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

Background

After NRC ceased funding, many states continued.

(TX, IL, WA, PA)

Monitoring Performed at Operating Power Reactors

Direct radiationGaseous effluents

RadioiodineRadioactive Particulates

Liquid effluentsSurface waterDischarge

VegetationVegetation for MilkLeafy vegetationPecans

SeafoodFish/invertebrates

Soil/SedimentMilk

Operating Nuclear Power Plants in Texas

Comanche Peak

South TexasProject

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

Environmental Monitoring Equipment

CPNPP 10-mile EPZ STP 10-mile EPZ

CPNPP

STP

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

Presenter

Presentation Notes

3 Research Reactors in Texas: 2 TRIGA and 1 AGN. Texas A&M University Nuclear Science Center, College Station has 1 MW TRIGA MK I and a AGN-201M that is 5 watts (Zachry Engineering Bldg. Main Campus). University of Texas Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory at J.J. Pickle Research Center, Austin has a TRIGA Mark II – 1.1 MW research reactor.

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 Sites

Harlingen

Amarillo

Lubbock

San Angelo

Corpus ChristiLaredo

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

Questions?