Comparisons of passive environmental radon monitors (PERMs) and track etch (R) radon detectors during remedial actions at the Niagara Falls Storage Site

During recent remedial actions for the US Department of Energy at its Niagara Falls Storage Site, in excess of 6000 curies of radioactive materials (thorium-230 and radium-226 in equilibrium with its particulate daughters) were slurry transferred approximately one mile to an engineered waste storage facility. During this transfer, radon-222 was released to the atmosphere. Off-site concentrations of radon-222 were monitored throughout a year's period with 30 PERM and 29 Track Etch (R) detectors. Of these 59 monitoring devices, 38 were arranged as paired stations providing 266 data points for comparative assessments. Detailed attention is given to environmental and topographical conditions that significantly effect detector performance, and that are unique to the northeastern US. Experimental data is presented that quantifies effects of climate changes, as well as detector response and integration capabilities. Conclusions point to the need for significant programmatic and siting changes