DOE-HDBK-1106-97 Chg Notice 2, Radiological Contamination Control Training for Laboratory Research
Functional areas: Radiological Contamination Control Training, Laboratory Research
This Handbook describes a recommended implementation process for core training as outlined in the DOE Radiological Control Standard (RCS). The Handbook is to assist those individuals, both within the Department of Energy (DOE) and Managing and Operating (M&O) contractors, identified as having responsibility for implementing the core training recommended by the RCS. This training may also be given to laboratory researchers to assist in meeting their job-specific training requirements of 10 CFR 835. Contains all three parts which are the Program Management Guide, Instructor's Guide, and the Student's Guide.
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Section 1
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
February 1997
Change Notice 2
with Reaffirmation
January 2007
DOE HANDBOOK
RADIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION
CONTROL TRAINING FOR
LABORATORY RESEARCH
U.S. Department of Energy FSC 6910
Washington, D.C. 20585
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
NOT MEASUREMENT
SENSITIVE
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
ii
This document has been reproduced from the best available copy.
Available to DOE and DOE contractors from ES&H Technical Information Services,
U.S. Department of Energy, (800) 473-4375, fax: (301) 903-9823.
Available to the public from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Technology
Administration, National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161;
(703) 605-6000.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
iii
Page/Section Change
Throughout
document
Revise Radcon Manual to RadCon Standard.
Revise RCM to RCS.
Revise RCM, Rev. 1 to RCS, Ch. 1.
iii, Forward, last
para.
Revise bottom para to read (updated software used and web address):
This Handbook is available in Word 2002 and has been formatted for
printing on an HP IV (or higher) LaserJet printer. Copies of this
Handbook may be obtained from either the DOE Radiation Safety
Training Home Page Internet site
(http://www.eh.doe.gov/radiation/RST/rstmater.htm) or the DOE
Technical Standards Program Internet site
(http://www.eh.doe.gov/techstds/). Documents downloaded from the
DOE Radiation Safety Training Home Page Internet site may be
manipulated using the software noted above (current revision or
higher).
Part 1 page 12 Revise:
DOE-HDBK-1130-98, “Radiological Worker Training” and DOE-
HDBK-1131-98, “General Employee Radiological Training”.
To read:
DOE-HDBK-1130-98, Reaffirmation 2004, “Radiological Worker
Training”, and DOE-HDBK-1131-98, Reaffirmation 2004, “General
Employee Radiological Training”.
Part 1, page 13 Revise:
DOE-HDBK-1130-98
To read:
DOE-HDBK-1130-98, Reaffirmation 2004
Part 1, page 15 Revise;
All materials are provided in WordPerfect® 9.0 format.
To read:
All materials are provided in Word 2002 format.
Part 1, page 16
Revise:
DOE (1990), U.S. Department of Energy, “Radiation Protection of the
Public and the Environment,” DOE Order 5400.5.
DOE (1999), U.S. Department of Energy, “Radiological Control
Standard,” DOE-STD-1098-1999.
DOE (1996), “Environment, Safety, and Health Reporting
Requirements,” DOE Order 231.1.
DOE (1998), U.S. Department of Energy, DOE-HDBK-1130-98,
“Radiological Worker Training,” and DOE-HDBK-1131-98, “General
Employee Radiological Training.”
To read:
DOE (1993), U.S. Department of Energy, “Radiation Protection of the
Public and the Environment,” DOE Order 5400.5, Ch. 2.
DOE (2004), U.S. Department of Energy, “Radiological Control
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
iv
Standard,” DOE-STD-1098-1999, Ch. 1.
DOE (2004), “Environment, Safety, and Health Reporting
Requirements,” DOE Order 231.1A, Ch. 1.
DOE (1998), U.S. Department of Energy, DOE-HDBK-1130-98,
Reaffirmation 2004, “Radiological Worker Training,” and DOE-
HDBK-1131-98, Reaffirmation 2004, “General Employee Radiological
Training.”
Part 2, page 4
Part 3, page 41
Revise:
DOE (1990), U.S. Department of Energy, “Radiation Protection of the
Public and the Environment,” DOE Order 5400.5.
DOE (1999), U.S. Department of Energy, “Radiological Control
Standard,” DOE-STD-1098-1999.
DOE (1995), “Environment, Safety, and Health Reporting
Requirements,” DOE Order 231.1.
DOE (1998), U.S. Department of Energy, DOE-HDBK-1130-98,
“Radiological Worker Training,” and DOE-HDBK-1131-98, “General
Employee Radiological Training.”
Section 2
To read:
DOE (1993), U.S. Department of Energy, “Radiation Protection of the
Public and the Environment,” DOE Order 5400.5, Ch. 2.
