Cleanup of Contaminated Soils

(Original distribution: April 1, 1999)

Dear Community Member,

This booklet contains information about on-site soil contamination at Brookhaven National Laboratory. A significant step in determining the cleanup options selected for these soils will be based upon community input. This booklet summarizes information from two documents: the Operable Unit I Feasibility Study Report and Proposed Plan. Please review this information and take the time to provide feedback to us on the proposed cleanup actions for these soils.

You can send us your feedback in several ways. You may simply tear off the back page of this booklet and mail it, mail your comments separately to the address on page 7, send e-mail comments to OU1comments@bnl.gov, or come to the public meeting on April 22, 1999. Regardless of the method used, your comments will be recorded and considered in the decision-making process.

I hope you will take the time to read and consider the material in this booklet. Please make sure we receive your comments before April 30, 1999. Again, we value your opinion and will consider your suggestions in selecting the exact methods of cleanup. Thank you for your help in these important decisions.

Sincerely,

John J. Meersman, Division Manager
Environmental Restoration Division
Brookhaven National Laboratory

The Cleanup Process

Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is conducting an environmental cleanup under the requirements of the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, commonly known as the Superfund law.

During initial environmental studies, the BNL site was subdivided geographically into seven Operable Units (OUs). Operable Unit I was defined as a 950-acre area in the southeastern part of the site.

To ensure effective management and facilitate the cleanup process, similar types of contamination from different Operable Units have been grouped together. Radiologically contaminated soils from areas originally included in OU II/VII, IV and VI are being cleaned up under OU I because they have similar contaminants.

Many investigations have taken place to determine the nature and extent of soil and sediment contamination in these OUs. Based on these investigations, a number of cleanup actions have already occurred. There are several areas that still require corrective actions.

The Feasibility Study for Operable Unit I describes the cleanup alternatives that were evaluated in detail for these areas. The proposed remedies are provided in the Proposed Plan for Operable Unit I. The Proposed Plan also gives the results of characterization studies and risk assessments that have been completed. In addition, it describes cleanup actions that have already taken place at selected areas, and that will be the final cleanup actions for those areas.

Contaminants That Are Present

The principal soil contaminants in Operable Unit I are radioactive elements, primarily cesium-137 and strontium-90. Elevated levels of heavy metals are also found in some locations. All soil contaminants are confined to BNL property, and access to these areas is controlled as needed to protect employees and the public.

History and Description of Contaminated Locations

Soils at a number of locations on the BNL site (see maps below) contain contaminants that will require cleanup.

Radiologically contaminated soils

• Former Hazardous Waste Management Facility (HWMF) - The largest volume of contaminated soil is located at the HWMF. It was used from 1947 to 1997 as a central receiving, processing and storage facility for radioactive and hazardous waste generated at BNL. The primary soil contaminants at the HWMF are cesium-137 and strontium-90. Mercury is also present.

   

• Waste Concentration Facility - Cesium-137 and strontium-90 contamination was found in soils here. This facility has been used since 1949 for reducing the volume of liquid radioactive waste prior to disposal. It is still an operational facility. Three large storage tanks were in use here from 1949 to 1987, and were removed in 1994. Additional tanks and piping still remain.

   

• Reclamation Facility and Sump Outfall Area - Radioactive elements were found in soils at the reclamation facility and in a sump outfall east of the facility. This facility was used from the late 1950s through the late 1960s to clean radioactive contaminants from clothing and equipment. It is no longer used for decontamination, although it is still in use for routine laundry. Water from decontamination of equipment was discharged at the sump outfall area until late 1969.

   

• Other Sitewide Soils - Low levels of cesium-137 were found in soils near several buildings in the center of the BNL site. Soils from the HWMF were used as landscaping and fill material at these locations.

Two other areas at BNL were examined for radiological contamination. The Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS) storage yards hold steel and equipment that is being stored for potential reuse at the AGS. The Low Mass Criticality Facility was used for research from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s, and for temporary drum storage from June 1983 to March 1984.

No contamination at levels of human health concern was found at these two locations. No cleanup of these areas is required. Institutional controls and monitoring will continue.

Wetlands

• Upland Recharge/Meadow Marsh Area - This area was used in sewage treatment experiments from 1973 to 1978. Sediments in two of the manmade basins contain elevated levels of heavy metals such as copper, zinc and aluminum.

