U.S. EPA Superfund RadiationPolicy and Guidance
Stuart WalkerU S E i t l P t ti AU.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Superfund Remediationand Technology Innovation (OSRTI)
Presented to ASTSWMO 2009 Mid-Year Meeting
Federal Session on Radiological Contaminants –in Columbus, Ohioon April 15, 2009
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EPA Addresses Site Cleanup Under S l L PSeveral Laws, Programs
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation & Liability Act, CERCLA or “Superfund”SuperfundNational Contingency Plan (NCP) is regulation for CERCLAfor CERCLANational Priorities List (NPL) guides EPA on which sites need further attentionwhich sites need further attention
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Purposep
P id b i f d i ti f CERCLAProvide brief description of CERCLA processProvide overview of CERCLA remedy (long-term cleanup) selection requirements:cleanup) selection requirements:»Focus on radionuclides
Provide overview of key EPA CERCLA guidance y gand tools that specifically address radionuclides»Radionuclides are also addressed with other
hazardous substances under general EPAhazardous substances under general EPA CERCLA guidelines
Provide overview of EPA CERCLA relationship t DOE d NRC it l
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to DOE and NRC site cleanups
What does a Superfund Site look lik ?like?
There are many different types of Superfund sites.»See following 4 pages for examples of
radioactively contaminated sites.
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Nuclear Metals Inc. - Massachusetts
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Abandoned Uranium Mines Project –N j N tiNavajo Nation
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Welsbach/General Gas Mantle – New JJersey
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Hanford –D Reactor / DR Reactor RemediationD Reactor / DR Reactor Remediation
DR Reactor Interim Safe Storage Project
D Reactor Surveillance and Maintenance
Safe Storage Project
Effluent Piping Removal
and Maintenance
Contaminated Soil Remediation
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Remedial Process
Preliminary Record of Decision yAssessment/Site Inspection (PA/SI)Hazard Ranking System
(ROD)Remedial Design/Remedial ActionHazard Ranking System
(HRS) ScoringNPL Site Listing Process
Design/Remedial Action (RD/RA)Construction Completiong
Remedial Investigation/Feasibility St d (RI/FS)
pPost Construction Completion activities
Study (RI/FS)
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CERCLA Decision-makingg
CERCLA cleanup decisions are made site-specifically» Must comply with CERCLA and NCP
EPA Regional site managers» Removals – On Scene Coordinators (OSCs)» Remedial (and NTC-removals) – Remedial ( )
Project Managers (RPMs)
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Nine CERCLA Remedy Selection C it iCriteria
Two threshold criteria (both must be met)1. Protect human health and the environment2. Comply (attain or waive) with other federal
and state laws: Applicable or Relevant and A i t R i t (ARAR )Appropriate Requirements (ARARs)— Protect current or future sources of
d i ki t ( tt i MCLdrinking water (e.g., attain MCLs or more stringent state standards)
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Nine CERCLA Remedy Selection C it i ( ti d)Criteria (continued)
6 CERCLA ARAR i6 CERCLA ARAR waivers1. Interim Measure2. Greater Risk to Health and the Environment3. Technical Impracticability4. Equivalent Standard of Performance5. Inconsistent Application of State
R i tRequirements6. Fund Balancing
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Nine CERCLA Remedy Selection C it i ( ti d)Criteria (continued)
Five balancing criteria (used to evaluate between potential remedies that meet threshold criteria)criteria)1. Long-term effectiveness and permanence2 R d ti f t t i it bilit2. Reduction of waste toxicity, mobility, or
volume3 Sh t t ff ti3. Short-term effectiveness4. Implementability
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5. Cost
Nine CERCLA Remedy Selection C it i ( ti d)Criteria (continued)
Two modifying criteria (information from public comment period that may modify remedial action)action)1. State acceptance2 C it t2. Community acceptance
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CERCLA Cleanup Levelsp
ARARs often determine cleanup levelspWhere ARARs are not available or protective, EPA sets site-specific cleanup levels that
F i t i d i k f» For carcinogens, represent an increased cancer risk of 1 x 10-6 to 1 x 10-4
—10-6 used as “point of departure”10 used as point of departure—PRGs are established at 1 x 10-6
» For non-carcinogens, will not result in adverse effects g ,to human health (hazard index (HI) <1)
Address ecological concerns
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To-be-considered (TBC) material may help determine cleanup level
