quantities   of
radionuclides are also  routinely run.  Internal "blind
spiked"  samples, (that  is,  samples  spiked with
known amounts  of radionuclides but unknown to
the analyst) are also entered into the normal chain
of analysis.
                                             115

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Precision Is the degree of mutual agreement among
Individual  measurements made under prescribed
conditions (EPA87).  As a minimum, 10 percent of
all samples are collected and analyzed in duplicate,
and results compared.

In  addition,  Instruments   are   calibrated  with
standards directly or indirectly traceable to National
Institute  for  Standards  and Technology  (NIST;
formerly   National   Bureau  of  Standards)   or
NIST-approved    EPA     generated    'sources,
performance checks are routinely accomplished,
control charts of background and check source
data are  maintained, and preventive  maintenance
on equipment is scheduled and performed.
Health Physics Oversight

All analytical results  receive a final review by the
health physics staff of the Dose Assessment Branch
for  completeness and comparability.   Trends  of
Increasing or decreasing amounts of radionuclides
in the environment are identified, and potential risks
to humans and  the  environment are determined
based on the data.
Precision of Analysis

The duplicate  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
bytheEMSL-LV.

The program consists of the analysis of duplicate or
replicate samples from the ASN, the NGTSN, the
MSN, and LTHMP, and the Dosimetry Network.  As
the radioactivity concentration In samples collected
from the LTHMP  and  the  MSN are usually below
detection levels, most duplicate samples for these
networks are prepared from spiked solutions.  The
noble gas samples are generally split for analysis,
and  duplicate samples are collected In the ASN.
Since two TLD  cards consisting of  three TLD
phosphors each are used  at each station of the
Dosimetry  Network, no additional samples were
necessary.

At least 30 duplicate samples from each network
are normally collected and analyzed over the report
period.  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 range of the results.  For small sample sizes,
this estimate of the variance is statistically efficient
(SNE67) and certainly more convenient to calculate
than  the  standard   expression.  The  standard
deviation Is obtained by taking the square  root of
the variance. Table 19 summarizes the sampling
Information for each surveillance network.
TABLE 19. Samples and analyses

Surveillance
Network
ASN

NGTSN
Dosimetry

MSN
LTHMP

Number of
Sampling
Locations
109

18
156

29
193

Samples
Collected
This Year
9,807

710(85Kr)
734(133Xe)
542

380
746
for Duplicate Sampling Program - 1988
Sets of
Duplicate
Samples Number
Collected Per Set
745 2

54 2
542 4-6

150 2
416 2

Sample
Analysis
Gross beta,
y Spectrometry
85Kr, 3H, HaO,
HTO, 133Xe
Effective dose
from gamma
^Sr, 3H
3H
                                              116

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The variance, s2, of each set of replicate results was
estimated by the standard expression,
     =2   „
             n
           i  = 1
where n  =  number of sets of replicates.

The principle that the variances of random samples
collected  from  a  normal  population  follow  a
chi-square  distribution  fc2)  was  then  used to
estimate  the   expected   population  standard
deviation  for each  type of sample analysis.  The
expression used is a follows: (FRE62)
where m-1 =   the degrees of freedom for ni
               samples collected for the ith
               replicate sample

     si2   =   the expected variance of the ith
               replicate sample
      s    =   the pooled estimate of sample
               standard deviation derived from the
               variance estimates of all replicate
               samples (the expected value
                of s2 iso2).

 For expressing  the precision of measurement  In
 common units, the coefficient of variation (s/x) was
 calculated  for each sample type.   These are
 displayed in Table 20 for those analyses for which
 there were adequate data.

 To   estimate  the   precision   of   counting,
 approximately ten  percent  of  all  samples  are
 counted a second time. These are unknown to the
 analyst.   Since  all  such replicate  counting gave
 results within the counting error,  the precision data
 In Table 20 represents errors principally In analysis.

 Accuracy of Analysis

 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 21, which compares the mean of
 three replicate analyses with the known value.  The
 normalized deviation is a measure of the accuracy
 of the  analysis  when  compared  to  the known
 concentration. The determination of this parameter
 is explained in detail In the reference (JA81). If the
value of this parameter  (in multiples of standard
 normal deviate, unitless) lies between control limits


Surveillance
Network
ASN
NGTSN

Dosimetry
MSN

LTHMP
TABLE 20. Sampling

Analysis
7Be
^Kr
HaO*
TLD
40K
^Sr
3H
3H +
and Analytical Precision - 1988
Sets of
Replicate
Samples
Evaluated
6
53
90
542
70
12
65
67


Coefficient
of Variation
59
7.4
3.8
6.6
10
11
18
24
* Measurement of Atmospheric Moisture
                                              117

