4.3 Alternative C - Extensive Treatment Configuration
This section describes the effects of implementing
alternative C (described in Section 2.5) on the existing environment (described
in Chapter 3).
4.3.1 INTRODUCTION
Alternative C would use an extensive treatment
configuration, which would minimize the long-term impacts of waste storage and
disposal at SRS. This alternative includes continuing ongoing activities listed
for the no-action alternative (Section 4.1.1). In addition, DOE would:
- Construct and operate a containment building to treat mixed and hazardous wastes.
- Roast and retort contaminated process equipment to
remove mercury and treat mercury by amalgamation
at the containment building.
- Oxidize a small quantity of reactive metal at the
containment building.
- Construct and operate a non-alpha vitrification facility for hazardous, mixed, and lowlevel wastes to replace the Consolidated Incineration Facility in 2006. The facility would include low-level and mixed waste soil sort capability to separate soil with nondetectable amounts of contamination from contaminated soil.
- Decontaminate and recycle low-activity equipment
waste (metals) offsite. Treatment residues would be returned to SRS for shallow
land disposal.
- Treat small quantities of radioactive PCB wastes
offsite; residuals would be returned to SRS for shallow land disposal.
- Operate the Consolidated Incineration
Facility for mixed, hazardous,
low-level, and alpha wastes until the vitrification
facilities become operational.
- Construct and operate a transuranic waste characterization/certification facility.
- Dispose of transuranic waste at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.
- Construct an alpha vitrification
facility.
Alternative C would also require additional disposal areas
for low-level radioactive wastes and mixed wastes.
Four of six new waste treatment facilities [for characterization/certification
of transuranic and alpha waste; for vitrification
of transuranic and alpha wastes; for vitrification of mixed, hazardous, and
low-level wastes; and for decontamination/macroencapsulation
(containment) of mixed and hazardous waste]
would be built in E-Area on undeveloped land northwest of F-Area.
Construction related to this alternative would require 0.40
square kilometer (99 acres) of undeveloped land northwest of FArea and
0.036 square kilometer (9 acres) of undeveloped land northeast of F-Area by 2006
(Figure 4-22). An additional 0.081 square kilometer (20 acres) of
undeveloped land would be required by 2024 for construction of RCRApermitted
disposal vaults northeast of FArea (Figure 423). Other
construction would be on previously cleared and developed land in the eastern
portion of E-Area. The amount of undeveloped land required for the minimum
waste forecast would be 0.45 square kilometer (111 acres), and the maximum waste
forecast would require 3.9 square kilometers (959 acres). If alternative C
were implemented, additional site-selection studies would be required to locate
suitable land.
4.3.2 GEOLOGIC RESOURCES
4.3.2.1 Geologic Resources - Expected Waste Forecast
Effects from alternative C - expected waste forecast would
be mainly from the construction of new facilities. The effects discussed under
the noaction alternative (Section 4.1.2) form the basis for
comparison and are referenced in this section.
Although the number of facilities needed would be fewer for this forecast than under the noaction alternative, waste management activities associated with this case would affect soils in EArea. Land that has been cleared and graded that would be required for this case totals approximately 0.239 square kilometer (59 acres). Approximately 0.44 square kilometer (108 acres) in E-Area would be cleared and graded for the construction of new facilities through 2006. Later, an additional 0.081 square kilometer
(20 acres) would be cleared for construction of RCRA-permitted disposal vaults. The total of 0.518 square kilometer (128 acres) is approximately 80 percent of the 0.65 square kilometer (160 acres) of undisturbed land that would be cleared and graded for the noaction alternative. Fewer facilities and the corresponding decrease in the amount of land needed would reduce the soils that would be affected under this case by about 15 percent.
The potential for accidental oil, fuel, and chemical spills
would be less for alternative C - expected waste forecast than under the noaction
alternative because of reduced construction and operation activities. Spill
prevention, control, and counter measures for this alternative would be the same
as for the noaction alternative discussed in Section 4.1.2; therefore,
impacts to soils would be minimal.
4.3.2.2 Geologic Resources - Minimum Waste Forecast
Effects from alternative C - minimum waste forecast would be
slightly less than those from the expected waste forecast because less land
would be disturbed during construction. Approximately 0.129 square kilometer
(32 acres) of cleared land (by 2008) and 0.45 square kilometer (111 acres)
(by 2024) of uncleared land would be used for new facilities.
For operations activities, spill prevention, control, and
countermeasures for this scenario would be the same as for the no-action
alternative.
4.3.2.3 Geologic Resources - Maximum Waste Forecast
Effects from alternative C - maximum waste forecast would be
greater than those from the minimum or expected waste forecasts because more
land would be disturbed during construction. Approximately 0.283 square
kilometer (70 acres) of cleared land and 0.745 square kilometer (184 acres) of
uncleared land in E-Area, and 3.14 square kilometers (775 acres) of land
outside E-Area would be used for new facilities.
For operations activities, spill prevention, control, and
countermeasures for this forecast would be the same as for the no-action
alternative and the potential for spills would be greater than for the expected
waste forecast because more facilities would be operated and larger volumes of
wastes would be managed.
4.3.3 GROUNDWATER RESOURCES
4.3.3.1 Groundwater Resources - Expected Waste Forecast
This section discusses the effects of alternative C -
expected waste forecast on groundwater resources at
SRS. Effects can be evaluated by comparing the doses from contaminants
predicted to enter the groundwater from each alternative and waste forecast.
Effects on groundwater resources under the noaction alternative (Section
4.1.3) form the basis for comparison among the alternatives and are referenced
in this section.
Operation and impacts of the M-Area Air Stripper and the F-
and H-Area tank farms would be the same as for the no-action alternative.
For this forecast, and as noted in Section 4.1.3, releases
to the groundwater from RCRA-permitted disposal
vaults would be improbable during active maintenance; however, releases could
eventually occur after loss of institutional control and degradation of the
vaults. Impacts from the RCRA-permitted disposal vaults would be similar to the
effects under the no-action alternative (Section 4.1.3).
There would be 11 fewer additional low-activity and
intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal vaults (4) than under the
no-action alternative (15). Modeling has shown that any releases from these
vaults would not cause groundwater standards to be
exceeded during the 30-year planning period or the 100year institutional
control period or at any time after disposal (Toblin 1995 ). As in
the noaction alternative, the predicted concentrations of tritium
would be a very small fraction of the drinking water standard. The discussion
in Section 4.1.3 on the basis of the 4 millirem standard is applicable to this
case. For this waste forecast, impacts to groundwater resources from disposal
vaults would be similar to the impacts under the noaction alternative.
For this waste forecast, 123 additional slit trenches would be constructed. Under this alternative, waste disposed in slit trenches would be stabilized (ashcrete, glass, smelter ingots). These disposal activities would be subject to completion of performance assessments and demonstration of compliance with the performance objectives required by DOE Order 5820.2A. Therefore, DOE has conservatively assumed that groundwater concentrations as a result of radioactive releases from the RCRA-permitted vaults and all other low-level waste disposal facilities (vaults and slit trenches) would remain within the DOE performance objective of 4 millirem per year adopted by DOE in Order 5400.5.
In summary, impacts to groundwater
from alternative C - expected waste forecast would be similar to the impacts
under the no-action alternative.
4.3.3.2 Groundwater Resources - Minimum Waste Forecast
For alternative C - minimum waste forecast, and as noted in
Section 4.1.3, releases to the groundwater from
RCRA-permitted disposal vaults would be improbable during active maintenance;
however, releases could eventually occur after loss of institutional control and
degradation of the vaults. Impacts from the RCRA-permitted disposal vaults
would be similar to the effects under the no-action alternative (Section 4.1.3).
There would be 12 fewer additional low-activity and
intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal vaults (3) than under the
no-action alternative (15). Modeling has shown that the 4 millirem per
year drinking water standard would not be exceeded by any radionuclide (Toblin
1995). Impacts to groundwater resources from
disposal vaults, including minimal doses from tritium would
be similar to those under the no-action alternative.
There would be less disposal of radioactive waste by shallow land disposal (45 additional slit trenches compared to 123 for the expected waste forecast). Under this alternative, waste disposed in slit trenches would be stabilized (ashcrete, glass, smelter ingots). These disposal activities would be subject to completion of performance assessments and demonstration of compliance with the performance objectives required by DOE Order 5820.2A. Therefore, DOE has conservatively assumed that groundwater concentrations as a result of radioactive releases from the RCRA-permitted vaults and all other low-level waste disposal facilities (vaults and slit trenches) would remain within the DOE performance objective of 4 millirem per year adopted by DOE in Order 5400.5.
In summary, impacts to groundwater from alternative C - minimum waste forecast would be similar to the impacts discussed under the no-action alternative (Section 4.1.3).
4.3.3.3 Groundwater Resources - Maximum Waste Forecast
For this forecast, and as noted in Section 4.1.3, releases
to the groundwater from RCRA-permitted disposal
vaults would be improbable during active maintenance; however, releases could
eventually occur after loss of institutional control and degradation of the
vaults. Impacts from the RCRA-permitted disposal vaults would be similar to the
effects under the no-action alternative (Section 4.1.3).
There would be seven fewer additional low-activity and
intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal vaults (8) than under the
no-action alternative (15). Modeling has predicted that the 4 millirem per year
drinking water standard would not be exceeded for any radionuclide at any time
after disposal (Toblin 1995) . The impacts of the vaults in this case
would be similar to those impacts in the no-action alternative (Section 4.1.3).
For alternative C - maximum waste forecast, there would be
576 additional slit trenches. Under this
alternative, waste disposed in slit trenches would be stabilized (ashcrete,
glass, smelter ingots). These disposal activities would be
subject to completion of performance assessments and demonstration of compliance
with the performance objectives required by DOE Order 5820.2A. Therefore, DOE
has conservatively assumed that groundwater concentrations as a result of
radioactive releases from the RCRA-permitted vaults and all other low-level
waste disposal facilities (vaults and slit trenches) would remain within the DOE
performance objective of 4 millirem per year adopted by DOE in Order 5400.5.