CERCLA Cleanup Levels Are NOTNOTB d OBased On
NRC decommissioning requirements (e g 25NRC decommissioning requirements (e.g., 25, 100 mrem/yr dose limits) 10 CFR 20 Subpart E» If used as an ARAR, 10-6 still used as point ofIf used as an ARAR, 10 still used as point of
departure, and 10-4 to 10-6 risk range must be met
Guidance outside risk range and/or if expressed as a dose (# mrem/year). This includes:» DOE orders, NRC guidance (e.g., NUREGs),
ICRP guidance, IAEA guidance, NCRP guidance ANSI/HPS guidance EPA/DHS
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guidance, ANSI/HPS guidance, EPA/DHS PAGs, and Federal guidance
Guidance: CERCLA Cleanupp
Establishment of Cleanup Levels for CERCLAEstablishment of Cleanup Levels for CERCLA Sites with Radioactive Contamination (8/22/97) OSWER Directive 9200.4-18Radioactive contaminants at CERCLA sites are governed by the NCP like all other contaminants» Cleanups based on ARARs or risk range» Groundwater restored to beneficial reuseGroundwater restored to beneficial reuse» Use reasonably anticipated land use
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Common Rad ARARs
Radium and thorium (40 CFR Part 192Radium and thorium (40 CFR Part 192 (UMTRCA))» 5 pCi/g [0 185 Bq/g] over background» 5 pCi/g [0.185 Bq/g] over background
Radon in buildings (40 CFR Part 192 (UMTRCA))(UMTRCA))» 0.02 working levels of radon-220 and -222
decay productsdecay productsOutdoor radon (40 CFR Part 192 (UMTRCA) 40 CFR Part 61 (CAA))
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CFR Part 61 (CAA))» 20 pCi/m²-s [0.74 Bq/m²-s] of radon-222
Common Rad ARARs (continued)( )
NRC L L l W (10 CFR P 61 (AEA))NRC Low Level Waste (10 CFR Part 61 (AEA))» 25 mrem/yr [0.25 mSv/yr] whole body, 75
mrem/yr [0 75 mSv/yr] to the thyroid and 25mrem/yr [0.75 mSv/yr] to the thyroid, and 25 mrem/yr [0.25 mSv/yr] to any critical organ other than the thyroid—This is different dose methodology than 25,
100 mrem/yr [0.25, 1 mSv/yr] NRC decommissioning standarddecommissioning standard
State water quality standards
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Common Rad ARARs (continued)( )
Federal MCLs (40 CFR Part 141 (SDWA))» 5 pCi/l [0.185 Bq/l] of radium-226 and -228 combined
4 / [0 04 S / ] f b t ti l d» 4 mrem/yr [0.04 mSv/yr] from beta particles and photon emitters to total body or any internal organ
» 15 pCi/l [0 555 Bq/l] for gross alpha particle activity» 15 pCi/l [0.555 Bq/l] for gross alpha particle activity (excluding radon and uranium)
» 30 micrograms per liter of uraniumUranium in groundwater (40 CFR Part 192 (UMTRCA))» 30 pCi/l [1.11 Bq/l] of uranium-234 and -238 combined
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State MCLs if more stringent than federal
Guidance: UMTRCA Soil ARAR
U f S il Cl C it i i 40 CFR P t 192Use of Soil Cleanup Criteria in 40 CFR Part 192 as Remediation Goals for CERCLA sites (2/12/98) OSWER Directive 9200.4-25G id di d th i b f il lGuidance on radium and thorium subsurface soil cleanup levelsAttain 5 pCi/g [0.185 Bq/g], not 15 pCi/g [0.555 Bq/g], in
b fsubsurface» 15 pCi/g [0.555 Bq/g], is “finding tool” for UMTRCA sites
where subsurface contamination is high,» and was expected to achieve 5 pCi/g [0.185 Bq/g] or less,
therefore» 15 pCi/g [0.555 Bq/g], is “relevant and appropriate” at
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p g [ q g] pp pCERCLA sites only when it will achieve 5 pCi/g [0.185 Bq/g] or less
Risk-based Cleanup Levels for R di ti C t i tiRadioactive Contamination
Radiation cleanup levels expressed as risk levels, not mrem [mSv]Superfund uses “slope factors” in Health Effects Assessment Summary Tables (HEAST) instead of dose conversation tables to estimate cancerof dose conversation tables to estimate cancer risk from radioactive contaminants» HEAST has been updated with new» HEAST has been updated with new
information from Federal Guidance 13—Based on information in ICRP 72
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Based on information in ICRP 72
Guidance: Risk Assessment Q&A
Radiation Risk Assessment at CERCLA Sites: Q&ARadiation Risk Assessment at CERCLA Sites: Q&A(12/99) OSWER Directive 9200.4-31PProvides overview of current EPA guidance for radiation risk assessmentWritten for users familiar with Superfund but not radiationradiationAdds some new guidance» Dose assessment only for ARAR compliance» Dose assessment only for ARAR compliance» No dose-based TBCs (including No 15 mrem/yr [0.15
mSv/yr])
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» Direct exposure rate may supplement sampling
Guidance: Rad SSG
S il S i G id f R di lidSoil Screening Guidance for Radionuclides[rad SSG] documents (10/00) OSWER Directives 9355.4-16A and 9355.4-16
U G id» User Guide» Technical Background Document
