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# IC F INCORPORATE

D
Novembe r 2 , 198 7 MEMORANDU

M TO : Barbar a Hostage , EP A FROM : Stev e Wyngarde n an d Elle n Warhit , IC F SUBJECT : Administrativ e Exemption s fo r Radionuclid e RQ s

Thi s memorandu

msummarize s the informatio n w e hav e collecte d s o fa r t o hel p determin e whethe r certai n radionuclid e release s ca n b e exempte d administrativel yfromthe R Q reportin g requirements
. Base d o n you r revie wo f thi s information , w e ca n discus s whethe r ther e appear s t o b e a sufficien t justificatio n t o warran t an yexemption s and whethe r furthe r researc h i n thi s are a i s needed
. Th e mem o i s divide d int o section s addressin g differen t industrie s an d specifi c release s fromthos e industrie s tha t ar e considere d "candidates " fo r exemptio n a t thi s time
. Specifically , thes e release s ar e no t federall y permitted , and theyar e amon g the release s tha t commenter s o n che NPR M requeste d t o b e exempted
. Also , the release s discusse d belo war e th e one s that , base d o n availabl e information , appea r t o b e o f sufficien t siz e t o excee d the adjuste d RQ s o n a dail ybasis
. Unfortunately , onl yinformatio n o n release s through stockpilin g (i.e. , placin g and storin g larg e volume s o f contaminate d wast e o n the ground ) and emission s o f rado n t o the ai r i s summarize d becaus e n o dat a o n release s t o othe r environmenta l medi a hav e bee n obtaine d yet . Therefore , i t i s possibl e tha t othe r release s fro mthe liste d induscries , suc h a s seepag e int o ground wate r o r discharge s t o surfac e water , als o mayexcee d ch e R Q frequencly
. Th e principa l conclusion s fro mche discussio n cha c follow s ar e summarize d i n Exhibi t 1
. A s yo u wil l notice , some type s o f facilitie s hav e certai n release s cha c appea r Co warran c a n exemptio n and othe r release s tha t d o no t appea r c o qualif yfo r a n exemptio n a t thi s time
. Fo r example , a t some facilitie s i t appear s tha t stockpilin g certai n wast e materia l coul d b e exempte d bu t cha c cher e i s lictl e informatio n C o juscif ya n exemptio n fo r stockpile s o f othe r wast e material
. I n thes e cases , i t i s questionabl e i f an yrea l benefit s woul d b e gaine d b

yexemptin g som e bu t no t al l release s froma give n facilic y- - ch e facilic ywoul d stil l hav e t o submi t a n annua l repor t unde r the requiremen t o f sectio n 103(f)(2) , and th e additiona l burde n o f reportin g tw o cype s o f release s a s oppose d C o on e i s no c great . Thi s i s a poin t cha c i s usefu l c o conside r i n decidin g wheche r some o f che release s lisce d belo wshoul d accuall y b e exempced
.P. 4

Memorandu

m Savmbms 2. Pag e 2 198 7

EXHIBI T 1
SUMMR YC F INFORMATIO N ON ADMINISTRATIV E EXEMPTION S

Ralaaa a Sourc • Categor y Stockpilin g Rado nEmission s
Fhoaphat e Roc k Mina a an dBeneficiatio nPlant l

Phosphat e Or a Dryin g andGrindin g Facilitia * Probabl y sufficien t justificatio nt o exemp t atockpile a o f minin g overburden , bu t no t tailing s o r othe r waata * tha t coul db e atockpile d
N o informatio nobtaine da o fa r o nan y atockpilea ; uncertai ni f waat e eve r stockpile dat thea e facilitia a Foaaibl y aufficien t Juatificatla nt o exemp t rado naoUaaion a