DOE (2004a), U.S. Department of Energy, “Radiological Control
Standard,” (RCS) DOE-STD-1098-1999, Ch. 1.
DOE (2004b), “Environment, Safety, and Health Reporting
Requirements,” DOE Order 231.1A, Ch. 1.
DOE (1998), U.S. Department of Energy, DOE-HDBK-1130-98,
Reaffirmation 2004, “Radiological Worker Training,” and DOE-
HDBK-1131-98, Reaffirmation 2004, “General Employee Radiological
Training.”
Delete:
DOE (1996), “Radiological Protection for DOE Activities,” DOE
Notice 441.2.
Part 2, page 11 Replace - trainees with - trainees’
Part 2, page 23
Replace: Reference: DOE N 441.2
With: Reference: 10 CFR 835
Replace: “An area or structure where radioactive material is used,
handled, or stored.”
With: “An area or structure where radioactive material, exceeding the
values provided in 10 CFR 835 Appendix E, is used, handled, or
stored.”
Part 2, page 24 Replace 10,000* with 10,000
Delete: “(This definition may change in an amendment to 10 CFR 835.
Make appropriate revisions at that time).”
Replace: “Any area where contamination levels are greater than the
values specified in Appendix D of 10 CFR 835, but less than or equal to
100 times those levels.”
With: “Any area where removable contamination levels are greater than
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
v
the values specified in Appendix D of 10 CFR 835, but less than or
equal to 100 times those levels.”
Part 2, page 25 Delete: “(This definition may change in an amendment to 10 CFR 835.
Make appropriate revisions at that time).”
Replace: “Any area where contamination levels are greater than 100
times the values specified in Appendix D of 10 CFR 835.”
With: “Any area where removable contamination levels are greater than
100 times the values specified in Appendix D of 10 CFR 835.”
Replace: “Any area where the measured concentration of airborne
radioactivity, above natural background, exceeds or is likely to exceed
10 percent of the derived air concentration (DAC) values listed in
Appendix A or Appendix C of 10 CFR 835.”
With: “Any area where the measured concentration of airborne
radioactivity, above natural background, exceeds or is likely to exceed
the derived air concentration (DAC) values listed in Appendix A or
Appendix C of 10 CFR 835 or where an individual in the area without
respiratory protection could receive an intake exceeding 12 DAC-hours
in a week.”
Part 2, page 26 Replace: Reference: DOE N 441.2
With: Reference: 10 CFR 835
Part 2, page 40 Replace: Reference: DOE (1990)
With: Reference: DOE (1993)
Replace: Order 5400.5,
With: Order 5400.5, Ch. 2
Part 2, pages 50,
107, 112 and 113
Part 3, pages 89 and
90
Replace: 5400.5
With: 5400.5, Ch. 2
Part 2, Glossary
Part 3, Glossary
Replace the following definitions:
Airborne radioactive material or airborne radioactivity means
radioactive material dispersed in the air in the form of dusts, fumes,
particulates, mists, vapors, or gases.
Sealed radioactive source means a radioactive source manufactured,
obtained, or retained for the purpose of utilizing the emitted radiation.
The sealed radioactive source consists of a known or estimated quantity
of radioactive material contained within a sealed capsule, sealed
between layer(s) of non-radioactive material, or firmly fixed to a non-
radioactive surface by electroplating or other means intended to prevent
leakage or escape of the radioactive material. Sealed radioactive
sources do not include reactor fuel elements, nuclear explosive devices,
and radioisotope thermoelectric generators.
Section 3
Part 2, page 115
Part 3, page 91
Replace: “RESERVED RESERVED RESERVED”
With: “500 1500 20”
Part 3, page 14 Replace: “An area or structure where radioactive material is used,
handled, or stored.”
With: “An area or structure where radioactive material, exceeding the
values provided in 10 CFR 835 Appendix E, is used, handled, or
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
vi
stored.”
Replace: “Any area where contamination levels are greater than the
values specified in Appendix D of 10 CFR 835, but less than or equal to
100 times those levels.”
With: “Any area where removable contamination levels are greater than
the values specified in Appendix D of 10 CFR 835, but less than or
equal to 100 times those levels.”
Part 3, page 15 Replace 10,000* with 10,000
Replace: “Any area where contamination levels are greater than 100
times the values specified in Appendix D of 10 CFR 835.”
With: “Any area where removable contamination levels are greater than
100 times the values specified in Appendix D of 10 CFR 835.”
Replace: “Any area where the measured concentration of airborne
radioactivity, above natural background, exceeds or is likely to exceed
10 percent of the derived air concentration (DAC) values listed in
Appendix A or Appendix C of 10 CFR 835.”
