public from Hanford operations have been consis 
tently below applicable standards, and substan 
tially less than doses from other routinely 
encountered sources of radiation, such as natural 
terrestrial and cosmic background radiation, 
medical treatment and x-rays, natural internal 
body radioactivity, worldwide fallout and 
consumer products (Figure 2). 
CHEMICAL MONITORING 
Air Quality 
Nitrogen oxides are routinely released onsite 
from fossil-fueled steam and chemical processing 
facilities, most notably the PUREX plant. 
Nitrogen dioxide is currently sampled at seven 
onsite locations by the Hanford Environmental 
Health Foundation (HEHF). Nitrogen dioxide 
concentrations measured in 1984-1988 were well 
below federal (EPA) and local (Washington State) 
ambient air quality standards (Price, 1986; PNL, 
1987; Jaquish and Mitchell, 1988; Jaquish and 
Bryce, 1989;). 
Ground Water 
In 1988, samples from 328 ground-water wells were 
collected and analyzed for chemical constituents. 
In addition, onsite drinking water sources (not 
public) were sampled and analyzed by HEHF for 
water quality. Detected constituents included 
several metals, anions, coliform bacteria, and 
total organic carbon. Many of these constituents 
are expected in natural ground water. Chromium, 
cyanide, fluoride, carbon tetrachloride, and 
trichloroethylene were found in wells not used 
for drinking water near operating areas. 
Columbia River 
Nonradioactive waste water is discharged at seven 
locations along the Hanford Reach of the Columbia 
River. Discharges consist of backwash from water 
intake screens, cooling water, water storage tank 
overflow, a building drain, and fish laboratory 
waste water. Effluents from each outfall are 
monitored by the operating contractors. The 
Columbia River is also monitored by the United 
States Geological Survey, upstream and downstream 
of the Site, to verify compliance with Washington 
State, Class A (WSDOE, 1977) water-quality 
requirements. 
Numerous studies have evaluated and resolved the 
potential environmental issues associated with 
water intake and thermal discharge structures on 
the Columbia River at Hanford. For example, 
retrofitting of the HGP water intake and a newer 
design for the intake used at WNP-2 have ensured 
safe downstream migration of juvenile Chinook 
salmon (Page et al., 1977; WPPSS, 1978; Gray 
et al., 1979, 1986). Other studies have concluded 
that thermal discharges from N Reactor and HGP to 
the Columbia River were biologically insignificant 
(DOE, 1982; Neitzel et al., 1982). 
HANFORD FLORA AND FAUNA 
Most of the Hanford Site consists of undeveloped 
land that supports stands of native vegetation and 
a few exotic species (e.g., cheatgrass, Bromus 
tectorum; Russian thistle, Sal sol a kali; and 
tumble mustard, Sisymbrium altissimum), is free 
from agricultural practices, and has been essen 
tially free from livestock grazing and hunting for 
45 years. Thus, the Site serves as a refuge for 
migratory waterfowl, elk (Cervus elaphus), mule 
deer (Odocoileus hemionus). coyote (Canis 1atrans) 
and other plants and animals (Gray and Rickard, 
1989). Restricted land use has favored native 
wildlife that frequent riverine habitats, for 
example, mule deer, great basin Canada goose 
(Branta canadensis moffitti), and great blue heron 
(Ardea herodias). 
U.S. Average Radon Dose 
Natural External Background, 
Denver CO 
Average Washington State External 
Background 
Measured (TLD) Hanford Area 
External Background 
U.S. Average Natural External 
Background 
Average Per Capita U.S. Medical Dose 
Average U.S. Internal Dose from 
Natural Radioactivity 
Consumer Product Radiation 
(TV, Smoke Detector, etc.) 
Global Weapons Fallout 
Average Per Capita Dose (Internal and 
External) from 1988 Hanford 
Operations 
Dose (mrem/yr) 
FIGURE 2. Annual radiation doses from various sources: U.S. average radon, external background, 
medical and internal doses, consumer product radiation and weapons fallout from NCRP (1987b); external 
background, Denver, Colorado from NCRP (1987a), Washington State from Oakley (1972); Hanford external 
background and average per capita dose from Jaquish and Bryce (1989); TLD = thermoluminescent dosimeter, 
does not include neutron component; mrem/yr = millirem per year.