In summary, impacts to groundwater
from alternative C - maximum waste forecast would be similar to the impacts
under the no-action alternative (Section 4.1.3) and those for the expected waste
forecast of this alternative (Section 4.3.3.1 ).
4.3.4 SURFACE WATER RESOURCES
4.3.4.1 Surface Water - Expected Waste Forecast
The extensive treatment configuration would use the treatment facilities presently available or being installed at SRS and several new facilities. Of the three alternatives, alternative C would treat waste most extensively prior to disposal. Impacts can be compared between the alternatives by evaluating the pollutants that would be introduced to the surface waters. The 4-millirem-per-year drinking water standard would not be exceeded for any radionuclide (Toblin 1995).
Under this alternative, the Consolidated Incineration
Facility would operate until the
non-alpha vitrification facility began operating. The incinerator would not discharge
wastewater (blowdown) because it would be treated in
the ashcrete process, and the stabilized ash and blowdown would be disposed of
in RCRA-permitted disposal vaults or sent to shallow land disposal as discussed in Section 4.3.3.1.
The Replacement High-Level Waste Evaporator would evaporate
the liquid waste from the high-level waste tanks in the F- and H-Area tank farms
(as noted in the no-action alternative). It would be used in the same manner as
the present F and H-Area evaporators, with the
distillate being sent to the F/H-Area Effluent Treatment Facility for treatment
prior to being discharged to Upper Three Runs. The
concentrate from the evaporator would be sent to the Defense Waste Processing
Facility for vitrification .
Since the Replacement High-Level Waste Evaporator would be used in the same
manner as the existing evaporators and would produce a distillate similar in
composition to the present distillate, the effect of the effluent on Upper Three
Runs would be the same as it is now.
DOE would also construct two vitrification
facilities. The wastewater from both vitrification facilities
would be treated at dedicated wastewater treatment facilities using an
ion-exchange process, and the treated water would be recycled to each
vitrification facility. Wastewater from the containment
building would be transferred to the non-alpha
vitrification facility for treatment and
disposal. Wastewater would not be discharged to a surface stream.
Investigation-derived waste from groundwater
wells that contained volatile organic compounds would be collected and treated
by the MArea Air Stripper. Since this water would be similar in
composition to the groundwater presently being treated by the MArea Air
Stripper, surface waters would not be affected
by the discharge of additional treated water.
As discussed in Section 4.2.4.1, additional wastewater
would be treated in existing SRS facilities without exceeding the design
capacity of any facility.
DOE would construct new facilities and additional storage
buildings, pads, and vaults under this alternative. Erosion and
sedimentation control plans would be developed and
implemented for these projects, as noted in Section 4.1.4. After the facilities
were operating, they would be included in the Savannah River Site Stormwater
Pollution Prevention Plan, which details stormwater control measures.
4.3.4.2 Surface Water - Minimum Waste Forecast
As discussed in the other minimum waste forecasts (Sections
4.2.4.2 and 4.4.4.2), additional wastewater would be
treated by the existing wastewater treatment facilities.
Erosion and sedimentation control plans for construction projects, and pollution prevention plans would be required as they are under the
no-action alternative.
4.3.4.3 Surface Water - Maximum Waste Forecast
Facilities and discharges would be as described in Section 4.3.4.1. The previously described requirements for erosion and sedimentation control plans and pollution prevention plans would apply.
4.3.5 AIR RESOURCES
4.3.5.1 Air Resources - Expected Waste Forecast
Impacts to air resources can be evaluated by comparing
pollutants introduced under the various alternatives. For alternative C -
expected waste forecast, DOE would continue ongoing or planned waste treatment
activities and construct and operate additional waste management facilities.
Additional nonradiological and radiological emissions would occur. The
resulting increases of pollutant concentrations at and beyond the SRS boundary
would be minimal compared to existing concentrations. Neither state nor Federal
air quality standards would be exceeded by operations under
alternative C.
4.3.5.1.1 Construction
Potential impacts to air quality
from construction activities would include fugitive dust and earthmoving
equipment exhaust. Approximately 6.19x105 cubic meters
(8.10 x105 cubic yards) of soil would be disturbed in E-Area for the
construction of facilities for alternative C - expected waste forecast.
Maximum SRS boundary-line concentrations of air pollutants
resulting from a year of average construction are shown in Table 4-38. These
concentrations would be similar to those for the noaction alternative.
During a year of average construction, the sum of the increase over baseline
pollutant concentrations due to construction plus the existing baseline would be
within both state and Federal air quality
standards.
4.3.5.1.2 Operations
There would be additional radiological and nonradiological
emissions at SRS due to the operation of new facilities such as the MArea
Vendor Treatment Facility, the mixed and hazardous waste containment building, the
non-alpha waste vitrification
facility, the transuranic waste
characterization/certification facility, the alpha waste vitrification
facility, and the Consolidated Incineration Facility (assuming it operates as scheduled until it is replaced
by the vitrification facilities).
Emissions from new or proposed facilities are estimated from
processes occurring in the facilities or similar facilities, annual average
waste flow volumes, and air permit applications. Air emissions
from facilities such as disposal vaults and mixed waste storage buildings would be very small.
Per the rationale provided in Section 4.1.5.2 regarding
similar facilities, no increase in maximum boundary-line concentrations of
pollutants would result from the continued operation of currently operating
facilities. Additional emissions from the M-Area Air Stripper and the F/H-Area
Effluent Treatment Facility due to the expected waste forecast would be very
small and are discussed in Section 4.1.5.2.
Nonradiological Air Emissions Impacts
Maximum ground-level concentrations for nonradiological air
pollutants are estimated from the Industrial Source Complex Version 2 Dispersion
Model using maximum potential emissions from all facilities included in
alternative C (Stewart 1994). Calculations for the annual averaging period and
for the dispersion of toxic substances that are carcinogenic are presented in
Section 4.1.5.2. Modeled air toxic concentrations for carcinogens are based on
an annual averaging period and are presented in Section 4.3.12.1.2. Air
dispersion modeling was performed with calculated emission rates for facilities
not yet operating and actual 1990 emission levels for facilities currently
operating (Stewart 1994).
The following facilities were included in the modeling
analysis for alternative C air dispersion: the Consolidated Incineration
Facility, including the ashcrete
storage silo, the ashcrete hopper duct, and the ashcrete mixer; four new solvent
tanks; the MArea Vendor Treatment Facility; the hazardous and mixed
waste containment building;
the transuranic waste
characterization/certification facility; hazardous waste storage facilities; mixed waste storage facilities; the
non-alpha waste vitrification
facility; and the alpha waste vitrification facility.
Emissions of air toxics would be negligible. Maximum
boundary-line concentrations for air toxics emanating from existing
SRS sources, including the Consolidated Incineration Facility and the Defense Waste Processing Facility, would be well below regulatory standards and are
presented in the SCDHEC Regulation No. 62.5 Standard No. 2 and Standard No.
8 Compliance Modeling Input/Output Data.
The Savannah River Technology Center
laboratory's liquid waste and E-Area vaults would have very small air emissions, as discussed in Section 4.1.5.2.
Table 4-39 shows the increase in maximum ground-level concentrations at the SRS boundary for nonradiological air pollutants due to routine releases for alternative C - expected, minimum, and maximum waste forecasts. Concentrations due to routine emissions resulting from alternative C - expected waste forecast are similar to those under the no-action alternative. Refer to Section 4.2.5.1.2 for a discussion of the emissions from offsite lead decontamination.
Radiological Air Emissions Impacts
Offsite maximally exposed individual and population
doses were determined for atmospheric releases resulting from routine
operations. The major sources of radionuclides would be the Consolidated
Incineration Facility,
the alpha and nonalpha vitrification
facilities, and the transuranic waste
characterization/certification facility. Other facilities with radiological
releases include the M-Area Vendor Treatment Facility and the mixed and
hazardous waste containment building.
SRS-specific computer codes MAXIGASP and POPGASP were used
to determine the maximum offsite individual dose and the 80-kilometer (50-mile)
population dose, respectively, resulting from routine atmospheric releases. See
Appendix E for detailed facility specific isotopic and dose data.
Table 4-40 shows the dose to the offsite maximally exposed
individual and the population. The calculated
maximum committed effective annual dose equivalent to a hypothetical individual
is 0.18 millirem (Chesney 1995), which is well within the annual dose limit
of 10 millirem from SRS atmospheric releases. In comparison, an individual
living near SRS receives a dose of 0.25 millirem from all current SRS
routine releases (Arnett 1994).
For alternative C - expected waste forecast, the annual dose
to the population within 80 kilometers (50 miles)
of SRS would be 10 person-rem. In comparison, the collective dose received
from natural sources of radiation is approximately 195,000 person-rem (Arnett,
Karapatakis, and Mamatey 1994) to the same population. Section 4.3.12.1.2
describes the potential health effects of
these releases on individuals residing offsite.
Table 4-40. Annual radiological doses to individuals and the population within 80 kilometers (50miles) of SRS under alternative C.a
4.3.5.2 Air Resources - Minimum Waste Forecast
The alternative C - minimum waste forecast would have a
smaller impact to air resources than the expected waste forecast.
4.3.5.2.1 Construction
Impacts were evaluated for the construction of facilities
listed in Section 2.5.7. Maximum concentrations at the SRS boundary resulting
from average annual emissions during the 30year construction period are
presented in Table 4-38. As discussed in Section 4.3.5.1.1, SRS would
still be in compliance with both state and Federal air quality
standards.
4.3.5.2.2 Operations
Both radiological and nonradiological impacts were
determined for the same facilities listed in Section 2.5.7. Air emissions would be less than for the expected waste forecast.
Nonradiological Air Emissions Impacts
Nonradiological air emissions
would be less than those estimated for the expected waste forecast. Maximum
concentrations at the SRS boundary are presented in Table 4-39. Modeled
concentrations are similar to the expected waste forecast. Total concentrations
would be less than both state and Federal ambient air quality standards, and SRS would remain in compliance with both state and
Federal standards.
Radiological Air Emissions Impacts
Table 4-40 shows the dose to the offsite maximally exposed individual and the population due to atmospheric releases. The calculated maximum committed annual dose equivalent to a hypothetical individual is 0.09 millirem (Chesney 1995), which is less than the dose from the expected waste forecast and below the annual dose limit of 10 millirem from SRS atmospheric releases. The annual dose to the population within 80 kilometers (50 miles) of SRS would be 4.9 person-rem, less than the population dose calculated for the expected waste forecast.
