ORAU TEAM

Dose Reconstruction

Project for NIOSH

Oak Ridge Associated Universities I Dade Moeller & Associates I MJW Corporation

Page 1 of 33

Document Title:

Chapman Valve Manufacturing Company, 

Indian Orchard, Massachusetts

Document Number: ORAUT-TKBS-0033

Revision: 02

Effective Date: 09/12/2008

Type of Document TBD

Supersedes: Revision 01

Subject Expert(s): Mark Rolfes, Patricia L. Lee, and Cindy W. Bloom

Site Expert(s): N/A

Approval: Signature on File Approval Date: 08/20/2008

Joseph S. Guido, Document Owner

Concurrence: Signature on File Concurrence Date: 08/20/2008

John M. Byrne, Task 3 Manager

Concurrence: Signature on File Concurrence Date: 08/21/2008

Edward F. Maher, Task 5 Manager

Concurrence: Signature on File Concurrence Date: 08/19/2008

Kate Kimpan, Project Director

Approval: Signature on File Approval Date: 09/12/2008

James W. Neton, Associate Director for Science

 New Total Rewrite Revision Page Change

FOR DOCUMENTS MARKED AS A TOTAL REWRITE, REVISION, OR PAGE CHANGE, REPLACE THE PRIOR 

REVISION AND DISCARD / DESTROY ALL COPIES OF THE PRIOR REVISION.
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 2 of 33

PUBLICATION RECORD

EFFECTIVE 

DATE

REVISION 

NUMBER DESCRIPTION

02/22/2005 00 Approved new technical basis document: Basis for the Development 

of an Exposure Matrix for Chapman Valve Manufacturing, Orchard, 

Massachusetts. Incorporates formal internal and NIOSH review 

comments. Also addresses new information. Extends assumed 

operational period from 12/31/1948 to 4/30/1949, which impacts the 

assigned intakes, and the 1949 external doses. Modified external 

dose table slightly. Notes the possibility of radiological work for Oak 

Ridge prior to 1948. Added reference for 1952 newspaper article. 

Modified wording regarding assumed intake dates and penetrating 

radiation energy assumption. Initiated by Patricia L. Lee.

10/16/2006 01 Approved Revision 01. Replaced boilerplate language in Section 

1.0. Added information from February 2005 Worker Outreach 

meeting. Added additional claim-supplied information. Added 

discussion supporting assumption of unenriched uranium. Added 

information regarding the use of a furnace/incinerator and provided a 

comparison of internal exposures to NUMEC incinerator operators 

with derived Chapman Valve exposures. Added information on the 

radiological safety program from a 1952 newspaper account. Added 

information regarding the month of the previously reported 1948 fire. 

Provided information developed for SEC petition evaluation report. 

Reanalyzed intake regimes as directed by OCAS using the largest of 

the 40 results not associated with the fire, 0.03 mg/L, for each 

sampling period to calculate a non-fire intake rate, and using the 

largest result associated with the fire, 0.08 mg/L, for the June 11, 

1948 result, and keeping the other results the same as for the nonfire scenario to calculate the fire-associated intake scenario. Both 

intake scenarios are directed to be constant distributions in IREP. 

Added a comparison of Chapman derived air concentrations with air 

concentrations measured at other facilities. Added figures showing 

location of chip burner and dust, debris and soil sampling.

Corrected two residual radioactivity external exposure values 

(increased rates by a factor of 2). Incorporated formal internal review 

comments, NIOSH and DOL comments. This revision results in an 

increase in assigned dose and a PER is required. Training required: 

As determined by the Task Manager. Initiated by Cindy W. Bloom.

09/12/2008 02 Approved revision to incorporate OCAS changes made by Mark 

Rolfes and update references. Incorporated new information: dates 

of uranium fires, period of operation, details of plant processes, 

facility layout, radiological control practices, and radiological 

monitoring results. Updated information on the date of the uranium 

fire resulted in changes in the internal exposure scenario. Added the 

Dean Street location to the facility description based on new 

information from the DOE. Constitutes a total rewrite of the 

document. Incorporates formal internal and NIOSH review 

comments. Training required: As determined by the Task Manager. 

Initiated by Joseph S. Guido.
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 3 of 33

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION TITLE

Acronyms and Abbreviations ...............................................................................................................

PAGE

5

1.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 6

2.0 Site Description and Operational History.................................................................................. 7

2.1 Site Description ............................................................................................................7

2.2 Source Term and Process Description .........................................................................8

2.2.1 Incinerator Information .................................................................................... 11

2.3 Safety.........................................................................................................................12

2.3.1 Air Concentrations .......................................................................................... 13

2.3.2 Contamination/Radiation................................................................................. 13

2.4 Incidents.....................................................................................................................13

2.5 Physical Examinations – X-rays..................................................................................15

2.6 Summary Operational Period Assumptions, Workdays, Work Hours, 

and Work Categories..................................................................................................15

2.7 Cleanup/Residual Contamination Period ....................................................................15

3.0 Estimation of Internal Exposure.............................................................................................. 16

3.1 Uranium......................................................................................................................16

3.1.1 Uranium Bioassay........................................................................................... 16

3.1.2 Uranium Air Sampling ..................................................................................... 17

3.2 Occupational Internal Dose Reconstruction Assumptions and 

Summary....................................................................................................................18

4.0 Estimation of External Exposure ............................................................................................ 19

4.1 Summary of Available Film Badge Data .....................................................................20

4.2 Occupationally Required Medical X-Ray.....................................................................21

4.3 Miscellaneous Information Related to External Dose..................................................22

4.4 Occupational External Dose Reconstruction Assumptions and 

Summary....................................................................................................................22

5.0 Estimation of Residual Exposure............................................................................................ 22

6.0 Attributions and Annotations .................................................................................................. 24

References ........................................................................................................................................ 25

ATTACHMENT A, CHAPMAN VALVE BUILDING LAYOUT AND SOME SAMPLING

 LOCATIONS...........................................................................................................29

ATTACHMENT B, COMPARISON OF AIR CONCENTRATIONS CALCULATED FOR

CHAPMAN VALVE AND AEC MACHINING AND GRINDING

OPERATIONS .....................................................................................................32
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 4 of 33

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE TITLE

2-1 Summary of reported radiological air conditions.....................................................................

PAGE

13

2-2 Summary of reported radiological surface contamination ....................................................... 14

3-1 Maximum coworker bioassay data used to estimate intakes .................................................. 17

3-2 Inhalation intakes based on coworker modeling ..................................................................... 17

3-3 Inhalation intake summary for operational period ................................................................... 19

4-1 Assigned film badge results ................................................................................................... 21

4-2 External exposure summary................................................................................................... 22

5-1 Radiation/radioactivity levels in August 1991.......................................................................... 22

5-2 Annual internal and external exposure to residual radioactivity .............................................. 24

B-1 Comparison of air concentrations calculated for Chapman Valve and AEC machining 

and grinding operations.......................................................................................................... 33

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE TITLE

2-1 Chapman Valve Manufacturing Company ................................................................................

PAGE

8

2-2 Layout of machine shop in Building 23.....................................................................................9

2-3 Incinerator..............................................................................................................................11

A-1 Chapman Valve floor plan provided at 2005 Worker Outreach Meeting ................................. 29

A-2 Locations of dust and debris samples collected in 1992 in or near Building 23....................... 30

A-3 Locations of verification samples collected in 1996 in Building 23.......................................... 31
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 5 of 33

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

AEC U.S. Atomic Energy Commission

AWE atomic weapons employer

cm centimeter

d day

dpm disintegrations per minute

DOE U.S. Department of Energy

EEOICPA Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000

ft foot

FUSRAP Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program

GM Geiger-Mueller

GSD geometric standard deviation

HASL Health and Safety Laboratory

hr hour

ICRP International Commission on Radiological Protection

in. inch

IREP Interactive RadioEpidemiological Program

keV kiloelectron-volt, 1,000 electron-volts

L liter

m meter

MDA minimum detectable activity

mg milligram

mR milliroentgen

mrad millirad

mrem millirem

NYDO New York Department of Operations

NYOO New York Operations Office

pCi picocurie

R roentgen

SF source and fissionable

U.S.C. United States Code

μg microgram

μR microroentgen

§ section or sections
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 6 of 33

1.0

Technical basis documents and site profile documents are not official determinations made by the 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) but are rather general working 

documents that provide historic background information and guidance to assist in the preparation of 

dose reconstructions at particular sites or categories of sites. They will be revised in the event 

additional relevant information is obtained about the affected site(s). These documents may be used 

to assist NIOSH staff in the completion of the individual work required for each dose reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION

In this document the word “facility” is used as a general term for an area, building, or group of 

buildings that served a specific purpose at a site. It does not necessarily connote an “atomic weapons 

employer [AWE] facility” or a “Department of Energy [DOE] facility” as defined in the Energy 

Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 [EEOICPA; 42 U.S.C. § 7384I(5) 

and (12)]. EEOICPA, as amended, provides for employees who worked at an AWE facility during the 

contract period and/or during the residual period.

Under EEOICPA, employment at an AWE facility is categorized as either (1) during the DOE contract 

period (i.e., when the AWE was processing or producing material that emitted radiation and was used 

in the production of an atomic weapon), or (2) during the residual contamination period (i.e., periods 

that NIOSH has determined there is the potential for significant residual contamination after the period 

in which weapons-related production occurred). For contract period employment, all occupationally 

derived radiation exposures at covered facilities must be included in dose reconstructions. This 

includes radiation exposure related to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program and any radiation 

exposure received from the production of commercial radioactive products that were concurrently 

manufactured by the AWE facility during the covered period. NIOSH does not consider the following 

exposures to be occupationally derived (NIOSH 2007):

• Background radiation, including radiation from naturally occurring radon present in 

conventional structures

• Radiation from X-rays received in the diagnosis of injuries or illnesses or for therapeutic 

reasons

For employment during the residual contamination period, only the radiation exposures defined in 42 

U.S.C. § 7384n(c)(4) [i.e., radiation doses received from DOE-related work] must be included in dose 

reconstructions. Doses from medical X-rays are not reconstructed during the residual contamination 

period (NIOSH 2007). It should be noted that under subparagraph A of 42 U.S.C. § 7384n(c)(4), 

radiation associated with the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program is specifically excluded from the 

employee’s radiation dose. This exclusion only applies to those AWE employees who worked during 

the residual contamination period. Also, under subparagraph B of 42 U.S.C. § 7384n(c)(4), radiation 

from a source not covered by subparagraph A that is not distinguishable through reliable 

documentation from radiation that is covered by subparagraph A is considered part of the employee’s 

radiation dose. This site profile covers only exposures resulting from nuclear weapons-related work. 