With: “Any area where the measured concentration of airborne
radioactivity, above natural background, exceeds or is likely to exceed
the derived air concentration (DAC) values listed in Appendix A or
Appendix C of 10 CFR 835 or where an individual in the area without
respiratory protection could receive an intake exceeding 12 DAC-hours
in a week.”
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
vii
Change Notice 2. RADIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION CONTROL TRAINING
FOR LABORATORY RESEARCH DOE–HDBK–1106–97
Page/Section Change
vii Change:
Copies of this Handbook may be obtained from either the DOE Radiation
Safety Training Home Page Internet site
(http://www.eh.doe.gov/radiation/RST/rstmater.htm) or the DOE
Technical Standards Program Internet site
(http://www.eh.doe.gov/techstds/). Documents downloaded from the
DOE Radiation Safety Training Home Page Internet site may be
manipulated using the software noted above (current revision or higher).
To:
Copies of this Handbook may be obtained from the DOE Radiation Safety
Training Home Page Internet site
(http://www.hss.energy.gov/radiation/RST/rstmater.htm).
Cover sheet parts
1, 2 and 3
Change: Office of Environment, Safety & Health
U.S. Department of Energy
February 1997
To: Office of Health Safety and Security
U.S. Department of Energy
January 2007
Part 1, page 12
Evaluating Training
Program
Effectiveness
Change “EH” to “HSS”
Part 1, page 1
Organizational
Relationships and
Reporting Structure
Change: The DOE Office of Worker Protection Policy and Programs
(EH-52) is responsible for approving and maintaining the standardized
core training materials associated with the core training program. An
oversight group consisting of representatives from the major contractors
will review comments and recommend program changes to DOE EH.
To: The DOE Office of Worker Safety and Health Policy (HS-11) is
responsible for approving and maintaining the standardized core training
materials associated with the core training program. An oversight group
consisting of representatives from the major contractors will review
comments and recommend program changes to DOE HSS.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
viii
Foreword
Section 4
This Handbook describes a recommended implementation process for core training as outlined in
the DOE Radiological Control Standard (RCS). The Handbook is to assist those individuals, both
within the Department of Energy (DOE) and Managing and Operating (M&O) contractors,
identified as having responsibility for implementing the core training recommended by the RCS.
This training may also be given to laboratory researchers to assist in meeting their job-specific
training requirements of 10 CFR 835.
This Handbook contains recommended training materials consistent with other DOE standardized
core radiological training material. The training material consists of the following documents:
Program Management Guide - This document contains detailed information on how to
use the Handbook material.
Instructor’s Guide - This document contains a lesson plan for instructor use, including
notation of key points for inclusion of facility-specific information.
Student’s Guide - This document contains student handout material and also should be
augmented by facility-specific information.
This Handbook is available in Word 2002 and has been formatted for printing on an HP IV (or
higher) LaserJet printer. Copies of this Handbook may be obtained from the DOE Radiation
Safety Training Home Page Internet site
(http://www.hss.energy.gov/radiation/RST/rstmater.htm).
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
(Part 1 of 3)
Radiological Contamination Control Training for
Laboratory Research
Program Management Guide
Office of Health, Safety and Security
U.S. Department of Energy
January 2007
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
ii
This page intentionally left blank.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
iii
Table of Contents
Page
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………… 1
Purpose and Scope…………………………………………………………………... 1
Management Guide Content……………………………………………………….... 1
Core Training Goal………………………………………………………………….. 1
Organizational Relationships and Reporting Structure……………………………… 1
Instructional Materials Development………………………………………………………. 3
Target Audience……………………………………………………………………... 3
Prerequisites…………………………………………………………………………. 3
Training Materials…………………………………………………………………… 4
Training Delivery……………………………………………………………………. 4
Exemptions…………………………………………………………………………... 4
Training Program Standards and Policies………………………………………………….. 5
Qualification of Instructors………………………………………………………….. 5
Technical Qualifications…………………………………………………………….. 5
Instructional Capability and Qualifications…………………………………………. 7
Selection of Instructors……………………………………………………………… 9
Test Administration………………………………………………………………….. 10
Program Records and Administration……………………………………………….. 12
Training Program Development/Change Requests………………………………….. 12
Audits (Internal and External)………………………………………………………..12
Evaluating Training Program Effectiveness……………………………………… ... 12
Course-Specific Information……………………………………………………………….. 13
Purpose………………………………………………………………………………. 13
Course Goal………………………………………………………………………….. 13
Target Audience……………………………………………………………………... 13
Course Description…………………………………………………………………... 13
Prerequisites…………………………………………………………………………. 13
Length……………………………………………………………………………….. 13
Test Bank……………………………………………………………………………. 13
Retraining……………………………………………………………………………. 13
Instructor Qualifications…………………………………………………………….. 14
Materials Checklist………………………………………………………………….. 15
Equipment Checklist………………………………………………………………… 15
Bibliography………………………………………………………………………………...16
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
iv
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Section 5
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
1
Introduction
Purpose and Scope This program management guide describes the proper
implementation standard for core training as outlined in the DOE
Radiological Control (RadCon) Standard. The guide is to assist
those individuals, both within the Department of Energy (DOE)
and Managing and Operating (M&O) contractors, identified as
having responsibility for implementing the core training
recommended by the RadCon Standard.
