Radium contamination in Denver, Colorado

1
Radium contamination in Denver, Colorado

• Colin Hall

2
Radium

• Atomic Number 88
• 25 known isotopes
• Extremely radioactive
• Half-life 1602 years
• Decays to Radon Gas
• Uses included
• Self-luminous paints
• Aircraft switches
• Watches
• Cancer treatment

3
Radium In Colorado

• Carnotite Sands
• One of a handful of sources worldwide
• Mines south of Denver
• Mining through-out early 1900s
• Remediation began in 1980s

4
The Problem With Radium

• Short term
• Nausea
• Skin Sores
• Long term
• Replaces calcium in bones
• Carcinogenic

5
Solution

• Demolition and decontamination of buildings,
  storage tanks and equipment.
• Excavation of heavily contaminated soils
• Lining affected area
• Capping
• Water not treated

6
Case Study- Home depot.

• Mined 1900s until late 1920s
• Several owners until 1940
• Brick and tile making factory until mid 1980s
• Nearly 70,000 square metres
• 300m from South Platte River
• 8000 homes within 2 miles

7
Case Study- Home depot.

• 3 Partners
• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• State Of Colorado
• Home Depot Inc
• Problem
•  Soil contaminated with radium, arsenic, zinc,
  and lead
•  Buildings and materials radioactive

8
(No Transcript)
9
Case Study- Home depot.

• 8 years
• Completed 1996
• Contaminated buildings and materials removed
• Excavated 97,000 tons of contaminated soil
• Replaced soil strengthen with cement and fly ash
• Capping layer added
• On going monitoring

10
(No Transcript)
11
Case Study- Home depot.

• Protected public health
• Prevented spread of radioactive materials and
  heavy metals
• 2 million increase in worth of site
• 65 million increase of residential property in 2
  mile radius surrounding site
• Improved aesthetic quality of the area

12
Summary

• Radium and other radioactive materials cleaned up
  in Denver area
• Groundwater still contaminated
• Resulted in a clean usable site
• Rejuvenated the area
• Protected the health and safety of public

13
Thank You For Listening

• Any Questions?