Lawrence Livermore Final Health Assessment in California

Alameda,  Livermore,  California
Thursday, October 02, 2003
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The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has released a final public health assessment (PHA) that investigated exposure and radiological doses associated with plutonium sludge (Pu 239). The finding is no apparent public health hazard.

Pu 239 from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) site historically was released to the Livermore Water Reclamation Plant. Also, plutonium-contaminated sludge historically was distributed to the Livermore community for use as a soil amendment and may still be present at some locations.

Based on ATSDR's evaluation of available data and current knowledge of radiation health effects, the following conclusions are presented in the public health assessment:

Pu 239 from the site was released to the Livermore sewer system, which contaminated the Livermore Water Reclamation Plant (LWRP) sludge that might have been distributed to the Livermore community. The contamination resulted in above background soil concentrations of Pu 239.

Using health protective exposure assumptions, the radiological doses from maximum concentrations of distributed sludge are below levels of health concern.

The finding of No Apparent Public Health Hazard means that the radiation concentrations were below levels that would result in illness for people who might come in contact with the soil. ATSDR recommends continued monitoring of Pu 239 concentrations and other contaminants at the LLNL site and the LWRP sewage treatment system.

The public health assessment is available for public review at the following repositories in Livermore:

The Livermore Public Library
1000 South Livermore Ave.

The Lawrence Livermore National Lab Discovery (L-797)
7000 East Ave.

Community members seeking information on the procedures or the content of the public health consultation may contact Mark Evans, geologist, toll free at 1-888-422-8737, or Regional Representative Bill Nelson may be contacted in California at 415-947-4316. Callers should refer to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory site in Livermore, Calif.

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Related News Releases For Alameda County, Livermore, California


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ATSDR Announces Lawrence Livermore Site Team Meeting
Release Date:  Tuesday, October 30, 2001
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, today announced the agency will hold a Lawrence Livermore Site Team meeting in Livermore, California, to talk with team members and the community concerning two ATSDR health consultations related to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) tritium releases, dosimetry procedures, and potential offsite exposures.


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Page last reviewed: October 02, 2003
Content source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry