Verification survey of the Baker and Williams Warehouses, Building 521-527, New York, New York. Final report

摘要

During the early 1940's, the Manhattan Engineer District (MED), predecessor to the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and the Department of Energy (DOE), shipped uranium concentrates to the former Baker and Williams Warehouses on West 20th Street, in New York, New York. The warehouses were used for short-term storage of the uranium that was later distributed to various US Government facilities. According to historical information, approximately 99,430 kg (219,000 lbs) of orange and yellow sodium uranate was delivered in 1942, and approximately 39,000 kg (86,000 lbs) of orange and yellow sodium uranate, 10,000 kg (22,000 lbs) of sodium uranyl carbonate, and 9,080 kg (20,000 lbs) of black uranium oxide were delivered to the Baker and Williams Warehouses in 1943. In 1989, DOE reviewed available historical documentation, describing MED/AEC activities conducted at this facility, and, based on this information, determined that the potential for radioactive material to be present as a result of the past activities was low. However, the available information was not sufficient to demonstrate that radiological conditions of the site, following termination of MED/AEC activities, satisfied current criteria for use without restrictions. DOE decided that a radiological survey should be performed to determine whether additional investigations were warranted under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP). The purpose of the radiological survey was to obtain sufficient radiological measurements such that DOE Headquarters could determine whether the site should be included for remedial action or eliminated from FUSRAP. A preliminary site visit was performed by the Environmental Survey and Site Assessment Program (ESSAP) of Oak Ridge Associated Universities and it was determined that Building 521--527 would be included in the survey, based on visual inspections and accessibility to the adjoining 529--535 building.