Exposures resulting from non-weapons-related work, if applicable, will be covered elsewhere.

This site profile provides an exposure matrix for workers at the facility listed as Chapman Valve 

Manufacturing Company in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts. Chapman Valve was a manufacturer of 

nonradioactive valves and manifolds, some of which were purchased by the Federal government. In 

1948, Chapman Valve machined uranium rods for Brookhaven National Laboratory. In 1959, 

Chapman Valve was purchased by the Crane Company.
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 7 of 33

Section 2.0 of this document describes the Chapman Valve site and its history, including some 

information about the radiological processes and source terms as well as the radiological controls and 

monitoring practices. Sections 3.0 and 4.0 discuss internal and external dose, respectively. Section 

5.0 provides information for use in reconstructing dose during the residual period.

2.0

The information that follows supports an assumed period of AEC operations at Chapman Valve from 

January 1, 1948 through December 31, 1948 involving AEC-contracted uranium work. This analysis 

assumed that the residual contamination period extended from January 1, 1949 through December 

31, 1993. Exposures during the decontamination period in 1994 and 1995 are not addressed.

SITE DESCRIPTION AND OPERATIONAL HISTORY

A 1952 newspaper article (Springfield Union News ca. 1952) stated that a small group of Chapman 

Valve employees might have been involved in work with radioactive materials for Oak Ridge prior to

1948. Subsequent review by the NIOSH team and the Department of Energy has identified contracts 

between the Manhattan Engineering District and Chapman for the supply of components used at the 

Y-12 facility during the war period (DOE 2007, Padonsky 2008). These activities involved the 

Chapman Valve “Dean Street” facility. No evidence of radioactive materials use was identified as 

being associated with these activities. In conclusion, DOE noted “DOE recognizes the Chapman 

Valve building located at Dean Street as part of the parent Indian Orchard facility and not a distinct 

and separate facility. DOE has updated the DOE Facility List database to specify that the Dean 

Street building was part of the main facility.” The Chapman Valve radiological source term consisted 

primarily of natural uranium metal, uranium oxides, and natural uranium’s short-lived progeny. Longlived progeny in the uranium series prevent significant ingrowth past 234U in the 238U decay series and 

beyond 231Th in the 235U decay series.

2.1 SITE DESCRIPTION

The Chapman Valve main office and works were located on Hampshire Street in Indian Orchard, 

Massachusetts. Uranium shipments were made to Oak Street and claims refer to uranium operations 

in the building on Pine Vale Street, which this document assumes to be Building 23. Figure 2-1 

shows the location of Building 23 on the site.

A former employee recalls that in 1947 Chapman Valve set aside approximately one-third of 

Department No. 40 at the Chapman Valve site for the machining of uranium rods for Brookhaven 

National Laboratory (Fiore 1987, Attachment). It is not clear that the Department No. 40 designation 

would be an indicator of whether or not someone worked in the restricted area of Building 23. The 

“set aside” portion of the building measured approximately 96 ft by 70 ft and greater than 50 ft high. 

The area was separated from the remainder of the building by a floor-to-ceiling wooden partition, 

which has since been removed. Although there is no definitive statement regarding where the 

restricted area was in the building, based on later radiological surveys, it is likely that it was located in 

the western portion of the building. The building that contained the uranium operations has been 

vacant since Crane discontinued all manufacturing at Indian Orchard early in 1987.

The layout of the uranium processing area is shown in Figure 2-2. Access to the building was through 

the guard office into a ‘street clothes’ locker room, dining room, and then change house (wash room). 

Doors between the guard’s office and street clothes locker room, between the street clothes locker 

room and lunch room, and between the lunch room and wash room were controlled from the guard’s

office. Operating personnel were required to remove street clothes and change into coveralls prior to 

entering the process area. Visitors were allowed to wear their street clothes in the process area, but 

were required to wear a coat, hat and shoe covers. Operating personnel were required to remove 
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 8 of 33

Figure 2-1. Chapman Valve Manufacturing Company (ORNL 1997).

their coveralls prior to entering the lunchroom and don a clean coat (Kemmer 1949). All operating 

personnel were required to take a shower prior to leaving for the day.

2.2 SOURCE TERM AND PROCESS DESCRIPTION 

Under contract with Brookhaven National Laboratory, Chapman Valve machined natural uranium 

metal slugs for the Brookhaven National Laboratory Nuclear Reactor. The contract called for 110 tons 

of finished uranium slugs; 112 tons of slugs were actually produced (Kemmer 1949). 

The AEC Medical Director from the New York office (Wolf 1947) stated: “On November 24 [1947], a 

conference was held with Chapman Valve and Ferguson personnel as a result of which a complete 

set of health and safety recommendations were made a few days later in writing. Chapman is 

planning to undertake work involving the machining of uranium.” The contract work was initiated with 

a letter of intent dated November 27, 1947 and machining was completed October 7, 1948 (Kemmer 

1949, Mahaffey 1952).

Twenty-six tons of uranium rods were sent on January 9, 1948 to the Chapman Valve Oak Street 

facility (Fiore 1987). There is a single report (LeVine 1948) of three radioactive dust samples dated 

March 19, 1948, but production-scale (versus trial run) machining may not have started until May 

1948, as indicated in an attachment to the Fiore (1987) letter. In January 1948, Wolf (1948a) begins 
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 9 of 33

Figure 2-2. Layout of machine shop in Building 23 (Kemmer, 1949). 

the notation regarding Chapman Valve with the words “A survey of proposed uranium machining 

operation” indicating that the facility was not machining large quantities of uranium. Kemmer et al. 

(1949) indicates that an experimental run of 200 slugs was completed on April 5, 1948. In May 1948, 

Wolf (1948b) stated “Health and safety preparations at the Chapman Valve plant in Indian Orchard, 

Mass. for the proposed machining operation were investigated by the Radiation Survey and Safety 

Sections,” indicating the facility had not begun production machining as of May 6, 1948. By June 1, 

1948, 9% of the uranium had been put into the machining process; 90% of the uranium metal slugs 

were produced in the last four months of the contract (June 1948 and October 7, 1948) (Kemmer 

1949).

An inventory form (Morgan 1948, 1949) indicated that the beginning inventory in January 1948 was 

about 48 [pounds] of “SF Material” (source and fissionable material, assumed to be uranium). From 

January to July 1948, documentation indicated that about 141,200 pounds of SF material were 

received and about 42,600 pounds in the form of slugs and turnings were shipped off site. Because 

that same inventory form was attached to Morgan’s (1949) letter, it was unclear if another shipment of 

SF was made. 

Uranium rods were brought to the facility by railroad on a track immediately adjacent to the building. 

Rods were straightened, cut by mechanical saw and then machined to the desired shape. The cut 

slugs were subsequently heat treated and then finished on a centerless grinder. Additional milling 

work (finishing of the ends and milling of a full length slot) was also conducted. The slugs were 

degreased and given a final heat treatment prior to final inspection and packaging. 
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 10 of 33

Records regarding the Chapman Valve AEC machining work indicate the uranium was of normal 

enrichment (normal enrichment is about 0.72% U-235 weight). Chapman Valve uranium processing 

was related to reactor needs, and the use of enriched uranium in reactors was rare until 1950. The 

Chapman Valve contract with Brookhaven National Laboratory was to machine uranium for reactor 

pile, which was likely the Brookhaven Graphite Research Reactor. This breeder reactor first went 

critical in 1950 and was initially loaded with natural uranium (BNL 2006).

Chapman Valve participants in the February 2005 Worker Outreach Program meeting noted a 

contamination result of 2.16% enriched uranium was reported in later years (ORAUT 2005a). The 

location of the enriched uranium sample (sample M31 as shown in Attachment A) was at the junction 

of the wall, floor and north side of the ramp. A subsequent inquiry on the nature of the analysis 

conducted confirms that the sample was most likely analyzed by mass spectroscopy, and as such is 

likely to have a relatively low associated uncertainty (Foley 2008). Subsequent research has failed to 

identify a source of this material during the operational period. All likely sources postulated (Foley 

2008) involve activities conducted outside the current operational period. Given that there are no 

other data to indicate that the uranium processed at Chapman Valve was enriched, and that enriched 

uranium was not typically sent to non-government-controlled sites without extra precautions, it is 

concluded that this single 1992 sample result is not evidence of enriched uranium work at Chapman 

Valve in 1948.

Crane Company (Young 1987, Enclosure 1) noted, “One AEC memorandum, William to Kelly, date 

illegible, indicates that Chapman Valve may also have conducted rolling operations on uranium 

metal.” A review of available references (the William memorandum was not available) and claimantprovided information does not indicate that Chapman Valve ever rolled uranium rods. An October 

1948 New York Directed Operations report (AEC 1948a) does not include Chapman Valve in the 

mentioned uranium rolling sites. Furthermore, uranium metal rolling is not listed as one of the 

individual operations detailed in Kemmer (1949).

In July 1992, ORNL (1992) states:

After contract work was completed, Chapman Valve had in their possession over 

27,000 pounds of metal scrap, oxides, and sweepings. Termination of these 

operations is indicated in a Chapman Valve letter dated November 8, 1948, which 

requested termination of AEC film badge services. All radioactive residues and 

contaminated materials were surveyed by Brookhaven Medical Group and shipped offsite. The actual shipment date is unknown, but the shipment probably took place in 

December 1948.

This offsite shipment date appears to be based on a Crane Company letter, which noted that there 

was correspondence that indicated that all radioactive residues and contaminated material were 

shipped off site in December 1948. Another note indicates that the 27,000 pounds of metal scrap, 

oxides, sweepings, etc. were shipped off site several months after the contract was complete. 

