Subpart W Public Conference Call

October 5, 2010

EPA: Reid Rosnick (ORIA), Angelique Diaz (R8)

CCAT: Sharyn Cunningham, Lynn Manassy?

Cotter: Jim Cain

Oscar Paulson – Kennecott

Zach Rogers – Energy Fuels

Katie Sweeney – NMA

Mike Newman – Neutron Energy

Bill Brister – Cameco 

John Cash – Ur Energy

Horst Leftwich(?) – Cameco

Steve Brown - SENES

Updates and Questions

 Attended Uranium Stakeholder conference in Tuba City, AZ the week of 9/13 and 

gave presentations on Subpart W status, both at the conference and at a public 

meeting held during the week. Loren Setlow also presented on Part 192 update. 

Last public mtg for a while so workgroup can get some work done

 Two things in progress: 1. Contract work assignment for risk assessment work. 

Contractor performing site-specific risk assessment and determining which model 

to use to predict radon flux from impoundments. Should have data in next 2-3 

months to determine if 20 pCi/m2-s still protective. 2. Contractor for economic 

impact analysis. Tribal, EJ, and children’s health included in the analysis. The 

analysis will support efforts on Subpart W. Will share information with Part 192 

workgroup.

 Katie asked if we are getting public input on models. Reid explained how the 

contractor is working in reviewing the various codes/models. We have solicited 

feedback on models from public.

 Oscar: will contractors be contacting licensees for site specific data and will they 

will evaluating existing 115 data and downwind data? Reid – to the best of his 

knowledge, yes. S. Cohen and Associates is the contractor

 Steve Brown: what information does EPA have that 20 pCi/m2-s is not 

protective? What is missing and what is driving the need? Reid – Last time a risk 

assessment performed was in the mid 1980s and science and application of risk 

assessment models has improved and changed over the past 20 years. Reid told 

him that we are following statutory requirements to review.

 Sharyn: will data gathered from contractor be put on website? Reid –yes, 

eventually, but not in the draft/unreviewed form so we are confident in the data 

before it goes up

 Sharyn requested an explanation of what the contractor is doing and updates on 

the website. Reid – will put the approved workplan on the website. 

 Sharyn: has EPA had any messages coming in; she didn’t see them on the 

website. Reid – policy that everything needs to be screened prior to posting. 
Have received 2 e-mails during June 17th webinar (1 from Oscar Paulson and 1 

from Jim Cain related to the webinar). We have received no others.

 Reid: on the website under “current actions” there is a draft document developed 

by ATSDR for Lincoln Park. Comment period ends 11/9/2010.

 Oscar: will Tuba City PowerPoint presentation be available? Reid – Yes, it will 

be placed on the website within the week

 Oscar: an FYI – in August 2010 Kennecott performed a test on fluid retention 

ponds. Constructed floating detectors and intend to publish the data. Still waiting 

for emanation coefficients and radium in sediments. 0.8 pCi/m2-s is the highest 

result they received from a lined impoundment. 1750 pCi/L Rn-222 in the pond 

water. Compared to Dr. Baker’s NRC/NMA results. Data will be submitted as 

part of comments on Subpart W rulemaking.

 Steve Brown: measurements indicate that radon flux is essentially background. 

Keep in context the numbers we have compared to background when performing 

risk assessments.

 Sharyn: asked Reid if he presented at NMA/NRC U recovery workshop? Request 

to place on the website. Reid will make sure it’s placed on the website

 Oscar: Industry interest in ATSDR report was that no public health hazard to 

radon or daughters from Cañon City was found. 

Next Call: January 5, 2011 11:00am EST