The Site conditions have changed immensely since the initial response to the Site. Originally informed of 12 sealed sources, EPA has found over 206 sources. A sealed source is the capsule or disk prepared to deliver a known amount of radition for use in the various industries. Radium needles formally used for treatment of some tumors are found in packages of a few to over a hundred needles, each of these packages represents a single sealed source for our purposes. Hundreds of Radium needles have been recovered.
EPA was told of 4 vaults or in-ground storage wells. EPA has found an additional 27 vaults. There is a potential of hundreds of additional sealed sources in these vaults. Some contain contaminated sand, oil, or water.
Crews continue to sort through the approximately 43 labs and rooms in the building. They are recovering, identifying, and securing the sources found in the building. Sources have been found in the numerous glove-boxes, on counters, inside cabinets, and rolling around on the floor.
The sources are being placed in containers. Some sources are contained in 800 pounds of concreted and then staged for transportation.
The debris removed from the building is being sorted and placed in appropriate transportation boxes.
Hotspots are being removed from walls and equipment to minimize disposal and impact on the disposal facility.
The air handling system is being dismantled. The system is heavily contaminated with radioactive material. The HEPA filtration systems that were in place were beyond their capacity to filter additional contaminants.
Crews will continue to remove sources and debris from the building. Interior demolition will begin when all know sources have been removed. Following the interior demolition, the building and foundation will be removed and disposed of at appropriate disposal facilities.
There are several "greater than class C" (GTCC) transuranic wastes found on site. There are no commercial facilities that can accept GTCC wastes. EPA has been attempting to work with the Department of Energy for assistance with disposing of the waste. DOE was charged with the responsibility of this waste in the "Nuclear Waste Disposal Act of 1982".
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