4.3.5.3 Air Resources - Maximum Waste Forecast
Alternative C - maximum waste forecast would have
greater impacts than the expected waste forecast.
4.3.5.3.1 Construction
Maximum concentrations at the SRS boundary that would result
from average annual emissions during the 30year construction period are
presented in Table 4-38.
During a year of average construction, the sum of
concentrations of air pollutants resulting from construction activities plus the
existing baseline would be below both state and Federal air quality standards. Good construction management procedures would
require the wetting of roads to reduce particulate emissions.
4.3.5.3.2 Operations
Nonradiological Air Emissions Impacts
Nonradiological air emissions would be greater than those estimated for the expected waste forecast. Maximum concentrations at the SRS boundary are presented in Table 4-39. Cumulative concentrations would be within applicable state and federal ambient air quality standards.
Radiological Air Emissions Impacts
Table 4-40 shows the dose to the offsite maximally exposed
individual and the population due to atmospheric
releases from the facilities operating for the maximum waste forecast. The
calculated maximum committed annual dose equivalent to a hypothetical individual
is 4.0 millirem (Chesney 1995), which is greater than the dose calculated
for the expected waste forecast but within the annual dose limit of 10 millirem
from all SRS atmospheric releases.
The annual dose to the population within 80 kilometers (50 miles) of SRS would be 229 person-rem, which is greater than the population dose calculated for the expected waste forecast. The collective dose the same population receives from natural sources of radiation is approximately 195,000 person-rem (Arnett, Karapatakis, and Mamatey 1994). Section 4.3.12.1.2 describes the potential health effects of these releases.
4.3.6 ECOLOGICAL RESOURCES
4.3.6.1 Ecological Resources - Expected Waste Forecast
Development of new facilities would result in the clearing
and grading of undisturbed land. (These land areas are presented in acres; to
convert from acres to square kilometers, multiply by 0.004047.) Clearing and
grading would affect 108 acres of woodland by 2006 and an additional 20 acres by
2024, as follows:
- 27 acres of loblolly pine planted in 1987
- 20 acres of white oak, red oak, and hickory regenerated in 1922
- 57 acres of longleaf pine regenerated in 1922, 1931, or 1936
- 4 acres from which mixed pine/hardwood was recently harvested
- 20 acres of loblolly pine planted in 1987 would be
cleared between the years 2008 and 2024
Effects on the ecological resources would be the same as
those described in Section 4.1.6 for the noaction alternative; however,
because slightly less land (i.e., 128 acres versus 160 under the no-action
alternative) would be required, the overall impact would be slightly less.
4.3.6.2 Ecological Resources - Minimum Waste Forecast
Approximately 111 acres of undeveloped land located between
the M-Line railroad and the E-Area expansion and extending northwest of F-Area
would be required. Impacts to the ecological resources of the area would be
slightly less than under the expected waste forecast due to the reduced area.
4.3.6.3 Ecological Resources - Maximum Waste Forecast
Approximately 184 acres of undeveloped land located between
M-Line railroad and the E-Area expansion and extending northwest of F-Area would
be required. By 2006, an additional 775 acres of land in an undetermined
location would also be required for alternative C - maximum waste forecast.
Impacts to the ecological resources would be considerably greater than for the
expected waste forecast due to the greater area, and similar to those described
for alternative A - maximum forecast (see Section 4.2.6.3). Additional
threatened and endangered species surveys and a floodplain/wetlands
assessment would be required as part of the site-selection process.
4.3.7 LAND USE
4.3.7.1 Land Use - Expected Waste Forecast
DOE would use approximately 167 acres (108 acres of undeveloped; 59 acres of developed) of land in EArea through 2006 for activities associated with alternative C - expected waste forecast. By 2024, the total would have been reduced to about 155 acres because as wastes would be treated and disposed, the storage buildings would be taken out of service and decontaminated and decommissioned; some would be demolished and the land converted back to a natural area. SRS has about 181,000 acres of undeveloped land which includes wetlands and other areas that cannot be developed, and 17,000 acres of developed land.
Activities associated with alternative C would not affect
current SRS land-use plans; E-Area was designated as an area for nuclear
facilities in the Draft 1994 Land-Use Baseline Report.
Furthermore, no part of E-Area has been identified as a potential site for
future new missions. And according to the FY 1994 Draft Site Development
Plan, proposed future land management plans specify that E-Area be
characterized and remediated for environmental contamination in its entirety, if
necessary. DOE will make decisions on future SRS land uses
through the site development, land-use, and future-use planning processes,
including public input through avenues such as the Citizens Advisory Board.
4.3.7.2 Land Use - Minimum Waste Forecast
Activities associated with alternative C - minimum waste
forecast would not affect current SRS land uses.
Approximately 0.57 square kilometer (141 acres) (slightly less than for the
expected waste forecast) in EArea would be utilized.
4.3.7.3 Land Use - Maximum Waste Forecast
Activities associated with alternative C - maximum waste
forecast would not affect current SRS land uses. By
2006, DOE would use a total of 1,029 acres (254 acres in E-Area and 775 acres
elsewhere) for the facilities listed in Section 4.3.1. This acreage is nearly
10 times the land that would be required under the expected or minimum waste
forecasts, but is less than 1 percent of the total undeveloped land on SRS (DOE
1993d). However, considerably more acreage than this may be affected (see
Section 4.2.6.3). There would be no impact to current land uses in E-Area. The
location of the 775 acres outside of EArea has not been identified and
would be the subject of further impact analyses. However, DOE would minimize
the impact of clearing 775 acres by siting new facilities using the central
industrialized portion of SRS, as described in Section 2.1.2 and Figure 2-1.
4.3.8 SOCIOECONOMICS
This section describes the potential effects of alternative
C on the socioeconomic resources in the region of influence discussed in Section
3.8. This assessment is based on the estimated construction and operations
employment required to implement this alternative, as
listed in Tables 4-41 and 4-42.
4.3.8.1 Socioeconomics- Expected Waste Forecast
4.3.8.1.1 Construction
DOE anticipates that for alternative C - expected waste
forecast, construction employment would peak during
2004 through 2005 with approximately 160 jobs (Table 4-41), 110 more than
during peak employment under the no-action alternative. This employment demand
represents less than 1 percent of the forecast employment in 2005. Given the
normal fluctuation of employment in the construction industry, DOE does not
expect a net change in regional construction employment from implementation of
this case. Given no net change in employment, neither population
nor personal income in the region would change. As a result,
socioeconomic resources would not be affected.
4.3.8.1.2 Operations
Operations employment associated with implementation of alternative C - expected waste forecast is expected to peak from 2002 through 2005 with an estimated 2,160 jobs, 290 fewer than during peak employment under the no-action alternative (Table 4-41). This employment demand represents less than 1 percent of the forecast employment in 2005 and approximately 10 percent of 1995 SRS employment. DOE believes these jobs would be filled from the existing SRS workforce. Thus, DOE does not anticipate impacts to socioeconomic resources from changes in operations employment.
Table 4-41. Estimated construction and operations employment for alternative C - minimum, expected, and maximum waste forecasts.a
Waste Forecast | |||||
Minimum | Expected | Maximum | |||
year | Construction | Operations | Construction | Operations | Construction |
20 | 810 | 30 | 980 | 170 | |
20 | 970 | 20 | 1,250 | 40 | |
20 | 970 | 20 | 1,250 | 50 | |
20 | 970 | 20 | 1,360 | 140 | |
20 | 1,090 | 20 | 1,480 | 140 | |
20 | 1,100 | 20 | 1,610 | 140 | |
20 | 1,100 | 20 | 1,610 | 140 | |
60 | 1,230 | 90 | 2,160 | 270 | |
90 | 1,230 | 110 | 2,160 | 300 | |
130 | 1,470 | 160 | 2,160 | 350 | |
130 | 1,350 | 160 | 2,160 | 350 | |
90 | 1,300 | 100 | 1,940 | 230 | |
60 | 1,230 | 70 | 1,830 | 210 | |
20 | 1,330 | 30 | 1,910 | 80 | |
20 | 1,260 | 30 | 1,910 | 80 | |
20 | 1,260 | 30 | 1,910 | 80 | |
20 | 1,260 | 30 | 1,910 | 80 | |
20 | 1,260 | 30 | 1,910 | 80 | |
20 | 1,260 | 30 | 1,910 | 80 | |
20 | 1,260 | 30 | 1,910 | 80 | |
20 | 1,260 | 30 | 1,910 | 80 | |
20 | 1,260 | 30 | 1,910 | 80 | |
20 | 1,260 | 30 | 1,910 | 80 | |
20 | 1,260 | 30 | 1,910 | 80 | |
20 | 1,180 | 30 | 1,820 | 70 | |
20 | 1,180 | 30 | 1,820 | 70 | |
20 | 1,180 | 30 | 1,820 | 70 | |
20 | 1,180 | 30 | 1,820 | 70 | |
20 | 1,180 | 30 | 1,820 | 70 | |
20 | 1,180 | 30 | 1,820 | 70 |
a. Source: Hess (1995a).
b. Operations employment for the maximum waste forecast is provided in Table 4-42.
Table 4-42. Estimated new operations jobs required to support alternative C - maximum waste forecast.a
Year | Projected Total Site Employment | Site Employment Available for WM Activitiesb | Total Operations Employment for Alternative C- Maximum Case | New Hiresc |
20,000 | 10,000 | 1,260 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 2,620 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 2,800 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 7,720 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 7,720 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 7,880 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 7,880 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 10,060 | 2,160 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 10,060 | 2,160 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 10,060 | 2,160 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 10,060 | 2,160 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 8,870 | 970 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 8,910 | 1,010 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 4,540 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 4,540 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 4,540 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 4,540 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 4,540 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 4,540 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 4,540 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 4,540 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 4,540 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 4,540 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 4,540 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 4,020 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 4,020 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 4,020 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 4,020 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 4,020 | 0 | |
15,800 | 7,900 | 4,020 | 0 |
a. Source: Hess (1995a).
b. DOE assumed that approximately 50 percent of the total site workforce would be available to work on waste management activities.
c. New hires are calculated by comparing the required employment (column 4) to available employment (column 3); new hires would result only in those years when required employment exceeds available employment.
