ML20236E388
| ML20236E388 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 02700047, 02700039, 02700010, 02700048 |
| Issue date: | 01/16/1975 |
| From: | Knuth D NRC |
| To: | Muntzing L NRC |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20236E074 | List:
|
| References | |
| FOIA-87-235 NUDOCS 8707310352 | |
| Download: ML20236E388 (9) | |
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UNITED STATES
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8 JA!116 ff[? i L. Manning Muntzing l Director of Regulation i WASTE BURIAL FACILITIES o
This is in response to your request of November 20, 1974 that RO 1 inspect all AEC licensed waste burial sites on a priority basis.. This i request for immediate inspections was prompted by notification that a Kentucky report'on the Maxey Flats burial facility was about to be i made public. An early draft of the Kentucky report concluded among 4 other thinbs that there had been some migration of Pu to the unrestricted environment. (The final Kentucky report released in mid-December stated ,
that Pu and other radionuclides were measured in individual samples but l the vaste burial site did not create a public health hazard.) These special AEC inspections c,f five commercial waste burial sites, either partially or fully licensed by AEC, were completed on November 29, 1974 and are listed below:
Nuclear Fuel Services, West Valley, New York l
Nuclear Engineering Co. , Inc. , Beatty, Nevada Nuclear Engineering Co. , Inc. , Richland, Washington Nuclear Engineering Co. , Inc. , Sheffield, Illinois Chem-Nuclear. Systems, Inc. , Barnwell, South Carolina This memo is a summary of the results of those inspections. In general, there was no evidence of any significant transport of radioactive materials through migration. In addition, based on offsite sampling by licensees and States, no impact to the offsite environment could be i
attributed to the operation of these was.te burial facilities.
The R0 Regional Directors were requested to have their inspectors determine, in detail, that which had been done to monitor for migration-of radioactive material and review the results of these determinations.
Ingectors were asked to obtain the maximum information possible concern-ing the complete operation of the buria.'. sites. In addition, to provide a basis to judge the correctness of the licensee and State measurements, we requested the collection of samples from onsite sampling points for AEC analysis.
87073i0352 870728 PDR FOIA MINTOND7--235 PDR
JAN 1 6 1r5 L. Manning Muntzing
- 1 Attachment 1 shows that' as of the end of 1973, the total quantities ;
of radioactive wastes buried at these facilities varied from about i 200,000 cubic feet (Barnwell site) to almost 2,000,000 cubic feet of wastes (West Valley site). Average radioactive material concentrations at waste burial sites are generally in the range of tenths of a curie per cubic foot.
From the information gathered, it appears that licensees and States have initiated reasonable environmental monitoring programs which
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consider the major pathways to the public. A variety of samples as shown on Attachment 1, are collected and analyzed periodically. The licensee records of these analyses showed no evidence of any offsite environmental impact. In addition, State environmental monitoring programs which were established to check the facility operation conditions support these results.
All facilities with the exception of NFS have onsite monitoring wells
' to attempt to detect the movement of radioactive material away from the trenches.
(NFS had used two nearby streams as such an indicator, but several test wells have recently been dug as part of a special study.)
Na rignificent --t'r't; t;t to w:ttu buriel wac mec;urcJ beychd burici trenches at any of the sites. A small amount or activity was found in
- some wells located fairly close to the trenches, but in those. cases, the concentrations were several orders of magnitude lower than the concen-trations in the trenches.
Samples fr.om test we.11s or nearby streams collected during these >
inspections by R0 inspectors were analyzed by the Health Services Labora-tory, Idaho Falls.
The data, as tabulated in Attachment 2, showed levels that agree well with licensee and State analysis results.
The location of the test wells for measuring migration are critical and !
M there is no satisfactory means of determining that a suitable placement-has been accomplished. Test wells placed close to the trenches can be bypassed by trench leakage, whereas wells too far away may not detect migration until it is significant. In additica, the depth of the test j well known.
is crucial since the possible migration elevation is not normally '
However, even if activity is de'tected in the-test wells, this may, in many cases, be due to surface runoff into the well rather than lateral migration. Therefore, in order to make a more conclusive determination of migration of radioactive materials from the burial l
trenches, detailed studies on soil conditions, geological structure, l 3 underground water movement and meteorology, etc., would be required. 1 Such studies are well beyond the scope of routine monitoring programs. !
