Formerly utilized MED/AEC sites remedial action program: radiological survey of the former Linde Uranium Refinery, Tonawanda, New York. Final report

Abstract

The results of a radiological survey of the Linde Air Products Division of Union Carbide Corporation, Tonawanda, New York, are presented. During the period 1940 to 1948, this site was used for the separation of UO/sub 2/ from uranium ores and for the conversion of UO/sub 2/ to UF/sub 4/. Five buildings were involved in these operations. The survey included measurements of the following: residual alpha and beta-gamma contamination levels in these buildings; external gamma radiation levels at one meter above the surface in these buildings and outdoors throughout the Linde property; radon and radon daughter concentrations in the air in these buildings; uranium, radium, actinium, and thorium concentrations in soil samples taken both onsite and offsite; contamination in surface water on and near the site; and airborne concentrations of uranium, radium, and thorium in the building in which the separation process was carried out. Elevated concentrations of uranium, radium, and/or actinium were found in two of the buildings and outdoors in widely separated areas of the site. Alpha and beta-gamma contamination levels in some areas of the buildings were above limits set by current federal guidelines concerning the release of property for unrestricted use. Elevated external gamma radiation levels were measured at some outdoor locations and in three of the buildings. The concentration of radium in a water sample taken from an old conveyor pit in one of the buildings was in excess of the non-occupational maximum permissible concentration.