4.3.8.2 Socioeconomics- Minimum Waste Forecast
4.3.8.2.1 Construction
Construction employment
associated with alternative C - minimum forecast would be slightly less than
that for the expected waste forecast and would peak in 2004 and 2005 with
approximately 130 jobs (Table 4-41), which represents much less than 1
percent of the forecast employment in 2005. DOE does not expect a net change in
regional construction employment from implementation of this case. As a result,
socioeconomic resources in the region would not be affected.
4.3.8.2.2 Operations
Operations employment associated
with implementation of the minimum waste forecast is expected to peak in 2004
with an estimated 1,470 jobs, approximately 690 fewer jobs than under the
expected waste forecast (Table 4-41). This employment demand represents less
than 1 percent of the forecast employment in 2005 (see Chapter 3) and
approximately 7 percent of 1995 SRS employment. DOE believes these jobs could
be filled from the existing SRS workforce and, therefore, anticipates that
socioeconomic resources would not be affected by changes in operations
employment.
4.3.8.3 Socioeconomics- Maximum Waste Forecast
4.3.8.3.1 Construction
Construction employment
associated with alternative C - maximum waste forecast would be greater
than that for the expected waste forecast and would peak in 2004 and 2005 with
approximately 350 jobs (Table 4-41), which represents less than 1 percent of
forecast employment for 2005. DOE does not expect a net change in regional
construction employment from implementation of this case. As a result,
socioeconomic resources in the region would not be impacted.
4.3.8.3.2 Operations
Operations employment associated
with the implementation of alternative C - maximum waste forecast is expected to
peak during 2002 through 2005 with an estimated 10,060 jobs (Table 4-42), which
represents 3.7 percent of the forecast regional employment in the year 2005 and
approximately 50 percent of 1995 SRS employment. DOE assumes that approximately
50 percent of the total SRS workforce would be available to support
implementation of this case. If DOE transfers 50 percent of the SRS workforce,
an additional 2,160 new employees would still be required in the peak years.
Based on the number of new jobs predicted, DOE calculated changes in regional
employment, population, and personal income
using the Economic-Demographic Forecasting and Simulation Model developed for
the six-county region of influence (Treyz, Rickman, and Shao 1992).
Results of the modeling indicate that the peak regional
employment change would occur in 2002 with a total of
approximately 5,320 new jobs (Table 4-43) (HNUS 1995b). This would represent a
2 percent increase in baseline regional employment and would have a
substantial positive impact on the regional economy.
Potential changes in regional population
would lag behind the peak change in employment because of
migration lags and because in-migrants may have children after they move into
the area. As a result, the maximum change in population would
occur in 2005 with an estimated 6,630 additional people in the six-county region
(Table 4-43) (HNUS 1995b). This increase is approximately 1.4 percent above the
baseline regional population forecast and could affect the demand for community
resources and services such as housing, schools, police, health care, and fire
protection.
Potential changes in total personal income
would peak in 2005 with a $410 million increase over forecast regional income
levels for that year (Table 4-43) (HNUS 1995b). This would be a 2.6 percent
increase over baseline income levels and would have a substantial, positive
effect on the regional economy.
4.3.9 CULTURAL RESOURCES
This section discusses the effect of alternative C on
cultural resources.
4.3.9.1 Cultural Resources - Expected Waste Forecast
Waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities would be
constructed within the currently developed portion of E-Area, to the north and
northwest of this area, and to the northwest of F-Area (Figures 4-22 and
4-23).
Construction within the developed and fenced portion of
E-Area would not affect cultural or archaeological resources because this area
has been previously disturbed.
The two small areas of unsurveyed land (Figure 4-5) would be
surveyed and any resources would be protected as described in Section 4.1.9.
Archaeological sites in the proposed area of expansion could be impacted as
described in Section 4.1.9. If this occurred, DOE would protect the cultural
resources as described in Section
4.1.9.
4.3.9.2 Cultural Resources - Minimum Waste Forecast
Construction of new waste management facilities under this
case would require approximately 0.11 fewer square kilometer (26 fewer
acres) than for the expected waste forecast. Although the precise configuration
of facilities is currently undetermined, construction would take place within
the areas identified in Section 4.3.9.1.
As discussed in Section 4.3.9.1, construction within the
developed and fenced portion of E-Area or to the northwest of this area would
not affect archaeological resources. Before construction could begin in the
undeveloped area northwest of F-Area, the Savannah River
Archaeology Research Program and DOE would complete the consultation process
with the State Historic Preservation Officer and develop mitigation action plans
to ensure that important archaeological resources would be protected and
preserved (Sassaman 1994).
4.3.9.3 Cultural Resources - Maximum Waste Forecast
Construction of new waste management facilities for this
forecast would require approximately 4.2 square kilometers (1,029 acres),
3.5 square kilometers (862 acres) more than for the expected waste
forecast. Much of the proposed construction would take place within the areas
identified in Section 4.3.9.1. However, these areas are not large enough
to support all of the new facilities required under this case. DOE would need
an estimated 3.1 square kilometers (775 acres) outside the areas
identified in Section 4.3.9.1.
Construction within the developed and fenced portion of
E-Area or to the northwest of this area would not affect archaeological
resources. Before construction could begin in the undeveloped area northwest of
F-Area, the Savannah River Archaeology Research Program and
DOE would complete the consultation process with the State Historic Preservation
Officer and develop mitigation action plans, as described in Section 4.3.9.2.
Until DOE determines the precise location of the additional 3.1 square kilometers (775 acres) that would be used outside of F- and EAreas, effects on cultural resources cannot be predicted. The potential disturbance of important cultural resources would be proportional to the amount of land that would be disturbed. However, in compliance with the Programmatic Memorandum of Agreement, DOE would survey all areas proposed for construction activities prior to disturbance. If important resources are discovered, DOE would avoid or remove them.
4.3.10 AESTHETICS AND SCENIC RESOURCES - EXPECTED, MINIMUM, AND MAXIMUM WASTE FORECASTS
Activities associated with alternative C waste forecasts
would not adversely affect scenic resources or aesthetics. E-Area is already
dedicated to industrial use. In all cases, new construction would not be
visible from off SRS or from public access roads on SRS. The new facilities
would not produce emissions to the atmosphere that would be visible or that
would indirectly reduce visibility.
4.3.11 TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION
4.3.11.1 Traffic
4.3.11.1.1 Traffic - Expected Waste Forecast
The alternative C - expected waste forecast would require
108 more construction workers than the noaction alternative. As shown in
Table 4-44, no roads would exceed carrying capacity.
Traffic effects would be minimal. There would be one less
waste shipment per day compared to the estimate for the no-action alternative
(Table 4-45) due to fewer hazardous waste
shipments to and from the RCRA-permitted storage facility. The effect on
traffic would be very small.
4.3.11.1.2 Traffic - Minimum Waste Forecast
For the minimum forecast, there would be 85 more
construction workers than under the no-action alternative. Roads would
remain within the design carrying capacity (Table 4-44). Effects on
traffic would be minimal.
There would be 14 fewer daily waste shipments compared to no-action estimates (Table 4-45). This decrease would be due to smaller volumes of all types of waste. The lower number of hazardous waste shipments would also be due to a lower number of shipments to and from the storage facility. The lower volume of truck traffic would result in a slightly positive effect on traffic.
Table 4-44. Number of vehicles per hour during peak hours under alternative C.
Design Capacity, vehicles per hour | No-action alternative (percentage of design capacity) | ||||
Waste Forecast | |||||
Minimum | Expected | Maximum | |||
Offsite | (percentage of design capacity) | ||||
SC 19 | |||||
SC 125 | |||||
SC 57 | |||||
Onsite | |||||
Road E at
E-Area |
a. Adapted from Smith (1989).
b. Adapted from TRB (1985).
c. Includes baseline plus the maximum number (42) of construction workers (Hess 1995a).
d. Includes baseline plus the maximum number (132 for the minimum, 155 for expected, and 348 for the maximum waste forecast) of construction workers (Hess 1995a).
Table 4-45. SRS daily hazardous and radioactive waste shipments by truck under alternativeC.a
Waste | 1994 no action traffica | Change from no-action | ||
Minimum | Expected | Maximum | ||
Hazardous | 14 | -6 | -1 | 4 |
Low-level | 7 | -3 | <1b | |
Mixed | 8 | -5 | <1 | 14 |
Transuranicc | 1 | <1 | <1 | 15 |
Total change | NAd | -14 | -1 | 43 |
Total shipments per day | 30 | 16 | 29 | 73 |
a. Shipments per day: To arrive at shipments per day, the total number of waste shipments estimated for the 30 years considered in this eis was divided by 30 to determine estimated shipments per year. These numbers were divided by 250, which represents working days in a calendar year, to determine shipments per day. Supplemental data are provided in the traffic and transportation section of Appendix E.
b. Values less than 1 are treated as 0 for purposes of comparison.
c. Includes mixed and nonmixed transuranic waste shipments.
d. NA = not applicable.
4.3.11.1.3 Traffic - Maximum Waste Forecast
As discussed in Section 4.1.11.1, the 1992 South Carolina
highway fatality rate of 2.3 per 100 million miles driven provides a
baseline estimate of 5.5 traffic fatalities annually. Under alternative C,
the largest increase in construction workers would occur for the maximum waste
forecast (301 more workers than under the noaction alternative).
These workers would be expected to drive 3.5 million miles annually (3.0 million
miles more than under the noaction alternative), which is predicted to
result in 1.5 additional traffic fatalities per year. Traffic on roads
would remain within design carrying capacity (Table 4-44). Effects on
traffic would be minimal.
There would be 43 additional daily waste shipments
compared to no-action estimates (Table 4-45), primarily due to larger
volumes of waste and shipments of ashcrete to EArea. These shipments
would originate at various SRS locations (primarily F- and HAreas) and
terminate at the EArea treatment and disposal facilities. Shipments from
the transuranic waste
characterization/certification facility, alpha vitrification
and non-alpha vitrification facilities, and containment building are not considered because these shipments would occur on a
dedicated road that would be designed to accommodate expected traffic flows.
