Below are some examples of projects we have performed. Please contact us for more information regarding our work.
Confidential Industrial Client
Radiological Surveys of Buildings
ERG supported a client in the demolition of contaminated buildings.
Radiological surveys were conducted in and around buildings contaminated with Ra-226.
The buildings were part of an old abandoned facility. Responsibilities included performing
radiation surveys, maintaining instrumentation, running air sampling program and maintaining exposure records.
Work at this facility was completed in 2003.
Radiological Surveys and Building Demolition
ERG performed radiological surveys of buildings
and their contents potentially contaminated with Co-60
and Cs-137.
Three buildings were demolished and final status surveys conducted
on the concrete slabs that will remain on the site. This task was
part of an overall project in which ERG personnel provided Health
Physics and Radiation Safety support as well as conducted GPS-based
radiological surveys and general radiation technician duties. ERG
provided a Certified Health Physicist, technician, and equipment for
conducting the work was completed in 2005.
Confidential Industrial Client
Characterization and Remediation of OT-10 Training Sites (KAFB, Albuquerque, NM)
ERG served as the radiological subcontractor for planning and conducting the remediation of four
thorium-contaminated sites at Kirtland Air Force Base. ERG conducted the initial site characterization,
assisted in preparing the reclamation planning documents, served as the site radiation safety officer,
and provided monitoring equipment and personnel to support the cleanup of bunkers and soil. Effective
excavation-control monitoring was accomplished using a combination of GPS-based radiological surveys,
on-site sample analyses, and excavation procedures, resulting in a project under-run of approximately 40 percent.
This NRC-licensed site plan incorporates all aspects of MARSSIM. Approximately 14,000 cubic yards of soil were removed.
Construction activities were completed in 2003.
ERG performed characterization, remediation, and final status surveys of two bunkers.
Upon initial characterization ERG personnel undertook limited remediation activities in efforts
to decontaminate the structures. The Final Status Survey report was written in 2004.
Confidential Industrial Client
Los Alamos National Laboratory DP Canyon Cleanup
ERG was employed to conduct radiological surveys of DP Canyon at Los Alamos National Laboratory where
operations had contaminated the canyon with Cs-137 and Am-241. GPS-based gamma scanning surveys were conducted before,
during, and after the cleanup to document the contamination levels. This project was completed in 2003.
Los Alamos National Laboratory TA-21
ERG completed a radiation survey of TA-21 areas potentially contaminated with uranium, thorium, Am-241, Cs-137, and plutonium.
FIDLER, 3-inch by 3-inch NaI detectors, and 2-inch by 2-inch NaI detectors were employed. In situ measurements were made in contaminated areas using a gamma-ray
spectrometer for radionuclide identification purposes. This work was completed in 2005.
Sandia National Laboratories
Radiological Surveys
Characterization and verification surveys were performed for SNL at Technical Area 2 to identify the presence of Am-241 in surface soils.
FIDLER detectors were coupled to GPS-based radiation survey equipment. Survey maps were prepared using ArcView GIS software.
Surveys were also conducted at the Short and Long Sled Tracks over approximately 200 acres to identify areas of depleted uranium contamination.
This work was completed in 2004.
As a subcontractor, ERG conducted GPS-based radiological surveys at a firing site located at Sandia National Laboratory.
The site was contaminated with depleted uranium.
ERG is currently under contract to remove contaminated debris from the Long and Short Sled Track sites. Read more
Confidential Industrial Client
Preparation of Decommissioning Plan for uranium in situ leach facilities
ERG prepared the decommissioning plan for two large in situ uranium leach facilities. Technical tasks included
a preliminary site characterization, a benchmark dose assessment to develop cleanup criteria, and a MARSSIM-based verification plan
for buildings and soils. The plan was accepted by the NRC in 2001. ERG continues to support this client by conducting radiological
surveys, personnel training, and site verification.
Supporting Cleanup of Contaminated Soil
ERG is currently working at in situ leach (ISL) facilities in Texas to characterize and remove soils contaminated with
radium and uranium. The tasks include preparing regulatory documents, performing GPS-based characterization radiation surveys over
approximately 500 acres, performing excavation control monitoring, analyzing soil samples in support of excavation control monitoring
and verification, and performing cleanup verification. This work is expected to be completed in 2010.
Confidential Industrial Client
Site Remediation of Chemical Facility
ERG served as the principal radiological consultant for planning and conducting the remediation of a large industrial radioactive
waste storage facility where 90,000 cubic yards of aluminum slag
and soil contaminated with Th-230/Th-232 and PCBs were removed. ERG provided the radiation safety officer and radiological support manager
and health physics technicians. Approximately 1,000 rail cars of radioactive waste and 35 rail cars of PCB contaminated soil were loaded
for disposal at commercial disposal sites.
ERG prepared the site verification reports for submittal to the appropriate regulatory agencies. The work was completed in the fall of 1992
and the radioactive materials license was terminated in January 1993. Regulatory approval of the PCB cleanup was also received in January 1993.
Confidential Industrial Client
Cleanup of Grants Uranium Mill Site
ERG served as the environmental contractor for remediation of a Grants Uranium Mill Site. A plan was prepared
to characterize the mill tailings pile for parameters necessary to model the radon flux from the pile. ERG developed a tailings pile cover
design for this NRC-regulated site. New cover designs were prepared for the Large Tailings Pile and Small Tailings Pile and approved by the
NRC. Soil verification procedures were developed for the site and approved by the NRC. ERG performed radon flux measurements on the pile
and old mill site. Read more about our flux canister methods.
