state’s environmental monitoring at nuclear power...
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States’ Environmental Monitoring at Nuclear Power Plants
Alice Hamilton Rogers, P.E.Chair, Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors(Texas Department of State Health Services)
Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD)
Membership: State, Federal, Private
Radioactive MaterialsMachinesHomeland SecurityEmergency Response
“A Partnership Dedicated to Radiation Protection”
Environmental Monitoring at Nuclear Power Plants
BackgroundStates that Do Independent MonitoringWhat Texas DoesOther Monitoring Efforts
Background
Some states did environmental monitoring as new projects were planned
In Texas as far back as mid-70’sNRC funded environmental monitoring at nuclear power plants from 1979-1997Ceased funding because was redundant of required monitoring by the utilities
Monitoring Performed at Operating Power Reactors
Direct radiationGaseous effluents
RadioiodineRadioactive Particulates
Liquid effluentsSurface waterDischarge
VegetationVegetation for MilkLeafy vegetationPecans
SeafoodFish/invertebrates
Soil/SedimentMilk
Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant
Glen Rose, Texas
South Texas Project
Bay City, Texas
Direct RadiationPrimarily use Lithium Fluoride (LiF: Mg,Cu,P) Thermo- luminescent Dosimeters (TLDs)Multiple locations in 10-mile emergency planning zone (EPZ).
Locations are in approximate locations related to the 16 sectors, 22.5 degrees with first sector centered on north cardinal point. The locations are in three rings
within 2 miles within 5 miles but greater than 2 miles within 10 miles but greater than 5 miles.
Direct Reading ContinuedOptically stimulated luminescent (OSL) Dosimeters are used at a few locations
Currently at sites where State measures for Neutron Doses
Neutrons measured at some licensees by use of poly-allyl diglycol carbonate (CR-39) track etch detectorsTLDs, OSLs, and CR-39 Dosimeters are exchanged and read quarterly
Gaseous EffluentTwo Air stations at each plantConstant airflow samplers (AVS-28a)Collected weekly and sent to DSHS lab by overnight mail measure for radioiodine and particulate activity
Gaseous Effluent (Cont.)Glass Fiber Filter both pre-filter for radioiodine cartridge and monitor for particulate activity
Counted for gross beta activity by gas-flow proportional counter upon receiptCollected quarterly by locations and counted by Gamma Spectroscopy compared to Reactor Library
Radioiodine20x30 mesh TEDA treated charcoal Counted by Gamma Spec upon receipt for radioactive iodine (I-131, 129, 133m)
Gamma SpectroscopyNine 30-80% High Purity Germanium (HPGe) Detectors
Genie 2000, APEX software, The LYNX hardwareTwo in main lab have low-energy counting capabilities (Beryllium or thin aluminum entrance windows)Two in new Mobile Laboratory available for Lab overflow Two in old Mobile Lab in standby but can be used for additional sample volume if needed (~12 hrs for cool down)
Reactor Library contains Mn-54, Co-58, Fe-59, Co-60, Zn-65, Nb-95, Zr-95, I-131, Cs-134, Cs-137, Ba-140, and La-140
DSHS Laboratory Equipment16 Passivated Implanted Planar Silicon (PIPS) Detectors used for Alpha Spec.3 Liquid scintillation detectors16-20 gas-flow proportional counters primarily gross beta but several setup for gross alpha/beta countingNine HPGe detectors five in main lab
Liquid effluentsFour liter grab samples of surface water are collected from Reservoirs monthlyFor STP sample also collected at Colorado River monthlySamples measured by gamma spec and compared to Reactor Library Counted for gross beta by EPA method 900Quarterly samples are combined by location and measured for Tritium (H-3) by liquid scintillation
Other SamplesVegetation
Several samples collect within EPZ monthlyAt STP sample locations are in gardens near air sampling stations.At CP samples are at Squaw Creek park on Reservoir and near sampling station outside EZP and once a year, at harvest, pecans are sample from local orchard.All samples are measured by gamma spec. and compared to Reactor Library
Other samples taken by the State within the 10-mile EPZ
Semi-annually fish/invertebrate samples are collected in reservoirs and in Colorado river. Samples are processed and counted by gamma spec. and compared to Reactor Library annual sediment sample from reservoirsWater samples are taken at Brazos River (upstream of CPNPP), Lake Granbury, Colorado River up and down stream of STP, and Inter coastal waterwayHistorically other samples a have been taken such as milk and soil samples within the 10-mile EPZ
Monitoring Performed at Research Reactors
Direct radiationLiquid effluents
Surface waterSewageDischarge
VegetationMilkSoil/Sediment
Zachry Engineering Building TAMU, College Station
Uranium RecoveryExxon Ray PointConocoChevron (RGR)Solution Engineering (UMTRICA Title I Site)Intercontinental Energy Corp.
Everest ExplorationUranium Resources Inc.US SteelWestinghouse (Cogema Mining, Inc )
Radioactive WasteProposed Low-Level waste site (Sierra Blanca)Pearland-Manvel Solid waste Facility (Hastings)UT Balcones Research Center Waste Burial SiteUT Interim Storage Site (Ft. Stockton)
Radioactive Waste ProcessorsTN Technologies (Thermo Round Rock)Nuclear Sources and Services, Inc.Iso-TexGulf Nuclear (Odessa)Waste Control Specialist
Monitoring PerformedDirect radiationGaseous effluents
Radioactive Particulates
Liquid effluentsSurface waterSewageDischargeGround waterMonitor wells
VegetationMilkSoil/SedimentOthers as needed
Other FacilitiesPantexTexcorGammatronGulf Nuclear, Inc. (Houston and Webster)R/A ServicesTracer LaboratoriesRhone-Poulenc (Rhodia)Iso-Tech LaboratoriesFM 518 Site (Hastings)
Gamma IndustriesHastings Radiochemical WorksCardinal SurveysDiagnostic Systems LaboratoriesSims Bayou Wastewater Treatment PlantWebster Wastewater Treatment Plant
Texas EPA RadNet SitesAmarillo
Near-Real-TimeAustin
Near-Real-Time Laboratory: Precipitation | Drinking Water
Corpus ChristiNear-Real-Time
DallasNear-Real-Time Laboratory: Milk
El PasoNear-Real-Time
Ft. WorthNear-Real-Time
HarlingenNear-Real-Time
HoustonNear-Real-Time
LaredoNear-Real-Time
LubbockNear-Real-Time
San AngeloNear-Real-Time
San AntonioNear-Real-Time Laboratory: Milk