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 ------- 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. ------- |