This report presents results of a radiological survey conducted in September 1996 by the National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory (NAREL) to assess levels of environmental radioactivity around Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) at Bremerton, WA, and the Naval Submarine Base (NSBB) near Bangor, WA. The purpose of the survey was to assess whether the construction, maintenance, overhaul, refueling or operations nuclear-powered warships have created elevated levels of radioactivity that could expose nearby populations or contaminate the environment. During this survey 227 samples were collected: 126 at the PSNS study site; 73 at the NSBB site; 21 from background locations; and 7 near the outfall of the Bremerton sewage treatment plant. Samples included drinking water, harbor water, sediment, sediment cores, and biota. All samples were analyzed for gross alpha and beta activities and gamma emitting radionuclides, and some samples were also analyzed for radium-226 and isotopes of uranium, plutonium, and throium. In addition to sample collection and analysis, radiation surveys were performed using portable survey instruments to detect gamma radiation. Based on this radiological survey, practices regarding nuclear-powered warship operations at PSNS and NSBB have resulted in no increases in radioactivity causing significant population exposure or contamination of the environment.

"EPA 402-R-98-003." "July 1998."