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Final Release LLNL Site 300 (USDOE) <br /> am] concerned about threats to life on Earth from nuclear weapons <br /> development at Lawrence Livermore." <br /> Response: <br /> Site 300 operations have involved the use of several radionuclides including tritium (3H) and <br /> uranium " 23'U and 238 238 <br /> ( U). Depleted uranium ( U) was used in certain experiments at Site <br /> 300 because it has similar properties and behavior as fissionable materials without the potential <br /> risks. Environmental releases of uranium have occurred in the EFA/WFA study area in the <br /> vicinity of the firing tables. However, measured activities of 234U and 238U in the EFA/WFA <br /> study area are only marginally above background levels. Uranium contamination is confined to <br /> the immediate vicinity of the release sites and has never been detected above background levels <br /> in any off-site well. <br /> Prior to 1990, tritium (3H)was used in explosives testing in the EFA/WFA study area and was <br /> concentrated in the gravels near the firing tables. This gravel was often sprayed, or"washed <br /> down"with water to control airborne dust. Eventually, contaminated gravel was disposed of in <br /> several pits around the Pit 7 Complex and in the Building 850 sand pile. The washing of the <br /> firing tables, and an elevated water table during a particularly heavy period of precipitation in <br /> 1982-1983, contributed to the mobilization of tritium into the groundwater. Currently, there are <br /> three commingling tritium plumes in the EFA/WFA study area. These plumes extend northeast <br /> and southeast along the Doall and Elk Ravines,respectively. Remediation practices, including <br /> source elimination, groundwater extraction, and monitored natural attenuation, are currently <br /> being utilized to prevent further contamination and to mitigate contaminant migration. Please <br /> refer to the Final Proposed Plan for Environmental Cleanup (LLNL 2000) for a detailed <br /> description of each of the remedial techniques. A tritium plume emanating from the Pit 6 landfill <br /> also exists; however, the measured activities are well below the state and federal drinking water <br /> standards. Tritium has not been detected in any off-site monitor or water-supply wells. This PHA <br /> concludes that potential past, current, and estimated future off-site exposures to radionuclides are <br /> below levels of public health concern. <br /> ATSDR does not have medical records of employees of LLNL or residents of the Bay Area. For <br /> worker safety issues,please contact the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health <br /> (NIOSH) and, for local health statistics, contact your local health department. <br /> VOCs in Groundwater: <br /> Comment: <br /> A citizen was generally concerned about the TCE plume that originated at the General Services <br /> Area of Site 300: <br /> "Groundwater a toxic stew and in the past VOCs leaking out of pipes." <br /> Response: <br /> Please see"Groundwater"under the `Environmental Contamination and Pathways Analysis" <br /> section of this document. <br /> A-2 <br />