THEORETICAL EVALUATION OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS FROM PROJECT GASBUGGY FINAL REPORT PHASE II:HYPOTHETICAL POPULATION EXPOSURES OUTSIDE SAN JUAN BASIN

摘要

Estimates of doses that might be received by individuals living within the San Juan basin in western New Mexico from the hypothetical use of Gasbuggy gas were given in a previous report (ORNL-4646). This report extends those studies to include potential doses to individuals in west coast metropolitan areas. Tritium is the radionuclide of most concern. Calculations show that a maximum annual radiation dose of 2.2 to 2.5 millirems/year might be attained in these areas if gas containing 1 pCi/cm3 of tritium were used in homes having unvented space heaters. The potential average annual dose to members of the public in the same areas is estimated to be about 0.5 millirem/year. These doses, as well as potential doses resulting from use of liquid hydrocarbons separated from gas and from possible use of by-products manufactured with tritium-contaminated gas fractions, were small compared with the Federal Radiation Council's Radiation Protection Guide of 170 millirems/year (whole body) and with background radiation levels in the normal human environment.