Management Guide Content The management guide is divided into the following sections:
• Introduction
• Instructional Materials Development
• Training Program Standards and Policies
• Course-Specific Information
Core Training Goal The goal of the core training program is to provide a
standardized, baseline knowledge for those individuals
completing the core training. Standardization of the knowledge
provides personnel with the information necessary to perform
their assigned duties at a predetermined level of expertise.
Implementing a core training program ensures consistent and
appropriate training of personnel.
Organizational Relationships The DOE Office of Worker Safety and Health Policy
and Reporting Structure (HS-11) is responsible for approving and maintaining the
standardized core training materials associated with the core
training program. An oversight group consisting of
representatives from the major contractors will review comments
and recommend program changes to DOE HSS.
Continued on Next Page
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
2
Introduction (continued)
Organizational Relationships The establishment of a comprehensive and effective contractor
and Reporting Structure site radiological control training program is the responsibility of
(continued) line management and their subordinates. The training function
can be performed by a separate training organization, but the
responsibility for quality and effectiveness rests with the line
management.
Instructional Materials Development Next
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
3
Instructional Materials Development (continued)
Target Audience Course instructional materials were developed for specific
employees who are responsible for knowing or using the
knowledge or skills for each course. With this in mind, the
participant should never ask the question, "Why do I need to
learn this?" However, this question is often asked when the
participant cannot apply the content of the program. It is the
responsibility of management to select and send workers to
training who need the content of the program. When workers can
benefit from the course, they can be motivated to learn the
content and apply it on their jobs. Care should be taken to read
the course descriptions along with the information about who
should attend. Participants and DOE facilities alike will not
benefit from workers attending training programs unsuitable for
their needs.
Prerequisites A background and foundation of knowledge facilitates the
trainee in learning new knowledge or skills. It is much easier to
learn new material if it can be connected or associated to what
was previously learned or experienced. Curriculum developers
who have been involved in preparing instructional materials for
the core training know this and have established what is referred
to as "prerequisites" for each course.
Certain competencies or experiences of participants were also
identified as necessary prior to participants attending a course.
Without these competencies or experiences, the participants
would be at a great disadvantage and could be easily discouraged
and possibly fail the course. It is not fair to the other participants,
the unprepared participant, and the instructor to have this
misunderstanding.
Section 6
Continued on Next Page
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
4
Instructional Materials Development (continued)
Training Materials Training materials for the core program consists of lesson plans,
study guides, training aids, handouts, and in some cases, video.
Overhead transparencies are sometimes provided in support of
the core training content and may be substituted with updated,
facility specific, or other information or material.
Supplemental material and training aids may be developed to
address facility-specific radiological concerns and to suit
individual training styles. References are cited in each lesson
plan and may be used as a resource in preparing facility-specific
information and training aids.
Each site is responsible for establishing a method to differentiate
the facility-specific information from the standardized core
lesson plan material. When additional or facility-specific
information is added to the text of the core lesson plan material,
a method should be used to differentiate site information from
core material.
Training Delivery Sites are encouraged to expand per provisions in the RadCon
Standard and enhance the training materials through advanced
training technologies. Computer-based training and multimedia
are just a sample of such technologies.
Exemptions Qualified personnel can be exempted from training if they have
satisfactorily completed training programs (e.g., facility, college
or university, military, or vendor programs) comparable in
instructional objectives, content, and performance criteria, and
have demonstrated this by the successful completion of an exam.
The individual making the determination of comparability
should be a subject matter expert in the course topic.
Documentation of the applicable and exempted portions of
training should be maintained.