The addition of 43 trucks during normal work hours would have minimal
adverse effects on traffic.
4.3.11.2 Transportation
Consequences from incident-free onsite transportation under
alternative C were based on those calculated under the no-action alternative
adjusted for changes in number of shipments (as a result of changes in volumes
of wastes shipped). Consequences and corresponding health effects from onsite transportation accidents
for any given shipment are independent of the number of shipments and are,
therefore, the same as the noaction alternative. These results are
provided in Table 4-8. The probability of an accident occurring for each
type of waste shipped is provided in Table 4-26.
For alternative C, DOE analyzed the impacts that would
result from offsite shipments of mixed waste (lead)
and low-level waste. Methodology and receptors are defined in Section 4.2.11.
Incident-free doses from offsite shipments were calculated as in Section
4.1.11.2.1.
4.3.11.2.1 Transportation - Expected Waste Forecast
Incident-Free Radiological Impacts
The dose and number of excess fatal cancers from
incident-free transportation for alternative C - expected waste forecast
would not change from the no-action alternative in any receptor group except
involved workers (Table 4-46) because of the minimal increases in volumes
of waste shipped under this alternative. Involved workers' exposures would
increase slightly due to the increased volume of lowlevel equipment
shipped.
The probability of an uninvolved worker developing an excess
fatal cancer would be about 1 in 220,000 from incident-free onsite
transportation of radioactive material (Table 4-44). The number of
additional fatal cancers in the involved and uninvolved workers workforce due to
incident-free onsite transportation would be about two, while the uninvolved
workers would be less than one.
The annual probability of a member of the public developing
an excess fatal cancer would be about 1 in 58 million from incident-free offsite
transportation of radioactive material (Table 4-47). The additional fatal
cancers that could develop in members of the public
and involved workers from exposure to offsite waste shipments would be less than
one.
Transportation Accident Impacts
The probability of an onsite accident would be similar to
that under the no-action alternative because similar waste volumes would be
shipped; the consequences due to an accident would be the same as described in
Section 4.1.11.2.2. Effects from accidents involving offsite shipments were
calculated as in Section 4.1.11.2.2. The results are summarized in Table
4-48. Probabilities of an accident involving each waste type are presented in
Table 4-26.
The low consequences and associated excess latent cancer fatalities in the remote population from offsite shipments for alternative C - expected waste forecast (Table 4-48) would be comparable to consequences to the onsite population under the no-action alternative (Table 4-8) and alternative A (Table 4-25). An offsite accident would be less severe than one involving onsite shipments because of the small volume of waste shipped offsite. There would be less than one additional cancer to members of the general public from accidents during 30 years of waste shipments.
Table 4-46. Annual dose percent change from the no-action alternative) and associated excess latent cancer fatalities from incident-free onsite transport of radioactive material for alternativeC - expected waste forecast.
Wastea | Uninvolved Workerb (rem) | Uninvolved workers (person-rem) | Involved Workers (person-rem) | |||
Low-level | 0.011 | 2.0 | 190 | |||
Mixed | 5.8x10-5 | 0.12 | 4.4 | |||
Transuranic | 1.3x10-4 | 0.0095 | 0.15 | |||
Totalc | 0.011d | 2.1e | 200e | |||
Excess latent cancer fatalities | 4.5x10-6f | 8.6x10-4g | 0.079g |
a. See Appendix E for a list of waste streams which make up each waste type. Dose is based on exposure to all waste streams of a particular waste type.
b. See Section 4.1.11.2 for descriptions of receptors
c. Totals rounded to two significant figures.
d. Assumes the same individual has maximal exposure to each waste (Appendix E) for a single year.
e. Dose from 1 year of exposure to incident-free transportation of waste (see Appendix E).
f. Additional probability of an excess latent fatal cancer
g. Value equals the total dose the risk factor (0.0004 excess latent fatal cancer per person-rem).
Table 4-47. Annual dose and excess latent cancer fatalities from incident-free offsite transport of radioactive material for alternative C - expected waste forecast.
Low-level | 0.36 | 3.3x10-5 | 0.54 |
Mixed | 0.012 | 3.2x10-8 | 0.0025 |
Totalsc | 0.37 | 3.3x10-5 | 0.54 |
Excess latent cancer fatalities | 1.5x10-4 | 1.7x10-8d | 2.7x10-4 |
a. See Section 4.1.11.2 for descriptions of receptors.
b MEI = maximally exposed individual.
c. Dose for the remote MEI assumes exposure to each waste
(see Appendix E) in a year; for the populations, dose is the result of exposure
to 1 year of incidentfree transportation of waste (see Appendix E).
d. Additional probability of an excess latent fatal cancer.
Table 4-48. Probability of an accident during 30 years of offsite transport of radioactive material for each waste forecast under alternative C, dose, and excess latent cancer fatalities from an accident.
Low-level | 7.2x10-7 | 1.3x10-6 | 3.4x10-6 | 5.2x10-4 | 2.6x10-7 |
Mixed | 4.6x10-4 | 1.1x10-3 | 2.7x10-3 | 0.0047 | 2.4x10-6 |
4.3.11.2.2 Transportation - Minimum Waste Forecast
Incident-Free Radiological Impacts
For alternative C - minimum waste forecast, there would be
decreases in dose to all receptors from radioactive waste shipments (Table 4-49)
compared to the expected waste forecast (Table 4-46) as a result of the
decrease in volumes of all wastes. The annual probability of an uninvolved
worker developing a fatal cancer from incident-free onsite transport would be
about 1 in 430,000 (Table 4-49).
The involved worker population
and the uninvolved workers could expect less than one additional fatal cancer
per year from onsite transportation.
The probability per year that a member of the public would develop an excess fatal cancer from incident-free offsite transportation of radioactive material would be 1 in 110 million (Table 4-50). The number of
additional fatal cancers in both the remote population
and the involved worker population would be less than one.
Transportation Accident Impacts
The probability of an onsite accident involving radioactive
wastes would decrease slightly (Table 4-26) for the minimum waste forecast
because of the decreased volumes that would be shipped compared to the expected
waste forecast; however, the consequences due to an accident would be the same
as described in Section 4.1.11.3. Effects of offsite accidents
would be the same for the expected case (Table 4-48); however, the
probability of an offsite accident would decrease by about one-half compared to
the expected waste forecast because of the decrease in volume of waste shipped.
Table 4-49. Annual dose (percent change from the expected waste forecast) and associated excess latent cancer fatalities from incident-free onsite transport of radioactive material for alternativeC - minimum waste forecast.
Wastea | Uninvolved workerb
(rem) |
Uninvolved workers (person-rem) |
Involved workers (personrem) |
|||
Low-level | 0.0057 | (-49%) | 0.98 | (-51%) | 0 | (-47%) |
Mixed | 2.3x10-5 | (-61%) | 0.050 | (-60%) | 1.7 | (-62%) |
Transuranic | 9.0x10-5 | (-30%) | 0.0066 | (-30%) | 0.10 | (-30%) |
Totalc | 0.0058d | 1.0e | 0e | |||
Excess latent cancer fatalities | 2.3x10-6f | 4.1x10-4g | 0.041g |
a. See Appendix E for a list of waste streams which make up each waste type. Dose is based on exposure to all waste streams of a particular waste type.
b. See Section 4.1.11.2 for descriptions of receptors.
c. Totals were rounded to two significant figures.
d. Assumes the same individual has maximal exposure to each waste (Appendix E) for a single year.
e. Dose from 1 year of exposure to incident-free transportation of waste (see Appendix E).
f. Additional probability of an excess latent fatal cancer.
g. Value equals the total dose x the risk factor (0.0004 excess latent fatal cancers per personrem).
Table 4-50. Annual dose and excess latent cancer fatalities from incident-free offsite transport of radioactive material for alternative C - minimum waste forecast.
Waste | Involved workers (person-rem) | Remote MEIa (rem) |
Remote Population (person-rem) |
Low-level | 0.20 | 1.8x10-5 | 0.31 |
Mixed | 0.0052 | 1.4x10-8 | 0.0011 |
Totalsb | 0.21 | 1.8x10-5 | 0.31 |
Excess latent cancer fatalities | 8.4x10-5 | 9.0x10-9c | 1.6x10-4 |
a. MEI = maximally exposed individual.
b. Dose for the remote MEI assumes exposure to each waste (see Appendix E) in a year; for the populations, dose is the result of 1 year of incident-free transportation of waste (see Appendix E).
c. Additional probability of an excess latent fatal cancer.
4.3.11.2.3 Transportation - Maximum Waste Forecast
Incident-Free Radiological Impacts
For the maximum waste forecast, there would be large increases in dose to all receptors (Table 4-51) due to the increases in volumes of wastes shipped. These increases would be similar to those that would occur for alternative A - maximum waste forecast. The annual probability of an uninvolved worker developing an excess fatal cancer would be about 1 in 150,000 (Table 4-51). The involved workers
population and
the uninvolved workers could expect less than one additional fatal cancer per year
from 30 years of incident-free transport.
Table 4-52 shows that the probability of a member of the
public developing a fatal cancer is about 1 in 23 million per year from
incident-free offsite transportation of radioactive material. The number of
cancers that could develop in members of the public and involved workers would
be less than one.
Transportation Accident Impacts
The probability of an onsite accident involving radioactive
wastes would increase (Table 4-26) under the maximum waste forecast because more
waste would be shipped compared to the expected waste forecast; however, the
consequences due to a particular accident would be the same as described in
Section 4.1.11.3. Effects of offsite shipments would be the same as for
the expected case (Table 4-48); however, the probability of an offsite
accident would be three times greater than that in the expected waste forecast
because of the increase in volume of waste shipped.
