Risks to the public from historical releases of radionuclides and chemicals at the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site

Abstract

This paper summarizes the methods and results of estimating risks of cancer incidence resulting from plutonium, carbon tetrachloride, and beryllium releases from operations at the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, near Denver, Colorado, from 1953 through 1989. The key findings show that people who lived near the facility were exposed to plutonium mainly through inhalation during routine operations, from a major fire in 1957, and from plutonium resuspended from contaminated soil from an outdoor drum storage area, called the 903 Area. Results were presented for five exposure scenarios that were location -independent. Individuals described by the laborer scenario received the highest risk of all scenarios considered. Upper bound ( 95th percentile ) incremental lifetime cancer incidence risks for the laborer scenario were in about the 10 À 4 range ( 1 chance in 10,000 ) for developing cancer from Rocky Flats plutonium releases during a lifetime. At the 5th percentile level, the maximum cancer risk was about 10 À 7 ( 1 chance in 10 million ) for developing cancer during a lifetime. Estimated cancer risks at the 95th percentile level are within the range of for acceptable risks established by the US Environmental Protection Agency of 10 À 6 to 10 À 4 . Carbon tetrachloride was found to be the chemical that presented the highest risk to the public. The 5th and 95th percentile risk values for exposure to carbon tetrachloride were 9.2Â10 À 7 and 2.5Â10 À 5 , respectively.

Health and Safety Effects of Airborne Soil Dust in the Americas and Beyond

“…Dust samples collected at residences in the surrounding states contained excess plutonium not related to global background fallout, apparently resuspended by the wind from the test site (Cizdziel et al., 1998). Increased incidence of cancers has also been detected in residents downwind of plutonium production facilities at Rocky Flats, Colorado (Johnson, 1981) and Hanford, Washington (Grossman et al., 2003), likely at least partially related to aeolian resuspension of radionuclides: however, other chemicals associated with plutonium production may pose a greater health risk at Rocky Flats (Till et al., 2002).…”

Health and Safety Effects of Airborne Soil Dust in the Americas and Beyond

“…Dust samples collected at residences in the surrounding states contained excess plutonium not related to global background fallout, apparently resuspended by the wind from the test site (Cizdziel et al, 1998). Increased incidence of cancers has also been detected in residents downwind of plutonium production facilities at Rocky Flats, Colorado (Johnson, 1981) and Hanford, Washington (Grossman et al, 2003), likely at least partially related to aeolian resuspension of radionuclides: however, other chemicals associated with plutonium production may pose a greater health risk at Rocky Flats (Till et al, 2002).…”

Nuclear Weapons and the Treadmill of Destruction in the Making of the Anthropocene

“…Research on the human health impacts of Rocky Flats on both nuclear weapons workers and the public have been mired in controversy. 14 A major comprehensive study found that airborne exposure to plutonium and carbon tetrachloride was the major contributor to the risk of cancer for both nuclear workers and the public, and these releases came from both routine operations and discrete events such as fires (Till et al 2002). By 1989, there was evidence that corporate contractor Rockwell Industries had been illegally incinerating and storing hazardous and radioactive wastes, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Environmental Protection Agency raided the Rocky Flats plant and prosecuted Rockwell for criminal violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, resulting in the end of Rockwell's management of the facility (U.S. Department of Energy 2003).…”