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TABLE 21. EPA Quality Assurance Intercomparison Results - 1988
Analysis
Water Studies:
3H
51Cr
6000
65Zn
89Sr
^Sr
106RU
131,
134Cs
137Cs

Mean of
Replicate
Analyses
Month (pCi/L)

June
October
June
October
February
June
October
February
June
October
April
April
February
June
October
August
December
February
June
October
February
June
October

:
6042
2575
298.7
259.7
69.0
16.0
26.3
97.3
104.0
160.0
4.0
4.7
98.0
186.3
140.0
24.7
117.0
57.0
19.7
24.0
92.3
25.0
15.0

Normalized
Deviation from
Known Value Known Concentration

5565
2316
302.0
251.0
69.0
15.0
25.0
94.0
101.0
151.0
5.0
5.0
105.0
202.0
152.0
26.0
115.0
64.0
20.0
25.0
94.0
25.0
15.0


1.5
1.3
-0.2
0.6
0.0
0.3
0.5
0.6
0.5
1.0
-0.3
-0.4
-1.2
-1.4
-1.4
-0.3
0.3
-2.4
-0.1
-0.3
-0.6
0.0
0.0
(continued)
118

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                 TABLE 21.  EPA Quality Assurance Intercomparison Results -1988
         Analysis
Month
 Mean of
Replicate
Analyses
 (pCI/L)
Known Value
     Normalized
   Deviation from
Known Concentration
    Milk Studies:
         89,
          'Sr
         K


    Urine Studies:

         3H


    Air Filter Studies:

         Gross Alpha


         Gross Beta
June

June
October

June
October

June
October
   123.7*

     6.7*
    50.3

   103.0
    90.7

  1189mg/L**
  1600 mg/L
April        6028
November   2861
March
March
    13.3 pCi
     (total)

    25.7* pCi
     (total)
     40.0

     60
     60

     94.0
     91.0

   1600 mg/L
   1600 mg/L
                  6202
                  3025
     20.0
    (total)

     50.0
    (total)
        29.0

       -30.8
        -5.0

         1.7
        -0.1

        -8.9
         1.3
                        -0.5
                        -0.8
        -2.3
         8.0
      * Normalized deviation from the known value exceeds three sigma due to computational errors.

      ** Normalized deviation from the known value exceeds three sigma due to inadequate counting time.
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 than normal
statistical variation that contributed to the difference
between the measured values and the known value.
As shown by Table 21, all but  three analyses  were
within the control  limit, the three analyses which
exceed three sigma are footnoted.
                       The analytical methods were further checked on by
                       Laboratory   participation   in   the   semiannual
                       Department of Energy Quality Assurance Program
                       conducted  by  the Environmental  Measurements
                       Laboratory,  New York, New York. The results from
                       these tests (Table 22) Indicate that this Laboratory's
                       results were of acceptable quality.
                                              119

-------
TABLE 22. Quality Assurance results
Analysis
7Be
In air
MMn
In air
57Co
In air
^Co
in air
134Cs
In air
137Cs
in air
137Cs
in soil
239pu
In soil
40|<
In soil
40|<
In vegetation
137Cs
In air
137Cs
in soil
239pu
in soil
40K
In soil
40K
In vegetation

Month
March
Sept.
March
Sept.
March
Sept.
March
Sept.
March
Sept.
March
Sept.
March
Sept.
March
Sept.
Sept.
March
Sept.
March
Sept.
March
Sept.
March
Sept.
Sept.
March
Sept.

EPA
EMSL-LV
Results
5.09E03
.2.33E03
i
3.98E02
2.08E02
1.65E02
4.16E02
2.96E02
3.74E02
3.68E02
1.96E02
2.38E02
7.47E02
0.41 3EOO
1.16EOO
5.99E-02
3.55E-01
8.90EOO
4.05E01
1.10E01
2.38E02
7.47E02
0.41 3EOO
1.16EOO
5.99E-02
3.55E-01
8.90EOO
4.05E01
1.10E01

from DOE Program - 1988
EML
Results
4.73E03
2.16E03
3.63E02
1.85E02
1.62E02
3.94E02
2.82E02
3.74E02
3.81 E02
1.91E02
2.11E02
2.45E02
0.400EOO
9.10E-01
0.410E-02
3.80E-01
7.48EOO
3.60E01
1.05E01
2.11E02
2.45E02
0.400EOO
9.10E-01
0.410E-02
3.80E-01
7.48EOO
3.60E01
1.05E01

Ratio
EPA/EML
1.08
1.08
1.10
1.12
1.02
1.06
1.05
1.00
0.97
1.03
1.13
3.05
1.03
1.27
1.46
0.93
1.19
1.13
1.05
1.13
3.05
1.03
1.27
1.46
0.93
1.19
1.13
1.05
(continued)
120

