Radium contamination in Denver, Colorado

Colin Hall

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

Radium In Colorado

• Carnotite Sands

• One of a handful of sources worldwide

• Mines south of Denver

• Mining through-out early 1900’s

• Remediation began in 1980’s

The Problem With Radium

• Short term– Nausea– Skin Sores

• Long term– Replaces calcium in bones– Carcinogenic

Solution

• Demolition and decontamination of buildings, storage tanks and equipment.

• Excavation of heavily contaminated soils

• Lining affected area

• Capping

• Water not treated

Case Study- Home depot.

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

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

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

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

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

Thank You For Listening

Any Questions?