Re[2]: RAMP Rumors

[coogen_michael@hq2ccgw.hq.dla.mil]

What one declares on the radioactive waste mainfest is what should be in the 
drum. In addition, there should be a QA program to ensure that what you declare 
is what you are actually burying.  If not, I would recommend that one establish 
a QA program or modify existing QA.  When I was at Naval Medical Research 
Institute in Bethesda, I personally established a QA with documentation for 
disposal of llrw.  This will eliminate any shipments being returned or having 
the generator re-open the barrels to verify radioactive waste.  Have you ever 
had to re-open a barrel containing carcasses that have been degrading for about 
3 months.  You only do it once. A Good QA program will be very beneficial..Mike 
Coogen sends


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: RAMP Rumors
Author:  radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu at hq2ccgw
Date:    7/26/95 5:02 PM


It is true that, in a random survey of barrels at RAMP they found that only 
something like 60% of them (I'm not positive on the number) actually had in 
them what the packing slips said they should have.  The State of Washington 
Dept. of Ecology is concerned about mixed waste ending up being buried at 
Hanford, therefore they want some verification of the waste being shipped 
there. I talked to Diane Hallisy with the Wash DoE last week. I explained that 
our drums had been compacted at our site and that it would be hard to pull 
everything out to look for RCRA waste. I reasoned with her that, (1) if our 
screening of waste hasn't changed in the last four years and I am relatively 
sure about the waste we originally packaged in the drums, and (2) I open up my 
drums at RAMP and identify that my stuff is still on top, and (3) we measure 
VOC's when we open the drums and find none, then I would feel safe certifying 
that my drums still contain only dry, solid waste. She agreed. Now all I have 
to do is make one more trip to RAMP to open up the rest of my drums and, being 
satisfied, send her a letter to that effect. Hope it works.

And I hope it's not in the upper 90's like the last time I was down there. 

Jim Herrold
University of Wyoming