International Cooperation

ORP participates in major
international programs.
The staff provides post-
Chernobyl monitoring
and risk assessment sup-
port to Ukraine and is
carrying out environ-
mental studies with agencies
in Czechoslovakia and Poland.

An Experienced Staff

The ORP staff is a cadre
of multidisciplinary
professionals including
nuclear, chemical and
mechanical engineers,
radiochemists, geolo-
gists, geochemists,
geographers, oceanogra-
phers, physicists, health physicists, and biolo-
gists. They are well versed in collecting and
analyzing information on radiation health
and environmental hazards, risk assessment
procedures, treatability schemes, and worker
protection practices and in applying that
knowledge to solving specific problems. In
addition to its two laboratories, ORP can call
upon its contractors for a full range of techni-
cal support.
                                                        United States
                                                        Environmental Protection
                                                        Agency
                                                                                                                          400-F-92-001
                                                                                                                          June 1992
                                                        Air and Radiation
                                            SEPA  Cleaning Up
                                                        Radioactive
                                                        Contamination

                                                        The Office of Radiation
                                                        Programs
For Further Information
Contact:

U.S. EPA
Office of Radiation Programs
Radiation Studies Division
(ANR-461)
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20460
                                                    Printed on Recycled Paper

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Office of Radiation Programs
Products and Services
    provides technology reviews and evalua-
tions, guidance and criteria manuals, project
development strategies, seminars, multimedia
training programs, and technical advice and sup-
port. These products and services are employed
in:
Cleaning Up Radioactive
Contamination

Site Characterization
• Identification of aban-
  doned sites contaminat-
  ed with radioactivity (site
  discovery).
• Preparation of general
  and site-specific risk
  assessments.
• Interpretation of data.

Laboratory and Site Support
• Provision of specialized support to EPA region-
  al Superfund projects. "The ORP National Air
  and Radiation Environmental Laboratory in
  Montgomery, AL, supported by the ORP Las
  Vegas, NV, laboratory, is designated as a
  Superfund Technical Support Center.
• Evaluation, testing, and demonstration of
  remedial technologies.
• Emergency removals and remedial actions.
   The Office of Radiation Programs
   (ORP), through its Radiation
   Studies Division (RSD), is the EPA's
   focal point for identification, char-
   acterization, and remediation of
   radioactive contamination at active
   and abandoned sites. RSD supports
   EPA site evaluation and remedy
   selection teams as well as policy
   and guidance development groups.
   This support extends to other feder-
   al agencies and to States as well.
   RSD also works internationally
   through United Nations agencies
   and with scientific organizations in
   several countries.
Solving Mixed Waste Problems

• Evaluation of methods to
  characterize radioactive
  mixed waste.
• Review of waste accep-
  tance criteria for facilities
  storing, treating, and dis-
  posing of mixed waste.
• Assessing and developing technologies for
  handling and treating mixed waste.
• Developing radioanalytical protocols.
Communicating the Latest
Technical Information

• Distribution of
  reports detailing
  studies on radioac-
  tive contamination
  of air, water, and
  soil.
• Presentation of work-
  shops, seminars, and field training sessions
  on radiation risk assessments and abate-
  ment of radiation hazards.
• Production of written guidance for health
  and safety planning, exposure assess-
  ments, and site-specific evaluations of
  radioactive contamination.

Cooperative Efforts

Through RSD, ORP pro-
vides support to other
program offices within
EPA, to EPA Regional
Offices, to other federal
agencies, and to States
through such mecha-
nisms as memoranda of
understanding, interagency agreements, and
cooperative agreements. Within EPA, the
ORP staff works closely with the Superfund,
RCRA, Federal Facilities, Research and
Development, and other programs and with
EPA Regional Offices. Other federal agencies
receiving support include the Department of
Energy, the Department of Defense, and the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Through
the EPA Control Technology Center, ORP has
provided support to State agencies. ORP is
also exploring technology transfer opportuni-
ties with the National Environmental
Technology Applications Corporation.

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