Radiological Assessment Report for the Lansdowne Property, 105-107 East Stratford Avenue, Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, October-December 1984

摘要

Areas with elevated levels of radioactivity were found throughout both residences, as well as on the surrounding property. Contamination was also found in the garage behind the 105 East structure. The 105 East residence had substantially more contamination than the 107 East residence, as was expected. The chimneys, particularly the rear chimney, from the 105 East residence had extensive contamination, indicating that contaminated materials may have been burned at the site. The high background radiation emanating from this residence made it difficult to establish the relatively lower levels of contamination in the 107 East residence. The property surrounding the 105 East residence was found to have substantial contamination scattered throughout, with the highest level occurring in the backyard. The soil surface contamination seemed to drop markedly (but not entirely) at the property lines. The property surrounding 107 East was found to be less contaminated, although the background radiation emanating from the adjoining area made it difficult to establish the degree of surface or near-surface contamination from surface surveys. Subsurface investigation of the soil surrounding the structure indicated that radium contamination was widespread and extended to a depth of eight feet at some locations. There was evidence that some of this contamination extended onto adjoining properties and may have been transported off the site via subsurface migration. Additionally, analysis of samples from access points in the residence sewer system effluent established that the system was contaminated. 3 refs., 26 figs., 13 tabs. (ERA citation 11:000219)