The Vapor Plume at Material Disposal Are C in Relation to Pajarito Corridor Facilities

Masse, William B.¹ 

[1] Los Alamos National Laboratory

关键词: Environmental Protection;    Remediation;    Environmental Sciences(54);    COMPLIANCE;    CONSTRUCTION;    CROSS SECTIONS;    LANL;    MONITORS;    ORGANIC COMPOUNDS;    PLUMES;    SAFETY;    SAMPLING;    WASTE DISPOSAL;    WASTES;   

DOI  :  10.2172/1038123
RP-ID  :  LA-UR-12-20320
PID  :  OSTI ID: 1038123
Others  :  TRN: US201208%%552

美国|英语

来源: SciTech Connect

【 摘 要 】

A vapor plume made up of volatile organic compounds is present beneath Material Disposal Area C (MDA C) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The location and concentrations within the vapor plume are discussed in relation to existing and planned facilities and construction activities along Pajarito Road (the 'Pajarito Corridor') and in terms of worker health and safety. This document provides information that indicates that the vapor plume does not pose a threat to the health of LANL workers nor will it pose a threat to workers during construction of proposed facilities along Pajarito Road. The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL or the Laboratory) monitors emissions, effluents, and environmental media to meet environmental compliance requirements, determine actions to protect the environment, and monitor the long-term health of the local environment. LANL also studies and characterizes 'legacy' waste from past Laboratory operations to make informed decisions regarding eventual corrective actions and the disposition of that waste. Starting in 1969, these activities have been annually reported in the LANL Environmental Report (formerly Environmental Surveillance Report), and are detailed in publicly accessible technical reports meeting environmental compliance requirements. Included among the legacy sites being investigated are several formerly used material disposal areas (MDAs) set aside by the Laboratory for the general on-site disposal of waste from mission-related activities. One such area is MDA C located in Technical Area 50 (TA-50), which was used for waste disposal between 1948 and 1974. The location of TA-50 is depicted in Figure 1. The present paper uses a series of maps and cross sections to address the public concerns raised about the vapor plume at MDA C. As illustrated here, extensive sampling and data interpretation indicate that the vapor plume at MDA C does not pose a threat to the health of LANL workers nor will it pose a threat to workers during construction of the proposed facilities and utility trenches. The public cannot be directly exposed to the vapor plume beneath MDA C because Pajarito Road is closed to the public.