Re: U-238 in Groundwater

[GACMail98 <GACMail98@aol.com>]

Regarding the proposed maximum contaminant level (MCL) for uranium of 20 ug/l
(Federal Register, 18 July 1991), the notation at page 33126 reads "20 ug/l
uranium is approximately equal to 30 pCi/l, using an activity-to-mass
conversion of 1.3 pCi/ug.  The activity-to-mass ratio can vary depending on
the relative amounts of uranium-234, -235, and -238 that are present in a
sample.  The MCL applies to the total mass of uranium in the sample."  

See 40 CFR 192 and 11 January 1995 Federal Register, "Groundwater Standards
for Remedial Action at Inactive Uranium Processing Sites; Final Rule."  The
standard for combined uranium-234 and uranium-238 is 30 pCi/l.  The Fed Reg
item is available from http://www.gpo.gov.

In WASTE ACTION PROJECT v. DAWN MINING CORP. (10 March 1998) the 9th Circuit
Court of Appeals in Washington state held that uranium mill tailings are not
"pollutants" under the Clean Water Act.  The decision is available at
http://www.law.vill.edu/Fed-Ct/Circuit/9th/March98.html.

In a message dated 98-05-15 09:27:10 EDT, you write:

<< Subj:	 U-238 in Groundwater
 Date:	98-05-15 09:27:10 EDT
 From:	aschwart@secor.com (Andrew J. Schwartz)
 Sender:	radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
 Reply-to:	radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
 To:	radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu (Multiple recipients of list)
 
 Does anyone know the criteria for release for unrestricted use
 concerning groundwater contamination?  Are the sewage release numbers in
 10 CFR 20 applicable?