A2Z was contracted by Constellation
Power Source, Brandon Shores Power Plant to dispose of a 30
cubic yard roll-off container of NORM (Naturally Occurring
Radioactive Materials). The container was loaded with scrap
steel and was approaching the scale when it set off the alarm
for radiation. The local scrap steel recyclers have a radiation
detector installed at the entrance of their scale.
Testing determined that the radioactive
material was from coal dust that had been introduced into the
roll-off container. The scrap metal could have been coated
with coal dust when loaded into the container. Radioactivity
is naturally occurring when coal is burned. Small amounts of
radioactive materials will accumulate.
The container had to be off-loaded one
piece at a time. Each piece had to be checked with a Geiger
counter to determine the level and source of radiation. After
off-loading the scrap into a different container, the original
container was found to have coal dust caked on the bottom.
The coal dust was vacated and the container was decontaminated
by washing with soap and water.
After contacting Pennsylvania Department
of Environmental Protection and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
permission was granted to landfill the NORM waste. The load
was transported to and disposed of at Modern Landfill, in York,
Pennsylvania.
