Risk and safety analysis for disposal or alpha-contaminated waste in WIPP

During the safety analysis report (SAR) process at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), various release scenarios were analyzed to assess their impacts on the public health and safety. At the start of the project, it was determined that probabilistic risk assessment would not be used. Instead, consequence analyses assuming the probability of an event were performed. Three categories of analysis were used in preparing the WIPP SAR. These are: normal operating releases, accident releases, and long-term releases. Computer programs to evaluate the release scenarios are presented and results are discussed