   

• Storm Recharge Basins - These two basins are used to recharge runoff that enters BNL's storm sewer system. Their sediments contain elevated levels of heavy metals such as copper and lead, as well as organic chemicals.

   

• Wooded Wetland - This area is located adjacent to the current landfill and received runoff from that landfill. Sediments here contain elevated levels of metals such as aluminum.

Metal concentrations in these wetlands are below those of human health concern, according to federal guidelines. However, there is an ecological risk to the New York State endangered tiger salamander, which uses these areas for breeding.

Ash pit

Both heavy metals and radioactive elements were found in an ash pit, used from 1943 to 1963 to dispose of incinerator ash. Levels of contaminants were typical of those found in incinerator ash. Radioactive elements found here are common in incinerator ash and are unrelated to research operations at BNL.

Removal actions

A removal action is an accelerated cleanup response to a known contamination source. The following areas of concern in Operable Unit I are being or have been addressed as removal actions:

• Former and Interim Landfills - These closed landfills, including a slit trench, were a source of groundwater contamination from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and strontium-90. The landfills, which cover nine acres of land, were used from 1947 to 1966 for the disposal of general waste, construction debris and chemicals.

   

• Current Landfill - This closed eight-acre landfill was a source of VOC and tritium groundwater contamination. It was used from 1967 to 1990 for the disposal of the same materials as the other two landfills. The current landfill is no longer in operation for waste disposal.

   

• Chemical Holes - These 55 waste pits were a source of VOC and strontium-90 groundwater contamination. They were used from the late 1950s to 1981 for the disposal of biological waste, chemical containers and glassware.

   

• Groundwater - VOCs from the current landfill and the HWMF have migrated into the groundwater. Rainwater percolating through contaminated soil can pick up the VOCs and transport them into the groundwater.

Tritium and sodium-22 were found in groundwater and subsurface soils near the Brookhaven Linac Isotope Producer (BLIP). BLIP produces radioactive isotopes used in medicine for both research and clinical use. It has been in operation since 1972.

Cleanup Goals for Radiologically Contaminated Soils

The most significant portion of Operable Unit I is the radiologically contaminated soils. The cleanup goals, established based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) criteria, have been developed to accomplish the following:

• Former HWMF - The soils will be cleaned up to a level that will permit release for industrial land use following 50 years of control and monitoring by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

   

• All Other Radiologically Contaminated Soils - The soils will be cleaned up to a level that will permit release for residential land use following 50 years of control and monitoring by the DOE.

Cleanup of the HWMF to residential levels was considered, however the small reduction in risk did not justify the substantially higher cost.

The EPA criteria for releasing lands for industrial and residential use are based on a person receiving a maximum radiation dose of 15 millirems per year greater than that received from natural background radiation. To put this in perspective, natural sources of radiation in the U.S. contribute 300 millirems per year to the average individual.*

Industrial use assumes typical working activities. Residential use assumes a typical person living in a home and exposed to "worst-case" contamination conditions.

* Based on reports by the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements.

Human Health Risks

Both chemical and radiological risks are summarized in the Proposed Plan. Sources of chemical risk include VOC contamination of groundwater and heavy metal contamination of soils. A hypothetical on-site resident 50 years in the future would have health risks above accepted levels from exposure to these contaminants.

Sources of radiological risk include cesium-137 contamination in soils and strontium-90 contamination in groundwater. A hypothetical on-site resident 50 years in the future would have health risks above accepted levels from exposure to these contaminants.

Potential human health risks to humans who consume deer have also been evaluated. Deer graze on BNL lawns including those contaminated with cesium-137. Low levels of cesium-137 have been detected in deer sampled on and off site. These levels are not harmful to the deer.

The potential radiation dose to humans who consume deer was evaluated by the New York State Department of Health in a March 1999 report. A conservative estimate for a person consuming 64 pounds of deer meat results in a dose of five millirems per year. This estimate uses the average cesium-137 concentration in deer meat from data collected between 1992 and 1999. A worse-case estimate, using the highest observed cesium-137 concentration, is nine millirems per year.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will be providing information and fact sheets to hunters and permit holders but are not recommending hunting restrictions around BNL. Hunting on the BNL site is prohibited by the Laboratory.

