ML19257A859
| ML19257A859 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 12/26/1979 |
| From: | Foulke J NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Swanberg F NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8001090246 | |
| Download: ML19257A859 (3) | |
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December 26,3979 fiEMORANDUii FOR:
F. Swanberg, Jr., Chief Environmental Effects Research Branch Division of Safeguards, Fuel Cycle and Environmental Research FROM:
Judith D. Foulke Environmental Effects Research Branch Division of Safeguards, Fuel Cycle and Environmental Research
SUBJECT:
RESEARCH REVIEW GROUP MEETING: YELLOWCAKE INHALATION STUDY (A1222)
On November 29, 1979, staff membe$s of the Lovelace Inhalation Toxicology Research Institute met with NRC staff to discuss the experiments planned for the project entitled, " Biological Characterization of Radiation Exposure and Dose Estimates for Inhaled Uranium Milling Effluents." Enclosure 1 lists the attendees and their affiliations.
Frank Eidson began by reviewing the results of the non-destructive instrumntal analyses of yellowcake samples. These confimed the presence of two compounds:
U 08 and (NH )2 2 7 In, vitro studies showed a rapid dissolution phase 3
4 U0 followed by a much slower phase. Serum simulant plus DTPA was shown to be adequate for human dissolution rate modeling. -
Frank Eidson next described the objectives, approa:h, and experimental design of the short-term animal studies. These are directed at detennining dose patterns, not at delineating toxic effects. To date, exposures of rats to insoluble yellowcake from Mill D and soluble yellowcake from Hill A have been completed.
Based on the air concentration and the breathing rate, the estimated initial lung burdens are 40 pg and 16 ug of uranium, respectively. Sacrifices will be completed at 6 months post-exposure.
Bruce Boecker described the objectives, approach, and experimental design of the Phase II studies, which encompass field sampling, physico-chemical characterization, and animal exposures.
After these are completed, following the 2-year serial sacrifice, the radiochemical and histopathological data will be used to develop models and conduct assessments.
Judy Foulke taen opened the floor to discussion of the planned long-term animal studies and the mills to be sampled.
Nancy Dennis stated that the Office of Standards Development needed three items clarified as soon as possible:
1707 278 8001090&45
F. Swanberg, Jr. 1.
retention half-time in the kidney of uranium 2.
percentage kidney uptake of the soluble uranium 3.
percent of uranium passing through the body without kidney uptake Greg Eadie stated that the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards wanted mills in addition to those in New Mexico sampled for physico-chemical characterization. He noted that because of variability within mill samples, samples should be taken during both nonpal and abnonnal operations.
Judy Foulke asked whether experiments to study chronic exposures should be planned. The consensus was to proceed with the 2-year acute exposure studies and defer consideration of chronic exposures.
p f). AA Judith D. Foulke Environmental Effects Research Branch
. Division of Safeguards, Fuel Cycle and Environmental Research
Enclosure:
List of Attendees 1707 279
LIST OF ATTENDEES November 29,1979 Name Organization Nancy Dennis OHSB-OSD Greg Eadie NMSS Diane Flack RHSB-0SD Judy Foulke RES Jeff Kotsch NMSS R. B. Neel NMSS Bruce Boecker Lovelace A. F. Eidson Lovelace 1707 280
.