Fall 1998 200 East area biological vector contamination report

Abstract

(FDH), offer their sincere appreciation and gratitude to those who cooperated and assisted during the events of the Fall of 1998 that are documented in the following report. Specifically, we thank and commend the City of Richland, the personnel at the City of Richland Landfill, and the Washington State Department of Health. We also thank the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Bechtel Hanford, Inc., and Project Hanford Management Contract team members. They were instrumental in helping FDH and the Hanford Site respond to this incident and identify lessons learned relative to the discovery of a new biological vector for the spread of contamination.The recognition extended to these organizations also encompasses their cooperation in reviewing and commenting on this document. The lessons learned from this event are intended for use not only by the Hanford Site, but also by other U S . Department of Energy sites and other interested parties. EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe purpose of this report is to document the investigation into the cause of the spread of radioactive contamination in September and October 1998 at the Hanford Site's 200 East Area and its subsequent spread to the City of Richland Landfill; identify the source of the contamination; and present corrective actions. The focus and thrust of managing the incident was based on the need to accomplish the following, listed in order of importance.Protect the health and safety of the Site workers and the public. Contain and control the spread of contamination. Identify the source of contamination and the pathways for its spread. Identify the causal factors enabling the contamination.The activities, processes, and events described in this report involve personnel from the City of Richland; the Washington State Department of Health; the US. Department of Energy, Richland Operations Office (RL); Fluor Daniel Hanford, Inc. (FDH), the Management and Integration contractor for RL at the Hanford Site; and several of its major subcontractors. Additional support was provided by the Washington State Department of Ecology and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.During the incident, the investigative team identified the contamination source and pathways, mitigated the spread of contamination, decontaminated and returned areas to normal conditions, and devised ways to prevent recurrence. ObservationsThe investigation found the following elements to be positive and proactive.Project Hanford Management Contract (PHMC) surveillance programs provide effective monitoring of onsite (Hanford) workers, facilities, and locations. The surveillance programs' formal policies and strategies are supplemented by knowledgeable and experienced technicians and management.There was no impact to the health and safety of the workers, the general public, or the environment. Extensive radiological surveys and testing, including bioassays, showed that no personnel were exposed or contaminated, although in some cases their belongings were.Flying-insect traps were set up within and outside the Hanf...