-------
TABLE 22. Continued
Analysis
137Cs
in vegetation
239pu
in vegetation
3H
In water
Mn
in water
57Co
in water
«fc>
In water
^Sr
In water
134Cs
in water
137Cs
in water
239pu
in water
* Low result was caused
Month
March
Sept.
March
Sept.
March
Sept.
March
Sept.
March
Sept.
March
Sept.
March
Sept.
March
Sept.
March
Sept.
Sept.
EPA
EMSL-LV
Results
5.18EOO
1.63EOO
6.10E-02
2.46E-02
2.18E01
1.13E01
6.97EOO
1.59EOO
1.85EOO
3.65EOO
1.82EOO
3.86EOO
1.15E-01
8.79E-01
3.03EOO
1.08EOO
1.68EOO
2.05EOO
5.39E-03
by an arithmetic error.Our corrected result is
EML
Results
4.62EOO
1.52EOO
4.50E-02
2.10E-02
2.07E01
1.06E01
6.80EOO
1.52EOO
2.06EOO
3.36EOO
2.03EOO
3.68EOO
5.30E-01
9.30E-01
3.56EOO
9.70E-01
1.84EOO
1.95EOO
5.40E-03
Ratio
EPA/EML
1.12
1.07
1.36
1.17
1.05
1.07
1.02
1.05
0.90
1.09
0.90
1.05
0.22*
0.95
0.85
1.11
0.91
1.05
1.00
0.607 pCi/m L and the ratio of reported to EML is 1 . 1 5.
To  measure  the performance  of  the  contractor
laboratory  that  analyzed  the  animal  tissues,  a
known amount of activity was added to several sets
of bone ash samples.   The reported  activity  Is
compared  to the  known amount  in Table 23
together with the calculated bias and precision. The
average bias for 239Pu was -16 percent and the
average  bias  for  ^Sr was  -22.   The  average
precision determined from three sets of duplicate
ash samples was  79 percent for 239Pu  and  17
percent for  ^Sr  at  background  levels but was
5.4 percent  and 0.4 percent, respectively, for a
duplicate spiked sample.
                                             121

-------
TABLE 23. Quality Assurance results for the Bioenvironmental Program • 1988
Sample ID
and
Shipment
Number
Bone Ash
Ash A
75
Ash B
75
Ash C
75
Ash D
75
Ash-1
76
Ash-2
76
Ash-3
76
Ash-4
76
Ash A
77
Ash B
77

Nuclide

239pu
^Sr
239pu
^Sr
239pu
^Sr
239pu
9°sr
239pu
^Sr
239pu
^Sr
239pu
^Sr
239pu
9°sr
239pu
^Sr
239pu
9°sr

Activity Added
pCi/g Bone Ash

0.0822
11.08
0.0765
10.31
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.03245
8.60
0.0325
8.63
0.0778
10.3
0.0778
11.9

Activity Reported
pCi/g Bone Ash

0.065
11.3
0.095
11.7
-0.002
2.9
-0.002
2.9
0.009
2.7
0.001
2.9
0.014
9.5
0.035
9.6
0.063
9.9
0.067
11.5


±0.013
±0.3
± 0.021
±0.3
± 0.003
±0.13
± 0.004
±0.12 	
± 0.003
±0.11
± 0.0015
±0.11 	
± 0.007
±0.2
± 0.007
±0.2
± 0.009
±0.3
± 0.001
±0.3

%Bias*
or
Precision**

-23*
-22*
+ 20*
-13*


0.0**
0.0**


141**
0.06**
-61.0*
-21.0*
-3.4*
-20.0*
-21.0*
-30.0*
-16.0*
-26.0*
(continued)
122

-------
                              TABLE 23.  Continued
Sample ID
and
Shipment
Number
Ash C
77
Ash D
77

Activity Added
Nuclide pCi/g Bone Ash
239Pu 0
90gr Q
Pu 0
^Sr 0
%Bias*
Activity Reported or
pCi/g Bone Ash Precision**
0.002 ± 0.0015 ~~|
2.4 ± 0.14
0.0006± 0.0015
2.4 ± 0.15 _


0.95**
0.0**
* Bias (B) = Recovery -1; where recovery is xi/u
                        and xi =  net activity reported
                             u = activity added
**
   Precision (Cv)  =   2
where  xi = first value
       xa = second value
                                      123

