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OVERVIEW OF ROCKY FLATS OPERATIONS
... After investigating the fire, the Atomic Energy Commission blamed plant managers for failing to implement or follow fire safety procedures (U.S. Atomic Energy Commission 1969;Cochran 1996). These findings were kept secret because they demonstrated ignorance and negligence on the part of both the Atomic Energy Commission and its contractor Dow. ...
This research analyzes the human dimensions of environmental degradation and injustice in the age of nuclear weapons. Human societies are fundamentally linked to global environmental systems and are transforming ecological conditions in dramatic ways, such that the current epoch has been termed the Anthropocene. This article highlights the human health consequences, ecological transformations, and threats to biodiversity imposed by military institutions in the Anthropocene; emphasizing how these outcomes can be traced to specific interrelated sets of processes and generative conditions. I advance the treadmill of destruction theory as one useful theoretical framework for examining these socio-ecological interrelationships. The investigation focuses on the institutional foundations of nuclear war strategy and preparations for nuclear war, and their interactions with ecosystems. I provide an analysis of the American nuclear weapons production process, revealing how a treadmill of destruction emerged after World War II. This analysis of how the developmental dynamics of nuclear weapons have changed over time brings greater clarity to the Anthropocene concept and the distinct role of military institutions in shaping the new era.
Purpose:
The Rocky Flats (RF) Plant was a weapons manufacturing facility that operated from the early 1950s to 1989. Its primary missions were production of plutonium (Pu) pits for thermonuclear weapons and processing of retired weapons for Pu recovery. The purpose of this study was to estimate radiation doses to a cohort of 4499 RF workers from intake of 239Pu, the primary plutonium isotope handled at the site.
Materials and methods:
The latest biokinetic models of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, or site-specific variations of those models, were used to estimate 239Pu intakes for each worker based on model fits to bioassay data often coupled with lung measurements.
Results:
Urinary excretion and lung retention data for most 239Pu intakes could be fit reasonably well by a mixture of Pu dioxide and a moderately soluble material. For some workers, better fits were obtained by application of other absorption types including Type S, 239Pu nitrate, or pure 239Pu dioxide, or by assuming intake via a wound. The lungs typically received the highest tissue doses, with fifty-year committed equivalent doses in the range 0.5-1 Sv for 275 workers, 1-5 Sv for 115 workers, and greater than 5 Sv for 12 workers.
Conclusions:
RF was a unique site regarding the large number of lung measurements available for determining the appropriate absorption types for inhaled material. This provided higher confidence in reconstructed 239Pu doses than is generally gained from urinary data alone.
This book contains facts about the past, present and future of nuclear weapons.
Analytical and statistical uncertainties associated with low-level measurements may lead to spurious conclusions regarding the behavior of some plutonium isotopes. The general aspect of the methodology used in sample collection, preparation, radiochemical separation and alpha spectroscopy analysis of plutonium is considered. Biases and experimental artifacts that may produce inaccurate results and improper conclusions are discussed with examples from our research and from the open literature.
Thesis (Ph. D.)--Colorado State University, 1996. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 57-60). Photocopy.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDH) sponsored a study to reconstruct contaminant doses to the public from operations at the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant. This analysis of the accidental release of plutonium from the area known as the 903 Pad is part of the CDH study. In the 1950's and 1960's, 55-gallon drums of waste oil contaminated with plutonium, and uranium were stored outdoors at the 903 Pad. The drums corroded, leaking contaminated oil onto soil subsequently carried off-site by the wind. The plutonium release is estimated using environmental data from the 1960's and 1970's and an atmospheric transport model for fugitive dust. The best estimate of total plutonium release to areas beyond plant-owned property is about 0.26 TBq (7 Ci). Off-site airborne concentrations and deposition of plutonium are estimated for dose calculation purposes. The best estimate of the highest predicted off-site effective dose is approximately 72 microSv (7.2 mrem).