ERG prepared a revised verification plan for the 1200-acre windblown tailings contaminated area that was approved by the NRC.
It created significant cost savings by shifting the emphasis from soil sampling to GPS-based gamma surveys. ERG also provided technicians
and equipment for conducting the surveys and real-time excavation control monitoring. Studies to obtain correlation between the gamma-ray
count rates and Ra-226 in soil concentration were conducted to assist in the data interpretation. The completion report was prepared for the
cleanup of off-pile contaminated materials. This work was approved by the NRC in 1997.
ERG continues to serve this client by preparing risk assessments to support the groundwater reclamation program, preparing environmental dose
assessments, conducting radiation safety training and audits, and preparing other regulatory documents.
Confidential Industrial Client
Reclamation of Uranium Mill Sites
ERG assisted in the planning and remediation of two very large uranium mill tailings sites by conducting a GPS-based radiological survey of
areas contaminated by windblown tailings. Studies were conducted to calibrate the radiological instruments for in situ determination of Ra-226
in soils. Site cleanup verification plans were prepared and approved for use by the NRC.
Work completed includes supporting the cleanup of off-pile contaminated soil by conducting GPS-based radiological surveys, ground control surveys,
and taking verification soil samples. A field laboratory was established to support additional site characterization and verification efforts.
ERG prepared the completion reports for both mill sites which were approved by the NRC in 1999.
A characterization of a two-mile long ravine contaminated by drainage from evaporation pond breaches was done. A feasibility study was prepared
that included a risk assessment that supported a no-action alternative. This was approved by the regulatory agencies, with cost savings of $7 million.
Confidential Industrial Client
Cleanup of Two Thorium Contaminated Sites
ERG provided the management and personnel for waste testing and health physics support for the cleanup of two large thorium contaminated sites
where approximately 120,000 cubic yards of thorium contaminated waste was removed and loaded in rail cars for transport to a commercial disposal
site. Responsibilities included serving as the Radiation Safety Officer, management of a field laboratory and radiation control technicians,
excavation control monitoring, site characterization, manifest preparation, data management, verification of cleanup, and report preparation.
ERG supported this project from 1996-1998.
Confidential Industrial Client
Reclamation of Uranium Mill Site
ERG provided services for the remediation of a uranium mill. ERG personnel developed and
implemented a site characterization plan for the facility with emphasis on disposal alternatives for buildings and process system components.
Samples from process tanks and residual materials were taken and analyzed for use in the disposal alternatives as¬sessment. Several risk
assessments were performed to support the unrestricted release of material and to obtain exemptions from regulations and the reclamation plan.
Cost-reduction designs were developed for submittal and approval by U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Other documents included a risk
assessment and justification for exemption from cleanup standards for a portion of the site, and a Supplemental Environmental Report for
submission to the NRC.
ERG provided radiological technicians for support of the reclamation. Duties included radiological health and safety, soil sampling and gamma-ray
verification measurements, remediation management, decontamination studies, and operating the radiological laboratory.
ERG made the flux verification measurements and prepared the completion report for the radiologically related portions of this $75 million project.
This project was completed in 1996.
Confidential Industrial Client
Support for Demolition of Uranium Mill
A site radiation safety officer was provided to support the demolition of uranium mill buildings in 2003. Employee monitoring programs included
an extensive air monitoring program.
Confidential Industrial Client
Cleanup of Pipeline Corridor at Mill Site
ERG assisted with the cleanup of a pipeline corridor through a mill tailings site.
An initial site characterization of the corridor was performed and a decommissioning plan was prepared and submitted to the NRC.
Excavation control monitoring and verification services were provided during both the corridor decontamination and the laying of the pipeline.
ERG prepared the final report for these activities that was accepted by the NRC.
Confidential Industrial Client
Site Characterization of Mill Site
ERG conducted both a background study and a site-wide characterization of surface soils of an entire tailings site. The site-wide characterization entailed
conducting a GPS-radiological survey over the entire site. An on-site laboratory for soil sample analysis using a gamma-spectrometer was established.
A soil sampling and verification plan was prepared for submittal to the NRC.
Confidential Industrial Client
Evaporation Pond Risk Assessment
Human health risk assessments were prepared to support feasibility studies for decommissioning two evaporation ponds contaminated with radionuclides.
RESRAD, RADON, RAECOM, and CAP88 computer codes were used to model radiation exposures to on-site and off-site receptors. In addition, cleanup
criteria were developed following government dose criteria. This work was completed in 2002.
Confidential Industrial Client
Los Alamos National Laboratory Canyon Studies
ERG was employed to conduct radiological surveys of canyons adjacent to Los Alamos National Laboratory where operations had contaminated the canyons.
GPS-based gamma scanning surveys, GPS-based fixed point alpha, beta, and gamma surveys, and in situ gamma spectroscopy measurements using a HPGe
detector were conducted. This project was completed in 1996.
Confidential Industrial Client
Radiological Surveys of Active Training Sites
A radiological survey was conducted at four U. S. Air Force Training Sites at Kirtland AFB where thorium contaminated slag had been deliberately
distributed. Each area was approximately 10 acres. The survey was performed using a global positioning system coupled to radiological instrumentation.
Isocontour maps were provided delineating areas on the surface with elevated radioactivity. This project was completed in 1994.