-------
 8.0  Dose Assessment
 S. C. Black

 Estimated Dose from NTS Activities

 The estimate of dose equivalent due to NTS activities is based on the total release of radioactivity
 from the site as listed in Table 2. Since no significant radioactivity of recent NTS origin was detec-
 table off site by the various monitoring networks, no significant exposure to the population living
 around the NTS would be expected.  To confirm this expectation, a calculation of estimated dose
 was performed using EPA's AIRDOS/RADRISK program. The individuals exposed were considered
 to be all of those living within a radius of 80 km of CP-1 on the NTS, a total of 8,000 individuals. The
 individual with the maximum exposure from airborne  NTS radioactivity would have been living at
 Medlin's Ranch which is NNE from the NTS. That maximum dose was 0.01 /irem (1 x lO^/iSv). The
 population dose within 80 km would have been 47 pers-//rem (4.7 x 10"7 person-Sv).
During calendar year 1988 there were four sources
for possible radiation exposure to the population of
Nevada,   all  of   which   produced   negligible
exposures. The four sources were:

     Operational releases of radioactivity from
     the NTS, including that from drillback and
     purging activities;

     Radioactivity in migratory animals that was
     accumulated during residence on the NTS;
     World-wide distributions such as ^Sr in
     milk, 85Kr in air, etc.; and

     Background radiation due to natural
     sources such as cosmic radiation, natural
     radioactivity in soil, and 7Be in air.

The  estimated dose equivalent exposures from
these sources to people living near the NTS  are
calculated separately In the following subsections.

Estimated Dose from Worldwide Fallout
From  the   monitoring  networks   described   in
previous  sections  of  this  report,  the  following
concentrations of radioactivity were found:

     Tritium (0.25 pCI/m3 of air [9 mBq/m3])
     85Kr (26 pCi/m3 of air [0.9 Bq/m3])
     90Sr (1.5 pCi/L in milk [55 mBq/L])
     137Cs (15 pCi/kg beef muscle [0.6 Bq/kg])
     239Pu (140 fCi/kg beef liver [5.2 fBq/kg])

The dose Is estimated from these findings by using
the assumptions  and dose conversion factors as
follows:
     Adult breathing rate is 8400 nr/yr,
     Milk intake (10-yr old) is 160 L/yr,
     Liver consumption is 0.5 Ib/week = 11.8 kg/yr,
     Meat consumption 248 g/day, when liver
     consumption is subtracted this is 78.7 kg/yr.

The dose conversion factors are based on the ALI
divided  by 5000 to  convert to  becquerels/mrem,
then converted to mrem/pCI:
                 mrem/pCI)
3H(6.2x10-l
90o_, /4 A w 41
     137Cs (4.5 x 10'5 mrem/pCi)
     239Pu(9x10"4mrem/pCi)
     85
133
       Kr (1.6 x 10"  mrem/yr per pCi/m)
       'Xe (2 x 10"4 mrem/yr per pCi/m3)
As an example calculation, the following is the result
for tritium:
   0.25 pCi/m3 x 8400 m3/yr x 6.2 x 10'8
mrem/pCi x I03j
-------
Estimated Dose from Radioactivity In NTS Deer

The    highest   measured   concentrations   of
radionuclides In mule deer tissues occurred in deer
collected on the NTS. The average values were:
     Tissue
                             137,
Cs
       239
'PU
Liver (pCI/kg)
Muscle (pCI/kg)
2x107
2x107
47
70
0.094
i 0.21
In the unlikely  event  that  one  such deer  was
collected by a  hunter in off-site areas, his intake
could be calculated. Assuming 3 pounds of liver
and  100 pounds  of meat  and the radionuclide
concentrations listed above, the dose equivalents
could be:

     Liver: 1.36 kg x [(2 x 107 x 6.2 x 10"8) +
     (47 X 4.5 x 10'5) +  (0.094 x 9 X 10"4)]
     = 1.7 mrem

     Muscle: 78.7 kg x [(2 x 107 x 6.2 x 10*8) +
     (70 X 4.5 X 10'5) +  (0.21 X 9 X 10"4)]
     = 97.8 mrem

Thus, approximately 100 mrem would be delivered
to one Individual consuming the stated quantity of
meat and assuming no radioactivity was lost in food
preparation.  About 99.85  percent of this  dose
equivalent is caused by the tritium content of the
meat.

Dose from Background Radiation
In addition to  external radiation  exposure due to
cosmic rays and that due to the gamma  radiation
from naturally  occurring radionuclides in soil C°K,
uranium and thorium daughters, etc.), there Is a
contribution from  7Be  that   is  formed  in  the
atmosphere by cosmic ray Interactions with oxygen
and   nitrogen.     The   annual  average    Be
concentration  measured  by  our air  surveillance
network was 0.5 pCi/m3. With a dose conversion
factor for  inhalation  of 2.6 x 10"7 mrem/pCi, this
equates to 1.1 /*rem, a  negligible quantity when
compared with the PIC  measurements  that vary
from 56 to 172  mrem, depending on location.
                 Summary