Probabl y

sufficien t Justificatio nt o exemp t rado nmission s

We t Proces a Fertilize r Plant s

Coal-Fire dUtilit y

an d Industria l Boller a

Meta l andNonaata l Extractio nInduatrie a (Aluminua , Copper , Zinc , Lead , Iron , Clay , Limeatone , an

d Fluorspar ) OR P ha s requeste dtha t gypsu m pile a no t b e exempte d

Doe a no t appea r t o b e aufficien t Justificatio nfo r exemptin g soli d wast e pile s a t thi s time Possibl y

sufficien t Justificatio nt o exemp t waat e atockpile a a t al l bu t aluminu m facilitia a Probabl y sufficien t Justificatio nt o exemp t rado nemission s wit hth e possibl e exceptio no f thos e fro m gypsu m pile s sn

d phosphat e roc k calciner s Probabl y

sufficien t Justificatio nt o exemp t rado nemission s

Probabl y

sufficien t Justificatio nt o exemp t rado nemission s fro m al l induatrie a

Productio no f Oi l an d Ga s andGeotherma l Energ y
Lan dDisturbanc e Activitie s N o informatio nobtaine do nan y stock piles ; doubtfu l tha t atockpile a pe r s e eve r exis t
No t applicabl e Possibl y auffician t Justificatio nt o exemp t rado namission s

Probabl y

sufficien t Justificatio nfo r exemptin g rado nemissions , althoug ha forma l regulator y

determinatio nha a no t bee nfoundfo r suppor tP. 5

Memorandu

m Novembe r 2 , 198 7 Pag e 3

Phosphat e Roc k Minin g an dProcessin

g (Beneficiation , Drying , an dGrinding ) Stockpiling A t phosphat e roc k mine s an d beneficiatio n plants , a variet yo f "waste " material s ar e place d o n the lan d surfac e fo r storag e and/o r disposition
. Thes e material s includ e minin g overburden , leache d material , an d tailings
. Or e dryin g and grinding facilitie s maystockpil e rawand groun d phosphat e roc k a s par t o f the productio n process , bu t i t i s no t known i f thes e facilitie s eve r stockpil e wastes . Th e hazard s associate d wit h waste s fromth e extraction , beneficiation , an d processin g o f phosphat e roc k hav e bee n studie d unde r RCRA
. I n a Repor t t o Congres s (EPA , 1985) , EPA' s Offic e o f Soli d Wast e (OSW ) note d tha t a relativel ylarg e fractio n o f the wast e fromthe extraction , beneficiation , an d processin g o f phosphat e roc k contain s mor e than 5 pCi/g mo f radium-226 , whic h migh t qualif yi t fo r regulatio n a s "hazardou s waste " unde r RCRA
. Nevertheless , i n a RegulatoryDeterminatio n publishe d i n the Federa l Registe r (5 1 f £ 24496) , EPAconclude d tha t radioactivit yi s no t a curren t RCR A characteristi c an

d tha t regulatin g thes e waste s a s hazardou s unde r RCR Ai s "environmentall yunnecessary , technicall yinfeasible , an d economicall y impractical. " A s a n alternative , EP Apropose d t o develo p a programfo r regulatin g phosphat e roc k minin g and processin g waste s unde r Subtitl e D o f RCRA
. Interestingly , the Regulator yDeterminatio n goe s o n t o sa ythat , unti l the Subtitl e D progra mi s i n place , EPAwil l us e section s 10 4 an d 10 6 o f CERCLA"t o see k relie f i n thos e case s wher e waste s fromminin g site s pos e substantia l threat s o r imminen t hazard s t o huma n healt h and the environment " (5 1 F g 24501)
. Therefore , thes e analyse s unde r RCR Ad o no t appea r t o provid e a clea r justificatio n fo r exemptin g the stockpilin g o f phosphat e roc k wast e fro mche R Q reporcin g requirements
. Background informatio n develope d i n suppor t o f th e Nationa l Emissio n Standard s fo r Hazardou s Ai r Pollutant s (NESHAPs ) provide s additiona l dat a relate d c o stockpiling
. On e background documen t (EPA , 1980 ) reporc s che radionuclid e concentratio n i n overburde n and leache d materia l a t mode l (i.e. , typical ) phosphat e mine s and beneficiatio n plants
. Th e reporte d concentratio n o f radium-22 6 i n overburde n i s les s tha n 5 pCi/gm , whic h i s EPA' s cleanu p standar d fo r che lan d surfac e a c uraniu mprocessin g sice s (4 8 F E 590)
. Th e purpos e o f Chi s scandar d i s C o limi t the ris k frominhalatio n o f rado n decay product s i n house s buil c o n concaminate d land , and t o limi t gamm a radiatio n exposur e o f peopl e usin g contaminate d land
. Therefore , eve n i f home s wer e buil t o n lan

