Radiological Considerations in the Use of Natural Gas from Nuclearly Stimulated Wells

Various pathways through which radionuclides in nuclearly stimulated natural gas can reach users of the gas or gas by-products are considered. Tritium is the radionuclide of most concern. At a concentration of 1 pCi/cm³, a tritium activity level that appears achievable in large-scale exploitation of this peaceful use of nuclear explosives, the calculations show that a maximum annual radiation dose of 2.2 to 2.5 mrem/year might be attained in the two large metropolitan areas considered. The average annual dose to members of the public using these supplies of natural gas is estimated to be about 0.5 mrem in the same cities. The estimated average dose is 0.3% of the Federal Radiation Council’s Radiation Protection Guide of 170 mrem/year for whole body exposure of average population groups.