131 LA UR 03 5862 - National Nuclear Security Administration ...

2.13 Radiochemistry Facility (TA-48)The Radiochemistry Key Facility includes all of TA-48 (116 acres). It is a research facility that fills threeroles—research, production of medical radioisotopes, and support services to other LANL organizations,primarily through radiological and chemical analyses of samples. TA-48 contains five major researchbuildings: the Radiochemistry Laboratory (Building 48-1), the Isotope Separator Facility (48-8), theDiagnostic Instrumentation and Development Building (48-28), the Advanced Radiochemical DiagnosticsBuilding (48-45), and the Analytical Facility (48-107). As shown in Table 2.13-1, the RadiochemistryLaboratory has remained a Category 3 nuclear facility (LANL 2002a). During 2003, the RadiochemistryLaboratory (TA-48-01) is expected to transition from a Hazard Category 3 nuclear facility to a radiologicalfacility.Machine shop at TA-48-82.13.1 Construction and Modifications at the Radiochemistry FacilityProjected: The SWEIS projected no facility changes through 2005.Actual: Although no facility changes were projected in the SWEIS ROD, a few have occurred. In1996, Building 48-01, Room 346 was converted from a storage area into a chemistry lab with fume hoods,laboratory instrumentation, and hardware such as small furnaces. The lab accommodated personnel movedfrom TA-21 to TA-48. The modification underwent NEPA review and received a categorical exclusion (DOE1997c).Another modification was the upgrade to the ventilation system and the remodeling of the chemistry labin Building 48-01, Room 430. This modification also underwent NEPA review and received a categoricalexclusion (DOE 1998f). In addition, four of the five existing outfalls were eliminated from the NPDES permitduring 1997 and 1998. The elimination of the outfalls was evaluated in an environmental assessment (DOE1996f), and subsequent Finding of No Significant Impact.SWEIS Yearbook—2002 2-135