                 For an Individual with the highest exposure to NTS
                 effluent,  that  Is someone living at the  Medlln's
                 Ranch,  the  NTS  exposure,  plus  that  due  to
                 world-wide fallout  plus background would add to:
                 (1  x  10"5  +  0.1  +  138)mrem  =  138  mrem
                 (1.4  mSv).     Both the  NTS  and   worldwide
                 distributions  contribute  a negligible  amount  of
                 exposure compared to natural background.  If that
                 same  individual used the NTS deer meat without
                 sharing it with  someone else,  the exposure would
                 increase to 138 +  100 = 238 mrem (2.38 mSv).
                                              126

-------
9.0  Sample Analysis Procedures
Analytical procedures

The procedures for analyzing samples collected for offsite surveillance are described by Johns et al.
(EMSL79) and are summarized in Table 24.
Table
Type of Analytical
Analysis Equipment
IG Ge(U) Gamma IG or GE(U)
Spectrometry** detector
calibrated at 0.5
keV/channel
(0.04 to 2 MeV
range) individual
detector
efficiencies
ranging from
15% to 35%.




Gross beta Low-level end
on air filters window, gas flow
proportional
counter with a
12.7 cm diameter
window
(SO^g/cm2).







80Sr, ^Sr Low-background
thin-window,
gas-flow,
proportional
counter.







24. Summary of
Counting
Period (min)
Air charcoal
cartridges and
Individual air
filters, 30 min; air
filter composites,
1200 min. 100
min for milk,
water,
suspended solids.





30













50










Analytical Procedures
Analytical
Procedures
Radionucllde
concentration
quantified from
gamma spectral
data by on-line
computer
program.
Radionuclides In
air filter
composite
samples are
identified only.


Samples are
counted after
decay of
naturally
occurring
radionuclides
and, if necessary,
extrapolated to
midpoint of
collection In
accordance with
t-"1-2 decay or an
experimentally
derived decay.
Chemical
separation by ion
exchange.
Separated
sample counted
successively;
activity
calculated by
simultaneous
solution of
equations.

Sample
Size
1 20-370 m3 for
air filters; and
charcoal
cartridges; 3-1/2
liters for milk and
water.








1 20-370 m3













1.0 liter for milk
or water. 0.1 to 1
kg for tissue.









Approximate
Detection Limit*
For routine milk
and water
generally, 5 pCi/L
for most
common fallout
radionuclides in a
simple spectrum.
Filters for LTHMP
suspended
solids, 6pCi/L
Air filters and
char- coal
cartridges, 0.04
pCi/m3
0.5 pCi/sample.













89Sr = 5pCI/L
MSr = 2 pCi/L









(continued)
                                       127

-------
Table 24. (Continued)
Type of Analytical
Analysis Equipment
3H Automatic liquid
scintillation
counter with
output printer.

3H Enrichment Automatic
(Long Term scintillation
Hydroiogical counter with
Samples) output printer.

238pUi 238pu A|pha
spectrometer
with silicon
surface barrier
detectors
operated in
vacuum
chambers.



MKr, 133Xe, 13S Xe Automatic liquid
scintillation
counter with
output printer


Counting Analytical
Period (min) Procedures
300 Sample prepared
by distillation.

•'
i
300 Sample
concentrated by
electrolysis
followed by
distillation.
1000 - 4000 Water sample or
acid-digested
filter or tissue
samples
separated by ion
exchange,
electroplated on
stainless steel
planchet.


200 Separation by
gas
chromatography;
dissolved in
toluene "cock-
tail" for counting.
Sample Approximate
Size Detection Limit*
4 ml for water. 400 pCi/L




250 ml for water. 10pCi/L




1 .0 liter for water; 238Pu = 0.08
0.1 to 1 kg for pCI/L ^Pu =
tissue; 5000 to 0.04 pCI/L for
10,000m3 for air. water. For tissue
samples,
0.04 pCI per total
sample for all
isotopes; 5 to
10aCI/m3for
Plutonium on air
filters.
0.4 to 1.0m3 for MKr, 133Xe, 135Xe
air. - 4 pCI/m3




 * The detection limit is defined as 3.29 slgma, where slgma equals the counting error of the sample and Type I error =
Type II error « 5 percent (DOE81).

