Re: Radon Control During Remediation -Reply

["JAMES E. BENNETT" <BENNEJE@GWSMTP.NU.COM>]

 Bates Estabrooks wrote:
    
Rocky Flats will shortly begin remediation of an area known as 
Trench 1 (T1) where ~125 drums of depleted uranium (DU) chips  and lathe
coolant were buried from 1954 until 1962.
The work will involve excavating the drums and stabilizing the 
potentially pyrophoric DU, in place.  All work will be performed inside a very
large tent to be constructed over the site.
My question concerns the generation of Radon and decay 
products from the DU (primarily U238) during the work.
We intend to air-sample and monitor (with CAMs) for uranium.
*****************************************

Bates my concern would be with the potential buildup of the radon from the soil
in the open trench. Your sampling should consider this. If you are sending
workers into an increased radiological risk environment,  I would hope it would
be monitored for all such risks. The DU may be the lesser risk.

Jim Bennett
benneje@smtp.nu.com  (so I don't rile Melissa again)
Just my thoughts on an interesting question.
My employer (Northeast Utilities) and my spouse were not consulted.