None

None

The role of metal-water reactions in the evaluation of reactor loss-of-coolant accidents is discussed. It is shown that the amount of metal-water reaction expected to accompany a BWR loss-of-coolant accident is insignificant even if only one of the two core cooling systems provided functions. Test results conducted on Zircaloy and inductively heated Zircaloy rods supporting these calculations are summarized.

None

None

Measurements of radioactivity in 277 children were completed at the fourth Pasco Elementary School on February 16. Whole-body counting of children at the fifth elementary school began on February 21, following lectures to 12 classrooms in grades one through six. Analysis of pheasants, quail and chukar shot locally revealed that only birds collected in the vicinity of the Columbia River contained detectable P{sup 32} and Zn{sup 65}. In decreasing order of concentrations the three species ranked chukar > pheasant > quail. Heads of the birds consistently contained more of these two radionuclides than the edible flesh by factors varying up to 20. A ca5% sample of local hunters was drawn from Washington State Game Department records in February. A questionnaire designed to gather data on hunting and consumption of game birds by local residents will be mailed to these 657 people in March. The results will aid in defining the importance of game-bird consumption to local environmental radiation doses. Diet distributions of Richland and Benton City elementary school pupils were computed this month. Consumptions of various foods were determined for various age groups of boys and of girls.

A portable monitor has been developed which accurately measures tritium concentrations between 1 x 10/sup -4/ and 1 x 10/sup -1/ ..mu..Ci/cc of air. The instrument consists of five basic sections: air pump, deionizer, ionization chamber, logarithmic electrometer amplifier, and high voltage power supply. An internal rechargeable 12-volt battery powers the entire monitor. A connector is provided so that an external 12-volt battery can be used if the monitor is needed for extended periods of time. Total weight of the unit is 22 pounds and the overall dimensions are 10.5 x 6.8 x 13.2 inches. The instrument has been calibrated by comparison with a Kanne monitoring system and evaluated under varying levels of tritium activity. Readings were reproducible within +-10% of reading. 7 refs., 5 figs.

None

None