d backfille d wit h phosphat e roc k overburde n o r i f peopl e stoo d o n che overburde n fo r extende d periods , the radiatio n hazard s woul d b e small
. Thi s analysi s suggest s tha t th e placemen t o f overburde n o n the ground coul d b e exempte d fromthe R Q reportin g requirements
.
•'•Overburde

n i s define d a s soi l o r roc k overlyin g a usefu l geologica l deposit , suc h a s phosphac e ore , coal , o r uranium
.P. 6

Memorandu

m Novembe r 2 , 198 7 Pag e 4

Th e reporte d radionuclid e concentratio n o f leache d materia l a t a mode l min e an d beneficiatio n plan t exceed s the EP Astandar d note d above
. The NESHAP s documen t doe s no t repor t the radionuclid e concentratio n i n phosphat e roc k tailing s bu t i t woul d probabl yb e abou t the same concentratio n foun d i n phosphat e ore , whic h i s reporte d t o excee d th e EP Astandar d also
. Thi s analysi s suggest s tha t leache d materia l an d tailing s a t phosphat e roc k facilitie s coul d presen t a radiatio n hazar d i f manage d improperl yand , therefore , Cha t a reporting exemptio n fo r stockpile s o f thes e material s may no t b e justified
. Rado n Release s

i
. Radonemission s fro mlarg e are a source s a t phosphat e mines , beneficiatio n plants , an

d or e drying an

d grinding facilitie s vil l apparentl y excee dCh e R Q ona dail ybasis . Whil e i t i s conceivabl e tha t release s o f oche r radionuclide s i n che for mo f parciculace s fromlarg e are a source s coul d als o excee d che RQ , mos c o f the comment s o n the NPRM implie d tha t onl ythe rado n R Q woul d b e a problem
. ANESHAP s background documen t (EPA , 1980 ) report s cha c Che rado n flu x fo r calling s and overburde n pile s a c mode l mine s and beneficiacio n plane s i s les s tha n 2 0 pCi/m^-sec , whic h i s EPA' s rado n emissio n standar d fo r uraniu mmil l tailing s piles
. Th e reporte d dail yemissio n o f rado n fromphosphat e or e dryin g and grindin g facilitie s i s les s tha n th e RQ , bu t i t i s unclea r i f thi s emissio n rat e include s the rado n emitte d fro mor e pile s a c thes e facilicies
. Also , Che documen t reporc s cha c escimace d risk s du e C o rado n emission s fro m mode l mines , beneficiacio n planes , and or e dryin g an d grindin g facilicie s ar e generall ylow
. A c minin g and beneficiacio n facilicies , che maximu mindividua l lifecime ris k i s 3x1 0 , wic h 0. 1 expecce d faca l cancer s pe r yea r o f operacion
. AC or e dryin g and grindin g faicilicies , che maximu mindividua l lifecime ris k fro

