Analysis of vapor samples from the Organice PISA high level waste tanks

Analyses for organic materials in vapor samples taken from the eight High Level Waste tanks (26F, 33F, 46F, 11H, 22H, 32H, 39H, and 43H) have been completed. Of these tanks, 26F, 33F, and 43H are designated ''organic'' tanks. Samples were collected on solvent desorption (SD) tubes (containing activated charcoal) from various heights above the tank waste. Tank ventilation was stopped for one hour prior to sampling and was not reinitiated until sample collection was complete. The results indicate that the concentration of organic materials is extremely low in all samples. Some organic materials were found in the vapor samples but in nanogram/liter (ng/L) quantities. These materials were present in the samples within the practical quantitation limit (PQL), which represents a practical and routinely achievable detection limit with a relatively good certainty that any reported value is reliable. Because of the low levels and the fact that no field background analysis was run (laboratory background analyses were run), the researchers cannot absolutely determine whether the materials were actually taken from the waste tanks or whether they are from environmental background. In any case, the quantities of material found are several orders magnitude below that which would comprise a flammability concern