Vermont Department of Health Vermont Department of Health LaboratoryLaboratory

VDHL Radiation VDHL Radiation response response

Empire 09Empire 09

Vermont Yankee TritiumVermont Yankee Tritium20102010

George Mills, June 9, 2010George Mills, June 9, 2010

VDHL Radiochemistry General VDHL Radiochemistry General DutiesDuties

Vermont Department of Health Laboratory Vermont Department of Health Laboratory (VDHL) currently tests private and public (VDHL) currently tests private and public drinking water systems throughout the state, drinking water systems throughout the state, radon in air and water and also tests radon in air and water and also tests environmental monitoring samples around the environmental monitoring samples around the VT Yankee nuclear power plant (air, soil, milk, VT Yankee nuclear power plant (air, soil, milk, fish, vegetation, drinking, surface and ground fish, vegetation, drinking, surface and ground water). water).

Part of Food Emergency Response Network for Part of Food Emergency Response Network for radiological food terrorism response radiological food terrorism response

Train and practice to respond to a release event Train and practice to respond to a release event at VT Yankeeat VT Yankee

VDHL Counting room GammaVDHL Counting room Gamma

VDHL Goals Empire 09VDHL Goals Empire 09 June 1June 1--5, 20095, 2009

Goal 2:Goal 2: Test and evaluate the VDH Laboratory (VDH Lab) capability Test and evaluate the VDH Laboratory (VDH Lab) capability to receive, analyze and document results for radiological sampleto receive, analyze and document results for radiological samples s obtained in response to an RDD.obtained in response to an RDD.

Objective 1: Objective 1: Demonstrate the ability to safely transfer and Demonstrate the ability to safely transfer and accurately document ingestion pathway radiological samples takenaccurately document ingestion pathway radiological samples taken from the field in Bennington County, Vermont to the VDH Lab in from the field in Bennington County, Vermont to the VDH Lab in Burlington, Vermont.Burlington, Vermont.

Objective 2: Objective 2: Demonstrate the ability to properly receive and Demonstrate the ability to properly receive and document radiological samples from the transfer courier into thedocument radiological samples from the transfer courier into the VDH Lab.VDH Lab.

Objective 3: Objective 3: Demonstrate the ability to analyze requested samples Demonstrate the ability to analyze requested samples and data.and data.

Objective 4: Objective 4: Demonstrate the ability to transmit radiological sample Demonstrate the ability to transmit radiological sample analysis results to the Dose Assessment Team and Radiological analysis results to the Dose Assessment Team and Radiological Health Advisor at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC).Health Advisor at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC).

New England CompactNew England Compact

Vermont is part of the New England Vermont is part of the New England CompactCompact

Scenario in NY caused VT to request Scenario in NY caused VT to request assistance from the Compactassistance from the Compact

Sample Field teams in VTSample Field teams in VT

2 CST, 4 VT RST and 4 EPA 2 CST, 4 VT RST and 4 EPA

CST and VT RST (Radiological Sampling Team) CST and VT RST (Radiological Sampling Team) are from VT, while the EPA team was formed by are from VT, while the EPA team was formed by Region 1 EPA as a Radiological Emergency Region 1 EPA as a Radiological Emergency Response Team Response Team -- composed of EPA fullcomposed of EPA full--time time staff, EPA contractors and US Coast Guard spill staff, EPA contractors and US Coast Guard spill response strike teams response strike teams

Samples were obtained in an area equal to 1/3 Samples were obtained in an area equal to 1/3 the total area of Vermont, or about 300 square the total area of Vermont, or about 300 square miles. miles.

Samples taken by TeamsSamples taken by Teams

MediaMedia 22--JunJun 33--JunJun TotalTotal

AirAir 66 22 88

EggsEggs 11 00 11

SilageSilage 11 00 11

SoilSoil 1010 1414 2424

Wild ForageWild Forage 88 1414 2222

Surface WaterSurface Water 88 00 88

Drinking WaterDrinking Water 00 1212 1212

TotalsTotals 3434 4242 7676

VDHL Empire 09VDHL Empire 09

Samples received: 50 all types +5 Spikes from LLNLSamples received: 50 all types +5 Spikes from LLNL

Samples Tested:Samples Tested:

Soil Soil -- 66

Vegetation Vegetation -- 1010

Surface water Surface water -- 33

Drinking water Drinking water -- 22

Milk Milk -- 11

Eggs Eggs -- 11

Spike soilSpike soil 22

Spike air filterSpike air filter 33

Total analyzed Total analyzed -- 2828 samplessamples

Started with Spiked samples: spiked samples tested were those prStarted with Spiked samples: spiked samples tested were those provided by Robb ovided by Robb Hadley and shared one spiked soil with the CT Mobile Lab.Hadley and shared one spiked soil with the CT Mobile Lab.