mrado n emission s i s 8x1 0 , wic h 0.00 2 expecce d faca l cancer s pe r year . Base d i n par e o n ches e findings , che Offic e o f Radiacio n Program s (ORP ) announce d i n che Federa l Registe r cha c che risk s fromradionuclid e emission s fro mdryin g and grindin g facilicie s ar e insignifican c and cha c regulacio n o f ches e emission s unde r NESHAP s i s no c warrance d (4 9 FR , 43914)
. Becaus e che announcemen c doe s no c addres s release s o f specifi c radionuclide s fro mspecifi c source s a t dryin g and grindin g facilities , i t appear s t o b e referring t o al l radionuclid e emission s fro mthes e facilitie s (including rado n fro man ypiles)
. Thi s determination , therefore , mayprovid e a juscificacio n fo r exempcin g rado n release s fro

mor e pile s an

d an yoche r sourc e a t phosphat e or e dryin g an d grindin g facilitie s fromthe R Q reportin g requirements
. Th e Federa l Registe r nocic e doe s no c provid e a forma l decerminacio n wic h respec c Co phosphac e roc k mine s an

d beneficiacio n planes ; however , chi s sourc e cacegorywa s no c include d i n the lis c o f source s c o b e regulace d unde r NESHAPs
.P. 7

Memorandu

m Novembe r 2 , 198 7 Pag e 5

Ve t Proces s Fertilize r Plant s (Phosphori c Aci dPlants ) Stockpiling Stockpile s o f gypsum , a wast e materia l generate d fro mth e productio n o f phosphori c acid , wil l contai nmor e Cha nanR Q o f man

y naturall y

occurrin g radionuclides
. A s w e hav e discussed , OR P (Bil l Gunte r an d Ji mHardin ) ha s requeste d tha t gypsu mpile s no t b e exempte d fro mthe R Q reporting requirement s a t thi s time
. Rado n Release s ANESHAP s background documen t (EPA , 1980 ) report s tha C oche r operation s a t a mode l fertilize r plant , separat e fro mthe gypsu

mpile , wil l emi t mor e tha n a n R Q o f rado n pe r day
. Th e estimate d risk s cause d b ythi s rado n emission , however , ar e reporte d t o b e low( a maximu mindividua l lifetime ris k o f 2x1 0 , wit h 0.00 7 expecte d fata l cancer s pe r yea r o f operation)
. Afte r analyzin g th e risk s cause d b yrado n and oche r radionuclid e emission s fromfercilize r planes , OR P sCace d i n che Federa l Registe r cha c che risk s ar e insignifican t and cha c regulacio n o f ches e emission s unde r NESHAP s i s no c warranCe d (4 9 F_ g 43914)
. Muc h o f Che supporcin g discussio n i n che Federa l Registe r addresse s parciculac e (i.e. , no c radon ) releases , bu c che scacemen c cha c ch e risk s cause d b yradionuclid e emission s ar e lo wappear s c o refe r C o al l radionuclid e emissions , including rado n emission s a s evaluace d i n che background documenc
. I n makin g Chi s scacemenc , however , EPAclarifie d cha c ch e emission s fromphosphac e roc k calciner s a c fercilize r plane s ar e stil l unde r stud

yand cha c a decisio n regardin g Che nee d c o regulac e emission s fro mcalciner s wil l b e mad e a e a late r time
. Therefore , the NESHAP s informatio n appear s t o provid e a justificatio n fo r exemptin g rado n emission s fro mfertilize r plan t operations , excep c che emission s fro mphosphac e roc k calciners
. Coal-Fire d Utilit yan dIndustria l Boiler s Stockpilin g Soli d wasc e pile s a t coal-fire d boiler s ma yinclud e pile s o f fl yash , botto mash , slag , an d scrubbe r sludges
. On e background documen t (EPA , 1980 ) report s tha t some soli d waste s maycontai n mor e tha n 5 pCi/g mo f radium-226
. Again , thi s i s EPA' s standar d fo r the cleanu p o f the lan

d surfac e a t uraniu m processin g sites , an d i s designe d t o mainl ypreven t elevate d level s o f rado n decayproduct s i n home s buil t o n contaminate d land
. Accordingly , i t appear s tha t thes e material s coul d presen t a radiatio n hazar d i f no t manage d properly
. Base d o n ches e daca , che informacio n reviewe d s o fa r doe s no c clearl ysuppor t a n exemptio n fo r coa l wast e stockpiles
.^ 8 ^