Guidance to screen out areas, pathways, and/or radionuclides , p y ,early in the processConsistent with 1996 chemical SSG» 1 x 10-6 and MCLs (leaching from soil)» 1 x 10 6 and MCLs (leaching from soil)» Residential land use» Survey procedures for site characterization
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» Evaluates 5 soil to groundwater models» Accounts for technical differences of radiation
Guidance: Rad PRG Calculator
C l l t t t bli h PRG hCalculator to establish PRGs, when:» ARAR is either not available or sufficiently
t ti ( 25 / [0 25 S / ]protective (e.g., 25 mrem/yr [0.25 mSv/yr] or more)
Electronic equations (risk and leaching toElectronic equations (risk and leaching to groundwater) also are on Internet» 1x10-6 and MCLs (leaching from soil)» 1x10 6 and MCLs (leaching from soil)» Accounts for technical differences of
radiation (e g gamma plant uptake)
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radiation (e.g., gamma, plant uptake)
Guidance: Rad PRG Calculator ( ti d)(continued)
Seven scenarios/land uses availableSeven scenarios/land uses available1. Residential2. Agricultural
5. Fish ingestion6. Tap waterg
3. Indoor workers4. Outdoor workers
p7. Soil to groundwater
Chemical SSL Internet equations should be used for chemical toxicity of uranium
SEPA developed Internet-based training with States (ITRC) on calculator and radiation risk assessment» http://www clu-in org/conf/itrc/rads 051507/
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» http://www.clu-in.org/conf/itrc/rads_051507/
Guidance: ARAR Dose Calculator
Calculator to establish Dose ComplianceCalculator to establish Dose Compliance Concentrations (DCC) for single dose limit ARARs requiring a dose assessmentSix scenarios/land uses available
1. Residential 4. Outdoor workers2. Agricultural3. Indoor workers
5. Fish ingestion6. Tap water
Equations similar to those used for PRG calculator, except dose conversion factors
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, pused instead of slope factors
Guidance: Building PRG (BPRG) C l l tCalculator
Calculator to establish 1x10-6 risk based PRGs forCalculator to establish 1x10 risk based PRGs for the reuse of radioactively contaminated buildings.Equations and parameters are derived from latest EPA h i l th d l ( t tEPA chemical methodology (e.g., assessment at WTC)» Adjusted to account for technical differences djus ed o accou o ec ca d e e ces
posed by radiationEPA and ITRC Internet-based training on BPRG calculator and D&Dcalculator and D&D» http://www.clu-in.org/conf/itrc/radsdd_040308/
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Guidance: Building PRG (BPRG) C l l t ( ti d)Calculator (continued)
BPRG l l t i l d 2 l d iBPRG calculator includes 2 land use scenarios»Residential»Indoor worker»Indoor worker
Both land uses include3 exposure routesp»Settled dust»Ambient air»Direct external exposure
—5 Room sizes and 4 receptor locations, both
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–Surface–Volumetric
Surfaces PRG (SPRG) Calculator( )
Establish 1 x 10-6 risk based PRGs for radioactively contaminated outside hard surfaces (e g slabs pavement sidewalks sides of(e.g., slabs, pavement, sidewalks, sides of buildings)Derived from rad PRG and BPRG calculatorsDerived from rad PRG and BPRG calculators
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SPRG Exposure Scenariosp
SPRG i l d 3 l d iSPRG includes 3 land use scenarios» Residential» Indoor Worker» Indoor Worker» Outdoor Worker
3 land uses include 3 exposure routesp» Settled dust (pave and unpaved street level)» Fixed Direct External 3-D (street level)
—Surface and Volumetric» Fixed Direct External 2-D (slabs)
S f d V l t i
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—Surface and Volumetric
Guidance: Uranium in Groundwater
Use of Uranium Drinking Water Standards Under 40 CFRUse of Uranium Drinking Water Standards Under 40 CFR 141 and 40 CFR 192 as Remediation Goals for Groundwater at CERCLA Sites (11/6/01) OSWER Directive 9283.1-14Guidance on the use of MCL and UMTRCA uranium standards as ARARs for groundwaterWhen both standards are ARARs must attain or waiveWhen both standards are ARARs, must attain or waive both1. 30 micrograms per liter of total uranium2. 30 pCi/l [1.11 Bq/l] of uranium-234 and 238 combined
Use MCL ARAR point of compliance for UMTRCA Includes a list of radionuclides under 4 mrem/year beta
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Includes a list of radionuclides under 4 mrem/year beta and 15 pCi/l [0.555 Bq/l] alpha MCLs
Booklet: Common Radionuclides
Common Radionuclides Found at Superfund Sites (7/02) OSWER Directive 9200.1-34Booklet for the general public. It contains information on
H lth ff t f di lid l» Health effects of radionuclides commonly found at Superfund sitesEPA li i f l i th» EPA policies for cleaning up these radionuclides
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Video: Radiation Risk Assessment