Morgan (1949) is unclear regarding whether another shipment of SF material would be made after 

January 25, 1949. ORNL (1992) and an enclosure to Fiore (1987) state that Chapman Valve had in 

its possession over 27,000 pounds of metal scrap, oxides, sweeping, etc., for several months beyond 

completion of the contract. Both documents refer to a Chapman Valve letter dated November 8, 

1948, that requested termination of AEC film badge services and indicated that all radioactive 

residues were surveyed by the Brookhaven Medical Group and shipped off site in December 1948. 

An Electro Metallurgical (1949) weekly production report for April 1 to 30, 1949, mentioned about 

28,000 pounds of metal received from Chapman Valve, which indicated that the final shipment would 

have been no later than April 30, 1949.
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 11 of 33

It was noted that 100 film badges were needed for the film badge program (Musgrave 1948). The film 

badge records show that workers were employed by Chapman Valve, H. K. Ferguson, or Brookhaven 

National Laboratories. The records indicate that at least for one week in May, two shifts may have 

been involved in the AEC work (AEC 1948b), by the end of the operations period, the facility was 

operating three shifts (Kemmer 1949). The available bioassay records include 37 names. Job 

categories noted in the records included supervisory personnel (electrician, heat treater, steamfitting 

and plumbing, machine shop and maintenance, inspector, guard, personnel), engineer, guards, 

inspectors, trades (electrician, machine repair, master mechanic, milling machine operator, steamfitter 

and turret lathe operator), helpers (janitor, weigher, not specified), and several assistants to the 

director of research. The external dose data sheets also list jobs such as brushing and packer. A 

quick review of claim information indicates that job titles listed in the claims might not always be 

consistent with the job titles held in 1948.

Area access controls were in place at Chapman Valve, but these controls are not clearly associated 

with job categories. Rather, they were an issue of both security and contamination control. A May 26, 

1948, handwritten, two-page, “Plant Protection” list might indicate the number of hours in a week that 

workers were in the AEC work area (AEC 1948b, pp. 155–157). The reported number of hours 

ranged from zero to 58; the majority of entries were less than 40 hours. Eleven entries were greater 

than 40 hours. Similar lists including dates from May 3, 1948, through the week of May 19, indicate 

that these lists show the number of times and the number of hours a [film] badge was worn.

This document assumes that workers might have been exposed to uranium for up to 8 hours per day, 

250 days per year, although it appears likely that uranium work was not in full swing until May 1948 

and was essentially over in November 1948.

2.2.1

A furnace was used during the 1948 AEC operations for 

oxidizing uranium chips, fines, and other scraps to reduce the 

risk of uranium fires during storage and shipping (Kemmer 

1949). The Chapman Valve Final Remedial Action Report 

(Robbins 1996) and the February 14, 2005, Chapman Valve 

Worker Outreach Program meeting discussion included the 

terms chip incinerator, chip burner, and cracking furnace

(ORAUT 2005a). The incinerator was located on the west end 

of the building, adjacent to an outside wall and connected to a 

separator and rotary fan which were located outside the 

building in an adjacent lean-to building (Kemmer, 1949). The 

discharge point of the incinerator was located approximately 20 

feet above the building floor level (Kemmer 1949). On the map 

(Author unknown ca. 1996) provided at the meeting and shown 

in Figure A-1, a location for a chip burner is marked in the west 

side of Building 23 in an area consistent with the AEC restricted 

area. At what appears to be a similar location (see Figure A-2), 

ORNL (1992) reported elevated contamination near a window. 

Robbins (1996) reported contamination was found in the area 

“where a chip burner was located in the southwest corner of 

Grid A-1 [of Building 23] that exhausted to the atmosphere out a 

nearby window. The exhaust location and the shape of the roof 

of the building would lead to the deposition of more 

contamination on the south roof than the north roof as indicated by characterization measurements.” 

Incinerator Information 

Figure 2-3. Incinerator (Kemmer, 

1949).
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 12 of 33

On May 4, 1948, the AEC (1948c) made air concentration measurements at the furnace outlet on the 

roof and on the roof 4 feet from the outlet.

2.3 SAFETY 

An affidavit from a former Chapman Valve employee describes some of the radiological safety 

controls (Redacted 1987, Attachment 1). Workers would remove their clothes and don white coveralls 

prior to entering the uranium manufacturing area. Workers wore dosimeters on their uniforms. 

Inspectors would pass through the site carrying Geiger counters. At the completion of a day’s work, 

the employees would return to the dressing room and remove their white coveralls. Each employee 

was then required to take a shower as a safety measure. The floors were swept every night. Cuttings 

from the machining process were stored in drums and disposed of periodically by Brookhaven. A 

later description of activities by this former tin shop employee (Claim File [redacted], DOL Initial Case

[redacted].pdf, p. 31-32), noted that he “entered the work area to perform jobs... which consisted of 

taking measurements of splash guards, chip deflectors, suction systems, holding pans or [taking 

measurements of] anything else required. We then returned to our shop, performed our layouts and 

fabricate[d] these articles (some took a week) returned ASAP to install in place. Periodically we had 

to clean the main suction system, which we had installed, as it was highly susceptible to catching fire, 

it did on occasion (it’s a matter of record). [My assistant] and I were never required (to my knowlede 

[sic]) to put on a uniform, probably because of the short time spent on site. The long jobs wer [sic] 

done on weekends when the operation was down.”

A 1952 newspaper article (Springfield Union News ca. 1952) included the following description of the

radiation protection program:

Workers in this location were fully protected by means of special clothing and entered 

the workshop only through a labyrinth entrance into a specially constructed room 

where they changed their street clothes for the special uniforms. Each worker was 

equipped with a badge which he wore on his chest at all times while at work. These 

badges contained a sensitive film, which was frequently developed to reveal if the 

worker had received any dangerous radiation and also the degree of absorption. 

Geiger-Muller and other sensitive instruments kept a close check on the safety of 

workers in areas where radiation was most likely to occur. Many of the key personnel, 

who were in and out, carried a fountain-pen-like instrument known as a minometer 

[type of personal direct reading dosimeter], which was checked daily as an infallible 

safety precaution. 

Eisenbud (1948) indicated that employees could use the lunchroom for snacks or smoking provided 

the hands and face were thoroughly washed and clean laboratory coats and shoe covers were worn 

over protective clothing. His requirement that the lunchroom be surveyed and decontaminated, if 

contamination was detected, implies the expectation that these procedures might not eliminate the 

spread of contamination to the lunchroom and the locker room. Records of surface contamination 

surveys in these areas have not been located. Uranium air concentration measurements indicate 

elevated activity in the lunch and wash rooms.

The health physics guidelines established for the uranium machining operations at Chapman Valve 

required personnel entering the radiation area to wear a film badge, protective clothing, leather 

gloves, shoe covers, and to shower at the completion of the shift. Eating, smoking, and/or drinking in 

the process area were strictly forbidden. These regulations and procedures were developed to 

ensure maximum safety for all employees involved in the operation. A detailed series of health 
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 13 of 33

physics reports, policies, precautions, procedures, and other health and safety measures can be 

found in Kemmer (1949).

2.3.1

During World War II, permissible levels for uranium dust in air were set at 500 μg/m3 for insoluble 

uranium compounds and 150 μg/m3 for soluble uranium compounds. After the war, the University of 

Rochester lowered its recommendation for soluble uranium compounds to 50 μg/m3 based on the 

chemical toxicity, which for natural uranium is equivalent to 70 dpm/m3

. This level was based 

primarily on animal studies. The Medical Division of the AEC New York Operations Office (NYOO) 

felt that a maximum permissible level was unknown and should be based on human data. Therefore, 

the 50 μg/m3 level was referred to as the preferred level (AEC 1949).

Air Concentrations 

Summary reports on radiological conditions, published June 28, July 13, August 12, and September 

17 (all in 1948) are available (Kemmer 1949) and are summarized in Table 2-1, below. Additionally, a 

January 17, 1949 summary of decontamination proceedings noted that although the May fire caused 

“extensive contamination”, decontamination of accessible areas was completed on the same day and 

“frequent air samples in the months after fire indicated that the material on the superstructure was not 

causing contamination in the air of the shop” (Kemmer 1949).

Table 2-1. Summary of reported radiological air conditions.

6/28/48 7/13/48 8/12/48 9/17/48

Air samples in shop show 

no detectable 

contamination

Three air samples in shop 

demonstrate that the air is 

'non-contaminated', one 

sample shows a small count, 

but it is well below tolerance

Air samples in shop 

indicate air is 'noncontaminated'

Air samples in shop and 

vault are background in 

all but one case, which 

was 3 cpm above 

background

Grinder exhaust shows no 

contamination, air samples 

on roof 40 dpm/m3 at 12 ft 

and 120 dpm/m3 at 20 feet 

(alpha)

Air sample on incinerator 

roof shows only background

Air samples in vault 

indicate some 

contamination

2.3.2

Summary reports on radiological conditions, published June 28, July 13, August 12, and September 

17 (all in 1948) are available (Kemmer 1949) and are summarized in Table 2-2, below. Radiation 

surveys documented in these same reports indicate general shop dose rates of 0.5 mrep/hr 

(beta+gamma) and 0.2 mR/hr (gamma only). Radiation levels on stockpiled materials in the shop 

area were noted as 7 mR/hr (gamma) and 11 mrep/hr (beta + gamma). Radiation levels in the 

storage vault were recorded as 20 – 25 mrep/hr (beta + gamma). 

Contamination/Radiation

2.4 INCIDENTS 

Chapman Valve (Fox 1949) notes, “A fire occurred in the restricted area of the AEC project and on 

June 11th [1948] urine for analyses... was sent to the School of Medicine and Dentistry of Rochester 

New York.” Collection of urine samples from the workers who put out the fire and from cleanup 

personnel suggests that the uranium was involved in the fire. Correspondence from C.R.E. Merkel, 

Jr. to T.P. Musgrave documents the date of a fire incident at Chapman Valve on May 23, 1948. The 

fire resulted from the spontaneous ignition of uranium grindings from the centerless grinder. A bucket 

containing the uranium grindings was left for 2 days, allowing the water in the bucket to partially 

evaporate, and expose the fine uranium to air. A second fire occurred in an attempt to spot weld a 
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 14 of 33

Table 2-2. Summary of reported radiological surface contamination. 