Table 4-51. Annual dose (percent change from the expected waste forecast) and excess latent cancer fatalities from incident-free onsite transport of radioactive material for alternative C - maximum waste forecast.
|
|
|
| |||
Low-level | 0.014 |
|
2.6 | 350 | ||
Mixed | 2.0x10-4 | 0.45 | 19 | |||
Transuranic | 0.0021 | 0.16 | 2.4 | |||
Totalc | 0.016d | 3.2e | 370e | |||
Excess latent cancer fatalities | 6.6x10-6f | 0.0013g | 0.15g |
a. See Appendix E for a list of waste streams which make up
each waste type. Dose is based on exposure to all waste streams of a particular
waste type.
b. See Section 4.1.11.2 for descriptions of receptors.
c. Totals rounded to two significant figures.
d. Assumes the same individual has maximal exposure to each
waste type (Appendix E) for a single year.
e. Dose from 1 year of exposure to incident-free
transportation of waste (see Appendix E).
f. Additional probability of an excess latent fatal cancer.
g. Value equals the total dose the risk factor (0.0004
excess latent fatal cancers per person-rem).
Table 4-52. Annual dose and excess latent cancer fatalities from incident-free offsite transport of radioactive material for alternative C - maximum waste forecast.
Waste | Involved workers (person-rem) |
Remote MEIa (rem) |
Remote Population (person-rem) |
Low-level | 0.94 | 8.6x10-5 | 1.4 |
Mixed | 0.031 | 8.2x10-8 | 0.0064 |
Totalsb | 0.97 | 8.6x10-5 | 1.4 |
Excess latent cancer fatalities | 3.84x10-4 | 4.3x10-8c | 7.0x10-4 |
a. MEI = maximally exposed individual.
b. Dose for the remote MEI assumes exposure to each waste (see Appendix E) in a year; for the populations, dose is the result of exposure to 1 year of incident-free transportation of waste (see Appendix E).
c. Additional probability of an excess latent fatal cancer.
4.3.12 OCCUPATIONAL AND PUBLIC HeaLTH
Under alternative C, the non-alpha vitrification
facility (including soil sorting), the
transuranic waste
characterization/certification facility, the Consolidated Incineration
Facility, the alpha vitrification
facility, compaction facilities, and the containment building would operate. Emissions from these facilities would increase
adverse health effects over the no-action
alternative for each of the three waste forecasts. However, effects would be
small overall, except to involved workers under the maximum waste forecast.
For involved workers, the sources of most exposure would be
the transuranic waste storage pads, the non-alpha vitrification
facility, the Consolidated Incineration
Facility, the H-Area high-level waste
tank farm, and the transuranic waste characterization/certification facility; for the public and uninvolved
workers the sources of most exposure would be the environmental releases from
the alpha vitrification facility, the non-alpha vitrification facility, the
Consolidated Incineration Facility, and the transuranic waste
characterization/certification facility. (Consolidated Incineration Facility
impacts are summarized in Appendix B.5.)
For radiological assessments, the same general methodology
was used as under the no-action alternative (Section 4.1.12). The same risk
estimators were used to convert doses to fatal cancers, and wastes were
classified into treatability groups to facilitate the evaluations. However, the
development of radiological source terms and worker exposures was much more
involved. The expected performance of new facilities was based on actual design
information, if available, augmented as necessary with operating experience with
similar facilities.
4.3.12.1 Occupational and Public Health - Expected Waste Forecast
For alternative C - expected waste forecast, the amounts of
wastes would be the same as under the noaction alternative. Refer to
Section 4.1.12 for a discussion of the no-action alternative.
4.3.12.1.1 Occupational Health And Safety
Radiological Impacts
Table 4-53 presents the worker doses and resulting health
effects associated with alternative C -
expected waste forecast. The doses (0.04 rem per year) would remain well within
the SRS administrative guideline of 0.8 rem per year. The probabilities and
projected numbers of fatal cancers from 30 years of alternative C waste
management operations under this forecast would be much lower than those
expected from all causes during the workers' lifetimes. It is expected that
there would be 1.1 additional fatal cancers in the projected workforce of 2,184
involved workers.
Nonradiological Impacts
DOE considered potential nonradiological impacts to SRS
workers from air emissions from the following
facilities: the Defense Waste Processing Facility, including In-Tank Precipitation; the MArea Vendor Treatment
Facility; the Consolidated Incineration Facility; Building 6452N, mixed waste storage; four new solvent tanks; the transuranic waste characterization/certification facility (includingsoil sorting); the
containment building; the non-alpha vitrification
facility (including soil sorting); and the
alpha vitrification facility. Occupational health impacts to employees in the
Defense Waste Processing Facility, including In-Tank Precipitation, were
discussed in the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, Defense
Waste Processing Facility. Occupational health impacts to employees
associated with the Consolidated Incineration Facility were discussed in the
Environmental Assessment, Consolidated Incineration Facility.
Table E.23 in Appendix E presents a comparison
between Occupational Safety and Health Administration permissible exposure limit
values and potential exposures to uninvolved workers at both 100 meters (328 feet)
and 640 meters (2,100 feet) from each facility for the expected,
minimum, and maximum waste forecasts. Downwind concentrations were calculated
using EPA's TSCREEN model
(EPA 1988). For each facility's emissions under the expected waste forecast, employee occupational exposure would be less than Occupational Safety and Health Administration permissible exposure limits. DOE expects minimal health impacts as a result of uninvolved worker exposure to emissions from these facilities.
Table 4-53. Worker radiological doses and resulting health effects associated with the implementation of alternative C.a
Individual involved workerb | ||||
- Average annual dose (rem) | 0.025 | 0.040 | 0.038 | 0.060 |
- Associated probability of a fatal cancer | 1.0x10-5 | 1.6x10-5 | 1.5x10-5 | 2.4x10-5 |
- 30-year dose to average worker (rem) | 0.75 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.8 |
- Associated probability of a fatal cancer | 3.9x10-4 | 4.8x10-4 | 4.6x10-4 | 7.2x10-4 |
All involved workersc,b | ||||
- Annual dose (person-rem) | 52 | 86 | 83 | 150 |
- Associated number of fatal cancers | 0.021 | 0.035 | 0.033 | 0.060 |
- 30-year dose (person-rem) | 1,600 | 2,600 | 2,500 | 4.5x104 |
- Associated number of a fatal cancer | 0.62 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.8 |
Individual uninvolved workerb,d | ||||
- Annual dose at 100 meters (rem)a (associated probability of a fatal cancer) | 1.0x10-5
(4.1x10-9) | 0.0094
3.8x10-6 | 0.0045
1.8x10-6 | 0.22
(8.8x10-5) |
- Annual dose at 640 meters (rem) (associated probability of a fatal cancer) | 2.9x10-7
(1.1x10) | 0.0031
1.2x10-6 | 0.0014
5.7x10-7 | 0.073
2.9x10-5 |
- 30-year dose at 100 meters (rem) (associated probability of a fatal cancer) | 3.0x10-4
(1.2x10-7) | 0.28
1.1x10-4 | 0.14
5.4x10-5 | 6.6
(0.003) |
- 30-year dose at 640 meters (rem) (associated probability of a fatal cancer) | 8.6x10-6
(3.4x10-9) | 0.092
3.7x10-5 | 0.043
1.7x10-5 | 2.2
(0.0009) |
a. Supplemental facility information is provided in Appendix E.
b. Annual individual worker doses can be compared with the regulatory dose limit of 5 rem (10 CFR 835) and with the SRS administrative exposure guideline of 0.8 rem. Operational procedures ensure that the dose to the maximally exposed worker will also remain within the regulatory dose limit as is reasonably achievable.
c. The number of involved workers is estimated to be 2,184 for the expected waste forecast, 2,169 for the minimum forecast, and 2,526 for the maximum forecast.
d. Dose is due to emissions from the alpha and non-alpha vitrification facilities. Doses conservatively assume 80 hours per week of exposure.
4.3.12.1.2 Public Health and Safety
Radiological Impacts
Table 4-54 presents the radiological doses to the public and
resulting health effects associated with the
alternative C - expected waste forecast. The annual doses to the offsite
maximally exposed individual (0.18 millirem) and to the SRS regional population
(10 person-rem) would be about the same as those that resulted from total SRS
operations in 1993, which were more than 10 times lower than the regulatory
limits (Arnett, Karapatakis, and Mamatey 1994). For the offsite facility
(assumed to be located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the purposes of this
assessment) under this forecast, the annual doses to the offsite maximally
exposed individual (3.6×10-4millirem)
and to regional population (2.4×10-3person-rem) surrounding Oak Ridge, Tennessee, represent a very small
fraction (less than 0.3 percent) of the comparable doses to the SRS
regional population. These doses remain less than 0.3 percent of the
comparable SRS doses for all waste forecast under this alternative (see Appendix
E for facility specific data). For this waste forecast, radiologically induced
health effects to the public (0.15 fatal cancers from 30 years of exposure)
would be very small (Table 4-54).
Nonradiological Impacts
Potential nonradiological impacts to individuals residing
offsite are considered for both criteria and carcinogenic pollutants. Maximum
site boundary-line concentrations for criteria pollutants are discussed in
Section 4.3.5.1.2.
For routine releases from SRS operating facilities for the
expected waste forecast, criteria pollutant concentrations would be within state
and federal ambient air quality standards, as
discussed in Section 4.3.5.1.2. During periods of construction, the
criteria pollutant concentrations at the SRS boundary would not exceed air
quality standards under normal operating conditions. Neither the state nor the
federal air quality standards would be exceeded by actual emissions from SRS.
Emissions of criteria pollutants would have negligible health effects on offsite individuals.
Offsite risks due to carcinogens are calculated using the
Industrial Source Complex 2 model (Stewart 1994) for the facilities listed in
Section 4.3.12.1.1. Emissions of carcinogenic compounds are based on the types
and quantities of waste being processed at each facility. Table 4-55 shows the
individual lifetime cancer risks calculated
from unit risk factors (see Section 4.1.12.2.2) derived from EPA's Integrated
Risk Information System data base (EPA 1994). The estimated
increased probability of an individual developing cancer over a lifetime due to
routine SRS emissions under the expected waste forecast is approximately 2 in
10 million (Table 4-55). DOE expects minimal health impacts from emissions
of carcinogenic compounds.
