This report summarizes the measurements made for radioactive contamination in the environs of the Hanford Works. The principal sources of the radioactivity originating as a result of operations at Hanford which affect the environment in this area are the two waste stacks in the separations area and the cooling water from the four pile areas. Measurements are also made on samples taken from the Hanford waste systems which are primarily confined within the project proper. Although monthly summaries of these data are reported in Health Instrument Divisions Environs reports, a somewhat more detailed discussion of these data is covered in the quarterly report. In this manner, a better evaluation of possible trends can be detected as a result of the increased number of measurements made available by combining the data for a three month period. The following areas are discussed: meteorology, radioactive contamination of vegetation, airborne contamination and air radiation levels, radioactive contamination in Hanford wastes, radioactive contamination in the Columbia and Yakima rivers; beta activity in rain and snow, and radioactive contamination in drinking water and test wells.

In November, 1949, an industrial hygiene study was made of the operations conducted in the Bio-Assay Laboratory, 706 Building, 700 Area. This study was conducted by W.E. Gill and reported in HW-15654. One of the potential health hazards investigated was the use of benzol in laboratory procedures. An evaluation of this problem where the solvent was employed for cleaning glassware indicated that the solvent vapor was present in the workers` breathing zone in concentrations occasionally as high as 170 ppM. Five samples collected at this washing operation showed an average concentration of over 100 ppM; all samples being over the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) of 35 ppM. As a result of the findings of this study several recommendations were made, one of which was the advisability of instituting a program for urine sulfate determinations for the laboratory personnel exposed to benzol. It was felt that this test would demonstrate more precisely than air sampling the actual inhalation and absorption of solvent vapors experienced by the operators and exemplifying such factors as variations in individual respiratory rates and care in the use of solvent during washing.

This paper addresses the reported problem of insufficient air flow through the Fiberglas filters for the air inlets in P-10 production hoods. Since it appears that the replacement of the contemplated filters with either louvers or grilles will not impose any forseen difficulties and will definitely assist in the ventilation design, this substitution has been accepted. Air flow through the grilles or louvers is to be designed to attain a minimum lineal velocity of 200 fpm through the openings.

The Metal Conversion Process described herein is designed to handle the combined output of decontaminated uranium from both the Redox and T.B.P. processes. Thus the design rate is 13-1/8 short tons per day. The bulk of the equipment is to be installed in the presently unused 224-U Building. The feed storage tanks, the gas absorber and gas cooler will be outside but adjacent to this building. The process has been divided into two steps: acid recovery and uranyl nitrate concentration; and uranyl nitrate conversion. The major items of equipment and flows thru the plant are shown on Engineers` Flow Sketches, numbered SK-2-50005, and Sk-2-50006.