Open AccessArgonne National Laboratory site environmental report for calendar year 2006.
Author(s) -
N. W. Golchert,
Esh,
QA Oversight
Publication year - 2007
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/915739
Subject(s) - national laboratory , environmental science , population , environmental quality , environmental protection , clean water act , hydrology (agriculture) , water quality , engineering , political science , law , ecology , environmental health , engineering physics , medicine , geotechnical engineering , biology
This report discusses the status and the accomplishments of the environmental protection program at Argonne National Laboratory for calendar year 2006. The status of Argonne environmental protection activities with respect to compliance with the various laws and regulations is discussed, along with the progress of environmental corrective actions and restoration projects. To evaluate the effects of Argonne operations on the environment, samples of environmental media collected on the site, at the site boundary, and off the Argonne site were analyzed and compared with applicable guidelines and standards. A variety of radionuclides were measured in air, surface water, on-site groundwater, and bottom sediment samples. In addition, chemical constituents in surface water, groundwater, and Argonne effluent water were analyzed. External penetrating radiation doses were measured, and the potential for radiation exposure to off-site population groups was estimated. Results are interpreted in terms of the origin of the radioactive and chemical substances (i.e., natural, fallout, Argonne, and other) and are compared with applicable environmental quality standards. A U.S. Department of Energy dose calculation methodology, based on International Commission on Radiological Protection recommendations and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's CAP-88 Version 3 (Clean Air Act Assessment Package-1988) computer code, was used in preparing this report