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment sponsored a study to reconstruct contaminant doses to the public from the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant. This analysis of the September 1957 fire in a plutonium fabrication building that breached the building air filtration system is part of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment study. The plutonium release from this fire is estimated using environmental data collected around the time of the fire and an air dispersion model. The approximate upper bound on the total plutonium release from the fire is 1.9 GBq (0.05 Ci), with an uncertainty of about two orders of magnitude. Off-site air concentrations and deposition of plutonium resulting from the approximate upper-bound release are estimated. The highest predicted off-site effective dose resulting from the approximate upper-bound release is about 13 microSv (1.3 mrem).
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment sponsored a study to reconstruct contaminant doses to the public from operations at the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons facility. This analysis of routine releases of plutonium and uranium, the principal radioactive materials used at the plant, was part of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment study. Historical radionuclide monitoring and data handling practices are characterized and uncertainties are quantified. Estimates of the annual release of plutonium and uranium are provided for the period from 1953 to 1989. Off-site airborne concentrations and deposition of plutonium and uranium associated with the releases are estimated, along with the highest doses for off-site populations. The predicted effective doses from the routine release of plutonium and uranium from Rocky Flats for a person residing near the plant boundary between 1953 and 1989 are very small.
Staff Analysis, A Report on Radiation Problems Related to Plutonium Fabrication of Operations at the Rocky Flats Plant
AEC, "Staff Analysis, A Report on Radiation Problems Related to Plutonium Fabrication of
Operations at the Rocky Flats Plant (January, 1968)," February 8, 1968 [This appears to be a
draft, given that it contains handwritten edits].
Building 776-777, Rocky Flats Plant
AEC, "Report on Investigation of Fire, Building 776-777, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden
Colorado, May 11, 1969," Vol. 1-5, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, August 1969.
Identification of Chemicals and Radionuclides Used at Rocky Flats
- Chemrisk
ChemRisk, Task 1 Report (R1), "Identification of Chemicals and Radionuclides Used at
Rocky Flats," March 1991.
Selection of Chemicals and Radionuclides of Concern
- Chemrisk
ChemRisk, Task 2 Report, "Selection of Chemicals and Radionuclides of Concern," June
1991.
Estimating Historical Emissions From Rocky Flats
- Chemrisk
ChemRisk, "Estimating Historical Emissions From Rocky Flats," Task 5 Draft Report,
November 1992.
Exposure Pathway Identification and Transport Modeling
- Chemrisk
ChemRisk, "Exposure Pathway Identification and Transport Modeling," Task 6 Draft Report,
May 1993.
Dose Assessment for Historical Contaminant Releases from Rocky Flats
- Chemrisk
ChemRisk, "Dose Assessment for Historical Contaminant Releases from Rocky Flats," Task
8 Draft Report, Volumes 1 and 2, October 1993.
The Amount of Plutonium and Highly-Enriched Uranium Needed for Pure Fission Nuclear Weapons
- B Thomas
- Christopher E Cochran
- Paine
Thomas B. Cochran and Christopher E. Paine, "The Amount of Plutonium and Highly-Enriched Uranium Needed for Pure Fission Nuclear Weapons," Natural Resources Defense
Council, Revised 13 April 1995.
The Role of Hydronuclear Tests and Other Low-Yield Nuclear Explosions and Their Status Under a Comprehensive Test Ban
- B Thomas
- Christopher E Cochran
- Paine
Thomas B. Cochran and Christopher E. Paine, "The Role of Hydronuclear Tests and Other
Low-Yield Nuclear Explosions and Their Status Under a Comprehensive Test Ban," Natural
Resources Defense Council, April 1995 (Rev. 1).
- Thomas B Cochran
- William M Arkin
- Milton M Hoenig
Thomas B. Cochran, William M. Arkin and Milton M. Hoenig, Nuclear Weapons Databook,
Volume I, U.S. Nuclear Forces and Capabilities, (Cambridge: Ballinger Publishing
Company, 1984).
- Thomas B Cochran
- William M Arkin
- Robert S Norris
- Milton M Hoenig
Thomas B. Cochran, William M. Arkin, Robert S. Norris and Milton M. Hoenig, Nuclear
Weapons Databook, Volume 2, U.S. Nuclear Warhead Production, and Volume 3, U.S.
Nuclear Warhead Facility Profiles, (Cambridge: Ballinger Publishing Company, 1984).