Table 4-54. Radiological doses associated with the implementation of alternative C and resulting health effects to the public.a
| or number of fatal cancer | or number of fatal cancers | |||||||
Expected waste generation | |||||||||
Offsite MEId | |||||||||
- Annual, millirem | 1.2x10-4 | 6.9x10-4 | 8.1x10-4 | 4.1x10-7 | 0.18 | 6.9x10-4 | 0.18 | 9.0x10-8 | |
- 30-year, millirem | 0.0037 | 0.021 | 0.025 | 1.2x10-8 | 5.4 | 0.021 | 5.4 | 2.7x10-6 | |
Population | |||||||||
- Annual, person-rem | 2.9x10-4 | 0.0068 | 0.0071 | 3.5x10-6 | 10 | 0.0068 | 10 | 0.0050 | |
- 30-year, person-rem | 0.0086 | 0.20 | 0.21 | 1.0x10-4 | 302 | 0.20 | 302 | 0.15 | |
Minimum waste generation | |||||||||
Offsite MEI | |||||||||
- Annual, millirem | 0.09 | 6.9x10-4 | 0.09 | 4.6x10-8 | |||||
- 30-year, millirem | 2.71 | 0.021 | 2.7 | 1.4x10-6 | |||||
Population | |||||||||
- Annual, person-rem | 4.9 | 0.0068 | 4.9 | 0.0025 | |||||
- 30-year, person-rem | 148 | 0.20 | 148 | 0.074 | |||||
Maximum waste generation | |||||||||
Offsite MEI | |||||||||
- Annual, millirem | 4.0 | 6.9x10-4 | 4.0 | 2.0x10-6 | |||||
- 30-year, millirem | 120 | 0.021 | 120 | 6.0x10-5 | |||||
Population | |||||||||
- Annual, person-rem | 229 | 0.0068 | 229 | 0.11 | |||||
- 30-year, person-rem | 6,880 | 0.20 | 6,880 | 3.4 |
a. Supplemental facility information is provided in Appendix E.
b. For atmospheric releases, the dose is to the population within 80 kilometers (50 miles) of SRS. For aqueous releases, the dose is to the people using the Savannah River from SRS to the Atlantic Ocean.
c. For the offsite maximally exposed individual, probability of a fatal cancer; for population, number of fatal cancers.
d. MEI = maximally exposed individual.
e. NA = not applicable.
f. Atmospheric releases for MEI and population include contribution from offsite facilities, which contribute less than 0.3 percent to the atmospheric releases reported here.
Note: The doses to the public from total SRS operations
in 1993 were 0.25 millirem to the offsite maximally exposed individual
and 9.1 person-rem to the regional population. These doses, when
added to the doses associated with the waste management alternative
that are given in this table, are assumed to equal total SRS doses.
For the maximum waste forecast (which gives the highest doses),
the total annual dose to the offsite maximally exposed individual
and the regional population would equal 4.42 millirem (0.25 + 4.17)
and approximately 248 person-rem (9.1 + 239), respectively. The
individual dose would fall below the proposed annual regulatory
limits of 10 millirem from airborne releases, 4 millirem from
drinking water, and 100 millirem from all pathways combined (proposed
10 CFR 834); the population dose would be lower than the proposed
annual notification limit of 100 person-rem (proposed 10
CFR 834).
4.3.12.1.3 Environmental Justice Assessment
Section 4.1.12.2.3 describes the methodology for analyzing
radiological dose emissions to determine if there would be environmental justice concerns. Figure 4-24 illustrates the results of the analysis for
alternative C expected waste forecast for the 80kilometer (50-mile) region
of interest in this eis. Supporting data for the analysis can be found in the
environmental justice section of Appendix E.
The predicted per capita dose differs very little between
types of communities at a given distance from SRS, and the per capita dose is
extremely small in each type of community. This analysis indicates that people
of color or low income in the 80-kilometer (50-mile) region
would be neither disproportionately nor adversely impacted. Therefore,
environmental justice issues would not be a concern for the alternative C -
expected waste forecast.
4.3.12.2 Occupational and Public Health - Minimum Waste Forecast
Because the waste amounts for alternative C - minimum waste
forecast would be smaller than for the expected forecast and the treatment
operations the same, the impacts to workers and the public would be smaller than
described in Section 4.3.12.1.
Figure 4-24.
4.3.12.2.1 Occupational Health and Safety
Radiological Impacts
Table 4-53 includes the worker doses and resulting health
effects associated with the minimum waste
forecast. Doses (0.039 rem per year) and health effects associated with this
case would be smaller than those associated with the expected waste forecast.
From 30 years of exposure, there would be one additional fatal cancer in the
workforce of 2,169.
Nonradiological Impacts
Table E.2-3 in Appendix E presents a comparison of the
nonradiological air concentrations to SRS workers exposed under the minimum
waste forecast based on Occupational Safety and Health Administration
permissible exposure limits values. Exposures to SRS workers are either equal
to or less than those occurring in the expected waste forecast. For all
facilities, employee occupational exposure would be less than Occupational
Safety and Health Administration permissible exposure limits. Negligible
impacts to worker's health would occur due to emissions under the minimum waste
forecast.
4.3.12.2.2 Public Health and Safety
Radiological Impacts
Table 4-54 includes the doses to the public and the
resulting health effects associated with the
minimum waste forecast. Doses and health effects associated with this case
would be smaller than those associated with the expected waste forecast.
Nonradiological Impacts
Potential nonradiological impacts to individuals residing
offsite are considered for both criteria and carcinogenic pollutants under the
minimum waste forecast. For routine releases from operating facilities,
criteria pollutant concentrations would be within state and Federal ambient air
quality standards, as discussed in Section 4.3.5.2.
During periods of construction, the criteria pollutant concentrations at the
SRS boundary would not exceed air quality standards under normal operating
conditions. DOE expects very small health impacts to the public from emissions
of criteria pollutants.
Table 4-55 presents offsite risks from emissions of carcinogens. The overall incremental lifetime cancer risk is approximately 2 in 10 million. DOE expects very small health impacts to the public from emissions of carcinogenic compounds.
Table 4-55. Estimated probability of excess latent cancers in the offsite population from nonradiological carcinogens emitted under alternative C.
|
waste forecast (mg/m3) |
waste forecast (mg/m3) |
waste forecast (mg/m3) |
| ||||
Acetaldehyde | ||||||||
Acrylamide | ||||||||
Acrylonitrile | ||||||||
Arsenic Pentoxide | ||||||||
Asbestos | ||||||||
Benzene | ||||||||
Benzidine | ||||||||
Bis(chloromethyl) ether | ||||||||
Bromoform | ||||||||
Carbon Tetrachloride | ||||||||
Chlordane | ||||||||
Chloroform | ||||||||
Cr(+6) Compounds | ||||||||
Formaldehyde | ||||||||
Heptachlor | ||||||||
Hexachlorobenzene | ||||||||
Hexachlorobutadiene | ||||||||
Hydrazine | ||||||||
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane | ||||||||
1,1,2-Trichloroethane | ||||||||
Toxaphene | ||||||||
1,1 Dichloroethene | ||||||||
Methylene Chloride | ||||||||
a. Source: EPA (1994).
b. Maximum annual boundary line concentration.
c. Source: Stewart (1994).
d. Latent cancer probability equals unit risk factor times concentration times 30 years divided by 70 years.
e. Micrograms per cubic meter of air.
4.3.12.2.3 Environmental Justice Assessment
Figure 4-25 illustrates the results of the analysis for
alternative C - minimum waste forecast for the 80kilometer (50-mile)
region of interest in this eis. No communities would be disproportionately
affected by emissions resulting from this case.
4.3.12.3 Occupational and Public Health - Maximum Waste Forecast
The amounts of wastes to be treated for alternative C -
maximum waste forecast would be larger than for the minimum and expected waste
forecasts, but the treatment operations would be the same. The maximum waste
forecast would result in the greatest effects on worker and public health.
4.3.12.3.1 Occupational Health and Safety
Radiological Impacts
Table 4-53 includes the worker doses and resulting health
effects associated with the maximum waste
forecast. The doses would remain below the SRS administrative guideline of 0.8
rem per year. However, it is projected that two people in the involved
workforce of 2,526 could develop a fatal cancer sometime during their lifetimes
as the result of 30 years of exposure.
Nonradiological Impacts
Table E.2-3 in Appendix E presents a comparison of the nonradiological air concentrations to SRS workers exposed under the maximum waste forecast based on Occupational Safety and Health Administration permissible exposure limits values. Exposures to SRS workers are either equal to or greater than those occurring in the expected waste forecast. However, for all facilities, employee occupational exposure would be less than Occupational Safety and Health Administration permissible exposure limits. DOE expects minimal health impacts from emissions from facilities under the maximum waste forecast.
Figure 4-25.
4.3.12.3.2 Public Health and Safety
Radiological Impacts
Table 4-54 includes the doses to the public and resulting
health effects associated with the maximum
waste forecast. The annual doses to the offsite maximally exposed individual
(4.0 millirem) and to the regional population
(229 person-rem) would exceed the corresponding doses of 0.25 millirem and 9.1 person-rem,
respectively, from total SRS operations in 1993 (Arnett, Karapatakis, and
Mamatey 1994). However, regulatory dose limits would not be exceeded (refer to
note on Table 4-54).
The health effects
associated with the maximum waste forecast are included in Table 4-54. Based on
a risk estimator of 0.0005 latent cancer fatality per rem
(Section 4.1.12.2), the probability of the offsite maximally exposed individual
developing a fatal cancer from 30 years of exposure to radiation associated with
this waste forecast would be 6 in 100,000, and the number of additional fatal
cancers in the regional population could be 3.4.
This probability of a fatal cancer is much smaller than the one chance in four
(23.5 percent) that a member of the public will develop a fatal cancer from all
causes, and the number of fatal cancers is much less than the 145,700 fatal
cancers that the regional population of 620,100 can expect to develop from all
causes during their lifetimes.
Each alternative C waste forecast would result in larger
radiological doses to the public and consequent health effects than would alternative A (see Tables 4-33 and 4-54).
Nonradiological Impacts
Potential nonradiological impacts to individuals residing
offsite are considered for both criteria and carcinogenic pollutants for
alternative C - maximum waste forecast.
