Methods for Assessing Background Levels of Radiation and Radioactive Materials in the Environment Around Uranium Mills

摘要

A major concern regarding both existing and proposed sitings of uranium processing mills is their radiological impact on the surrounding unrestricted environment. In order to assess an incremental increase in radioactive background of any property due to mill operations, it is mandatory that natural or background levels of that property be established. This report assesses techniques and costs for determining background levels and mill contributions to the environment above these levels, and three specific programs are identified for the determination of natural background and mill contributions to that background. Methods for the measurement of airborne 222Rn and its daughters, the measurement of airborne radionuclide particulates, and methods for assessing background levels of uranium, thorium, and radium in the environment in the vicinity of uranium mills are presented. These methodologies are organized by their increasing capital and operation costs. Many alternatives to these procedures are discussed to allow flexibility under different conditions.