Health Physics · 1994 · 89 citations · 0 references
EngineeringEnvironmental SciencesNuclear EngineeringRadiation DosimetryRadiation SafetyRadioactive Waste ManagementAbsorbed DoseHigh-level Radioactive WasteNuclear Waste FormsRadioactive PollutionRadiological Risk AssessmentRepository Safety AssessmentEnvironmental Radiation DosimetryEnvironmental Release AssessmentRadiation ContaminationRadioactive Waste DisposalRadionuclide ContaminationRadionuclide Content AssessmentRadionuclide TransportWater Contamination By Radionuclides
The Savannah River Site, a U.S. nuclear production complex, has released radiocesium waste into the environment from its reactors, radiochemical facilities, and high‑level waste storage during its operation.
The Savannah River Site has produced plutonium, tritium, and other special nuclear materials for national defense, other government programs, and some civilian purposes. Radiocesium, a waste product, has been released to the environment during the operation of five reactors, two radiochemical processing facilities, and a high-level waste storage system. During the period 1955–1989, 130 GBq of 137Cs was released to the atmosphere and 2.2 × 104 GBq was released to site streams and ponds. Approximately 65% of the latter remained on the site. The maximum individual effective dose equivalent at the site boundary was estimated to be 3.3 μSv from atmospheric releases and 600 μSv from liquid releases. The 80-km population dose was 1.6 person-Sv.