** Gamma Spectrometry using either an Intrinsic germanium (IG), or lithium-drifted germanium diode (Ge(LI)) detector.
                                                 128

-------
 10.0 Radiation Protection Standards for External and Internal
 Exposure
Dose Equivalent Commitment
For stochastic effects in members of the public, the following limits are used:
                                              Effective Dose Equivalent*
Occasional annual exposures**
Prolonged period of exposure
mrem/yrmSv/yr

  500   5

  100   1
 includes both effective dose equivalent from external radiation and committed
  effective dose equivalent from ingested and inhaled radionuclides.
**0ccasional exposure implies exposure over a few years with the provision that over a lifetime
  the average exposure does not exceed 100 mrem (1 mSv) per year (ICRP83).
Concentration Guides

ICRP-30 (ICRP79) lists Derived Air Concentrations
(DAC) and Annual Limits of Intake (ALI). The ALI is
the secondary limit and can be used with assumed
breathing rates and Ingested volumes to calculate
concentration guides.   The  concentration guides
(CGs) In Table 25 were derived In this manner and
yield the committed effective dose equivalent  (50
year) of 100 mrem/yr for members of the public.
EPA Drinking Water Guide

In 40 CFR 141  (CFR88) the EPA  set allowable
concentrations for continuous controlled releases of
radionuclides to drinking water sources. Any single
or combination of beta and gamma emitters should
not lead to exposures exceeding 4 mrem/yr.  For
tritium this is 20,000 pCI/L (740 Bq/L) and for
8 pCI/L (0.3 Bq/L).
                                      90
'Srls
                                           129

-------
TABLE 25. Routine Monitoring Frequency, sample size,
Nuclide
Sampling
Frequency
Locations
Air Surveillance Network
7Be
*Zr
^Nb
"MO
103Ru
131,
132Te
137Cs
140Ba
140La
141Ce
144Ce
" »Pu

3/wk
3/wk
3/wk
3/wk
3/wk
3/wk
3/wk
3/wk
3/wk
3/wk
3/wk
3/wk
3/wk

all
all
all
all
all
all
all
all
all
all
all
all
all

Sample
Size
m3
160-240
160-240
160-240
160-240
160-240
160-240
160-240
160-240
160-240
160-240
160-240
160-240
1120

Count
Time
Minutes
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
1000

MDC and concentration guides
Concentrations Guide*
Bq/m3
1700
12
110
110
58
4
17
12
120
120
52
1.2
5E-4

nCi/m3
47
0.3
3
3
1.5
0.1
0.5
0.3
3
3
1.4
0.03
1E-5

MDC
mBq/m3
17
4.1
1.8
1.5
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.8
4.8
2.6
3.0
12
1.48E-3

MDC
%CG
1E-3
4E-2
2E-3
2E-3
3E-3
4E-2
1E-2
2E-2
4E-3
2E-3
6E-3
1.0
0.32
(continued)

-------


Sampling
Nuclide Frequency

Locations
Noble Gas & Tritium in Air
Gross Beta
3H
^Kr
133Xe
135Xe
3/wk
1/wk
1/wk
1/wk
1/wk
Water Surveillance Network
3H
3H +
"fer
^Sr
137Cs
^Ra
Ru
1/mo
1/mo
1st time
1st time
1/mo
1st time
1st time
all
17
17
17
17
(LTHMP)**
all
all
all
all
all
all
all

Sample
Size
m3
160-240
5
0.4
0.4
0.4
Liters
1
0.1
1
1
1
1
1
TABLE 25.
Count
Time
Minutes
30
150
200
200
200
Minutes
200
200
50
50
100
1000
1000
(Continued)

Concentrations Guide*
Bq/m3
2E-2
46E2
22E3
18E3
2300
Bq/L
740
740
16
0.8
3.3
1.4
8.2
nCi/m3
5E-4
125
620
490
62
pCi/L
2E4
2E4
440
22
88
39
220

MDC
mBq/m3
0.11
148
148
370
370
Bq/L
12
0.37
0.18
0.074
0.33
NA
NA

MDC
%CG
6E-1
3E-3
6E-4
2E-3
2E-2
1.6
5E-2
1.1
9.2
10

(continued)

-------
TABLE 25. ROUTINE MONITORING FREQUENCY, SAMPLE SIZE, MDC AND CONCENTRATION GUIDES
Sampling
Nuclide Frequency
Water Surveillance Network
^U 1st time
^U 1st time
238Pu 1st time
^Pu 1st time
Gamma 1/mo
Milk Surveillance Network
3H 1/mo
131I 1/mo
137Cs 1/mo
^Sr 1/mo
^Sr 1/mo
Gamma 1/mo

Sample
Locations Size
(LTHMP)
all
all
all
all
all
all
all
all
all
all
all

Liters
1
1
1
1
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5

Count
Time Concentrations Guide*
Minutes Bq/L pCi/L
1000 10 280
1000 10 280
1000 6.2 170
1000 4.1 110
30
200 12E4 3E6
100 41 1E3
100 160 4E3
50 820 2E4
50 40 1E3
50 -

MDC
Bq/L
MA
NA
0.003
0.002
0.18
12
0.18
0.33
0.18
0.074
0.18

MDC
%CG


0.05
0.05
<0.2
0.01
0.44
0.2
0.02
0.18
<0.2
(continued)