Memorandu

m

, . Novembe r 2 , 198 7

Pag e 6

Rado n Release s Rado n release s fro

msome coa l an

d as h pile s mayexcee d che R Q o n a dail y basis
. I t mayb e possibl e Co exemp t thes e emissions , however , becaus e th e NESHAP s background informatio n state s tha t "analyse s o f fugiciv e emissio n dac a fro mches e pile s indicat e .. . tha t the rado n 'exhalatio n rate ' i s les s than tha t fo r soil " (EPA , 1984)
. Ris k estimate s fo r thes e rado n emission s ar e neve r presente d explicitly , bu t on e background documen t (EPA , 1980 ) state s tha t "che risk s fro mradon-22 2 ar e no c significan t i n compariso n c o che risk s fro mradionuclide s i n particulat e materials. " OR P conclude d i n th e Federa l Registe r cha c che risk s cause d b yparciculac e radionuclid e emission s fro m coal-fire d boiler s ar e relativel yinsignifican t an d cha t i e i s no t necessary t o regulat e thes e emission s unde r NESHAP s (4 9 F_ g 43913)
. B

yanalogy , therefore , i t appear s tha t the risk s fromrado n release s fromal l source s a t coal-fire d boiler s ar e eve n les s significant
. Meta l an

dNonaeta l Mining , Milling , an dSaelting (Excludin g Uraniua ) Stockpilin g NESHAP s background document s (EPA , 198 0 and EPA , 1984 ) provid e dat a o n mode l mines , mills , and smelter s i n ch e aluminum , copper , zinc , lead , iron , clay , limestone , an d fluorspa r induscries
. Whil e Ches e document s d o no t repor t th

e radionuclide concentration s o f tailing s or an y othe r waste s that migh t be stockpileda t thes e facilities , th e document s d

o provide dat a o

nth e radionuclide concentrationfoun di nra w or e processedb

y th e differen t industries
. Becaus e the concentration s i n tailing s and othe r waste s ar e probabl ycomparabl e t o thos e i n th e ore , the hazard s o f wast e pile s ca n b e assesse d b

yanalyzin g the radionuclid e concentration s o f the ore . O f th e variou s industrie s notedabove , th e ore s i n al l bu t the aluminu m industrycontai n les s Cha n5 pCi/gmo f radium-226 , EPA' s cleanu p standar d describe d previously
. Therefore , eve n i f home s wer e buil c o n or e pile s a c ches e induscrie s o r i f peopl e sCoo d o n Che pile s fo r excende d periods , che radiacio n hazard s woul d b e small
. Becaus e calling s and oche r wasce s ar e expecce d C o hav e simila r radionuclid e concentration s a s the ore , thi s same conclusio n woul d appl yt o tailing s o r othe r wast e pile s produce d b ythes e industries
. Thi s analysi s coul d b e use d t o justif ya reporting exemptio n fo r tailing s and othe r wast e stockpile s a t al l bu t aluminu mfacilities , although a forma l regulatorydeterminatio n tha t coul d b e reference d fo r suppor t ha s no t bee n foun

d so . far
. Rado n Release s Base d o n the NESHAP s backgroun d documents , i t appear s tha t rado n emission s froma variet yo f source s a t mines , mills , an d smelter s mayexcee d the R Q o n a dail ybasis
. Thes e source s includ e tailing s an d probabl yor e pile s a t aluminum , copper , zinc , lead , iron , and fluorspa r mine s an d mills
.P. 9

