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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency dispersion model, CAP-88, calculates ground-level dose using the ground-level concentration and the semi-infinite cloud approximation. Doses can be underestimated for elevated plumes during stable atmospheric conditions at receptor locations within a kilometer downwind of a stack. The purpose of this paper is to identify when CAP-88 calculations of gamma dose from cloudshine are inaccurate and provide estimates of the inaccuracy. The method used compares CAP-88 estimates with Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) estimates. Comparisons were made at distances of 800 m and 3,000 m downwind of the stack and for plume heights from 0 to 50 m. For these conditions, the annual dose calculated by CAP-88 is greater than or equal to that calculated by MCNP.

Dose assessment for deposited radionuclides often requires estimates of air concentrations that are derived from measured soil concentrations. For this, dose assessors typically use literature resuspension values that, while empirically based, can vary by orders of magnitude making it difficult to provide accurate dose estimates. Despite the complexities of the physical processes involved in resuspension, the models generally used for dose assessment are relatively simplistic and rarely are the models validated for a specific site, thus making prediction of air concentrations or airborne emissions highly uncertain. Additionally, the size of the contaminated area can have an impact on downwind concentrations, yet literature values do not account for smaller-sized contaminated sites adding additional uncertainty. To test resuspension models for soil-bound radionuclides at finite and infinite spatial scales, measurements of soil and air concentrations are made at (1) a location downwind of a former outfall where Pu was released into the environment (a finite site), and (2) uncontaminated locations where regional air sampling provides background measurements of naturally occurring U in sampled dust (an infinite site). Measured air concentrations were compared to those predicted using the resuspension factor model and the mass loading model. An area factor was applied to the smaller contaminated site to account for dilution of dust from the contaminated site with dust originating from offsite locations. Results show that when properly parameterized to site conditions, resuspension models can predict air concentrations to within a factor of 10.

Standard plume models can underestimate the gamma-ray dose when most of the radioactive material is above the heads of the receptors. Typically, a model is used to calculate the air concentration at the height of the receptor, and the dose is calculated by multiplying the air concentration by a concentration-to-dose conversion factor. Models indicate that if the plume is emitted from a stack during stable atmospheric conditions, the lower edges of the plume may not reach the ground, in which case both the ground-level concentration and the dose are usually reported as zero. However, in such cases, the dose from overhead gamma-emitting radionuclides may be substantial. Such underestimates could impact decision making in emergency situations. The Monte Carlo N-Particle code, MCNP, was used to calculate the overhead shine dose and to compare with standard plume models. At long distances and during unstable atmospheric conditions, the MCNP results agree with the standard models. At short distances, where many models calculate zero, the true dose (as modeled by MCNP) can be estimated with simple equations.

Versions of the computer program, CAP88, are widely used to calculate the radiological doses from radionuclides emitted into the air. CAP88-PC Version-3 includes an extensive library of radionuclides, but there are many more that are not included. Surrogates are often used to substitute for nuclides not in the library, though the results are usually overestimates. This paper addresses nuclides that are not in the library and describes methods to obtain more accurate results.

Gaussian plume models, such as CAP88, are used regularly for estimating downwind concentrations from stack emissions. At many facilities, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) requires that CAP88 be used to demonstrate compliance with air quality regulations for public protection from emissions of radionuclides. Gaussian plume models have the advantage of being relatively simple and their use pragmatic; however, these models are based on simplifying assumptions and generally they are not capable of incorporating dynamic meteorological conditions or complex topography. These limitations encourage validation tests to understand the capabilities and limitations of the model for the specific application. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has complex topography but is required to use CAP88 for compliance with the Clean Air Act Subpart H. The purpose of this study was to test the accuracy of the CAP88 predictions against ambient air measurements using released tritium as a tracer. Stack emissions of tritium from two LANL stacks were measured and the dispersion modeled with CAP88 using local meteorology. Ambient air measurements of tritium were made at various distances and directions from the stacks. Model predictions and ambient air measurements were compared over the course of a full year's data. Comparative results were consistent with other studies and showed the CAP88 predictions of downwind tritium concentrations were on average about three times higher than those measured, and the accuracy of the model predictions were generally more consistent for annual averages than for bi-weekly data.