The University is working with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Forest Service to address a historical waste management site located in the Apalachicola National Forest.
The site is located in Leon County within a remote area of the Apalachicola National Forest, east of State Road 267. There are no residents on or adjacent to the Site and the nearest residential areas are over 3.5 miles to the NW of the Site.
Yes. A locked, 6-foot-tall chain-link fence, surrounds the Site where historical disposal of materials occurred. An additional barbed wire fence, with a locked gate, is in place around the periphery of the Site about 15 feet outside of the chain-link fence.
The Site is quite small. The chain-link fenced area of the Site is less than a quarter of an acre (<0.25 acre). The area inside the barbed wire fence is approximately 0.36 acres.
In the 1950s, the University was approached by the United States Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) to research the effects of low-level radionuclides for a better understanding of possible short- and long-term biological consequences from the use of atomic energy. The AEC issued multiple research contracts to FSU as part of a larger research program consisting of approximately 225 institutions which included universities, non-profit research institutions, and government agencies.
In July 1966, the U.S. Forest Service/USDA granted a Special Use Permit to Florida State University (FSU) to use the subject property as a disposal site for low-level radiological wastes that were generated from the University’s research activities conducted under contract with the Atomic Energy Commission. At about the same time, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) issued FSU a license for the radiological waste as well (License #32-10). Solids containing radiological wastes, containerized liquids, and associated laboratory wastes were placed into excavated cells at the Site from March 1967 to June 1979.
In the 1960s until the late-1970s, it was common practice to dispose of laboratory wastes, (e.g., chemicals and radionuclides), by placing them in controlled circumstances, such as in this case under USDA and FDOH permits.
Yes. Such materials are unavoidable results of some specific and important University research activities, many of which are conducted under contracts with state and federal agencies that have specific management and reporting obligations.
State and federal waste management regulations have been in place since the 1980s. FSU continues to dispose of all such laboratory waste consistent with all state and federal requirements.
The materials that were disposed at the Site were placed in cells excavated in soil and covered with a 4-inch-thick concrete slab. The materials were placed in containers of various types. The biological materials will naturally degrade or break down over time, though the type of container will influence how quickly that occurs. The chemicals, particularly those in liquid form, are believed to be principally in jars, bottles and similar vessels that would be expected to hold the contents unless they are broken. The presence of some chemicals in groundwater suggests that all of the containers probably are not intact.
Investigations have identified the presence of 1,4-dioxane, a solvent which was present in liquid scintillation counting fluids for radioactive measurements, as well as very low levels of two common radionuclides known as Radium-226 and Radium 228. While these two radionuclides are present in some research laboratory materials, they also are naturally occurring in Florida, particularly in some clay, limerock, and phosphate soils. The areal extent of groundwater contamination is limited and is being addressed by a remediation plan.
Many organic substances breakdown rapidly in the environment. Because of the structure and physical properties of the principal substances at the Site, 1,4-dioxane and radium, these breakdown or decay only very slowly. For that reason, FSU is planning the removal of the affected waste and soil for disposal in modern regulated facilities. The remaining 1,4-dioxane in groundwater will be subjected to chemical treatment to speed up its breakdown, and the progress of that decay will be monitored.
No. However, detectable concentrations are present several feet below ground surface inside the fenced area where disposed materials still are present. The conceptual site model (CSM) and the formal risk evaluation that were developed according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) requirements have not identified complete exposure pathways for soils that represent a human health concern. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) also is involved in site management decisions.
No. A number of well surveys have been conducted during multiple site investigation activities that have been conducted since 1998. Drinking water wells have not been shown to be affected by the Site. The nearest drinking water well reportedly is located about 2.5 miles to the south-southwest of the Site and is operated by the Forest Service.
The Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) risk evaluation, conducted under highly conservative assumptions considering potential exposure, was directed at these questions and concluded that human health risks under current Site conditions are not significant. The true exposure potential is actually much lower than that associated with the default screening level risk assessment scenario used in the EE/CA because the Site is located in a remote area of the Apalachicola National Forest, is surrounded by two locked fences, and is located over 3.5 miles from the closest residential neighborhood. Nevertheless, FSU is planning removal of the affected waste and soils, and treating groundwater at the Site.
The EE/CA report and previous Site characterization reports conclude that no significant exposure is expected for ecological species.
As noted, FSU is working in cooperation with USDA, the Forest Service, FDEP and FDOH to make decisions about technical solutions, schedules for specific tasks and specific responsibilities. Notably, FSU prepared a Remedial Action Plan that sets forth the planned waste removal activities and groundwater treatment activities. The plan was prepared in coordination with USDA and the Forest Service, and was approved by FDEP.
In accordance with regulatory requirements applicable to the Site, on October 30, 2020, USDA notified the community of the availability of the EE/CA and other site related documents on its website, and published notice seeking public comment on the selection of the removal action proposed for the site.
Consistent with the FDEP-approved Remedial Action Plan, FSU is planning to excavate and remove the waste materials toward the end of 2022. Waste materials will be packaged and transported in accordance with applicable regulations to a licensed and permitted disposal facility out-of-state. Following completion of the removal activities, the remaining 1,4-dioxane in groundwater will be subjected to chemical treatment to speed up its breakdown, and the progress of that decay will be monitored.
It is anticipated that the Site excavation and removal activities will be conducted over approximately 2 months toward the end of 2022. The groundwater treatment and monitoring will be a process requiring longer term actions that will be implemented with the appropriate agencies following the removal activities.
It is estimated that the excavation, removal and disposal of the waste materials will cost approximately $3,250,000. Preliminary estimates for groundwater treatment and monitoring indicate that costs may range from $1,100,200 to $1,600,300.
The FDEP-approved Remedial Action Plan was developed to address historical conditions and to prevent any long-term effects. The remedial activities approved in the plan envision Site cleanup and are designed to ensure that the land can continue to be used for USDA purposes.
Please email questions or comments to Environmental Remediation.