6/28/48 7/13/48 8/12/48 9/17/48

Floor contamination 

'evident' in shop and 

'detectable' in washroom, 

'as expected'

Contamination in shop 

area is holding steady 

and in some places is 

down (around 

conomatic).

Contamination in shop is 

constant

No changes, except 

direct beta/gamma on 

lunch room tables are 

35–40 dpm.

Shop contamination is 

near incinerator, 

conomatic and grinder

Contamination level in 

washroom is less than in 

shop

Alpha is 150 dpm Low level floor 

contamination (same 

magnitude as lunch 

room) present throughout 

the lunch room, dressing 

room, and guard office.

No contamination in 

lunchroom, dressing 

room or guard room

Lunch room is free of 

contamination

Some contamination on 

lunch room floor (below 

tolerance)

Material backing up in 

shower room is 'quite 

contaminated'

Incinerator exhaust 

contaminating roof (1500 

cpm beta near pipe and 

60 cpm 25 feet away; 

removable)

Contamination on 

incinerator roof is 

increasing

Some contamination 

inside guard room and 

near door to shop but 

below tolerance

Average alpha in shop is 

300 dpm

Maximum alpha in shop 

is 100–150 dpm. 750 

dpm near incinerator. 

350 near conomatic and 

grinder

Average alpha in 

washroom is 150 dpm

Washroom shows avg 

75–100 dpm alpha

cover on a 10 gallon steel can filled with oil coated uranium turnings. The cover was removed and 

easily extinguished with flaked graphite. Both fires were minor, although the first fire was responsible 

for contaminating the shop area and superstructure (Kemmer 1949). The second fire occurred on 

May 31, 1948 as indicated in a handwritten note on a memorandum titled, “Visit to Chapman Valve 

Company, Indian Orchard, Massachusetts” (Martin 1948). In order to minimize the risk of future fires 

at Chapman Valve, uranium grindings were cleaned from the machines and incinerated twice weekly 

(Kemmer 1949). 

The Chapman Valve Special Exposure Cohort petition stated that documentation at other facilities 

shows that uranium fires are prevalent in uranium milling/lathing operations due to the fact that 

uranium is a pyrophoric material (ORAUT 2006). Although fires were not rare at uranium metal 

processing sites in the early days of Manhattan Engineer District and AEC operations, more rigorous 

controls were being employed to prevent fires, as seems to be the case at Chapman Valve after the 

May fires. One claimant noted his job was to clean the suction system to reduce the possibility for 

fires (Claim File [redacted], DOL Initial Case [redacted].pdf, p. 31-32). No other claims were found 

that mentioned fire. A comment from the February 14, 2005 Worker Outreach Program meeting 

(ORAUT 2005a) noted, “If they were machining uranium on the lathe, there would have been heat and 

fire.” Based on general knowledge of uranium metal operations during this early period, it is 

conceivable that one or more additional small fires occurred. Such fires if they occurred were 

probably controlled by the local workforce.
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 15 of 33

2.5 PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS – X-RAYS 

No information regarding AEC-required physical examinations for Chapman Valve employees has 

been located.

2.6 SUMMARY OPERATIONAL PERIOD ASSUMPTIONS, WORKDAYS, WORK HOURS, 

AND WORK CATEGORIES 

Because bioassay data and film badge data were used to estimate internal and external exposures 

during the AEC uranium operations, an estimate of workdays or work-hours per year is not important.

For later years, it was assumed that workers worked 8 hours per day for 50 weeks per year, for a total 

of 2000 hours per year.

While different tasks resulted in differences in exposures, it is evident from the records that workers 

did not always perform the same tasks. Exposure assignments are based on data that are suggestive 

of workers’ exposures and further modified by uncertainty parameters, when appropriate, to ensure

that the reconstructed dose distributions capture the larger exposures. No attempt has been made to 

sort workers into exposure categories. Depending on the organ of interest and the ancillary data 

associated with a specific claim, additional considerations might be appropriate.

2.7 CLEANUP/RESIDUAL CONTAMINATION PERIOD 

A former tin shop employee (Claim File [redacted], DOL Initial Case [redacted].pdf, p. 31-32) recalled 

disassembling all sheet metal fabrications at the end of operations and removing them to another area 

for disposal. He also stated that he helped with “washing down the wall and the entire Dept., 

including removal of the floor bricks, (contrary to some who said they were never removed) removing 

6” of concrete flooring with re-enforced wiring and hauling away for proper disposal.” He further noted 

that the Carpenter shop installed new concrete and flooring in the area, and that he worked in 

Welding and Fabrication, which was in that same area from 1966 to January 1, 1983.

Crane discontinued plant operations in June 1986 and was in the process of closing down the plant 

for sale as of August 1987 (Young 1987). ORNL (1992, 1997) stated, “The building that contained the 

uranium operations has been vacant since Crane discontinued all manufacturing at Indian Orchard in 

1987.” However, information in the claim files ([redacted]) indicates that the building was not closed 

until February 22, 1991, or later. This document assumes that residual exposures occurred from 

January 1, 1949 through December 31, 1993. Site decontamination took place in 1994 and 1995. 

This period of exposure is not addressed in this document.

Appendix C of the Machining of Uranium for Brookhaven Reactor details the decontamination 

proceedings of the Chapman Valve facility following the completion of the uranium slug production 

operation during the last week of September and first week of October 1948. A Brookhaven National 

Laboratory health physicist surveyed the building area and machines in preparation for 

decontamination. Working criteria for decontamination were established at 500 dpm alpha direct 

measurement with a Zeuto, and 300 dpm alpha removable per 100 cm2 as measured with an end 

window GM tube. Health physics precautions established during the production period were carried 

over into the decontamination operations. Dust masks were worn by personnel involved in operations 

offering potential exposures to airborne radioactivity.

The highest levels of measured uranium contamination were those found in a 50 square foot area of 

the incinerator roof near the exhaust chimney. Initial contamination levels exceeded 60,000 dpm/100 
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 16 of 33

cm2 via direct measurement with the Zeuto alpha meter. The vacuuming of the roof, followed by the 

removal of gravel and tar paper revealed contamination of the wood roof sheathing ranging from 

18,000 to 23,000 dpm of primarily fixed uranium oxide. Activity measured on other areas of this roof 

ranged from 700 to 2,200 dpm. After all work had been completed on the roof, the radiation level was 

less than 200 dpm/100 cm2 (Kemmer 1949).

3.0

The primary source of internal radiation exposure at Chapman Valve was uranium dust produced from 

the manipulation and oxidation of the metals during machining and related processes. The form of 

the material available for exposure would be to uranium oxide. The uranium metal processed for the 

Brookhaven reactor was of natural enrichment (Kemmer 1949). Recycled uranium did not enter 

process streams until 1952, so no recycled uranium would have been processed at Chapman Valve. 

ESTIMATION OF INTERNAL EXPOSURE

3.1 URANIUM

Human and animal studies have indicated that oxides of uranium can be very insoluble (ICRP 1995), 

indicating absorption type S (0.1% and 99.9% with clearance half-times on the order of 10 minutes 

and 7,000 days, respectively). Other in vitro dissolution studies of compounds found at uranium 

facilities have shown that oxides of uranium exhibit moderate solubility (Eidson 1994; Heffernan et al. 

2001) suggesting absorption type M (10% and 90% with clearance half-times on the order of 10 

minutes and 140 days, respectively). In vitro dissolution tests on oxides produced from uranium metal 

during depleted uranium armor penetrator tests have indicated multicomponent dissolution rates, with 

25% of uranium dissolving with a half-time of less than or equal to 0.14 days and 75% dissolving with 

a half-time of 180 days. Because there was no specific information on the solubility of aerosols 

produced during operations, this analysis assumed that both types M and S were available. The 

selection of absorption type should depend on the organ of interest.

3.1.1

Individual uranium urinalysis data are available for some workers at Chapman Valve. Results less 

than 0.01 mg/L were reported as zero. A note on a sheet of uranium results (Author unknown 1948) 

states, “The uranium content of those samples listed as containing less than 0.01 mg U/l is below the 

limit for reliable determination by the photofluorometric method.” The urinalyses range from <0.01 to 

0.08 mg/L. For unmonitored workers or unmonitored periods, this document analyzes the bioassay 

results to provide estimates of coworkers’ uranium intakes.

Uranium Bioassay

A total of 40 uranium urinalysis results are available for Chapman Valve employees. The first 

available bioassay samples, dated June 11, 1948, were analyzed by the School of Medicine and 

Dentistry of Rochester, New York (Fox 1949) and were collected because of a fire involving uranium, 

which occurred on May 23, 1948. Two workers who put out the fire had results of <0.01 mg/L. The 

five workers, who were involved in the subsequent cleanup, had results ranging from 0.01 mg/L to 

0.08 mg/L. Only two of the workers involved in putting out the fire or in the associated cleanup had 

later results. Bioassay results were also available for urine samples collected on July 26-27, 

September 8-9 and October 7 of 1948 from 22, 6 and 5 workers, respectively.

To calculate the intake not associated with the fire, the largest of the 40 results not associated with 

the fire, 0.03 mg/L, was assigned to each sampling period. To calculate intakes that include the fire 

scenario, the largest result associated with the fire, 0.08 mg/L, was used for the June 11, 1948 result. 

The daily uranium excretion in urine was calculated by multiplying the results in mg/L by the specific 

activity of natural uranium (682.96 pCi/mg) and by reference man’s daily urine output (1.4 L/day) 
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 17 of 33

(ICRP 1975). Table 3-1 shows the bioassay values used to estimate upper bound inhalation intakes 

based on an acute exposure on May 23, 1948 and a chronic exposure from January 1, 1948 to 

December 31, 1948. 

Table 3-1. Maximum coworker bioassay data used to 

estimate intakes. 

Bioassay date

Fire scenario 

(pCi/day)

Non fire scenario 

(pCi/day)

6/11/1948 76.5 28.7

7/27/1948 28.7 28.7

9/8/1948 28.7 28.7

10/7/1948 28.7 28.7

When intakes are estimated from bioassay data, the mode of intake is usually assumed to be 

inhalation, unless there is information that indicates that other modes of intake are more likely. When 

using bioassay data, the inhalation intake model assumes that some of the intake behaves as 

ingested material. 