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- L. Manning Muntzing -
JAN 2 0 g73 f ,
L and RO recently met with a representative of the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) anc v:!e informed that- legislation requires USGS to survey existing wasta buricA sites in order to determine criteria for locating future waste disposal sites. USGS expects to initiate detailed studies in early 1975 on at least two of the burial sites covered'in this report (Sheffield, Illinois and West Valley, N. Y.). It is antici-pated that such studies will continue for several years and will provide the type of information NRC needs regarding containment at the current sites as well as provide the Commission and the Agreement States with criteria for siting future waste burial facilities.
In addition to material buried at the commercial waste sites listed I
above, there are significant quantities of radioactive material entombed at decommissioned reactor facilities, i.e. , Bonus (50,000 C1), Hallam (300,000 C1) and Piqua (60,000.C1). Also, a few licensees have been authorized to bury radioactive materials in private burial grounds in i
excess of the quantities specified in Section 20.304. A listing of i ' these latter licensees has not been separately maintained by L.- To j
' identify those licensees would require an extensive and time consuming Scarch of tha filcs. 'de's c e. , during rouciue inspections, such special l
license authorizations are reviewed by the RO inspector but to our recollection there are no special requirements for monitoring for possibic migration of radioactive materials. ' Additionally, it should be noted that the regulations grant all licensees' authority to bury i
nominal quantities of radioactive material.
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. LL-c t /Caf Donald F. Knuth, Director Directorate of Regulatory Operations Attachment 1 & 2 e
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ATTACHbENT 2
, INDEPEND5fENT MEASITREMENTS - VASTE BURIAL SITES l
Gross a Tritium 144Ce 137 Cs 60Co Burial Sites Sample dpm/mi .uci/ml uCi/ml Chen-Nuclear CN-1 <0.06 2.81 4E-6 <5E-8 2.11 5E-8 1. 61. ,
Barnwell, S.C. 5 CN-2 <0.04 1.71 4E-6 <5E-8 <9E-5 18E-9 CN-3 <0.04 1.71 4E-6 <5E-8 <6E-9 <5E-f CN-4 <0.01 1.71 4E-6 <6E-8 <2E-8 <9E-9 CN-5 <0.04 <7E-7 <6E-8 <6E-9 <5E-E NFS Buttermilk Creek <0.01 <1E-6 <5E-8 <6E-9 2.4+..
I West Valley, N.Y. Erdman Brook (NY #67) <0.01 <1E-6 <6E-8 <6E-9 <5E-9 t
Erdman Brook (NY #53) <0.01 211E-6 . <5E-8 <8E-9 <5E-9
- f Hot-Cold Ditch (NY #73) <0.02 <1E-6 <6E-8 i , 1.51 1E-7 <9E-9
,' Ditch North (NY !74) <0.02 2.91 1E-5* <5E-8 1.3i.5E-8 <5E-9 NECO S.E. Creek <0.02 <1E-6 <7E-8 <2E-8 <9E-9 Sheffield, Ill. Water Strip liine <0.06 11E-6 <9E -8 <2E-8 <2E-8 Test Well A <0'02
. <1E-B <5E-8 [8E-9 <9E-9 Test Well B <0.02 <1E-6 <6E-8 <6E-9 <5E-9 Test Well D <0.01 $1E-6 <7E-8 <2E-8
<9E-9 l
.* Test Well E ?
<0.04 <1E-6 <6E-8 <2E-8 <9E-9 I Test Well P <0.06 <1E-6 <2E-8 <5E-8 <9E-9 l
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NE-9 <0.07 <1E-6 <6E-8 <2E-8 <9E-9 l B2 atty, Nev. NE-10 <0.05 <1E-6 I
<6E-8 <6E-9 <5E-9 l 1
NE-11 <0.09 <1E-6 i
< 4E-8 ' <8E-9 <5E-9 e ,0 NE-1 <0.05 <1E-6 <9E-8 '<2E-8 .<2E-8 Rh'aland, Wash. NE-2 <0.05 <1E-6
<9E-8 <2E-8 <1E-8 QLiquid sample from. ditch receiving surface drainage and water from swamp. . Previous inver gation of elevated tritium levels at this location disclosed most likely source appeared
'.he seepage from reprocessing plant lagoons and not Irom burial trenches.
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( l DATE OF U ENT ACTION COMP i DEADLINE TO ACTION PROCES$1NG DAT ES PREPARE FOR SIGNATURE OF:
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$ Original ' O Co,r O O h., REMARKS .
t Fast ler 6e Mrs. Jackie Beisart. moviraemental timality Retura emelssure with reply Commaissian. Ey.. re possihiitty of a lankage of leer level :
unstes at Maasey Flats *
- Mark angelope te Attas J. Bill '
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,n , ed % //-c j REFERRED TO DATE IS NOTIFICATION TO THE JCAE Cha m f/metism 7/21/75 RECOMMENDED?
