Methods for estimating radioactive and toxic airborne source terms for uranium milling operations

Methods were identified and evaluated for estimating radioactive and toxic particulate and gaseous airborne releases from uranium milling operations. Such methods need to be standardized so that all uranium mills can provide adequate data for NRC evaluation of potential environmental impacts and of compliance with 10 CFR 20, 40 CFR 190, and the National Environmental Policy Act. The general method for calculating source terms is to multiply together a normalized emission rate, contaminant content, emission control factor, and processing rate for each process being evaluated. This report describes the sources of airborne releases (ore storage area, ore crushing and grinding, ore processing, yellowcake production, and tailings impoundment) and the calculational procedures for estimating radioactive and toxic source terms. Example calculations are provided. 27 refs., 4 figs., 9 tabs