Chronology of RFP's Material Unaccounted For (MUF)
- Thomas P Grumbly
Thomas P. Grumbly, "The Plutonium Problem," EM Government Affairs, DOE, June 1996.
16. "Chronology of RFP's Material Unaccounted For (MUF)," August 16, 1976.
Solid Waste and Residue Management Systems at Rocky Flats
- Doe
DOE, "Solid Waste and Residue Management Systems at Rocky Flats," Revision 1,
Predecisional Draft, July 25, 1989.
Closing the Circle on the Splitting of the Atom
- Doe
DOE, "Closing the Circle on the Splitting of the Atom," January 1995.
Plutonium: The First Fifty Years
- Doe
DOE, "Plutonium: The First Fifty Years," February 1996.
Albuquerque Operations Office
- H C Donnelly
- Manager
H.C. Donnelly, Manager, Albuquerque Operations Office, letter to R.E. Hollingsworth,
General Manager, AEC, July 11, 1969.
A Report on Radiation Problems Related to Plutonium Fabrication Operations at the Rocky Flats Plant
- Dow
Dow, "A Report on Radiation Problems Related to Plutonium Fabrication Operations at the
Rocky Flats Plant," USAEC, Albuquerque Operations Office, (as indicated on p. 3, the report
was actually prepared by Rocky Flats Division, Dow Chemical Company), January 1968.
Request for Plutonium-239 Scrap Processing Services
- Dow
Dow, "Request for Plutonium-239 Scrap Processing Services," ASA-1-74, September 12,
1974 [see Cook Req. for MUF 14Dec94, 5750351].
Analytical Requisitions
- Dow
Dow, "Analytical Requisitions," November 8, 1976 and April 7, 1977 [see Cook Req. for
MUF, 14Dec94, 5750196 and 5750220].
Inc, various monthly ID Summary Reports during the period
- Rockwell Dow
- International
Dow and Rockwell International, Inc, various monthly ID Summary Reports during the
period, 1975-1979.
Nuclear Materials Controls, Rockwell, Rocky Flats Plant
- Manager Dunn
Dunn, Manager, Nuclear Materials Controls, Rockwell, Rocky Flats Plant, internal letter to
E.R. Young, "Possible Declassification of MUF," June 22, 1977.
Limiting Values of Radionuclide Intake and Air Concentration and Dose Conversion Factors For Inhalation, Submersion, and Ingestion
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "Limiting Values of Radionuclide Intake and
Air Concentration and Dose Conversion Factors For Inhalation, Submersion, and Ingestion,"
Federal Guidance Report 11, EPA-520/1-88-020, September 1988.
AEC Assistant General Manager for Military Applications, Hearings Before the House Committee on Appropriations
- H Giller
H. Giller, AEC Assistant General Manager for Military Applications, Hearings Before the
House Committee on Appropriations, 91-2, October 1, 1970, p. 295.
- W H Hazelton
- Hauschild
Hazelton, memo to W.H. Hauschild, et al., "Plutonium MUF Study -Building 707," August
18, 1971.
The Dow Chemical Company, Rocky Flats Division
- John W Lindsay
John W. Lindsay, "Storage of Plutonium and Plutonium Compounds," in "Studies of the
Safety of Plutonium Handling Facilities," edited by Milton A. Thompson and Gilbert A.
Riordan, The Dow Chemical Company, Rocky Flats Division, RFP-1520, November 4,
1970.
Material Control Review, The Dow Chemical Company, Rocky Flats Plant," ca
- H Norman
- Mackay
Norman H. MacKay, "Material Control Review, The Dow Chemical Company, Rocky Flats
Plant," ca. December 27, 1960.
Rocky Flats Dose Reconstruction Project, Phase II, Toxicity Assessment and Risk Characterization, Task 2, The Rocky Flats Plant 903 Area Plutonium Source Term Development
- H Robert Meyer
H. Robert Meyer, et al., "Rocky Flats Dose Reconstruction Project, Phase II, Toxicity
Assessment and Risk Characterization, Task 2, The Rocky Flats Plant 903 Area Plutonium
Source Term Development," Draft, February 1966.
