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Unclassified Computer Network Security at Selected Field Sites

Federal regulations require that routine bioassay programs be established for workers likely to receive internal radiation doses. Bioassay programs determine kinds, quantities, or concentrations, and, in some cases, locations of radioactive material in the body. The Department of Energy's (Department) bioassay programs consist of two parts. In-vivo (inside the body) measurements include activities like whole-body, lung, and thyroid counting. In-vitro (outside the body) monitoring, on the other hand, includes radiochemical analyses of workers’ urine and fecal samples. Our audit was limited to bioassay analyses of urine samples, which represent 98 percent of all in-vitro analyses. In Fiscal Year (FY) 1999, the Department performed about 69,500 bioassay analyses at the 7 sites reviewed at an estimated cost of $7.7 million. The objective of this audit was to determine whether the Department's contractors obtained bioassay analyses at the lowest prices available.

In-Vitro Bioassay Services at Department of Energy Facilities

Treating Transuranic/Alpha Low-Level Waste at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory

On September 1, 1999, an accident at the SRS's FB-Line facility occurred when plutonium was released from a failed bagless transfer can.

The CAB provides recommendations regarding the Draft Hazardous and Polychlorinated Biphenyl Partial Permit for Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Facility

The CAB provides recommendations regarding the environmental impact statement for a geological repository for spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste

The Office of Science (SC), formerly known as the Office of Energy Research (ER), is responsible for approving and managing research projects funded at the Department’s national laboratories. The laboratories submit field proposals for research projects to the SC for funding consideration. The proposals are evaluated and selected for funding by SC program managers, with support from a peer review process. The program managers approve the tasks and provide work authorizations and other funding guidance to the laboratories after specific projects have been selected. In FY 1999, SC provided $1.7 billion to the laboratories for research projects.