Re: Surface release levels and NORM

[Ccja@aol.com]

At UMTRA sites, the problem with the mill tailings is Ra226, and Th230 (which
is a problem because Ra226 is ingrowing rather quickly). The mills were
producing an ore concentrate (yellowcake), which is essentially natural U,
i.e., U238 in equilibrium with Th234, Pa234, and U234, and with U235 in its
natural proportion (0.7%) [without which you would have depleted U]. This was
taken to chemical plants, e.g., the former Mallinckrodt facility that is now
the DOE's Weldon Spring Site, and the former Feed Materials Production Center
at Fernald, for processing into metallic U. That was used as fuel core
elements in the weapons reactors at Hanford and Savannah River. This why the
primary concern of the WSSRAP is natural U: the Ra was left at the mill
sites.

Chris Alston
ccja@aol.com