United States Energy Research and Development Administration, Puducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant. Environmental monitoring report, calendar year 1976

Air, water, soil and grass in the vicinity of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant were continuously or periodically sampled during 1976 at various locations. Analyses for materials known to be in plant effluents were made to provide effluent control information and to determine compliance with applicable air and water quality standards. Two of the steam plant boilers were reconverted to coal/air firing due to the energy crisis. Particulates are removed from the stack gas by mechanical collectors which are about 80 percent efficient. A project is under way to fully meet particulate emission standards by the installation of electrostatic precipitators. Compliance with sulfur oxide emission standards is planned by the procurement and use of low sulfur coal. A project to upgrade the incinerator scrubber to meet particulate emission limitations is almost complete. The incinerator has not been operated since 1974 because visible emissions appeared to violate opacity standards. Air analyses for radioactivity indicated concentrations at each offsite sampling station averaged less than one percent of the applicable Radioactivity Concentration Guide. Offsite analyses for fluorides in grass met the Kentucky air quality requirements. The Kentucky one week standard for airborne gaseous HF was exceeded eight times during 1976 at the offsite sampling location nearest the plant (sample point BN). Analyses at the other five offsite sampling stations indicated compliance with airborne fluoride limits