The intake from the May 23, 1948 fire might have occurred over several days, but it was assumed to 

be an acute intake when fitting the data in order to simplify assumptions. The intakes were calculated 

with IMBA ExpertTM ORAUT-Edition, Version 4.0.9, assuming an absolute uniform relative error of 0.3

and a normal error distribution. When assessing a potential acute intake associated with the second 

fire (May 31, 1948), the total overall intake was reduced; therefore, a second acute fire intake was not 

considered in the coworker model, as this would have resulted in a lower assigned internal dose. 

Table 3-2. Inhalation intakes based on coworker modeling. 

Scenario

Absorption 

type

Chronic

1/1/1948 to 12/31/1948

(pCi/d)

Acute 5/23/1948

(pCi) Total (pCi)

U machining and fire M 2.02E+02 1.47E+05 2.21E+05

U machining and fire S 1.76E+03 6.13E+06 6.77E+06

U machining M 4.96E+02 Not applicable 1.82E+05

U machining S 1.49E+04 Not applicable 5.45E+06

The Chapman Valve chronic inhalation rates for 1948 through December 31, 1948 in Table 3-2 are

higher than the types M and S median Y-12 coworker inhalation intake rates for the period 1947 

through 1952 (ORAUT 2005b). The intake scenarios to be used for Chapman Valve dose 

reconstruction are summarized in Table 3-3.

3.1.2

The AEC provided analyses for air samples collected on May 4 and 24, 1948 at Chapman Valve (AEC 

1948c, d). The results from May 4 (AEC 1948c) are measurements of the effluent from the furnace 

outlet on the roof and are not appropriate for determining worker doses (it is unlikely that any worker 

spent significant time 4 ft from a rooftop furnace outlet). The results from May 24, 1948 (AEC 1948d) 

are 10-minute grab samples listed as “Inspection Bench, Packing Bench, Work Bench, Wash Room 

and Lunch Room.” Initially, it was unclear why these samples were taken and how they related to 

worker activities in the uranium machine shop; however, it is now known that these samples were 

taken on the day after the May 23, 1948 fire involving uranium chips (Kemmer 1949), likely during 

clean up of oxide contamination generated by the fire. The maximum air sample result reported was

29.1 dpm alpha/m3 measured at the workbench. Because there are more bioassay than air sample 

results and the bioassay results are spread throughout the work year and are likely to be a better 

Uranium Air Sampling
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 18 of 33

indicator of worker exposures, especially during the production period, the air sample data were not 

used to calculate intakes at Chapman Valve. Furthermore, bioassay data from the individuals that 

were involved with extinguishing the fire and subsequent clean up were reported on June 11, 1948. 

The highest fire bioassay result was chosen for the coworker model in order to estimate an acute 

intake from material released during the fire, in addition to the chronic intake incurred over the entire 

production time period. The use of the highest fire bioassay datum in the NIOSH model results in an 

intake that exceeds the intake reconstructed from the highest air sample result (126 pCi, assuming an 

8 hr exposure period and 1.2 m3

/hr breathing rate), and therefore, is favorable to Chapman Valve 

claimants.

During the February 14, 2005, Worker Outreach meeting, attendees provided air concentrations and 

bioassay data collected from workers involved in 1966 and 1967 NUMEC incinerator operations. The 

incinerator operation was referred to as “primitive” by NUMEC (Schnell and Caldwell 1967), and was 

thought to be perhaps a comparable operation to that at Chapman Valve. Although NUMEC appears 

to have handled greater quantities and higher enrichments of uranium, and 1960s NUMEC operations 

might have been quite different from the 1948 Chapman Valve work, comparisons can be made. The 

average breathing zone concentration at different NUMEC locations ranged from 848 to 6,666 pCi/m3

(these could be a factor of 2 to 100 lower when normalized for the difference in specific activity 

between the NUMEC and Chapman Valve uranium enrichments); these compare with calculated 

exposures (not considering the fire scenario) of 76 to 2,272 pCi/m3 derived from Chapman Valve 

coworker bioassay results. The bioassay data for workers in the incinerator area at NUMEC were 

also available in the provided report and these, too, were considered. The 1966 and 1967 NUMEC 

incinerator operators’ uranium urinalysis results (Schnell and Caldwell 1967) were based on activity 

measurement and because NUMEC handled a variety of uranium enrichments this is considered in 

the comparisons. The NUMEC incinerator operators’ urinalyses in terms of mass concentrations 

would have ranged from 37 to 68 μg/L for normal uranium, 16 to 29 μg/L for 2% enriched uranium, 

and 0.24 to 0.45 μg/L for 93.5% enriched uranium. Bioassay results at Chapman Valve ranged from 

<10 μg/L to 80 μg/L, and the maximum result of 30 μg/L (not considering results collected because of 

the May fire) was used to estimate intakes.

Air concentrations were measured on May 4, 1948 at the furnace outlet on the roof. The four 

measurements ranged from 1,010 to 29,100 dpm/m3

. Two more measurements made the same day 

4 ft from the roof exhaust were 136 and 2,280 dpm/m3

. If workers breathed 1% of the maximum 

furnace exhaust air concentration, which was 29,100 dpm/m3 for 2,000 hours per year, the intake rate 

would be 862 pCi/d in comparison to the range of chronic intake calculated from bioassay, which is 

496 to 14,900 pCi/d. Based on the description of Chapman Valve’s uranium processing, which 

indicates that the work was done in several months and that the furnace was not used continuously

for the entire uranium processing operation, it seems very unlikely that any worker was exposed to the 

maximum air concentration from the furnace exhaust for 2,000 hours per year, and direct exposure to 

the undiluted effluent would have been highly unlikely because it was an incinerator exhaust.

A comparison of the air concentrations derived from the Chapman Valve intakes in Table 3-3 and air 

concentration data collected by AEC for typical uranium operations related to machining is shown in 

Attachment B.

3.2 OCCUPATIONAL INTERNAL DOSE RECONSTRUCTION ASSUMPTIONS AND 

SUMMARY

The uranium photofluorometry urinalysis reporting limit for Chapman Valve samples was 0.01 mg/L. 

Uranium oxides could be either absorption type M or S.
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 19 of 33

Table 3-3. Inhalation intake summary for operational period. 

Scenariosa Start End

Intake 

type

Absorption 

type

Intake 

(pCi/day or pCi)

Fire plus workplace exposure 1/1/1948 12/31/1948 Chronic M 2.02E+02

5/23/1948 -

b Acute M 1.47E+05

Fire plus workplace exposure 1/1/1948 12/31/1948 Chronic S 1.76E+03

5/23/1948 -

b Acute S 6.13E+06

Workplace exposure 1/1/1948 12/31/1948 Chronic M 4.96E+02

Workplace exposure 1/1/1948 12/31/1948 Chronic S 1.49E+04

a. Only one of the four scenarios from the table is used to calculate an organ dose. The scenario choice depends on 

whether the worker could have been exposed to the fire on May 23, 1948, and on the organ of interest.

b. Not applicable.

The assumed operational exposure period ran from January 1, 1948 to December 31, 1948, which 

this analysis assumes to be the uranium intake period. Two uranium fires occurred in May 1948, the 

first and larger on May 23, and the second on May 31. The intake from the fire can be assumed to be 

acute and to have occurred on May 23, 1948. As discussed previously, a separate acute intake for 

the second fire would result in a lower intake estimate, and reduce the assigned internal dose.

For unmonitored workers or unmonitored periods, Table 3-3 lists inhalation intakes for dose 

reconstruction. Chronic intakes are given in units of pCi per calendar day and acute intakes are given 

in pCi. Four different intake scenarios are listed. The first or second scenario accounts for exposure 

to the uranium fire in May 1948. The third or fourth scenario can be used when an individual had no 

exposure to the fire, or these last scenarios can be used to supplement intakes for workers whose 

bioassays are only associated with the fire. The dose distribution is assumed to be constant. 

4.0

Individual external dosimetry results for Chapman Valve are reported for the weeks beginning May 3

to November 1, 1948 (AEC 1948b). Exposures reported for the weeks beginning October 11, 18, and

25 are questionable, because one set of data indicates that no results were reported and another set 

indicates that results were all less than 50 milliroentgen (mR). This apparent discrepancy may be due 

to the practice of expediting data entry by marking multiple results that were “less than” with an x. 

When a whole page of results were “less than”, the entire result section appears to have been marked 

with a large x. Lines marked with the word “None”, indicate a badge was not worn. Reporting of 

numerical results on an x-marked page indicates positive results and these should be included in the 

record.

ESTIMATION OF EXTERNAL EXPOSURE

Because film badge data are available for Chapman Valve workers, this document does not attempt 

to address worker external exposures based on workplace data. When film badge results are 

available for a worker, the individual’s dosimeter results can be used to estimate dose. This 

document also provides an upper estimate of external dose based on film badge dosimetry records.

The majority of photons from natural uranium metals are in the 30- to 250-keV energy range. Solid 

uranium objects provide considerable attenuation of the lower energy photons and harden the 

spectrum, causing the majority of photons emitted from a solid uranium object, such as a billet or a 

rod, to have energies greater than 250 keV. While it is recognized that solid uranium sources have a 

hardened photon spectrum, exposure to a thin layer of uranium on a surface results in a larger 

fraction of exposure to lower energy photons. This analysis assumed workers were exposed to 

photon energies in the 30- to 250-keV range, which is favorable to claimants. Nonpenetrating dose 

from natural uranium consists primarily of electrons with energies >15 keV. For consistent 

presentation, exposure or dose is reported as:
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 20 of 33

• Penetrating, assumed to be associated with photons of energies 30 keV or greater, and

• Nonpenetrating, assumed to be associated with photons of energies less than 30 keV or with 

electrons.

4.1 SUMMARY OF AVAILABLE FILM BADGE DATA

Chapman Valve (Musgrave 1948) reported the following ancillary information regarding film badge 

availability and use at Chapman Valve: 

• February 2, 1948: received 50 (brass) badges from the University of Rochester. 

• February 9, 1948: received duplicate shipment (with identical numbers) noted to be the pintype. 

• April 28, 1948: requested 100 badges and subsequently received 100 stainless steel snap-on 

badges from University of Rochester.