Training Program Standards and Policies Next
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
5
Training Program Standards and Policies
Qualification of Instructors The technical instructor plays a key role in the safe and efficient
operation of DOE facilities. Workers must be well qualified and
have a thorough understanding of the facility's operation, such as
processing, handling, and storage of materials, and maintenance
of equipment. Workers must know how to correctly perform
their duties and why they are doing them. They must know how
their actions influence other worker's responsibilities. Because
workers' actions are so critical to their own safety and the safety
of others, their trainers must be of the highest caliber. The
technical instructor must understand thoroughly all aspects of the
subjects being taught and the relationship of the subject content
to the total facility. Additionally, the instructor must have the
skills and knowledge to employ the instructional methods and
techniques that will enhance learning and successful job
performance. While the required technical and instructional
qualifications are listed separately, it is the combination of these
two factors that produces a qualified technical instructor.
The qualifications are based on the best industry practices that
employ performance-based instruction and quality assurances.
These qualifications are not intended to be restrictive, but to help
ensure that workers receive the highest quality training possible.
This is only possible when technical instructors possess the
technical competence and instructional skills to perform assigned
instructional duties in a manner that promotes safe and reliable
DOE facility operations.
Section 7
Technical Qualifications Instructors must possess technical competence (theoretical and
practical knowledge along with work experience) in the subject
Continued on Next Page
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
6
Training Program Standards and Policies (continued)
Technical Qualifications areas in which they conduct training. The foundation for
(continued) determining the instructor's technical qualifications are based on
two factors:
• The trainees being instructed.
• The subject being presented.
The following is an example of a target audience, subject to be
taught, and instructor technical qualifications.
Methods for verifying the appropriate level of technical
competence may include the review of prior training and
education, observation, and evaluation of recent related job
performance, and oral or written examination. Other factors that
may be appropriate consideration include DOE, NRC, or other
government license or certification, vendor or facility
certification, and most importantly job experience.
Continued on Next Page
TARGET
AUDIENCE
SUBJECT BEING
TAUGHT
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION
Laboratory
Researchers
Contamination
Control
Demonstrated knowledge and skills in radiation
protection, above the level to be achieved by the
trainees, as evidenced by previous
training/education and through job performance,
AND
Completion of all qualification requirements for
the senior-level radiation protection technician
position at the trainees’ facility or a similar
facility
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
7
Training Program Standards and Policies (continued)
Technical Qualifications To maintain technical competence, a technical instructor should
(continued) continue to perform satisfactorily on the job and participate I
continuing technical training.
Instructional Capability and Qualifications of instructional capability should be based on
Qualifications demonstrated performance of the instructional tasks for the
specific course requirements and the instructor's position.
Successful completion of instructor training and education
programs, as well as an evaluation of on-the-job performance, is
necessary for verification of instructional capability.
Instructional capability qualification should be granted as the
successful completion of an approved professional development
program for training instructors. The program should contain
theory and practice of instructional skills and techniques; adult
learning; and planning, conducting, and evaluating classroom,
simulator, laboratory, and on-the-job training activities.
Illustrated talks, demonstrations, discussions, role playing, case
studies, coaching, and individual projects and presentations
should be used as the principal instructional methods for
presenting the instructional training program. Each instructional
method should incorporate the applicable performance-based
principles and practices. Every effort should be made to apply
the content to actual on-the-job experience or to simulate the
content in the classroom/laboratory. The appropriate
methodology required to present the instructional content will
indicate a required level of instructional qualification and skill.
Current instructors' training, education, and job performance
should be reviewed to determine their training needs for
particular courses.
Continued on Next Page
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
8
Training Program Standards and Policies (continued)
Section 8
Instructional Capability and Based on this review, management may provide exemptions
Qualifications (continued) based on demonstrated proficiency in performing technical
instructor’s tasks
Through training or experience, technical instructors should be
able to: *
• Review instructional materials and modify to fully meet
the needs of the training group.
• Arrange the training facility (classroom/laboratory or other
instructional setting) to meet the requirements for the
training sessions.
• Effectively communicate, verbally and non-verbally,
lessons to enhance learning.
• Invoke student interaction through questions and student
activity.
• Respond to students’ questions.
• Provide positive feedback to students.
• Use appropriate instructional materials and visual aids to
meet the lesson objectives.
• Administer performance and written tests.
• Ensure evaluation materials and class rosters are
maintained and forwarded to the appropriate
administrative personnel.
• Evaluate training program effectiveness.
• Modify training materials based on evaluation of training
program.
*Stein, F. Instructor Competencies: The Standards. International
Board of Standards for Training, Performance and Instruction;
1992.
Continued on Next Page
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
9
Training Program Standards and Policies (continued)
Selection of Instructors Selection of instructors should be based on the technical and
instructional qualifications specified in the “Course-Specific
Information” section of this guide. In addition to technical and
instructional qualifications, oral and written communication
skills, and interpersonal skills, should be included in the process
of selecting and approving instructors.
