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Calling All Environmental Communicators La A number of LLNL employees have been participating Communicators)is hosting the meeting this year. It in plans for the annual meeting of NAPEC—a will take place in Redwood City on November 4-6. Area Relations, P.O . Box 808, t- 790, Live m o , r' 3,00.95, national organization for those interested in improving Contact the LLNL Area Relations office at the quality and effectiveness of environmental com- (510)422-9799 if you are interested in either attending September 1993 munications. The California chapter of NAPEC(the the conference,reserving exhibit space,or learning National Association of Professional Environmental more about the organization.91 his letter is to update the community on environmental projects and issues at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory(LLNL). The University of California manages the LLNL Livermore Site and Site Comments & Questions T300 for the U.S.Department of Energy(DOE). LLNL and DOE have a number of programs underway to ensure that LLNL operations are environmentally sound and protective of both employee and community health. Please call me at(510)422-9799 or write me at LLNL,P.O. Box 808,L-790,Livermore, CA 94551 These programs include initiatives to reduce the overall amount and toxicity of wastes produced by Laboratory operations. DOE/LLNL also are addressing problems linked to past handling and storage of hazardous and if you have comments,questions,would like a speaker,or wish to be added to the mailing list for radioactive materials at the Livermore Site and Site 300,under the federal Superfund program. All environmental information on DOE/LLNL's Livermore Site Cleanup Project.And please let us know what you programs are overseen by State and federal regulatory agencies. think of the Environmental Community Letter.H Initial Studies Completed For Site 300 dJ1 mi Site Wide Remedial The major findings of the SWRI are that: DOE/LLNL submitted the craft J g H.F. Heffner Investigation(SWRI)report for Site 300 to the regula- Manager,Area Relations tory agencies on August 2nd. The SWRI report VOCs are found primarily in the south and documents the areas where past releases of hazardous southeastern portions of Site 300; HE com- substances have occurred at Site 300,and potential pounds are primarily in the southeast,and health risks associated with those releases. Processing, tritium is found in the north and northeastem testing, detonation of high explosive(non-nuclear) sections of Site 300. materials, along with past waste management prac- tices,have resulted in contamination of certain areas of a These contaminants are a potential health risk if the facility and adjacent off-site locations. Environ- people are exposed to them over long periods of mental investigations at Site 300 began in 1981 and time(i.e.,70 years).The primary means of have been ongoing. exposure would be through contact with con- taminated water (either through drinking or The SWRI is the first of two phases of studies that showering).In general, the health risks calcu- DOE/LLNL must complete under federal Superfund lated for Site 300 were low based on standards guidelines,before site cleanup can begin. During the established by the regulatory agencies. (Chapter second phase(the preparation of feasibility study 6 of the report shows these risks in great detail.) reports),potential remedies will be evaluated in great detail. The second phase is currently in progress. The risk estimates are based on the unlikely scenario that no cleanup would take place.In Ongoing investigations at Site 300 have focused on fact,no members of the public are currently evaluating soil and ground water for hazardous being exposed to ground water contamina- substances such as volatile organic compounds tion from Site 300.None of the contami- (VOCs),High Explosive(HE)compounds,and tritium nated water is currently used by humans or (a low-energy radioactive substance). VOCs are livestock. substances generally used as solvents,and include chemicals such as tetrachloroethylene(PCE), There are 4 private water supply wells cur- trichloroethane(TCA), 1,2-dichloroethylene(1,2- rently in use on properties near Site 300.LLNL DCE),and trichloroethylene(TCE). TCE is the regularly analyzes water samples collected primary VOC contaminant at Site 300. Low levels of from these wells to monitor water quality.All tritium and HE compounds have also been detected in drinking water wells are analyzed monthly. soil and ground water. Currently,all 4 of these wells are free from continued Thi•dxun•ntva•prepared seen axaad of work sponsored by an agency of fee Unfeal amts Government Neither the united stabs Gom went nor the Ureh ereity of C orreia tact ony d their employees makes warrerdy, 10 express of impled,a mamas any legal IWAIy or responsibifty for the aeauacy,cornpieferness.or us•k�as of any Wormafm apperakm product or proms diedo%W.or represents that its use would not infringe m prlvabiy am rights.Rberenee herein b arty spedfie canmerdel products.process,a servwv by fade nam.tademark,manubeeaer,or otherwise.does not neees•arly coneWts or krtply Its endacemerk remeemenda- Von.or fare"by to thud Stabs G&Arnmerd or the University of Cdikmtla.The views and opinions eaprea•d herein do not necessarily able a relied those of fro united stabs Government or the UnKwWty of California Recyclable sed ahal not be used ler edmliskV or pr•dua endasament purposes.Mrak perfooned order the auspices ddb U.s.Depament of EnsrW by tawrenos Uvemae National taborebry under Conrad w-7AC*rrdg-48. UCM-AR-192812.932