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DIRECTOR OF REGULATION Form HQ.32 (173)
COMMUNICATIONS CONTROL USAEC l
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. . N o.' Logging Date' / 41/ / J 3 NRC SECRETARIAT i l
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- O Commissioner oate 7/21/7s
, C Exec. Dir./Oper. O cen. Counsei l
Cong. Liaison O soiicitor ,
O Public Affairs O Secretary J O
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Incoming: John B. Breckinridge j From: House of Representatives !
ro. Chairman Anders o, t, 7/11/75
Subject:
Ltr fm Mrs. Jackie Swigart, Environmental l Quality Commission dtd 5/17/75 re Report on leakage of i Iow level radioactive waste in Maxie Flats, Kentucky l
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O erepare repiv for signature or:
O Chairman
. O Commissioner !
l O EDO, GC, CL, SOL, PA, SECY f
O Signature block omitted o -
O Return originai or incoming with response 6 For direct reply' Rec'd.jg Off. Dir,[i D C For appropriate action g j, N .)
O Forinformation SUSPEN'A DATE: 7/28/75 For recommendation f
i Remarks: Ev of incomine to Chairman Anders. OCA 6 PA i T A tn n'rennte acknowledgement.
Please n"ot'e reouest to return correspondence
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For the Commission- bh
' Send three (3) copi Mecy Mail Facility N R C-62
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. .l C011gress of (f)t UllittD @latts
_ 3poust et Etytt%tntatiUtg EEasUington. D4.
July Mr. William Audeu ,11,huirwan19 u 75 Nuclear Regulatory Commission 1717 H Street, N.W.
Washington, D. C. 20555 Sir: " ' '
The attached com:nunication is sent for your consideration.
l Please investigate the statements contained therein and forward me the necessary information for re-ply, returning the enclosed corre-spondence with your answer.
E Yours truly, j
jghp ff. /$n Ch W M JOHN B. BRECKINRIDGE, M.'C.
Report on leakage of low level radioactive waste in Maxie Flats Kentucky ~
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COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY I ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION May 17,1975 s'
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MRS. RiON ARD SWIGART. cm AimesnooN ,
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The Honorable John B. Breckinridge/
U. S. House of Representatives jfM
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, . ., D WILLIAM D. GORM AN. v.cs ca.AimprmsON '
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Ha ma m . Kr~*vcMy 17of Washington, D. C . 20515 :
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Dear John:
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01 AR GERALDS. JR.. sacustany -...#
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Two things recently have made me think I.'."o',' ,'.Mls~E7.. .
, of you. One, the state of Kentucky has just STERLING CRAWFORD. Mauern reviewed the air oo))ution reg *ulations we
- o.m ~ .v u .. " = ~ rwe a v ' = = ' o wrote years back and the ar6uments were as Pmc NE. 4 7 S-4 11 numerous and vocal as they were at that time.
RED R. RICHARDSON, Msw.sm
- i. c o ein., w,a-.< Secondly, the EQC has become involved in .
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the Maxey Flats issue about which I under-
'j stand you are knowledgeable.
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There is some
' ' " concern on the part of credible scientists that . :
I;i, cUf.*o'c"'.~Ilo" there could be a leakage of low level radio-cov..v,<., , . =~vvcav d omo7 PmcNE 693 3726 active wastes 'into the burial trenches. !
S61".'-:"*;1'l~'u'," . I would appreciate any information you n . . . . , . .~ . x . ~ , v u v . 7 oi might have on this subject. It is my under-
. ' ~ ' ' ' * .," . ' . " . ' , ' .* '. "c'/..', standing the site was created to encourage the atomic energy industry to come to Kentucky which has never happened. Fresently, 99% of ,
the wastes come from out 'of state which makes )
i us a dumping ground.
1 )
More specifically, do you know how I !
]
can obtain a copy of a GAO survey of low 1 level radioactive wastes done in 1974 that was part of a larger study commissioned by the old AEQ? I have tried in vain to find out if this was ever published.
Any information you could furnish that is I of historical value would be greatly appreciated.
You also might be interested in knowing the Governor is considering abolishing the Science and Technology Commission which has not functioned the way it was envisioned.
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