For routine releases from operating facilities, criteria
pollutant concentrations would be within state and Federal ambient air quality standards, as discussed in Section 4.3.5.3. During
periods of construction, the criteria pollutant concentrations at the SRS
boundary would not exceed air quality standards under normal operating
conditions.
Table 4-55 presents offsite risks from carcinogens. The overall change in lifetime cancer risk is approximately 3 in 10 million, which is greater than the risk associated with expected waste forecast. Nonetheless, very small health effects to the public are expected from facilities in the maximum waste forecast.
4.3.12.3.3 Environmental Justice Assessment
Figure 4-26 illustrates the results of the analysis for
alternative C - maximum waste forecast for the 80kilometer (50-mile)
region of interest in this eis. No communities would be disproportionately
affected by emissions resulting from this case.
4.3.13 FACILITY ACCIDENTS
This section summarizes the risks to workers and members of
the public from potential facility accidents associated
with the various wastes under alternative C. The methodologies used to
develop the radiological and hazardous material accident scenarios are the same
as those discussed in Section 4.1.13.1 for the no-action alternative.
4.3.13.1 Facility Accidents - Expected Waste Forecast
Figures 4-27 through 4-30 summarize the projected impacts of radiological accidents on the population, the offsite maximally exposed individual, and uninvolved workers at 640 meters (2,100 feet) and 100 meters (328 feet) for alternative C - expected waste forecast. An anticipated accident (i.e., one occurring between once every 10 years and once every 100 years) involving mixed waste presents the greatest risk under alternative C to the population within 80 kilometers (50 miles) of SRS (see Figure 427). This accident scenario would increase the risk to the population within 80 kilometers (50 miles) by 1.7 x10-2 latent fatal cancer per year. The postulated accident scenarios associated with the various waste types are described in Appendix F.
An anticipated accident involving mixed waste would pose the greatest risk to the offsite
maximally exposed individual (Figure 4-28) and the uninvolved worker at 640 meters
(2,100 feet) (Figure 4-29). The anticipated accident scenario would
increase the risk to the offsite maximally exposed individual by 3.3x10-7
latent fatal cancer per year and to the uninvolved worker at 640 meters
(2,100 feet) by 1.8x10-5 latent fatal cancer
per year.
An anticipated accident involving mixed waste would pose the greatest risk to the
uninvolved worker at 100 meters (328 feet) (Figure 4-30). The anticipated
accident scenario would increase the risk to the uninvolved worker at 100 meters
(328 feet) by 1.0x10-3 latent fatal cancer per year.
Regardless of waste type for each receptor group, the
greatest estimated risks associated with alternative C are identical to
those for the noaction alternative. However, there could be differences
in the overall risk to each receptor group for specific waste
types. For example, the overall risks for lowlevel, mixed, and
transuranic wastes are different to
greater or lesser degrees between the two alternatives.
Table 4-56 provides a comparison of overall risk
for specific waste types between the no-action alternative and alternative C. A
multiplicative change factor is used to illustrate differences between noaction
and alternative C risks. If the risks presented are identical, the
multiplication factor is one. However, if the risks presented are different,
the multiplication factor is the ratio of the two values. Arrows indicate
whether the alternative C risks are larger or smaller than the no-action
alternative risks.
A complete summary of all representative bounding accidents
considered for alternative C is presented in Table 4-57. This table provides
accident descriptions, annual frequency of occurrence, increased risk
of latent fatal cancers for all receptor groups, and the waste type with which
the accident scenario was associated. Details regarding the individual
postulated accident scenarios associated with the various waste types are
provided in Appendix F.
The impacts resulting from chemical hazards associated with
the alternative C - expected waste forecast are the same as those discussed
for alternative A in Section 4.2.13.1. Only one chemical release scenario
would expose an offsite maximally exposed individual to airborne concentrations
greater than ERPG2 values. Appendix F provides further detail and
discussion regarding chemical hazards associated with each waste type.
In addition to the risk to human health from
accidents, secondary impacts from postulated accidents
on plant and animal resources, water resources, the economy, national defense,
environmental contamination, threatened and endangered species, land use, and Native American treaty rights are considered. This qualitative
assessment (see Appendix F) determined that there would be no substantial
impacts from accidents for alternative C - expected waste forecast.
Table 4-56. Comparison of risks from accidents under the no-action alternative and alternativeC.
Population within 80 kilometers | Low-level | 0.017 | 0.0081 | -2.1 |
Mixed | 0.017 | 0.017 | 1.0 | |
Transuranic | 0.005 | 1.4x10-5 | -3.0 | |
High-level
|
6.3x10-4 | 6.3x10-4 | 1.0 | |
Offsite maximally exposed individual | Low-level | 3.3x10-7 | 1.6x10-7 | -2.1 |
Mixed | 3.3x10-7 | 3.3x10-7 | 1.0 | |
Transuranic | 9.8x10-8 | 2.9x10-7 | +3.0 | |
High-level
|
1.3x10-8 | 1.3x10-8 | 1.0 | |
Uninvolved worker to 640 meters | Low-level | 1.8x10-5 | 8.9x10-6 | -2.1 |
Mixed | 1.8x10-5 | 1.8x10-5 | 1.0 | |
Transuranic | 5.5x10-6 | 1.6x10-5 | +2.9 | |
High-level
|
6.4x10-7 | 6.4x10-7 | 1.0 | |
Uninvolved worker to 100 meters | Low-level | 0.001 | 2.5x10-4 | -4.0 |
Mixed | 0.001 | 0.001 | 1.0 | |
Transuranic | 3.1x10-4 | 9.0x10-4 | +2.9 | |
High-level | 1.8x10-5 | 1.8x10-5 | 1.0 |
a. Increased risk of latent fatal cancers per year.
b. Wastes are described in Section 2.1 and Appendix F.
c. Change factors represent the multiplication factor required to equate no-action alternative risks to alternative C risks (e.g., no-action risk times change factor equals alternative C risk ). The plus sign (+) indicates that alternative C presents the greater risk and the minus sign (-) indicates that alternative C presents the lesser risk.
4.3.13.2 Facility Accidents - Minimum Waste Forecast
Alternative C - minimum waste forecast is not expected
to change the duration of risk for the facilities associated with
the representative bounding accidents (see Appendix F).
DOE does expect that a slight decrease in risk
would occur for the alternative C minimum waste forecast. A comparison of
the number and types of facilities needed for the minimum and expected waste
forecasts is provided in Table 2-31.
4.3.13.3 Facility Accidents - Maximum Waste Forecast
The maximum waste forecast would not be expected to increase
or decrease the duration of risk for the facilities associated
with the representative bounding accidents identified
under alternative C (see Appendix F).
DOE does expect that an increase in risk over the expected waste forecast would occur for the maximum waste forecast under alternative C. A comparison of the number and types of facilities needed for the maximum and expected waste forecasts is provided in Section 2.5.7.
Table 4-57. Summary of representative bounding accidents under alternative C.a
(per year) | ||||||
RHLWEdrelease due to a feed line break | High-level | 0.007e | 1.79x10-5 | 6.38x10-7 | 1.32x10-7 | 6.34x10-4 |
RHLWE release due to a design basis earthquake | High-level | 2.00x10-4f | 1.54x10-6 | 5.46x10-8 | 1.12x10-9 | 5.43x10-5 |
RHLWE release due to evaporator pressurization and breech | High-level | 5.09x10-5g | 1.95x10-6 | 3.46x10-8 | 7.13x10 | 3.44x10-5 |
Design basis ETFh airborne release due to tornado | High-level | 3.69x10-7i | 3.20x10-13 | 1.02x10-14 | 7.20x10-15 | 6.35x10-14 |
Fire at the LLWSBj | Low-level | 0.0830e | 2.51x10-4 | 8.93x10-6 | 1.61x10-7 | 0.00813 |
Container breach at the ILNTVk | Mixed | 0.02e | 0.00104 | 1.84x10-5 | 3.31x10-7 | 0.0168 |
Release due to multiple open containers at the Containment Building | Mixed | 3.00x10-4f | 4.69x10-7 | 6.91x10-7 | 1.22x10-8 | 5.70x10-4 |
F3 tornadol at Building 316-M | Mixed | 2.80x10-5g | 5.35x10-12 | 1.29x10-9 | 1.65x10-9 | 1.12x10-9 |
Aircraft crash at the Containment Building | Mixed | 1.60x10-7i | 9.73x10 | 3.46x10-11 | 6.66x10-13 | 3.19x10-8 |
Deflagration in culvert during TRUmdrum retrieval activities | Transuranic | 0.01e | 8.96x10-4 | 1.59x10-5 | 2.86x10-7 | 0.0145 |
Fire in culvert at the TRU waste storage pads (one drum in culvert) | Transuranic | 8.10x10-4f | 3.07x10-4 | 5.48x10-6 | 9.84x10-8 | 0.00498 |
Vehicle crash with resulting fire at the TRU waste storage pads | Transuranic | 6.50x10-5g | 4.47x10-6 | 7.96x10-8 | 1.43x10-9 | 7.25x10-5 |
a. A complete description and analysis of the representative bounding accidents are presented in Appendix F.
b. Increased risk of fatal cancers per year is calculated by multiplying the [consequence (dose) x latent cancer conversion factor] x annual frequency. For dose consequences and latent cancer fatalities per dose, see tables in Appendix F.
c. The waste type for which the accident scenario is identified as a representative bounding accident. A representative bounding accident may be identified for more than one waste type. These waste types are listed as high-level, low-level, mixed, and transuranic waste types.
d. Replacement High-Level Waste Evaporator.
e. The frequency of this accident scenario is within the anticipated accident range.
f. The frequency of this accident scenario is within the unlikely accident range.
g. The frequency of this accident scenario is within the extremely unlikely accident range.
h. F/H-Area Effluent Treatment Facility.
i. The frequency of this accident scenario is within beyond-extremely-unlikely accident range.
j. Long-lived waste storage building.
k. Intermediate-level nontritium vault.
l. F3 tornadoes have rotational wind speeds of 254 to 331 kilometers (158 to 206 miles) per hour.
m. Transuranic.
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