Forensic microanalysis of Manhattan Project legacy radioactive wastes in St. Louis, MO

Radioactive particulate matter (RPM) in St Louis, MO, area surface soils, house dusts and sediments was examined by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Analyses found RPM containing 238U and decay products (up to 46 wt%), and a distinct second form of RPM containing 230Th and decay products (up to 15.6 wt%). The SEM-EDS analyses found similar RPM in Manhattan Project-era radioactive wastes and indoor dusts in surrounding homes.