Modeling radiological risks to human health from contaminated soils: Comparing MEPAS, MMSOILS, and RESRAD

Computer-based multimedia models are key analytical tools for assessing pot ential exposure to environmental contaminants as the U.S. Department of Ene rgy remediates its sites at the nuclear weapons complex. This study applies MEPAS, MMSOILS, and RESRAD to actual release site data from the 903 Pad So urce Area within Operating Unit 2 at the Rocky Flats Environmental Technolo gy Site using a common set of assumptions; The analysis compares the simila rity of multimedia model output in terms of (1) prediction of transport, (2 ) determination of an individual's lifetime exposure, and (3) estimation of radiological risks to human health from contaminated soils. This case stud y presents fairly routine exposure pathways and offers a good illustration of the way in which multimedia models can be used to assess potential radio logical risk to human health from contaminated soils.