Measurements of air contaminants during the Cerro Grande fire at Los Alamos National Laboratory

Eberhart, Craig

关键词: LANL;    FIRES;    AIR QUALITY;    AMERICIUM;    DAUGHTER PRODUCTS;    DEPLETED URANIUM;    PARTICULATES;    PLANTS;    PLUTONIUM;    RADON;    AIR POLLUTION MONITORING;    SMOKES;   

DOI  :  10.2172/991235
RP-ID  :  LA-14250
PID  :  OSTI ID: 991235
Others  :  TRN: US1100034

学科分类：环境科学（综合）

美国|英语

来源: SciTech Connect

【 摘 要 】

Ambient air sampling for radioactive air contaminants was continued throughout the Cerro Grande fire that burned part of Los Alamos National Laboratory. During the fire, samples were collected more frequently than normal because buildup of smoke particles on the filters was decreasing the air flow. Overall, actual sampling time was 96% of the total possible sampling time for the May 2000 samples. To evaluate potential human exposure to air contaminants, the samples were analyzed as soon as possible and for additional specific radionuclides. Analyses showed that the smoke from the fire included resuspended radon decay products that had been accumulating for many years on the vegetation and the forest floor that burned. Concentrations of plutonium, americium, and depleted uranium were also measurable, but at locations and concentrations comparable to non-fire periods. A continuous particulate matter sampler measured concentrations that exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for PM-10 (particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter). These high concentrations were caused by smoke from the fire when it was close to the sampler.