Since selection of instructors is an important task, those who
share in the responsibility for ensuring program effectiveness
should:
• Interview possible instructors to ensure they understand the
importance of the roles and responsibilities of technical
instructors and are willing to accept and fulfill their
responsibilities in a professional manner.
• Maintain records of previous training, education, and work
experience.
Procedures for program evaluation will include documentation
of providing qualified instructors for generic and facility-specific
training programs.
Continued on Next Page
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
10
Training Program Standards and Policies (continued)
Test Administration A test bank of questions for each course
that has an exam should be developed and content validated. As
the test banks are used, statistical validation of the test bank
should be performed to fully refine the questions and make the
tests as effective as possible. The questions contained in the test
bank are linked directly to the objectives for each course. In this
way, trainee weaknesses can be readily identified and remedial
procedures can be put into place. The test outcomes can also be
used to document competence and the acquisition of knowledge.
The test banks should also be used by the instructors to identify
possible weaknesses in the instruction. If numerous trainees fail
to correctly answer a valid set of questions for an objective, the
instruction for that objective needs to be reviewed for
deficiencies.
Written examinations may be used to demonstrate satisfactory
completion of theoretical classroom instruction. The following
are some recommended minimal requirements for the test banks
and tests:
• Tests are randomly generated from the test bank.
Section 9
• Tests items represent all objectives in the course.
• All test bank items are content validated by a subject matter
expert.
• Test banks are secured and are not released either before or
after the test is administered.
• Trainees should receive feedback on their test performance.
• For the first administrations of tests, a minimum of 80%
should be required for a passing score. As statistical analysis
of test results is performed, a more accurate percentage for a
passing score may be identified.
Continued on Next Page
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
11
Training Program Standards and Policies (continued)
Test Administration Test administration is critical in accurately assessing the trainee's
(continued) acquisition of knowledge being tested. The following rules
should be adhered to:
• Tests should be announced at the beginning of the training
sessions.
• Instructors should monitor trainees during completion of
tests.
• All tests and answers should be collected at the conclusion
of each test.
• No notes can be made by trainees concerning the test items.
• Effort should be made to eliminate all noise during the test
• No talking (aside from questions) should be allowed.
• Answers to questions during a test should be provided, but
answers to test items should not be provided or alluded to.
• Where possible, multiple versions of each test should be
produced from the test bank for each test administration.
• After test completion, trainees may turn in their materials
and leave the room while other trainees complete their tests.
• Trainee scores on the tests should be held as confidential. No
other person should have access to results other than the
trainee and test administrator.
Continued on Next Page
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
12
Training Program Standards and Policies (continued)
Program Records and Training records and documentation shall meet the requirements
Administration of 10 CFR 835.704.
Training Program All requests for program changes and revisions should be
Development/Change submitted using the form DOE 1300.3, Document Improvement
Requests Proposal, found at the end of this document.
Audits (Internal and Internal verification of training effectiveness should be
External) accomplished through senior instructor or supervisor observation
of practical applications and discussions of course material. All
results should be documented and maintained by the
organization responsible for Radiological Control training.
The core training program materials and processes should be
evaluated on a periodic basis by DOE-HQ. The evaluation
should include a comparison of program elements with
applicable industry standards and requirements.
Evaluating Training Program Verification of the effectiveness of Radiological Control training
Effectiveness should be accomplished per DOE-HDBK-1130-98,
Reaffirmation 2004, “Radiological Worker Training” and DOE-
HDBK-1131-98, Reaffirmation 2004, “General Employee
Radiological Training.” In addition, DOE/HSS has issued
guidelines for evaluating the effectiveness of radiological
training through the DOE Operations Office and DOE Field
Offices.
Course-Specific Information Next
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
13
Course-Specific Information
Purpose This section of the program management guide is to assist those
individuals assigned responsibility for implementing the
Radiological Contamination Control Training for Laboratory
Research. Standardized implementation of this training ensures
consistent and appropriate training for all personnel.
Section 10
Course Goal Upon completion of this training, the participant will understand
the basic radiological contamination control measures for
working in a laboratory, such as a biomedical research
laboratory.
Target Audience Individuals who have assigned duties as laboratory researchers.
Course Description This course illustrates and reinforces the skills and knowledge
needed to assist personnel with radiological controls for
laboratory research facilities.
Prerequisites None.
Length 2 - 8 hours (depending on facility-specific information and
incorporation of practical exercises.)
Test Bank Radiological Worker (DOE-HDBK-1130-98, Reaffirmation
2004).
Retraining Requalification same as radiological worker.