Memorandu

m Novembe r 2 , 19« 7 Pag e 7

I t als o appear s tha t smokestack s at coppe r an dlea dsmelter s a s wel l a s zin c mine s an

dmill s ingenera l ma y emi t mor e tha

nanR Q o f rado

npe r day . Th e NESHAP s background informatio n present s spott ydat a o n thes e rado n emission s tha t mayo r mayno t b e useabl e t o suppor t reporting exemptions
. I n summary , the NESHAP s information :

o state s tha t the rado n emission s fro mCalling s pile s a C mode l copper , zinc , and fluorspa r mill s "do no c diffe r fro

mbackground; "

o sCaCe s cha t the rado n emission s fro mmode l iro n an d aluminu

mtailing s pile s mayexcee d background , bu c cha c che emissio n rat e fro m thes e pile s i s les s tha n 2 0 pCi/m 2 -se c (EPA' s rado n emissio n standar d fo r uraniu mmil l tailing s piles ) and cause s generall ylovrisk s ( a maximu

mindividua l ris k o f 5 x 10* * wit h 0.0 1 expecte d fata l cancer s pe r year) ;

o provide s n o informacio n o n rado n emission s from lead mines , mills , o r Calling s piles ;

o doe s no c provid e a n explici c evaluacio n o f che hazard s associate d wit h rado n emission s from coppe r and lea d smelters ; and

o state s tha t rado n emission s frommode l zin c mine s and mill s presen c a maximu mindividua l ris k o f 2 x 10" ^ an d caus e 0.00 8 faCa l cancer s pe r yea r o f operation
. I n the Federa l Registe r (4 9 £ & 43914) , OR P state d tha t i t wa s no t necessar yt o regulat e radioacciv e emission s fromsevera l exeraceio n induscrie s unde r NESHAPs
. Th e racional e presente d fo r thi s decisio n wa s a s follows :

EPAha s conducte d studie s o f airborn e radioactiv e emission s fromthe mining , milling , an d smelting o f iron , copper , zinc , clay , limestone , fluorspar , an d bauxit e [aluminum]
. Thes e ar e relativel ylarg e industrie s and ar e considere d t o hav e the greates t potentia l fo r ai r emission s o f radionuclides
. EP Apropose s no c t o regulat e thes e extractio n industrie s becaus e th e availabl e dat a showe d tha t che risk s C o individual s and populacion s fro m radionuclid e emission s fro mches e facilicie s ar e insignificanc
. Th e Federa l Regisce r nocic e als o say s cha c mos c comraencer s concurre d wic h chi s decisio n an

d cha c n o informacio n juscifyin g a reversa l o f che decisio n wa s .P.1 0

Memorandu

m NovwabtB T 2 , 19S 7 Pag e 8

provide d t o EP

Adurin g the publi c commen t period
. I t i s importan t t o not e tha t the abov e statemen t i s presente d i n the Federa l Registe r unequivocally ; i c implie s tha t release s o f al l radionuclide s fro mal l source s a t thes e industrie s presen t insignifican t risk s (eve n chough ch e supporting background documene s d o no c addres s che risk s o f rado n fro mal l source s a s note d above)
. Productiono f Oi l an dGa s an

dGeotherma l Energ

y I n che produccio n o f oi l an d ga s an

d geocherma l energy , rado n i s brough e C o che lan

d surfac e i n waee r o r naCura l gas . Ho wmuc h o f chi s rado n escape s inc o che environmen c i s no c know n buc , base d o n comment s fromChevron , i t appear s cha t mor e Cha n a n R Q mayb e release d commonly
. N o dac a o r regulacorydeCerminacion s wic h respec c C o Ch e hazard s o f ches e rado n release s hav e bee n obcaine d s o far
. Thi s sourc e cacegoryha s no C bee n explicicl yscudie d unde r NESHAPs
. A s describe d previously , however , emission s fromsevera l oche r exeraceio n induscrie s (copper , zinc , clay , limesCone , fluorspar , aluminum , and lead ) hav e bee n scudie d b yOR P C o decermin e i f ehey warran e regulacio n unde r NESHAPs
. I n background documene s an d Federa l Regisee r nocice s supporcin g decision s no c C o regulac e emission s fromches e induscries , cher e ar e severa l statement s t o the effec t cha t thes e othe r extractio n industrie s ar e considere d t o hav e the greates t potentia l fo r ai r emission s o f radionuclides
. Therefore , i t i s implie d tha t radionuclid e emission s fro