Superfund Radiation Risk Assessment and How you can Help, an Overview (3/05) OSWER Directive 9200 4 37Directive 9200.4-37Video for the general public. It contains information on:information on:» The Superfund risk assessment process when
addressing radioactive contaminationaddressing radioactive contamination» How the public is involved site-specifically
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DOE and NRC sites
DOE d NRC h th it d At i E A tDOE and NRC have authority under Atomic Energy Act to cleanupMost large DOE sites on NPL» DOE/EPA joint policy to use CERCLA for the rest
Most DOE sites have Federal Facility Agreement» Outlines roles and responsibilities» Outlines roles and responsibilities» Enforceable schedule for deliverables
Only few NRC sites on NPLRCRA often used to regulate chemicals at NRC and DOE facilities
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Guidance: NRC Evaluations
Evaluation of Facilities Currently or Previously Licensed NRC sites under CERCLA (2/17/00) OSWER Directive 9272.0-15PGuidance on how to determine if an NRC cleanup meets CERCLA levels of protectionProtectiveness evaluations of NRC decommissioning» EPA determination made using site-specific
information not dose limits in NRC ruleinformation, not dose limits in NRC ruleEvaluating need for CERCLA response action – NPL listing and removal
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g
MOU with NRC
Memorandum of Understanding Between theMemorandum of Understanding Between the Environmental Protection Agency and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Consultation and Finality on Decommissioning and Decontamination ofon Decommissioning and Decontamination of Contaminated Sites (signed by EPA 9/30/02 and NRC 10/9/02) OSWER Directive 9295.8-06Provides framework for EPA CERCLA coordination with NRC during NRC site decommissioning» When NRC will request EPA review
Does not affect how CERCLA cleanup levels are selected
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selected
Risk Tools under developmentp
Three risk and dose assessment tools: 1. Outside Surfaces DCC calculator2. Inside Building DCC calculator3. Radionuclide Ecological Benchmark g
calculator
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Surface Dose Cleanup Concentrations (SDCC) ARAR Dose Calculator(SDCC) ARAR Dose Calculator
SDCC Purpose: to establish DCCs for OutsideSDCC Purpose: to establish DCCs for Outside Hard Surfaces for single dose limit ARARs (# mrem/yr)SDCC includes 3 land use scenarios (Residential, Indoor Worker, Outdoor Worker)3 land uses include 3 exposure routes (Settled dust, Fixed Direct External 3-D, Fixed Direct
( ))External 2-D (slabs))Equations similar to those used for SPRG
l l t t d i f t
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calculator, except dose conversion factorsused instead of slope factors
Building Dose Cleanup Concentrations (BDCC) ARAR Dose Calculator(BDCC) ARAR Dose Calculator
BDCC Purpose: to establish BCCs for InsideBDCC Purpose: to establish BCCs for Inside Buildings for single dose limit ARARs (# mrem/yr)BDCC includes 2 land use scenarios (Residential, Indoor Worker)2 land uses include 3 exposure routes (Settled dust, Fixed Direct External 3-D, Ambient Air)Equations similar to those used for BPRG calculator, except dose conversion factorsused instead of slope factors
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used instead of slope factors
Radionuclide Ecological Benchmark (REB) C l l t(REB) Calculator
Establish risk-based Biota Concentration guides (BCGs), or ecological benchmarks, for radioactively contaminated sitesradioactively contaminated sitesDerived from DOE Graded Approach guidance
I l d d l l f ti d th» Includes same dose levels for tissue death» Strong recommendation to look at chemical
ff teco effects
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REB Exposure Scenariosp
Includes 12 animal or plant benchmark scenarios»6 generic composite only»6 species-specific/site-specific
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For More Copies or Informationp
Guidance documents are on Superfund Radiation Webpage:Guidance documents are on Superfund Radiation Webpage:» http://www.epa.gov/superfund/health/contaminants/radiation/index.htm
EPA/ITRC training on EPA Superfund radiation approachg p pp» http://www.clu-in.org/conf/itrc/radscleanup_060507/
Guidance documents for overall cleanup level issues are on Superfund Remedy Decisions Webpage:Superfund Remedy Decisions Webpage:» http://www.epa.gov/superfund/policy/remedy/sfremedy/index.htm
For further information or questions Stuart WalkerFor further information or questions, Stuart Walker» Phone: (703) 603-8748» Fax: (703) 603-9133
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» Email: [email protected]
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