Continued on Next Page
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
14
Course-Specific Information (continued)
Instructor Qualifications Instructors of this course have a major role in making it
successful and meeting the specified objectives. Instructors must
have related experience and be technically competent. In this
course it is imperative that the instructor have the background
and experience of working in biomedical research facilities.
Instructors must be able to relate their own work experience to
the workers in biomedical research facilities. Instructors must be
able to answer specific questions and use a variety of
instructional material to meet the objectives.
Education:
Minimum of B.S. degree in Health Physics or related
discipline is preferred.
Certification:
Certification by American Board of Health Physics (ABHP) or
National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists
(NRRPT) preferred.
Experience:
At least five years of applied radiological protection
experience in an operating radiological facility including
experience in radiological protection at biomedical research
facility or equivalent is preferred. The area of experience
should include:
• Radiological controls associated with biomedical research
facilities.
• Conducting surveys and monitoring at biomedical research
facilities.
Intimate knowledge of Federal regulations and guidance, and
best nuclear industry practices, pertaining to radiological
protection.
Continued on Next Page
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
15
Materials Checklist The following checklist should be used to ensure all training
materials are available. All materials are provided in Word 2002
format.
• Program Management Guide.
• Instructor's Guide.
• Student's Guide.
Equipment Checklist The following checklist should be used before training is
provided to ensure equipment is available and working.
• Overhead projector.
• Screen.
• Flip chart.
• Markers.
• Facility-specific monitoring equipment (as appropriate).
Bibliography Next
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
16
Bibliography: DOE standards, handbooks, and technical standards lists
(TSLs). The following DOE standards, handbooks, and TSLs
form a part of this document to the extent specified herein.
DOE (1993), U.S. Department of Energy, “Radiation Protection
of the Public and the Environment,” DOE Order 5400.5, Ch. 2.
DOE (1998), U.S. Department of Energy, 10 CFR Part 835,
“Occupational Radiation Protection.”
DOE/CH-9401 (1993), “Performance of Surveys for
Unrestricted Release Facility Guidance,” R&D Laboratory
Working Group (RADWG), Health Physics Procedures (HP)
Committee.
DOE (2004), U.S. Department of Energy, “Radiological Control
Standard,” DOE-STD-1098-1999, Ch. 1.
DOE (2004), “Environment, Safety, and Health Reporting
Requirements,” DOE Order 231.1A, Ch. 1.
Section 11
DOE (1995), EH-412 memorandum (R. Pelletier, Director,
Office of Environmental Policy and Assistance) to the field,
“Application of DOE Order 5400.5 Requirements for Release
and Control of Property Containing Radioactive Material.”
DOE (1998), U.S. Department of Energy, DOE-HDBK-1130-98,
Reaffirmation 2004, “Radiological Worker Training,” and DOE-
HDBK-1131-98, Reaffirmation 2004, “General Employee
Radiological Training.”
Other government documents, drawings, and publications.
The following government documents, drawings, and
publications form a part of this document to the extent
specified herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the issues of
these documents are those cited in the contracting document.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
17
Bibliography (continued)
NRC (1982), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Regulatory
Guide 8.18, “Information Relevant to Ensuring that
Occupational Radiation Exposures at Medical Institutions will be
ALARA.”
NRC (1982), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Regulatory
Guide 8.23, “Radiation Safety Surveys at Medical Institutions.”
NRC (1991), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 10 CFR Part
20, “Standards for Protection Against Radiation.”
Federal Guidance Report No. 11 (1988), “Limiting Values of
Radionuclide Intake and Air Concentration and Dose Conversion
Factors for Inhalation, Submersion, and Ingestion” (based on the
1987 Federal Radiation Protection Guidance), Oak Ridge
National Laboratory, 1988.
Non-Government documents
ANSI 13.12 (1999), “Surface Radioactivity Guides for Materials,
Equipment, and Facilities to be Released for Uncontrolled Use,”
HPS Standards Committee.
LA-4400 (1970), LA-4400, Los Alamos Handbook of Radiation
Monitoring.
Lorenzen (1994), W.A., Ring J.P., “The Management and
Operation of a Large Scale Decay-In-Storage Program,” paper
presented at 27th Mid-Year Topical Meeting of the Health
Physics Society, Albany, NY.
National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement
(NCRP), NCRP No. 106 (1989), “Radiation Protection for
Medical and Allied Health Personnel.”