Proposed Cleanup Remedies

Radiologically contaminated soils

Six cleanup alternatives for radiologically contaminated soils were considered. These alternatives include various combinations of the following: excavation of contaminated soils, on-site containment and capping, off-site disposal, soil washing, and vitrification (soil melting followed by solidification).

The recommended cleanup method for radiologically contaminated soils is large-scale excavation and disposal to an off-site permitted facility. Approximately 39,000 cubic yards of soil will be removed from BNL. Monitoring will ensure that this remedy is effective.

This alternative was chosen because it provides the greatest protection of human health and the environment by removing the radiologically contaminated soils from the BNL site. Removing soils containing cesium-137 also will eliminate the source of deer contamination.

• Former HWMF - The proposed remedy is excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated soils. About 34,000 cubic yards of contaminated soils will be removed.

   

• Waste Concentration Facility - The proposed remedy is excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated soils. The out-of-service tanks and underground pipelines also will be removed and disposed of off site.

   

• Reclamation Facility and Sump Outfall Area - The proposed remedy is excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated soils.

   

• Other Radiologically Contaminated Soils - The proposed remedy is excavation and consolidation of contaminated soils. These soils will be combined with other radiologically contaminated soils at the HWMF and disposed of off site.

Wetlands

• Upland Recharge/Meadow Marsh Area - The proposed remedy is excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated sediments, followed by reconstruction of wetlands.

   

• Storm Recharge Basins - The proposed remedy is operational maintenance, monitoring and institutional control.

   

• Wooded Wetland - The proposed remedy is monitoring and institutional control.

Additionally, a Tiger Salamander Management Plan is being developed that will ensure future protection of salamander breeding grounds.

Ash pit

The proposed remedy for the ash pit is placement of a soil cap to prevent exposure of humans or wildlife to soil contaminants. Institutional controls and monitoring will ensure the effectiveness of the remedy.

Removal actions

Removal actions have already addressed several areas of concern on the BNL site. For these areas, the completed removal actions are proposed as the final cleanup actions.

• Landfills - The three landfills have been capped with a dense plastic liner and multiple layers of clean soil, as required by New York State. This cap prevents potential contamination of groundwater by blocking rainwater from entering contaminated soils.

   

• Chemical Holes - The chemical holes have been addressed through the excavation of approximately 12,000 cubic yards of soil and buried wastes. The wastes have been sorted and are currently being disposed of off site. The excavated soils are being stored on site prior to off-site disposal.

   

• Groundwater - A pump-and-treat system was installed at the southern boundary of BNL to treat VOCs from the current landfill and Former HWMF. It began operation in December 1996 and has treated over 600 million gallons of groundwater to date.

   

• BLIP - An Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis report has been prepared to examine cleanup alter
  natives. This report will be made available for public review and comment. An Action Memorandum will be prepared detailing the selected alternative and will be submitted to the Administrative Record.

Next Steps

Information sessions and a public meeting will be held to give the public an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about Operable Unit I (click here for more). Public comments will be accepted during the comment period from April 1 to April 30, 1999. Public comments will be incorporated into the Draft Record of Decision.

The Record of Decision will be reviewed and signed by the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the N.Y. State Department of Environmental Conservation. The document then will be entered into the public record. Cleanup actions will be designed and implemented, and the effectiveness of these actions will be monitored.

For More Information

The Executive Summary of the OU I Feasibility Study Report, and the OU I Proposed Plan, are available electronically at http://www.oer.dir.bnl.gov/ou1doc.html. A copy of the Proposed Plan is available by calling (516) 344-7459. The Feasibility Study Report and the Proposed Plan are available for review at the libraries listed below. You are also invited to call Gail Penny, U.S. Department of Energy, at (516) 344-3429 or Eloise Gmur, Brookhaven National Laboratory, at (516) 344-6336.

Documents are available at:

Longwood Public Library
800 Middle Country Rd.
Middle Island, NY
(516) 924-6400

Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Public Library
301 William Floyd Parkway
Shirley, NY
(516) 399-1511

BNL Research Library
(516) 344-3483

U.S. EPA, Region II Library
(212) 637-4296

Radiologically contaminated soils in Operable Unit I:

Other contaminated soils in Operable Unit I: