Environmental Assessments Specialized contamination assessments reduce uncertainty of remediation efforts

To determine the extent of radiological contamination at sites scheduled for decontamination and decommissioning, the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education performs independent, objective environmental assessments.

These contaminated site assessments are designed using the data quality objectives process, which focuses on the particular objective of the assessment, thus narrowing the data collected. Surface scans are performed and documented using technology such as Global Positioning Systems to produce location-specific, color-coded maps to document locations radiation levels. 

Why are environmental assessments important?

Independent environmental assessments determine whether a site is impacted from site activities and the extent that regulatory guidelines are exceeded.

The benefits of ORISE environmental assessments include:

• Reduces uncertainty in the estimates of contaminated land and facilities
• Produces reliable estimates of radioactive waste volumes to be generated
• Allows evaluation of various cleanup alternatives