Connecticut mobile lab received soil and other priority samples Connecticut mobile lab received soil and other priority samples in Pittsford.in Pittsford.

StandardizationStandardization

Development or acceptance of a Development or acceptance of a standardized field sampling protocols and standardized field sampling protocols and forms (FRMAC?). New England Compact forms (FRMAC?). New England Compact field teams wanted to use their team field teams wanted to use their team procedures to collect samples. procedures to collect samples.

PersonnelPersonnel

Plan for extended responses with Plan for extended responses with adequate personnel trained for analytical adequate personnel trained for analytical and other tasks and other tasks

Beyond 4Beyond 4--5 days of this kind of response, 5 days of this kind of response, people will burn out w/ 12 hr. shiftspeople will burn out w/ 12 hr. shifts

Sample coordination Sample coordination -- suppliessupplies

Effective longEffective long--term storage of samples needed term storage of samples needed

Will require extra cold storage of samples. Procedure Will require extra cold storage of samples. Procedure for acquisition of refrigerated storage should be for acquisition of refrigerated storage should be developed developed -- perhaps with a refrigerated trailer at perhaps with a refrigerated trailer at VDHL.VDHL.

ReRe--evaluation of stored suppliesevaluation of stored supplies

Need more consumables for largeNeed more consumables for large--scale responsesscale responses

Add provision in plans for rapid ordering of needed Add provision in plans for rapid ordering of needed supplies for extended responsessupplies for extended responses

Sample coordination Sample coordination -- suppliessupplies

Number of samples started to swamp our Number of samples started to swamp our capacity capacity –– Practice with realistic workload Practice with realistic workload to see how your lab does.to see how your lab does.

Supplies we thought we had ordered were Supplies we thought we had ordered were actually not ordered so we were running actually not ordered so we were running out of out of MarinelliMarinelli beakers beakers

Also ran out of space to move samples Also ran out of space to move samples into into radrad. .

Communications/Positions/SOPCommunications/Positions/SOP ss

Expand customer service role to include Expand customer service role to include copying, faxing and filing of results.copying, faxing and filing of results.

Messenger role could be expanded to help more Messenger role could be expanded to help more with samples.with samples.

Continue to assign each Analyst with two Continue to assign each Analyst with two Assistant Analyst positions for sample accession Assistant Analyst positions for sample accession and prepand prep

Train more people outside chemistry areas for Train more people outside chemistry areas for radrad response response -- just in time training needed just in time training needed -- plan plan for itfor it

Data improvements E09Data improvements E09

Improve VDHL reporting format Improve VDHL reporting format -- manual manual -- need to revise need to revise formats, forms.formats, forms.

Create standard statements for less than MDA/ RLA for Create standard statements for less than MDA/ RLA for consistency between shifts.consistency between shifts.

Implement a LIMS system Implement a LIMS system --option of transmitting data option of transmitting data electronically. Identify additional data sharing electronically. Identify additional data sharing mechanismsmechanisms

Determine if Requestor wants DW laboratory results for Determine if Requestor wants DW laboratory results for gamma, alpha, beta to be reported as ready or all gamma, alpha, beta to be reported as ready or all together for a sample. together for a sample.

Data Quality Objectives (Data Quality Objectives (DQOsDQOs) need to be either pre) need to be either pre-- defined and/or defined/refined and defined and/or defined/refined and communicatedcommunicated as as analytical needs evolve.analytical needs evolve.

After action report August 2009After action report August 2009

VY Tritium ResponseVY Tritium Response

January 7, 2010 VDH notified by VY about January 7, 2010 VDH notified by VY about HH--3 detected in monitoring well, VDHL 3 detected in monitoring well, VDHL results confirmed. results confirmed.

11--9 received 5 samples9 received 5 samples

1/15 received 4 samples1/15 received 4 samples

1/19 received 2 samples1/19 received 2 samples

1/22 received 18 samples (set up basic 1/22 received 18 samples (set up basic Access DB for tracking, starting using Access DB for tracking, starting using response numbering)response numbering)

Press VY rePress VY re--licensinglicensing

Already an active political debate about reAlready an active political debate about re-- licensing in VTlicensing in VT

HH--3 reported in ground water and earlier 3 reported in ground water and earlier testimony from VY officials about lack of testimony from VY officials about lack of underground pipes that would carry underground pipes that would carry radioactive materials caused distrust radioactive materials caused distrust between public, elected government between public, elected government officials and VYofficials and VY

False positiveFalse positive

An important development was a false positive An important development was a false positive test result on a groundwater monitoring well test result on a groundwater monitoring well sample from well GZsample from well GZ--1. On January 19, 2010, 1. On January 19, 2010, Vermont Yankee reported a positive test result Vermont Yankee reported a positive test result of 9,540 of 9,540 pCi/lpCi/l from this well. Later that day, VY from this well. Later that day, VY officials expressed concern with the accuracy of officials expressed concern with the accuracy of that measurement. On January 20, 2010, VY that measurement. On January 20, 2010, VY confirmed that additional samples and confirmed that additional samples and recounting of the original sample showed that recounting of the original sample showed that well GZwell GZ--1 was, in fact, not contaminated. (from 1 was, in fact, not contaminated. (from VDH Archive)VDH Archive)

VDHL Analytical schedulesVDHL Analytical schedules

Count times : Count times :

Environmental testing: Gamma Environmental testing: Gamma spectroscopy 25000 seconds, Tritium 250 spectroscopy 25000 seconds, Tritium 250 minutesminutes

Screening for VY Tritium 2010 response: Screening for VY Tritium 2010 response: Gamma spectroscopy 12000 seconds, Gamma spectroscopy 12000 seconds, Tritium 120 minutes.Tritium 120 minutes.

Manual sample switch for gammaManual sample switch for gamma

Reporting levelsReporting levels

We urged that less than values be used to We urged that less than values be used to report to the public and we set our Hreport to the public and we set our H--3 3 screen reporting level at 500 screen reporting level at 500 pCipCi/L/L

Storage of samplesStorage of samples

This is what part of our This is what part of our lab looked like before lab looked like before increased monitoring.increased monitoring.

NRC License requires NRC License requires that we keep that we keep materials in materials in designated areasdesignated areas

Acceptance CriteriaAcceptance Criteria

Please follow the VDHL sample acceptance criteria for Please follow the VDHL sample acceptance criteria for determining what samples can be shipped:determining what samples can be shipped:

Vermont Department of Health Lab (VDHL) sample Vermont Department of Health Lab (VDHL) sample acceptance criteria or guidelines for VY tritium acceptance criteria or guidelines for VY tritium samples:samples:

Sample acceptance policy for tritium VY samples in Sample acceptance policy for tritium VY samples in order of priority: order of priority:

1. Water, fish, vegetation, soil and sediment samples 1. Water, fish, vegetation, soil and sediment samples below 500 counts per minute (below 500 counts per minute (cpmcpm)) on the survey on the survey meter will be accepted for analysis. 500 meter will be accepted for analysis. 500 cpmcpm at a at a distance ½ inch (surface/contact) with a handheld meter distance ½ inch (surface/contact) with a handheld meter such as a Ludlum model 14 C survey meter with a GM such as a Ludlum model 14 C survey meter with a GM probe. probe.

2. Tritium water samples2. Tritium water samples-- as screened by VY, as screened by VY, no more no more than 250,000 than 250,000 pCipCi/L/L. .

Sample shipping/storageSample shipping/storage

Samples to Montreal, held by FedExSamples to Montreal, held by FedEx

CourierCourier

NRC NRC liclic. Needed to be amended for extra space. Needed to be amended for extra space

Took many months to establish an offsite place Took many months to establish an offsite place to store non contaminated samples to store non contaminated samples –– no Hno H--3.3.

An ongoing issue for us An ongoing issue for us

sample frequency/location/routine monitoringsample frequency/location/routine monitoring

Storage off siteStorage off site

Storage off siteStorage off site

MeetingsMeetings

Daily for nearly two months with Health Daily for nearly two months with Health Operations Center Operations Center -- now twice/weeknow twice/week

Planning meetings: shipping, storage, Chain of Planning meetings: shipping, storage, Chain of custody, seals, containers, sampling team, custody, seals, containers, sampling team, training, contract laboratory services, NRC training, contract laboratory services, NRC license, acceptance policy/criteria, power plant license, acceptance policy/criteria, power plant personnel, couriers, buses, reporting, tracking of personnel, couriers, buses, reporting, tracking of results and samples results and samples –– took managers away from took managers away from the lab routine functions.the lab routine functions.

LogisticsLogistics

The lab often had to explain what we were The lab often had to explain what we were trying to accomplish/buy/establish trying to accomplish/buy/establish –– took took much time away from accomplishing much time away from accomplishing tasks.tasks.

http://http://healthvermont.govhealthvermont.gov//

Overview of Current Sampling Locations for VY Tritium (May 2010)Overview of Current Sampling Locations for VY Tritium (May 2010)Site Type Site Type

(total qty: 46)(total qty: 46)Qty of wells/locations Qty of wells/locations

sampledsampled Site Description/TypeSite Description/Type

OffOff--site site wells (11)wells (11)

11 Vernon Elementary SchoolVernon Elementary School

11 Vernon Green Nursing HomeVernon Green Nursing Home

22 FarmsFarms

33 Private ResidencesPrivate Residences

22 Other Public Water Other Public Water (Fire Dept, EOC)(Fire Dept, EOC)

22 VYVY--owned buildings owned buildings (drinking water)(drinking water)

OnOn--site site wells (28)wells (28)

2222 GZ wellsGZ wells

44 Routine monitoring wellsRoutine monitoring wells (0202(0202-->0204)>0204)

22 Drinking WaterDrinking Water

CT River (7)CT River (7)

11 UpstreamUpstream

11 DownstreamDownstream

11 Upstream of the DischargeUpstream of the Discharge

44 Routine monitoring stations Routine monitoring stations ((e.g., e.g., 33--3)3)

Summary of the Vermont Sampling & Laboratory status for samples Summary of the Vermont Sampling & Laboratory status for samples related to VY related to VY Tritium since January 2010 as of 5/12/2010Tritium since January 2010 as of 5/12/2010

Number of Samples Received at VDHLNumber of Samples Received at VDHL 507507

Number of Samples Estimated Pending Shipment to Contract LabNumber of Samples Estimated Pending Shipment to Contract Lab 5252

Number of Samples Estimated Pending Shipment to VDH (water)Number of Samples Estimated Pending Shipment to VDH (water) 8484

SUMSUM 643643

SAMPLES COLLECTED by SITE TYPESAMPLES COLLECTED by SITE TYPE

Total Samples OnTotal Samples On--sitesite 411411

Total Samples OffTotal Samples Off--sitesite 232232

SUMSUM 643643

Samples related solely to this eventSamples related solely to this event 599599

SAMPLE TYPES RECEIVED at VDHL:SAMPLE TYPES RECEIVED at VDHL:

Monitoring WellMonitoring Well 279279

Drinking Water SourcesDrinking Water Sources 214214

CT River (surface water)CT River (surface water) 9696

FishFish 44

SedimentSediment 22

SoilSoil 3838

VegetationVegetation 11

O ( )

ANALYSES REQUESTED at VDHLANALYSES REQUESTED at VDHL

For tritiumFor tritium 448448

For gamma spectrometryFor gamma spectrometry 353353

For gross alphaFor gross alpha 3838

For gross betaFor gross beta 3838

SUMSUM 877877

ANALYSES COMPLETED by VDHLANALYSES COMPLETED by VDHL

For tritiumFor tritium 426426

For gamma spectrometryFor gamma spectrometry 332332

For gross alphaFor gross alpha 2828

For gross betaFor gross beta 2828

SUMSUM 814814

REPORT STATUS at VDHLREPORT STATUS at VDHL

FinalFinal 468468

PendingPending 2727

PreliminaryPreliminary 00

SUMSUM 495495

Questions/EndQuestions/End

W. George Mills, W. George Mills, george.mills@ahs.state.vt.usgeorge.mills@ahs.state.vt.us, 802, 802--863863-- 76127612

Cecylia Cecylia KarchKarch, , cecylia.karch@ahs.state.vt.uscecylia.karch@ahs.state.vt.us, 802, 802--863863-- 75627562

Mary Mary CelottiCelotti,, stella.celotti@ahs.state.vt.usstella.celotti@ahs.state.vt.us, , 802802--863863--75707570