Radiological Assessment Corporation
- Robert Meyer
- Jill Weber
H. Robert Meyer and Jill Weber, Radiological Assessment Corporation, "Estimating 903
Area Releases," Rocky Flats Health Advisory Panel Meeting, September 12-13, 1996.
Plutonium Releases from the 1957 Fire at Rocky Flats
- T R Mongan
- S R Ripple
- G P Brorby
- D G Ditommaso
T.R. Mongan, S.R. Ripple, G.P. Brorby, and D.G. diTommaso, "Plutonium Releases from
the 1957 Fire at Rocky Flats," Health Physics, October 1996, pp. 510-521.
Barriers to Science: Technical Management of the Department of Energy Environmental Remediation Program
- National Research
- Council
National Research Council, "Barriers to Science: Technical Management of the Department
of Energy Environmental Remediation Program," Washington, D.C., 1996.
Management of Waste, Residues and Risks by Rockwell International at the Rocky Flats Plant
- D Werner North
- Robert J Budnitz
- Nathan Chan
D. Werner North, Robert J. Budnitz and Nathan Chan, "Management of Waste, Residues and
Risks by Rockwell International at the Rocky Flats Plant," November 1996.
Historical Public Exposures Studies on Rocky Flats, Phase II, Technical Memorandum: Evaluation of Background Concentrations of Plutonium in the Environment Around Rocky Flats Plant
Radiological Assessment Corporation (RAC), "Historical Public Exposures Studies on
Rocky Flats, Phase II, Technical Memorandum: Evaluation of Background Concentrations of
Plutonium in the Environment Around Rocky Flats Plant," DRAFT, February 1995.
A Discussion of Inventory Difference, Its Origin and Effects
- Roberts
Roberts, et. al., "A Discussion of Inventory Difference, Its Origin and Effects," EG&G,
Rocky Flats Inc., Revision 4, August, 1994.
Classification of Rocky Flats Plant Inventory Difference (ID) Data
- Rockwell
Rockwell, "Classification of Rocky Flats Plant Inventory Difference (ID) Data," Rockwell
International, Rocky Flats Plant, December 12, 1979.
CD79-638, ca. 1982 [Cook Req for MUF 14Dec94
- Rockwell International
Rockwell International, "Completed Scrap Declaration," CD79-638, ca. 1982 [Cook Req for
MUF 14Dec94, 5749923].
Rocky Flats Plant Site Environmental Report for
- Rockwell International
Rockwell International, Rocky Flats Plant Site Environmental Report for 1988, RFP-ENV-88, May 1989.
Neutron Multiplication Measurements of Oralloy Units in Arrays
- C L Schuske
C.L. Schuske, "Neutron Multiplication Measurements of Oralloy Units in Arrays," The Dow
Chemical Company, AEC Research and Development Report, Criticality Hazards, RFP-51,
June 29, 1955.
An Assessment of the Criticality Safety at the Department of Energy Rocky Flats Plant, Golden Colorado
- Scientech
SCIENTECH, "An Assessment of the Criticality Safety at the Department of Energy Rocky
Flats Plant, Golden Colorado," [cannot Read the Document Number], July-September 1989.
Committee Evaluation of Plutonium Levels in Soil Within and Surrounding USAEC Installation at Rocky Flats, Colorado
- J R Seed
- K W Calkins
- C T Illsley
- F J Miner
- J B Owens
J.R. Seed, K.W. Calkins, C.T. Illsley, F.J. Miner, and J.B. Owens, "Committee Evaluation of
Plutonium Levels in Soil Within and Surrounding USAEC Installation at Rocky Flats,
Colorado," Dow Chemical Company, RFP-INV-10, July 9, 1971.
Acting Director, Office of Operational Safety
- Danny R Sheppard
Danny R. Sheppard, Acting Director, Office of Operational Safety, Department of Energy,
Memorandum to Mary. L. Walker, September 19, 1986.
Briefing Information on PFP History and Processes in Support of Ventilation Air Characterization Studies
- J A Teal
J.A. Teal, "Briefing Information on PFP History and Processes in Support of Ventilation Air
Characterization Studies," August 17, 1990, which includes SD-CP-SAR-021, May 24, 1989.