CERCLA Emergency Response - Removal Site Evaluation

1.1.2 Site Description

On October 8, 2014, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) conducted an interview with the tenant of an apartment in Boise, ID that is suspected of buying and/or selling radioactive material on Ebay. Upon arrival at the residence, NRC observed suspected radioactive and hazardous substances. As a result, a hazardous materials response team was mobilized to assess conditions in the apartment.

Later that day the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) conducted an inspection of the apartment. IDEQ documented numerous locations and/or containers with powders, residues, and/or liquids throughout the apartment, some in unlabeled and/or open containers. IDEQ also documented equipment that could be used for chemical processing (glassware, mixing containers, etc.) as well as evidence of chemical processing (residues).

Concurrent with IDEQ, NRC conducted an inspection at the apartment. This inspection documented that the tenant had in his possession a variety of radioactive materials that included suspected uranium, uranium salts, and equipment associated with handling radioactive materials. Radiation levels in the apartment were reported to range from 0.5 mR to 1.5 mR.

As a result of these inspections, the State of Idaho requested EPA to respond to determine if there is a threat to human health or the environment.

1.1.2.1 Location
Renaissance Apartments

6342 North Park Meadow Way

Building 5, Apartment 304

10/10/2014

EPA, NRC, DOE, IDEQ, ERRS, & START arrived at the IDEQ building for a meeting on the site’s history and anticipated actions to determine the nature and extent of radiological and/or hazardous wastes.

Following the meeting, all parties mobilized to the site to conduct an initial assessment of the exterior and interior of the apartment.  Activities conducted during the first day included:

1.     Meeting with the tenants to confirm consent to access the apartment and vehicle.
Written consent was confirmed by the tenant for access for the apartment and garages.  Oral consent was granted for access to the tenant's vehicle.

2.     Assisting the tenants in relocating to temporary housing.

In addition to consenting to access to the apartment, garages, and vehicle, the tenants also agreed to temporarily relocate during site activities and to not re-enter the apartment until given approval by EPA.  EPA provided support to the tenants by providing them access to temporary housing.   EPA also provided household sundries to the tenants for use during the temporary relocation.  

3.     Surveying the exterior and interior of the apartment in addition to the PRP’s vehicle.

The vehicle was screened for alpha, beta, and gamma on all exterior surfaces, tires, and trunk interior.  All staircases and accessible porch areas were screened for all radiation types.  Personal items and furniture in these areas were also screened.  No levels above background were detected outside of the apartment, except in the trunk of the tenant's vehicle. Beta and Gamma contamination were discovered in the trunk carpet.  The following isotopes were identified during survey of the inside of the apartment: Uranium 235, Uranium 238, and Americium 241.

4.     Collecting air samples to determine if airborne contamination was present.

Indoor air samples from within the apartment were collected and analyzed by DOE RAP.  Preliminary findings reported showed elevated levels of airborne radiation in the apartment; however, quality assurance criteria failed during sample collection.  Further analysis was required to determine the specific threat from these results.

10/11/2014

EPA, DOE, IDEQ, ERRS, & START conducted the following activities:

1.     Further sampling of interior residence air.

Based on results of the initial indoor air samples collected October 10, additional indoor air samples were collected to determine if airborne concentration was present inside the apartment.  The results of indoor air sampling indicated that Level C respiratory protection should remain in effect in rooms where survey and wipe sample results indicated radioactivity was found to be above background levels.

2.     Removal of contaminated carpet from the trunk of the PRP’s vehicle.

The PRP's vehicle was decontaminated based on findings of the October 10 survey.  The decontamination consisted of removal of the contaminated carpeting from the trunk and cleaning of the metal frame under the carpeting.  DOE RAP performed and documented the decontamination procedure.  The vehicle was returned to the tenant following decontamination.

3.     Conducting an operational radiation survey (including radiation monitors and wipe sampling) and photo documentation of potentially radioactive materials and hazardous wastes in the apartment, garages, and exterior storm drainage areas. 

Apartment Survey: The joint DOE RAP and START survey team surveyed and collected 40 wipe samples and gross counts per minute as part of the operational radiation survey.  The samples were collected from throughout the residence interior including the living room, bedrooms, bathrooms, and closet interiors.  START photo documented and recorded survey data performed by DOE RAP.

In addition to radiological materials, START also documented approximately 75-100 containers suspected of holding hazardous chemical substances.

Garage Surveys: Two garages (#14 and #16) were surveyed for evidence of radiological and/or hazardous wastes. Garage #14 did not contain any contamination. Garage #16 did not contain any hazardous chemicals, but some evidence of radiological contamination was detected via survey on a table surface.  As a result, wipe samples were collected.  Wipe results indicated that the table was not contaminated. No other contamination was detected in the garage.

Drainage Area Survey:  A storm drainage system in the parking lot immediately south of the PRP residences was screened for evidence of radiological contamination using wipe samples at various intervals along the pavement drainage.   Results indicated that there was no contamination affecting the parking lot or storm drain.

4.     Potential Off-Site Contamination Areas

During the morning meeting, NRC reported that the tenants had access to an off-site storage unit and a second vehicle that may contain radioactive materials and/or hazardous wastes.  During the day, NRC investigated that whereabouts of the storage unit and second vehicle. The vehicle could not be located; however, they did locate the off-site storage unit (an 11 x 30 foot structure).  The PRP’s mother was identified as the owner of the storage unit and subsequently consented to allowing EPA access. DOE RAP and START conducted a survey of the storage unit for radioactivity and hazardous chemicals. The results of the survey indicated that no radiological or chemical hazards were present.

5.     Tenant Personal Property

DOE RAP and START collected assorted personal items from the apartment. After passing a radiation screening, as long as no elevated radioactivity is detected, the items were handed over to EPA for return to the tenant.

(1) Segregation of radioactive material from hazardous chemicals.  (2) Sampling and Hazard/Disposal Categorization of chemicals.  (3) Removal and proper disposal of radioactive and chemical wastes from the apartment.  (4) Clearance of the apartment for re-occupancy.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

2.2.2 Issues

October 10 and 11
EPA: 5

DOE: 8

NRC: 2

IDEQ: 1

START contractor: 3