• May 10, 1948: returned the 50 used brass pin-type dosimeters and 50 used stainless steel 

snap-on badges to University of Rochester.

• May 18, 1948: received 100 stainless steel snap-on badges and noted that Chapman Valve 

would like to continue with this badge type.

• May 19, 1948: sent 50 brass pin-type and 50 stainless steel snap-on badges to AEC in New 

York per AEC request.

Less than 50 film badge results are included in each reporting period, most likely indicating that only 

some of the workers entered the AEC work area in a given week (AEC 1948b). A note at the bottom 

of some of the May reports states “Eastman Film” but does not mention the type of film. Exposure for 

both beta and gamma was reported in “mr” in 1948. The minimum reporting limit was 50 mR (though 

at least one report mistakenly lists the reporting limit as “0.50 mr”) for both beta and gamma. Some 

reports include names and some do not. Some external dosimetry report copies contain illegible 

entries. As of this writing, it is unclear if a complete data set for a worker can be assembled from the 

multiple copies of dosimetry reports. An entry of “None” is included on some reports, and this seems 

to indicate that the badge was not worn during the monitoring period. The handwritten response to 

the question, “Where were badges kept overnight?” was “No,” which probably indicates that workers 

left their badges on site at the end of the workday. There is no indication of where the badges were 

stored or that a control badge was used.

Because it might not be possible to associate results with individuals because of the poor copies or 

the censored identifiers, the data have been reviewed to identify the maximum recorded beta and 

gamma doses for each week. The median beta result for May (115 mR) and the minimum reporting 

limit specified on the Chapman Valve reports for gamma (50 mR) were used to estimate the exposure 

for other weeks when film badges were not in use or for weeks when the data were suspect, e.g., the 

three noted weeks in 1948 beginning October 11, 18, and 25. Exposures during unmonitored weeks 

were likely to be lower, because according to records, the majority of processing occurred between 

May and the first week of October (Kemmer 1949). Some of the results for the weeks of May 17 and 

24, 1948 were combined in some of the original records. No attempt was made to unfold the 

combined results; instead, the maximum reported results for May 17 and 24, 1948, and the May 24, 

1948 report were assumed to be the maximum results for the week of May 17 and the week of May 
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 21 of 33

24, respectively. For the weeks May 10 to September 27, 1948, the gamma reporting limit (0.05 R) 

was used to estimate the maximum exposure when it was reported as <0.05 R. For the weeks May 

31 to June 14, 1948, inclusive, the maximum result for the three weeks was assumed for each of 

these weeks, because of the uncertainty in determining which result applied to which week. When the 

period of the exposure is less than that included in Table 4-1, the exposure should not necessarily be 

reduced by the ratio of the actual to the total exposure period. Because recorded maximum external 

exposures were larger during the weeks beginning May 10 through October 4, 1948, this needs to be 

taken into account when estimating doses for shorter exposure periods.

Table 4-1. Assigned film badge results.a

Week

Beginning

Non-penetrating

R

Penetrating

R

Week

Beginning

Non-penetrating

R

Penetrating

R

1/5/1948 0.115 0.050 7/5/1948 0.225 0.050

1/12/1948 0.115 0.050 7/12/1948 0.240 0.050

1/19/1948 0.115 0.050 7/19/1948 0.260 0.050

1/26/1948 0.115 0.050 7/26/1948 0.320 0.050

2/2/1948 0.115 0.050 8/2/1948 0.240 0.085

2/9/1948 0.115 0.050 8/9/1948 0.360 0.110

2/16/1948 0.115 0.050 8/16/1948 0.260 0.085

2/23/1948 0.115 0.050 8/23/1948 0.260 0.050

3/1/1948 0.115 0.050 8/30/1948 0.260 0.050

3/8/1948 0.115 0.050 9/6/1948 0.440 0.070

3/15/1948 0.115 0.050 9/13/1948 0.500 0.075

3/22/1948 0.115 0.050 9/20/1948 0.650 0.050

3/29/1948 0.115 0.050 9/27/1948 0.320 0.050

4/5/1948 0.115 0.050 10/4/1948 0.160 0.055

4/12/1948 0.115 0.050 10/11/1948 0.115 0.050

4/19/1948 0.115 0.050 10/18/1948 0.115 0.050

4/26/1948 0.115 0.050 10/25/1948 0.115 0.050

5/3/1948 0.065 0.070 11/1/1948 0.085 0.070

5/10/1948 0.100 0.050 11/8/1948 0.115 0.050

5/17/1948 0.115 0.050 11/15/1948 0.115 0.050

5/24/1948 0.140 0.050 11/22/1948 0.115 0.050

5/31/1948 0.165 0.050 11/29/1948 0.115 0.050

6/7/1948 0.165 0.050 12/6/1948 0.115 0.050

6/14/1948 0.165 0.050 12/13/1948 0.115 0.050

6/21/1948 0.130 0.060 12/20/1948 0.115 0.050

6/28/1948 0.265 0.050 12/27/1948 0.115 0.050

Totals 9.110 2.830

a. Numbers in italics are assumed. The bases for the assumptions are presented in the text above.

4.2 OCCUPATIONALLY REQUIRED MEDICAL X-RAY

Information regarding whether or not occupationally required medical X-ray examinations were 

performed at Chapman Valve is unavailable. AEC usually, but not always, required preemployment 

and periodic medical examinations of workers involved in the larger uranium processing programs. 

The term preemployment as used here means prior to performing AEC-contracted radiological work. 

The typical AEC medical program included preliminary and annual chest X-ray examinations. This 

analysis assumed that workers received a preemployment X-ray examination of the chest in 1947 and 

a second X-ray examination a year later. The method of X-ray examination should be based on the 

current guidance for 1948 exposures. Organ doses can be obtained from the latest revision of 
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 22 of 33

ORAUT-OTIB-0006, Technical Information Bulletin: Dose Reconstruction from Occupationally Related 

Diagnostic X-Ray Procedures (ORAUT 2005c).

4.3 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION RELATED TO EXTERNAL DOSE

This section includes external dose information that might be of interest for specific dose 

reconstructions. This analysis did not consider such information generically because of its limited 

applicability or because of limited information.

The fires involving uranium occurred in May 1948. The May 23rd fire and subsequent cleanup 

activities could have increased the likelihood of uranium skin contamination on some workers. Film 

badges were worn by Chapman Valve workers during this period. 

4.4 OCCUPATIONAL EXTERNAL DOSE RECONSTRUCTION ASSUMPTIONS AND 

SUMMARY

Individual film badge results are available to determine doses. The reporting limit for beta and gamma 

exposures was 50 mR. Table 4-2 provides overestimating assumptions that can be used to estimate 

doses for some Chapman Valve claims including Interactive RadioEpidemiological Program (IREP) 

distribution information. Prorating of the exposure to a shorter period should be based on the 

information in Table 4-1. 

Table 4-2. External exposure summary. 

Exposure category Exposure type Basis Year

Annual 

exposure

IREP 

distribution

Overestimate of external dose Penetrating film badge results 1948 2.830 R Constant

Nonpenetrating film badge results 1948 9.110 R Constant

Medical X-ray Current guidance 

for 1947 and 1948

Initial exam in 1947 

plus one exam in 1948

1947

1948

See ORAUT-OTIB-0006, 

(ORAUT 2005c)

5.0

The residual dose period was assumed to begin on January 1, 1949 and was assumed to continue 

through December 31, 1993. The radiation exposures during cleanup operations in 1994 and 1995 

are not assessed in this document.

ESTIMATION OF RESIDUAL EXPOSURE

In 1987, Department 40 and its perimeter were surveyed with a Victoreen Model 492 ionization 

chamber, and no elevated radiation levels were detected (Sedelow 1987). The detection threshold of 

a Victoreen 492 is likely to be about 0.1 mR/hour. 

ORNL (1992) conducted a survey in August 1992 under the FUSRAP program. The reported 

radiation levels at various locations in the facility are summarized in Table 5-1. Elevated radiation and 

contamination levels were found in the western portion of Building 23. The survey of Chapman Valve 

included:

• A gamma and beta/gamma scan of the floor and walls and gamma scan of the ground surface 

in selected outdoor areas.

Table 5-1. Radiation/radioactivity levels in August 1991.a

Measurement type Range MDA

Gamma exposure (μR/hr) 5–32 b
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 23 of 33

Direct beta/gamma (mrad/hr) 0.02–4 0.01

Direct alpha (dpm/100 cm2) <MDA –2,900 25

Removable beta/gamma (dpm/100 cm2) all <200 200

Removable alpha (dpm/100 cm2) 14–90 10

Soil concentrations (pCi/g)c 0.33–1.9 b

Dust samples (pCi/g) c 0.2–36,000 b

a. ORNL (1992).

b. = not available.

c. Includes Ra-226, Th-232, and U-238.

• Measurement of surface and 1-m exposure rates at the center of the north and south section 

of main-bay survey blocks. 

• Measurement of alpha activity levels at selected locations. 

• Analysis of 30 dust and debris samples (26 from overhead beams). 

• Direct and removable alpha and beta/gamma measurements at 31 locations.

• Analysis of 2 soil samples.

All results in the ORNL reports, except those from the smears, were reported as gross results; 

background values were not subtracted from the results. ORNL (1992) included brief information 

regarding their survey methods and instrumentation.

A sodium iodide scintillation probe and rate meter were used to detect gamma. Rates measured at 

2 inches from a surface were converted to μR/hr. The method to measure the exposures at 1 meter, 

which are included in the report, was not explicitly stated. Gamma levels ranged from 4 to 32 μR/hr. 

The highest average reading for a grid block was 13 μR/hr. It was assumed that these measurements 

were made at 1 meter from the floor. To estimate the penetrating dose it was assumed the largest 

average result, 13 μR/hr, was the median and the largest result, 32 μR/hr, was at the 95th percentile. 

An associated geometric standard deviation (GSD) of 1.72 was calculated. The penetrating dose 

estimates are listed in Table 5-2. 

