2.2 Issue 2: Off-Site Exposure
2.2.1 Public Health Assessment of the DOE Oak Ridge
Reservation
Purpose
The public health assessment is an analysis and statement of the public
health implications of hazardous substance releases from the Oak Ridge
Reservation on off-site populations. The public health assessment evaluates
the latest information, data, and findings from previous studies of releases
from the Oak Ridge Reservation to identify and characterize exposures
to off-site populations, and to determine which public health actions
or studies are indicated. The public health assessment also includes an
evaluation of morbidity and mortality data to identify potential adverse
health outcomes associated with contaminants of concern. The public health
assessment will (1) identify people exposed to hazardous substances at
levels of health concern; (2) identify health problems occuring at elevated
rates; (3) address community health concerns; and (4) recommend follow-up
public health actions or studies.
ATSDR is committed to engaging the Oak Ridge community as partners in
conceptualizing, planning, and implementing the public health assessment.
The Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee provides local citizens
the opportunity to collaborate with ATSDR staff and learn more about the
public health assessment process and other public health activities. The
subcommittee will review many technical health issues and community health
concerns regarding the Oak Ridge Reservation and will work with ATSDR
to develop the priority of health issues to be addressed. The subcommittee
will provide comments, suggestions, and recommendations, and input into
the choices to be made in developing the public health assessment for
the Oak Ridge Reservation.
Background and Agencies Involved
Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act (Superfund), ATSDR is mandated to conduct a public health assessment
for each facility listed on the EPA National Priority List of Uncontrolled
Hazardous Waste Sites (NPL). The DOE Oak Ridge Reservation site was placed
on the NPL in 1989.
Time Line
ATSDR began work on the public health assessment for the Oak Ridge Reservation
in 2000.
Status
ATSDR is currently evaluating the previous studies of releases from the
Oak Ridge Reservation.
2.2.2 Aerial Radiological Surveys of the Oak Ridge
Reservation
Purpose
Aerial surveys are carried out periodically to survey large tracts of
DOE properties and adjacent public properties for total gamma radiation
emissions.
Findings
Data collected from all six aerial surveys show that the gamma radiation
level in the community is the same radiation level that is found in natural
background. Based on the surveys, there is no indication of DOE produced
man-made gamma radiation in the community.
Background and Agencies Involved
Aerial radiological surveys have been conducted by DOE at the Oak Ridge
Reservation (as well as DOE facilities throughout the United States) since
the 1950s. These surveys are carried out to provide DOE with knowledge
and data on the total gamma radiation emission rates found on and around
the reservation. Aerial surveys are a practical way to measure large tracts
of land. Survey results allow DOE to determine if there were any changes
in radioactivity levels by comparing the data found in periodic flyovers
to natural background radioactivity.
Broad area surveys encompass the entire DOE reservation and adjacent
areas, while focused surveys are conducted to provide data needed in making
business or program decisions. Aerial surveys allow DOE to keep tabs on
the overall efficiency of its radiological control measures and help make
land use decisions.
Time Line
Eight aerial radiological surveys have been performed since 1959. The
most recent survey was completed in 1997.
Status
DOE plans to continue these surveys as needed.
2.2.3 Annual Environmental Monitoring Report
Purpose
The purpose of the Environmental Monitoring Report is to provide comprehensive
and integrated monitoring and surveillance for all media (air, biological
systems, drinking water, fish and wildlife, food crops, groundwater, sediments,
soil, and surface water) and the emissions of any materials (chemical,
hazardous, radiological, and toxic) on the Oak Ridge Reservation and environs.
Findings
The environmental data collected to date indicate, with few exceptions,
that the permitted releases (all media) on the Oak Ridge Reservation do
not exceed current state or federal regulations. The exceptions are not
imminent threats to public or environmental health. The release of contaminated
groundwater from the Y-12 facility has resulted in the use of "administrative
controls restricting future groundwater use" on private property
adjacent to the Y-12 facility. Some streams on the Oak Ridge Reservation
do not meet their state use classification due to uncontrolled releases
from legacy waste contaminated sites. It is noted that if current institutional
controls fail, the public would be at risk to environmental contamination
from the Oak Ridge Reservation
Background
The TDEC, in accordance with the Tennessee Oversight Agreement, provides
an annual environmental monitoring report to the public. Oak Ridge Reservation
currently releases low levels of contaminants to the air and water, treats
radioactive and hazardous wastes, and disposes of solid waste and treated
waste water. The EPA and TDEC issue permits to control these releases
and the treatment and disposal activities. In an effort to remediate the
legacy waste and assure the citizens of Tennessee that their health, safety,
and environment are being protected, the state of Tennessee and the DOE
entered into the "Tennessee Oversight Agreement." In part, this
agreement provides for (1) a non-regulatory independent environmental
monitoring and oversight program to supplement activities conducted under
applicable environmental laws and (2) regulation and a regulatory-based
program to support the state of Tennessee's participation in the activities
conducted under the Federal Facility Agreement for the Oak Ridge Reservation
pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act (Superfund).
Time Line
The DOE Oversight Division of TDEC was established in July 1991. The
first Environmental Monitoring Report was released in 1993. Annual reports,
based on calendar years, have been provided to date.
2.2.4 Off-Site Residential Well Sampling Program
Purpose
The purpose of the off-site residential well sampling program is to identify
groundwater wells that are used for consumption and bathing in off-site
areas near the Oak Ridge Reservation and to determine the environmental
impact on the area's groundwater from past Oak Ridge Reservation operations.
The two major tasks in this project were identifying residences with drinking
water wells and collecting groundwater samples from selected wells for
analysis.
Findings
In 1995, a review of DOE data indicated problems with monitoring of some
off-site well water. Detection limit problems at some off-site wells gave
the false impression that elevated levels of radionuclides were in the
well water samples. This occurred because the laboratory did not count
the samples long enough to get the detection limits down to very low levels.
Subsequently, DOE instituted changes to improve the sensitivity of its
radiochemical analysis. Resampling of water from these off-site wells
did not produce elevated levels of radionuclides.
In 1996 and 1997, a house-to-house survey was conducted in areas in line
with X-10, K-25, and Y-12 facilities. Sixty residential wells were identified
during this survey.
To date, no connection has been found to link off-site residential wells
to DOE activities on the Oak Ridge Reservation.
Background and Agencies Involved
In 1993, TDEC began evaluating the DOE monitoring program data. In 1997,
water samples were collected from 10 residential wells and 2 US Geological
Survey monitoring wells. In 1998, 2 wells were added to make a total of
14 wells sampled. The TDEC was responsible for the collection of data
and samples. The state of Tennessee environmental laboratories in Knoxville
and Nashville conducted the analysis of the samples.
Time Line
This is an ongoing program. The duration of the program will be determined
by the willingness of the homeowners to allow the state of Tennessee to
sample the wells and whether a connection is found that links contamination
to DOE activities on the Oak Ridge Reservation.
2.3 Issue 3: Reported Illnesses
2.4 Issue 4: Community Involvement
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