96-06-27 University Receives First Results of Fawcett Site Analysis

UNIVERSITY RECEIVES FIRST RESULTS OF FAWCETT SITE ANALYSIS

     COLUMBUS --  Analysis of the first groundwater samples taken 
near the recently discovered waste site at The Ohio State 
University's Fawcett Center shows no leakage of radioactive 
compounds from the site into the surrounding groundwater.  Soil 
tests used to gauge the migration of chemical compounds from the 
site along Olentangy River Road also provided no unexpected 
findings.

     Water samples were recently tested by the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission and by Sharp and Associates, an environmental 
engineering firm hired by the university to survey the site for 
environmental problems.  Samples were taken from three research 
wells located between the waste site and the Olentangy River, and 
were given to both Sharp and the NRC for analysis.

     Results from the Sharp tests indicate that radiation levels 
in the samples were consistent with those of normally existing 
background radiation.  NRC representatives have verbally 
confirmed this finding, although the university has not yet 
received the NRC's final report.

     Additional analysis also identified trace quantities of 
benzene, two chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics and 
the insecticide endosulfan in water taken from some of the 
Fawcett well sites.  According to Cecil Smith, assistant vice 
president for environmental health and safety, these types of  
compounds do not appear to present any danger since the Fawcett 
area groundwater is not used as a drinking water supply.  
Moreover, even if it were a drinking water source, these 
compounds, in the concentrations identified, would be removed in 
the normal municipal water filtration process.

     "These test results reinforce the university's belief that 
the site represents no danger to the public," explained Smith.  
"The findings contain nothing unexpected."  Smith added that 
these test results also will help focus the university's 
continuing investigation of the site.

     Smith also noted that the university continues to monitor 
radiation levels in the Fawcett Center on a regular basis, and 
hopes to have results from a more extensive three-month 
monitoring process by late July.

     In the meantime, the university has received verbal approval 
from the NRC to proceed with the site characterization plan for 
the Fawcett site.  This plan calls for the use of underground 
electromagnetic scans and radar, if possible, to identify the 
exact location of buried materials.  The plan also provides for a 
more extensive testing of groundwater and soil near and on the 
site, as well as an ongoing program for monitoring those soil and 
water samples.  Implementation of the characterization plan was 
begun this week.

     "While we are pleased that all of the testing to date shows 
no significant environmental impact from this site, we will 
continue our rigorous assessment and monitoring as we work with 
the NRC and the EPA to develop a long-term plan for the Fawcett 
site," Smith said.

                             #

Contact:  Cecil Smith, (614) 292-1284; Smith.143@osu.edu


[Submitted by: Von Reid-Vargas (ereid@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu)
               
Thu, 27 Jun 1996 16:21:17 -0400]
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