mChe produccio n o f oil , gas , and geotherma l energ yar e eve n les s o f a concer n and woul d als o no c warran t regulacio n unde r NESHAPs
. Thi s lin e o f reasonin g coul d possibl yb e use d c o exemp t ches e rado n emission s fro mch e R Q reporcin g requiremencs
. Lan d Disturbanc e an dGenera l Lan

dUs e Activitie s Anyactivic ycha c involve s ch e discurbanc e o f che earch' s surfac e ca n resul c i n release s o f naCurall yoccurrin g radionuclide s c o che atmosphere
. Radon , becaus e i t i s a gas , i s expecte d t o b e emitte d i n the larges t quantities , an d anyactivic ydisturbin g a relativel ylarg e are a (e.g. , agricultura l and conscructio n accivicies ) wil l probabl yemi c mor e Cha n a n R Q o f rado n pe r day
. Alchoug h w e hav e no c foun d an yforma l regulacorydeCerminacion s cha c scac e suc h rado n release s wil l neve r b e a problem , w e believ e a scrong qualicaciv e argumen c ca n b e mad e fo r exempcin g ches e release s fro mch e RQ reporcin g requiremencs
. Specifically , che followin g poinc s argu e i n favo r o f a n exempcion :

o Whe n release d oucdoors , rado n mixe s wic h che larg e amoun c o f oucsid e ai r and i s widel y dispersed
. Radiacio n hazard s principall yaris e whe n rado n (an

d ic s decayproduces ) encer s a buildin g and concencrace s i n che indoo r air
. Rado n fromlan

d discurbanc e accivicie s wil l b e_E_J J

Memorandu

m November 2 , 196 7 Pag e 9

emicce

dinco ch

e ambienc air , wher e i c shoul d noC presenc a significanc hazard . Whil e rado

nrelease

dfro m lan ddiscurbanc e accivicie s coul dsee pinco nearb

y buildings , chi s seepage woul dprobabl y concribuc e negligibl y

c o ch e rado nalread

y presenc fro

m naCura l background . Radonemission s fro m lan ddiscurbanc e accivicie s generall y

are no c monicored , s o releaser s woul d probabl y

neve r kno

w whe nanRQ ha s bee n exceeded . Eve ni f ch e Naciona l Respons e Cence r receive da repor c o f suc

ha rado

nrelease , chere woul db e ver y liccl e e

o noehin

g cha c ch

e federa l governmenc coul dd

o inresponse . InChi s sense , report s o f rado

nrelease s fro

m lan ddiscurbanc e accivicie s coul dci e u pNaciona l Respons e Cence r resource s unnecessarily , prevenCin g cimel y response s c

o chos e release s chac crul y warran t a response .P.1 2 

# F T
Memorandu m Novembe r 2 , 198 7 Pag e 1 0

REFERENCE S

EPA , 1980
. Radiologica l Impac t Cause d b yEmission s o f Radionuclide s int o Ai r i n the Unite d State s - - PreliminaryReport . EPA520/7-79-006
. EPA , 1984
. Radionuclide s - - Background Informatio n Documen t fo r Fina l Rule , Volum e II . EPA520/1-84-022-2
. EPA , 1985
. Waste s fro mthe Extractio n an d Beneficiatio n o f Metalli c Ores , Phosphat e Rock , Asbestos , Overburde n fro mUraniu

mMining , an

d Oi l Shal e

- - Repor t t o Congress
. EPA/530-SW-85-033
.