EPA 680/0-74-014
December 1974
BIOLOGICAL AVAILABILITY OF PLUTONIUM AND IODINE
by
E. A. Schuck
Monitoring Systems Research and Development Laboratory
National Environmental Research Center
Las Vegas, Nevada
Program Element 1FA083
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89114
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER-LAS VEGAS
DATE: December 19, 1974
Reply to
Attn of: MSA
Subject: FY 74 Progress Report, Task 005, ROAP 21 BAS
Biological Availability of Plutonium and Iodine
To: Mr. James G. Payne, Jr.
Operations Officer
Forwarded herewith are FY 74 results of investigations of
meteorological factors in the resuspension of plutonium contaminated
land surfaces.
E. A. Schuck
Chief, Monitoring Systems Analysis Staff
Monitoring Systems Research
and Development Laboratory
Enclosure
cc: w/encl
Mr. G. Morgan
Dr. R. Stanley
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Meteorological Factors in the Resuspension of Pu from Contaminated
Land Surfaces
ROAP/Task I.D.: 21 BAS, Task 005
The objective of this task is to determine the relevance of
meteorological factors on the resuspension of Pu from contaminated land
surfaces. Because of the wide variety of such factors, this task will be
limited to the use of commonly available meteorological data, i.e., wind
speed and direction, temperature profile, precipitation, etc. Also,
since no field experimentation is anticipated, the scope of this task
will be limited to the analysis of selected existing data bases.
The resuspension of radioactive particulate matter from soil
surfaces has been recognized for some time as a potential long-term
hazard. Sources of radioactive deposition include nuclear detonations
(Nevada Test Site), products of nuclear materials processing facilities
(Rocky Flats), and potential reactor accidents. Most of the emphasis
in the past has been on inhalation hazards in connection with the
initial distribution of radioactive debris in the environment. However,
redistribution of material by meteorological forces, primarily wind and
precipitation, is known to be significant. This work will investigate the
influence of such meteorological parameters and attempt to define their
relevance to the resuspension and redistribution of Pu containing
particulate matter.
A literature search has been completed and the completeness of the
coverage verified. This coverage is limited to those journals available
through the NERC-LV library and more specifically, the work of the Air
Resources Laboratory-Las Vegas (ARL-LV) in connection with the plutonium
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environmental studies program of the Nevada Applied Ecology Group (NAEG),
Nevada Operations Office (NVOO). The work of the Lawrence Livermore
Laboratory (LLL) has been carefully reviewed and used where possible as
input to this study. Proceedings of the Atmosphere-Surface Exchange of
Particulate and Gaseous Pollutants-1974 Symposium held in Richland,
Washington, will be utilized where possible as input to this project,
as well as proceedings of past symposia on this subject.
Interviews have been initiated with prominent workers in the field
with respect to current work in progress, and important background work
and documents. Among the organizations involved in laboratory and field
studies of plutonium resuspension are Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory,
Lovelace Foundation, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, and NOAA Air Resources
Laboratory.
A final report will be prepared by MSA professional staff by
June, 1975, including the results of the above work, and the parameters
relevant to the preparation of a non-quantitative, PERT-type model for
determining the transfer coefficients of Pu particles using commonly
available climatological data will be identified. Where gaps exist,
appropriate research projects or programs will be outlined.
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