-------
TABLE 25. ROUTINE MONITORING FREQUENCY, SAMPLE SIZE, MOC AND CONCENTRATION GUIDES
Sampling
Nuclide Frequency Locations
Dosimetry Network
TLD (Personnel) 1/mo 61
TLD (Station) 1/qtr 154
PIC weekly 28
Sample Count
Size Time
Number
1 —
6
2016
MDC
Concentrations Guide* MDC % CG
Exposure
Guide MDA
100mR 2mR 2
2mR
3«R/hr
NA- Not Available
* AU and OAC values from ICRP-30 modified to 1 mSv annual effective dose equivalent for continuous exposure Te and I data corrected to 2 g thyroid, greater milk intake,
and smaller volume of air breathed annually (1 year-old infant).
** For tritium, Sr and Cs the concentration guide is based on Drinking Water Regs. (4 mrem/yr).

-------
 11.0  References
 BEIR80 The Effects on Populations of Exposure to
 Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation:  1980, Committee
 on the Biological Effects of Ionizing  Radiations.
 (Available from  National  Academy Press, 2101
 Constitution Ave, N.W., Washington, DC 20418.)
 BE73  Bernhardt,  D.  E.,  A.  A.  Moghissi  and
 J. A. Cochran, 1973, Atmospheric Concentrations of
 Fission Product  Noble Gases,  pp.  4-19,  in Noble
 Gases, CONF-730915.
 CA85  California, 1985, personal communication
 from California county agents.
 CFR88  Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations
 Section - 141, Drinking Water Regulations, Federal
 Register, Volume 41,1988.
 DOC86 1986 Population  and 1985 Per  Capita
 Income Estimates for Counties and Incorporated
 Places, U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of
 the Census, Publication P-26.
 DOE81 J. P. Corley, D. H.  Denham, R. E. Jaquish,
 D. E. Michels, A.  R. Olsen, D. A. Waite, A Guide for
 Environmental Radiological  Surveillance  at  U.S.
 Dept of Energy  Installations, July 1981, Office of
 Operational  Safety  Report, DOE/EP-0023,  U.S.
 DOE, Washington, D.C.
 DOE85  U.S.   Department  of   Energy,  1985,
 Environmental Protection,  Safety,  and   Health
 Protection  Information  Reporting  Requirements.
 Order DOE 5484.1, November 6,1987.
 DOE89 U.S. Department of Energy,  1989, personal
 communication   from  Health  Physics   Division,
 DOE/NV, Las Vegas,  NV.
 DOE88 U.S. Department of Energy, 1988, General
 Environmental  Protection  Program, DOE  Order
5400.1, November 9,1988.
 EMSL79 "Radlochemical and Analytical Procedures
for   Analysis   of    Environmental   Samples"
 (EMSL-LV-0539-17-1979).
EPA80 U.S.  Environmental Protection  Agency,
 1980,   Upgrading Environmental  Radiation Data,
Health  Physics Society Committee Report HPSR-1,
EPA 520/1-80-012, U.S. Environmental  Protection
Agency, Washington, DC.
EPA84 U.S.  Environmental Protection  Agency,
1984,   Donald D.  Smith   and J.  S.  Coogan,
Population Distribution  Around the Nevada Test
 Site,  EPA-600/4-84-067, DOE/DP/00539-053,  U.S.
 Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.

 EPA87 U.S.  Environmental  Protection  Agency,
 1987,   Quality   Assurance   Program   Plan,
 EPA/600/X-87/241,  EMSL-LV, P.O. Box 93478, Las
 Vegas, NV 89193-3478.

 EPA88 Environmental Radiation Data, Draft Report
 55, U.S. EPA, Office of Radiation Programs Eastern
 Environmental  Radiation   Facility,  Montgomery
 Alabama, 1988.

 EPA89 EPA Journal, United States Environmental
 Protection Agency, Office of Public Affairs (A-107),
 Washington, D.C. 20460.

 ERDA77 U.S.  Energy Research and Development
 Administration,  1977, "Final Environmental Impact
 Statement,   Nye   County,   Nevada."    Nevada
 Operations  Office,  Las   Vegas,   NV,   Report
 ERDA-1551.   (Available from  U.S. Department of
 Commerce, NTIS, Springfield, VA 22161.)

 FRE62  Freund, J. E.    Mathematical Statistics.
 Prentice Hall, Englewood,  New Jersey, 1962, pp.
 189-235.

 HO75 Houghton, J. G., C. M. Sakamoto, and R. O.
 Gifford,  1975,  "Nevada Weather and  Climate."
 Special Publication 2. Nevada Bureau of Mines and
 Geology, Mackay School of Mines,  University of
 Nevada, Reno, Nevada,  pp. 69-74.