A pancake Geiger-Mueller (GM) probe measured count rates, and these were converted to mrad/hr of 

beta/gamma. The minimum detectable activity (MDA) was reported as 0.01 mrad/hr. A pancake GM 

probe is an unusual choice for making dose measurements because of both its geometry and energy 

sensitivities. It is also sensitive to alpha radiation, which might have resulted in an over-response if a 

cover or some distance from a surface were not maintained to eliminate the alpha response. ORNL 

(1992, Figure 7) reported a range of dose rates for each grid block surveyed. The maximum dose 

rates in the range were used to determine a geometric mean, which was assumed to equal a median 

nonpenetrating dose rate of 0.12 mrad/hr. The GSD was calculated to be 2.9. The nonpenetrating 

dose is listed in Table 5-2. 

A zinc sulfide scintillation detector and rate meter were used to detect alpha count rates. The count 

rates were converted to dpm/100 cm2

. The MDA was reported as 25 dpm/100 cm2. The largest of 

30 direct contamination measurements was reported as 2,900 dpm/100 cm2

. To calculate internal 

exposure from residual activity, this analysis assumed that the median uranium exposure was 

associated with uniform contamination of the buildings to a level of 2,900 dpm/100 cm2

, the maximum 

directly measured alpha contamination. Six of 23 dust samples from the overhead beams and crane 

exceeded this value and ranged from 3,500 dpm to 12,000 dpm/100 cm2

. Using a resuspension 

factor of 1 × 10-6/m (NRC 2002) and an air intake rate of 2,400 m3 per work year, the calculated 
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 24 of 33

annual inhalation intake was 314 pCi, and this was assumed to all be uranium. Using the method 

described in NIOSH (2004), the calculated annual ingestion intake was 6.53 pCi. GSDs of 3 are 

assumed. Table 5-2 summarizes residual period intake rates.

Samples of dust and debris, and soil were analyzed for Ra-226, Th-232 and U-238 by ORNL in the 

1990s (ORNL 1992, 1997). Chapman Valve received pure natural uranium metal rods for processing

into slugs for the Brookhaven reactor (Kemmer 1949). This is confirmed by the ORNL (1992) survey, 

which reported Ra-226 and Th-232 concentrations as consistent with background. The two soil 

samples were also consistent with background radioactivity concentrations. ORNL analyzed dust 

samples M10 and M31 for U-235. M31 was reported as 2.16% enriched. The Chapman Valve 

uranium processing was related to reactor needs, and the use of enriched uranium in reactors was 

rare until 1950. The only other mention of Chapman Valve and enriched uranium was in ORNL 

(1997), which reiterated ORNL’s 1992 words. Unlike the ORNL 1992 report, ORNL 1997 included the 

actual U-235 and U-238 results for seven soil samples. The activity ratios seemed consistent with 

natural uranium. However, because the concentrations were close to background, the reported 

uncertainties were relatively large. 

The estimated annual external exposures to residual radioactivity from AEC operations at the site, 

listed in Table 5-2, were calculated by assuming that workers were exposed for 2,000 hours per year. 

Assumptions regarding residual exposures should be consistent with assumptions from the 

operational period.

Table 5-2. Annual internal and external exposure to residual radioactivity. 

Internal Start End Exposure 

Absorption 

type

Intake 

(pCi/day) IREP distribution

Uranium 1/1/1949 12/31/1993 Inhalation M, S 8.58E-01 Lognormal GSD 3

1/1/1949 12/31/1993 Ingestion (a) 1.79E-02 Lognormal GSD 3

External Start End Exposure Basis R/year IREP distribution

1/1/1949 12/31/1993 Penetrating Survey instrument 2.60E-2 Lognormal GSD 1.72

1/1/1949 12/31/1993 Nonpenetrating Survey instrument 2.36E-1 Lognormal GSD 2.9

a. Choose same f1-value as used for inhalation per NIOSH (2004).

6.0

All information requiring identification was addressed via references integrated into the reference 

section of this document.

ATTRIBUTIONS AND ANNOTATIONS
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 25 of 33

REFERENCES

AEC (U.S. Atomic Energy Commission), 1948a, Monthly Status and Progress Report for October 

1948, Office of New York Directed Operations, November 14. [SRDB Ref ID: 6287; contains 

Export Controlled Information] 

AEC (U.S. Atomic Energy Commission), 1948b, NYDO Radiological Laboratory, U.S.A.E.C. Film 

Badge Report, Plant, Chapman Valve Mfg. Co., U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, New York, 

New York. [SRDB Ref ID: 16436, pp. 5- 177] 

AEC (U.S. Atomic Energy Commission), 1948c, AEC-NYDO Sample Record # _, Radiological 

Laboratory, New York, New York, May 6. [SRDB Ref ID: 6234, p 1] 

AEC (U.S. Atomic Energy Commission), 1948d, AEC-NYDO Sample Record # 4, Radiological 

Laboratory, New York, New York, June 1. [SRDB Ref ID: 6234, p. 2] 

AEC (U.S. Atomic Energy Commission), 1949, Health Hazards in NYOO Facilities Producing and 

Processing Uranium: A Status Report, April 1, 1949, New York Operations Office, Medical 

Division, New York, New York. [SRDB Ref ID: 17068]

Author unknown, 1948, Uranium Content of Urine Samples Collected at Chapman Valve Mfg. 

Company. [pp. 4-6 of 002063.pdf] [SRDB Ref ID: 6235, pp. 4 - 6] 

Author unknown, ca. 1996, “Figure 2, Chapman Valve, Building 23 – Plan View.” [SRDB Ref ID: 

25012]

BNL (Brookhaven National Laboratory), 2006, “Brookhaven Graphite Research Reactor,”

http://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/history/BGRR.asp, accessed September 14. [SRDB Ref ID: 

26365]

DOE (Department of Energy), 2007, “Chapman Valve Manufacturing Company Status of Research 

Activities by the Department of Energy,” November 9. [SRDB Ref ID: 46355] 

Eidson, A. F., 1994, “The Effect of Solubility on Inhaled Uranium Compound Clearance: A Review,” 

Health Physics, volume 67, number 1, pp. 1-14. 

Eisenbud, M.,1948, “Dust and Water Samples,” letter to T. P. Musgrove (Chapman Valve Company), 

U. S. Atomic Energy Commission, New York Operations Office, May 11. [SRDB Ref ID: 

6234, p. 3]

Electro Metallurgical, 1949, Chapman Valve Account, Electro Metallurgical Division U. C. & C. Corp. – 

Area Plant, Weekly Production Report, April 1 to April 30. [SRDB Ref ID: 9036, p. 8] 

Fiore, J. J., 1987, untitled letter to P. Hundt (The Crane Company), U.S. Department of Energy, 

September 29. [SRDB Ref ID: 6239, p. 13] 

Foley, R., 2008, letter to James W. Neton, June 11 [SRDB Ref ID: 46351] 

Fox, G. E., 1949, untitled letter to B. S. Wolf, (U.S. Atomic Energy Commission), Chapman Valve 

Manufacturing Company, Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, January 19. [SRDB Ref ID: 12730, 

p. 4]
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 26 of 33

Harris, W.B., and I. Kingsley, 1959, The Industrial Hygiene of Uranium Fabrication, Table 5, Archives 

of Industrial Health, volume 19, reprint, American Medical Association, New York, New York, 

May. [SRDB Ref ID: 15779]

Heffernan, T. E., J. C. Lodwick, H. Spitz, J. Neton, and M. Soldano, 2001, “Solubility of Airborne 

Uranium Compounds at the Fernald Environmental Management Project,” Health Physics, 

volume 80, number 3, pp. 255-262. [SRDB Ref ID: 7924]

ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection), 1975, Report of the Task Group on 

Reference Man, Publication 23, Pergamon Press, Oxford, England. 

ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection), 1994, Human Respiratory Tract Model 

for Radiological Protection, Publication 66, Pergamon Press, Oxford, England. 

ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection), 1995, Age-dependent Doses to 

Members of the Public from Intake of Radionuclides: Part 4 Inhalation Dose Coefficients, 

Publication 71, Pergamon Press, Oxford, England. 

Kemmer, F. R. et al., 1949, Machining of Uranium for Brookhaven Reactor, H. K. Ferguson Company, 

June 15. [SRDB Ref ID: 31287]

LeVine, H. D., 1948, “Dust Sample Results,” letter to V. T. Malcolm, (Chapman Valve Manufacturing 

Company), Radiological Laboratory, March 19. [SRDB Ref ID: 6234, p. 5]

Mahaffey, J. W. 1952, “History of Production Machining of Uranium,” National Lead Company of Ohio, 

June 16 [SRDB Ref ID: 44238]

Martin, E. I., 1948, memorandum to M. Eisenbud, “Visit to Chapman Valve Company, Indian Orchard, 

Massachusetts,” May 17. [SRDB Ref ID: 6233]

Morgan, J. P., 1948, “Accounting for Source and Fissionable Material, ” letter to G. E. Fox (Chapman 

Valve Manufacturing Company), U. S. Atomic Energy Commission, New York Operations 

Office, August 24. [SRDB Ref ID: 6222]

Morgan, J. P., 1949, “SF Material Reports,” letter to G. E. Fox (Chapman Valve Manufacturing 

Company), U. S. Atomic Energy Commission, New York Operations Office, January 25. 

[SRDB Ref ID: 6239, p. 10 - 11]

Musgrave, T. P., 1948, “Film Exposure Badges, Chapman Valve Mfg. Co. Indian Orchard, Mass.,” 

letter to H. D. LeVine (U.S. Atomic Energy Commission), H.K. Ferguson Company at the 

Chapman Valve Mfg. Co., May 24. [SRDB Ref ID: 16436, p. 4]

NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health), 2004, Estimation of Ingestion Intakes, 

Technical Information Bulletin, OCAS-TIB-009, Rev. 0, Office of Compensation Analysis and 

Support, Cincinnati, Ohio, April 13. 

NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health), 2007, Radiation Exposures Covered 

for Dose Reconstructions Under Part B of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness 

Compensation Program Act, OCAS-IG-003, Rev. 0, Office of Compensation Analysis and 

Support, Cincinnati, Ohio, November. [SRDB Ref ID: 35987]
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 27 of 33

NRC (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission), 2002, Re-evaluation of the Indoor Resuspension Factor 

for the Screening Analysis of the Building Occupancy Scenario for NRC’s License Termination 

Rule, NUREG-1720; Draft Report for Comment, Washington, D.C. [SRDB Ref ID: 22400] 

ORAUT (Oak Ridge Associated Universities Team), 2005a, February 14, 2005 Meeting with:

Chapman Valve Manufacturing, held at Western Massachusetts COSH office, Springfield, 

Massachusetts, Final Minutes, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, September 2.

