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

-------
                          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

-------
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

-------
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.

-------