 ICRP79 International Commission  in Radiological
 Protection, Limits  for Intake of Radionuclides by
 Workers, ICRP-30,3 parts, 1979.

 ICRP83 Annual  Limits on Intakes (ALI) and Derived
 Air  Concentrations  (DAC)  for Members of  the
 Public, ICRP-39,1983.

 JA81 Jarvis,  A. N. and L Siu, 1981, Environmental
 Radioactivity Laboratory Intercomparison Studies
 Program - FY1981-82, EPA-600/4-81-004, U.S. EPA,
 Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory,  Las
Vegas, Nevada.
                         J.  Qual. Tech. Z  (1),
NEL75 Nelson, Loyd  S.
January (1975).

NPS80  National  Park Service,  1980,  personal
communication with Chief Ranger R. Rainer, Death
Valley National Monument, Death Valley, California.
                                            135

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NV86 Nevada  Department  of  Agriculture, 1986,   UT87 Utah Department of Agriculture,  1987, "Utah
"Nevada Agricultural Statistics 1985." Nevada Crop   Agricultural   Statistics,  1987."    State  of  Utah
and Livestock Reporting Service, Reno, Nevada.      Department of Agriculture, Salt Lake City, Utah.

QU68 Quiring,  R.  E., 1968, "Climatological Data,   WI75 Winograd,  I. J. and  W. Thordarson, 1975,
Nevada Test Site,  Nuclear Rocket Development   Hydrogeologic  and   hydrochemical  framework,
Station (NRDS)."  ERLTM-ARL-7.  ESSA Research   south-central Great Basin,  Nevada-California, with
Laboratories, Las Vegas, Nevada.                   special reference to the Nevada Test  Site,  USGS
SNE67  Snedecor,  G.  W., and W.  G. Cochran.   Professional Paper 712-C, Denver, Colorado.
Statistical  Methods.   The Iowa  State  University
Press, Ames, Iowa, 6th Ed. 1967, pp. 39-47.
 * U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1989-680-704

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                                    TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
                            (Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
 i. REPORT NO.
 DOE/DP/0539-061
                             2- EPA/600/4-89/019
                               May  1989   	
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION NO.
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
OFFSITE  ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING REPORT:
Radiation Monitoring Around U.S. Nuclear Test  Areas,
Calendar Year  1988	
                                                           5. REPORT DATE
                                                           6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
           c.A. Fontana,  N.R.  Sunderland, S.C. Black,
 B.B Dicey, A.N. Jarvis,  K.S.  Moroney, A.A. Mullen,
 V.E. Niemann, P.P.  Smith.  E.A.  Thompson	
                                                           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, P.O. Box 93478
Las Vegas, NV  89193-8518
                                                           10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.

                                                           XLUF10
                                                           11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
                                                           IAG DE-A108-86NV10522
 12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
 U.S.  Department of Energy
 Nevada Operations Office
 P.O.  Box 98518
 Las Vegas,  NV  89193-8518
                                                           13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
                                                           Response - 1988	
                                                           14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
                                                           EPA 600/07
 15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
 Prepared for the U.S. Department  of  Energy under Interagency Agreement  No.
 DE-A108-86NV10522
 6. ABSTRACT
This report  covers the routine radiation monitoring activities conducted by  the
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory-Las Vegas in areas which may be  affected by
nuclear  testing programs of the Department  of Energy.  This monitoring is  conducted  to
 locument compliance with standards,  to  identify trends in environmental radiation, and
to provide such information to the public.   It summarizes these activities for calendar
 ear 1988.

 b radioactivity attributable to NTS activities was detectable offsite by  the monitoring
letworks.  Using recorded wind data and  Pasquill stability categories, atmospheric dis-
 ersion  calculations based on reported radionuclides releases yield an estimated dose of
 .7xlO"5  person-rem to the population within  80 km of the Nevada Test Site during 1988.
forld-wide levels of 85Kr, 9DSr, 137Cs,  and  23?pu detected by the monitoring networks
rould cause maximum exposure to an individual of less than 0.27mrem per year.  The in-
 rease in ^Kr  air concentration continued at a lower rate.   Cesium and strontium in
 Ilk were near  their detection limits.  An occasional net exposure to offsite residents
 as been  detected by the TLD network.  On investigation,  the cause of such net exposures
 as been  due  to  personal habits or occupational activities,  not to NTS activities.
                                KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
                                              b.IDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS C.  COSATI Field/Group
                  DESCRIPTORS
 3. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT

  RELEASE TO THE PUBLIC
                                             19. SECURITY CLASS (This Rrpoi
                                             UNCLAS SIFTED
              130
                                             20. SECURITY CLASS (Thispage)

                                             UNCLASSIFIED	
                                                                        22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (R«v. 4-77)   PREVIOUS EDITION IS OBSOLETE

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