ORAUT (Oak Ridge Associated Universities Team), 2005b, Internal Dosimetry Coworker Data for 

Y-12, ORAUT-OTIB-0029, Rev. 00, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, April 5.

ORAUT (Oak Ridge Associated Universities Team), 2005c, Dose Reconstruction from Occupationally 

Related Diagnostic X-Ray Procedures, ORAUT-OTIB-0006, Rev. 03 PC-1, Oak Ridge, 

Tennessee, December 21.

ORAUT (Oak Ridge Associated Universities Team), 2006, SEC Petition Evaluation Report, Petition 

SEC-00043, Rev # 0, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, August 8. 

[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ocas/pdfs/sec/chapman/chapmevalr.pdf]

ORNL (Oak Ridge National Laboratory), 1992, Results of the Radiological Survey at the Former 

Chapman Valve Manufacturing Company, Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, ORNL/RASA-92/1, 

Environmental Restoration and Waste Management Non-Defense Programs, Oak Ridge, 

Tennessee. [Chapman Valve - ORNL Rad. Survey.pdf] [SRDB Ref ID: 6218]

ORNL (Oak Ridge National Laboratory), 1997, Results of the Independent Radiological Verification 

Survey at the Former Chapman Valve Manufacturing Company, Indian Orchard, 

Massachusetts (CIO001V), ORNL/RASA-95/17, Environmental Restoration and Waste 

Management Non-Defense Programs, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, May. [SRDB Ref ID: 6227]

ORNL (Oak Ridge National Laboratory), 2003, Rad Toolbox v. 1.0.0, software, December 31, 

http://ordose.ornl.gov/downloads.html. 

Podonsky, G.S., 2008, memorandum to Larry Elliott (Office of Compensation Analysis and Support, 

NIOSH), January 7 [SRDB Rev ID: 46350] 

Redacted, 1987, “Crane – Indian Orchard,” letter to J. J. Fiore (U.S. Department of Energy), Crane 

Company, New York, New York, December 14. [SRDB Ref ID: 6230, pp. 1-9] 

Robbins, R., 1996, “Chapman Valve Final Remedial Action Report,” memorandum to M. Redmon, 

Bechtel FUSRAP Project Job 14501, May 13. [SRDB Ref ID: 13374]

Schnell, E., and R. Caldwell, 1967, “Incinerator,” memorandum to T. Morton and D. Gabrielli, NUMEC 

[handwritten on document], August 18. [SRDB Ref ID: 26778] 

Sedelow, C. A., 1987, untitled letter to Crane Company, Crane Valve Services, Indian Orchard, 

Massachusetts, November 19. [SRDB Ref ID: 13375, p. 5] 

Springfield Union News, ca. 1942, “Chapman Valve Resumes Work This Morning,” Springfield, 

Massachusetts, pp. 1 and 9. [SRDB Ref ID: 15563]
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 28 of 33

Springfield Union News, ca. 1952, “Chapman Valve Atomic Role Revealed,” Springfield, 

Massachusetts. [SRDB Ref ID: 15563]

Williams, W. J., date unknown, memorandum (excerpt) to W. E. Kelley (Manager, New York), “SF 

Materials Lost or Unaccounted for,” Director of Production, Washington. [pdf pp. 39-40 of 

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ocas/pdfs/sec/chapman/chapmpet.pdf] [SRDB Ref ID: 32745, p. 40]

Wolf, B. S., 1947, “Monthly Report,” memorandum to H. B. Fry, AECM-11 NY, U.S. Atomic Energy 

Commission. [SRDB Ref ID: 6223, p. 1] 

Wolf, B. S., 1948a, memorandum to C. Slesser (Publications Branch), “Weekly Activity Report – 

Period Jan. 15 to Jan. 21,” memorandum to C. Slesser, AECM-11 NY, U.S. Atomic Energy 

Commission, January 21.. [SRDB Ref ID: 6232, p. 2]

Wolf, B. S., 1948b, “Weekly Activity Report – April 28 to May 5,” memorandum to C. Slesser, AECM11 NY, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, May 6. [SRDB Ref ID: 6232, p. 5]

Wolf, B. S., 1949, untitled letter to G. E. Fox (Chapman Valve Manufacturing Company), U.S. Atomic 

Energy Commission, January 27. [SRDB Ref ID: 12730, p. 5]

Young, C. D., 1987, “Request for Information – Crane Company Sites,” letter to A. Wallo, III (U.S. 

Department of Energy), The Aerospace Corporation, Washington, D.C., August 31. [SRDB 

Ref ID: 6239]
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 0

9/12/2008 Page 29 of 33

ATTACHMENT A

CHAPMAN VALVE BUILDING LAYOUT AND SOME SAMPLING LOCATIONS

Page 1 of 3

Figure A-1. Chapman Valve floor plan provided at 2005 Worker Outreach Meeting (Author unknown, ca 1996).
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 30 of 33

ATTACHMENT A

CHAPMAN VALVE BUILDING LAYOUT AND SOME SAMPLING LOCATIONS

Page 2 of 3

Figure A-2. Locations of dust and debris samples collected in 1992 in or near Building 23 (ORNL 1992).
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 31 of 33

ATTACHMENT A

CHAPMAN VALVE BUILDING LAYOUT AND SOME SAMPLING LOCATIONS

Page 3 of 3

Figure A-3. Locations of verification samples collected in 1996 in Building 23 (ORNL 1997).
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 32 of 33

ATTACHMENT B 

COMPARISON OF AIR CONCENTRATIONS CALCULATED FOR CHAPMAN VALVE 

AND AEC MACHINING AND GRINDING OPERATIONS

Page 1 of 2

Harris and Kingsley (1959) summarized uranium operational data in an article submitted for 

publication to the American Medical Association Archives of Industrial Health for June 6, 1958 (which 

was previously issued as AEC Health and Safety Laboratory (HASL) report HASL-39). The data 

appeared to be collected from several uranium metal handling facilities, which probably included 

Fernald, Mallinckrodt Chemical Works, Simonds Saw and Steel, Bridgeport Brass Company, and 

Sylvania-Corning Nuclear (Harris and Kingsley 1959, p. 113). Based on the references and the 

involved companies, it is likely that the data were collected before 1957 and perhaps as early as the 

late 1940s. Harris and Kingsley noted that the information was collected from both full-time 

operations at production plants, as well as from experimental runs on “production-sized” units, and 

included collection of data for both controlled ventilation and no mechanical ventilation conditions. 

The air concentrations reported as daily averages were based on time-weighting the measured air 

concentration by each incremental exposure period incurred by the operator in a workday. These 

HASL-collected numbers are compared with the air concentration rates that would result in the intake 

rates derived from Chapman Valve bioassay. For the non-fire scenarios, these air concentrations 

were calculated by multiplying the intake rate in pCi per day by 2.22 dpm/pCi, multiplying that result 

by 365 days per year and dividing it by 2,000 work-hours/year and the light-work breathing rate of 1.2 

m3

/hr (ICRP 1995) to get the air concentration in dpm/m3. 

Table B-1 lists the calculated Chapman Valve air concentrations and the reported air concentrations 

from Harris and Kingsley (1959) and shows that the air concentrations derived for the Chapman Valve

machining operation tend to be on the high side of the machining operations presented by HASL. The 

operation at Chapman Valve appeared to be primarily a machining operation and not so much a 

cutting and grinding operation, but a comparison with the abrasive operations can also be made, and 

shows that the Chapman Valve calculated air concentrations would be in similar range. It is likely that 

machining and abrasive operations at Chapman Valve were ongoing for less than 8 hours a day and 

250 days a year during the operational period in 1948, and this gives assurance that the calculated air 

concentrations for Chapman Valve are bounding for this type of work.
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0033 Revision No. 02 Effective Date: 09/12/2008 Page 33 of 33

ATTACHMENT B 

COMPARISON OF AIR CONCENTRATIONS CALCULATED FOR CHAPMAN VALVE 

AND AEC MACHINING AND GRINDING OPERATIONS

Page 2 of 2

Table B-1. Comparison of air concentrations calculated for Chapman Valve and AEC machining and 

grinding operations (dpm/m3

). 

Chapman Valve

Machining operations 160–5,000

AEC facilitiesa

Machiningb

Daily averagesb Breathing zone General area

Ventilation

No 

ventilation Ventilation

No 

ventilation Ventilation

No 

ventilation

Lathing (optimal speed) (c) (c) <1 3–90 (c) (c)

Lathing (cutting speed 

200–300 surface ft/min, 

coolant rates up to 115 

gallons/min)

(c) (c) (c) (c) 12–48 120–240

Automatic lathe 30–70 200–300 (c) (c) (c) (c)

Turret lathed 40–50 150 (c) 1,750 (c) (c)

Facingd (c) ≈100 (c) (c) (c) (c)

Cutoffd 20–30 ≈100 (c) (c) (c) (c)

Millingd 20–30 ≈100 (c) (c) (c) (c)

Slottingd 20–30 ≈100 (c) (c) (c) (c)

Drill 10 20 (c) (c) (c) (c)

Radius cuttingd 30 100–300 (c) (c) (c) (c)

Milling (c) 40 (c) (c) (c) (c)

Shaping (c) <10 (c) (c) (c) (c)

Planing (c) <10 (c) (c) (c) (c)

Abrasive operationse

Cut-off <1 f (c) (c) (c) (c)

Surface grinder 50–200 2,000–5,000 (c) (c) (c) (c)

Portable grinder 50–200 400 (c) (c) (c) (c)

Belt sander <10 3,000 (c) (c) (c) (c)

Centerless grinder 50–300 5,000–6,000 30–270 13,500 (c) (c)

a. Harris and Kingsley (1959). 

b. Daily averages are from Harris and Kingsley (1959, Table 5). 

c. Not provided. 

d. Values are for normal operations; with speeds of less than 100 surface ft/min and adequate coolant, all results are less 

than 10 dpm/m3

. 

e. Harris and Kingsley (1959, Table 6). 

f. “Never sampled, but very high” (Harris and Kingsley 1959).