Opinion ID: 1176318
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Moisture Content of the Waste

Text: The moisture content of waste containing radium-226 substantially affects the rate of radon-222 emanation from the waste: the higher the moisture content, the lower the rate of emanation. EFSC found that the long-term moisture content of SL was 55 percent and that that of LRP was 63 percent. These figures were based upon laboratory analyses of water retention characteristics of the waste and certain predictions concerning the water table depth and moisture losses from the surface of the waste. EFSC's consultant accepted the validity of this method of predicting moisture content. Petitioners argue that the moisture content percentages should have been 48 percent for SL and 55 percent for LRP. These figures were derived from a small number of direct measurements of the moisture content of the waste made during the dry part of the year. These measurements are clearly unrepresentative of annual averages. EFSC's findings regarding moisture content are not unreasonable in light of the record before it.