Stein (1992), F., “Instructor Competencies: The Standards,”
International Board of Standards for Training, Performance and
Instruction.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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(Part 2 of 3)
Radiological Contamination Control Training for
Laboratory Research
Instructor’s Guide
Office of Health, Safety and Security
U.S. Department of Energy
January 2007
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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This page intentionally left blank.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
iii
Table of Contents
Page
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY – Course/Lesson Plan………………………... 1
Standardized Core Course Materials…………………………………………... 1
Course Goal………………………………………………………..........1
Target Audience………………………………………………………... 1
Course Description……………………………………………………... 1
Prerequisites……………………………………………………………. 1
Length………………………………………………………………….. 1
Terminal Objectives……………………………………………………. 2
Enabling Objectives……………………………………………………. 2
Student Materials………………………………………………………. 3
Bibliography…………………………………………………………………….4
LESSON SUMMARY……………………………………………………........ 7
Introduction…………………………………………………………….. 7
Terminal Objective…………………………………………………….. 7
Course Content………………………………………………………….7
I. RADIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION……………………………… 8
A. Comparison of Radiation and Radioactive Contamination……….8
B. Types of Contamination………………………………………….. 8
C. Measuring Radioactive Contamination…………………………... 10
D. Causes of Radioactive Contamination…………………………… 11
E. Indicators or Possible Area Contamination……………………….12
F. Primary Reasons for Contamination Control…………………….. 13
G. Radiological Contamination Control Measures………………….. 15
Section 12
II. CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMONLY USED RADIONUCLIDES. 17
III. PREPARATION OF WORK AREA AND MATERIALS……………. 18
A. Appropriate Selection of Work Area…………………………….. 18
B. Preparation of Work Areas………………………………………. 18
C. Preparation of Equipment/Materials……………………………... 19
D. Shielding…………………………………………………………. 20
E. Ventilation Control………………………………………………. 21
F. Posting of Radiological Areas…………………………………… 23
G. Labeling of Radioactive Materials and Other Postings………….. 26
IV. CONDUCT OF WORK – GOOD PRACTICES………………………….. 27
A. Personal Preparation……………………………………………... 27
B. Requirements of Posted Contamination Areas…………………... 27
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
iv
Table of Contents
(Continued)
C. Dosimetry………………………………………………………... 30
D. Personal Protective Clothing (Anti-C)…………………………… 30
E. Storage and Containment of Radioactive Material………………. 32
F. Good Housekeeping……………………………………………… 34
G. RadCon Required Actions and Good Practices…………………. 34
H. Special Precautions for Liquids…………………………………. 35
V. RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT………………………….. 38
A. Segregation……………………………………………………… 38
B. Waste Storage……………………………………………………. 38
C. Sharps…………………………………………………………….. 38
D. Methods for Minimizing Waste………………………………….. 39
E. Mixed Waste……………………………………………………... 42
VI. MONITORING FOR CONTAMINATION…………………………… 44
A. Contamination Monitoring Equipment…………………………... 44
B. Conducting Surveys – General…………………………………... 46
C. Area Surveys……………………………………………………... 46
D. Personnel Surveys………………………………………………... 46
E. Detection of Contamination……………………………………... 48
F. Release of Materials……………………………………………… 49
VII. DECONTAMINATION……………………………………………….. 51
A. Decontamination or Not………………………………………….. 51
B. Preventative Methods……………………………………………..51
C. Skin Contamination……………………………………………… 52
D. Material Decontamination………………………………………. 53
VII. FACILITY-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS……………………………. 54
VIII. CONTAMINATION CONTROL LESSONS LEARNED…………….. 55
X. SUMMARY – Review of Objectives………………………………….. 56
GLOSSARY…………………………………………………………………… 58
APPENDIX A………………………………………………………………….. A-1
APPENDIX B………………………………………………………………….. B-1
APPENDIX C………………………………………………………………...... C-1
APPENDIX D………………………………………………………………….. D-1
APPENDIX E………………………………………………………………….. E-1
APPENDIX F………………………………………………………………….. F-1
APPENDIX G………………………………………………………………….. G-1
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
1
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY - COURSE/LESSON PLAN
Standardized Core Course Materials
Course Goal: Upon completion of this training, the participant will have a
basic understanding of radiological contamination control
measures for laboratory research facilities.
Target Audience: Individuals who have assigned duties as laboratory
researchers.
Course Description: This course illustrates and reinforces the skills and
knowledge needed to assist personnel with radiological
controls for laboratory research facilities.
Prerequisites: None
Length: 2-8 hours (depending on facility-specific information and
incorporation of practical exercises)
Course Objectives Next
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
2
Terminal Objective: At the end of this course, the participant will understand the
basic radiological contamination control measures for
working in a research laboratory.
Enabling Objectives: EO1 DISTINGUISH between ionizing radiation and
radioactive contamination.
EO2 DEFINE
• Fixed.
• Removable.
• Airborne contamination.
EO3 IDENTIFY the units used to measure radioactive
contamination.
Section 13
EO4 IDENTIFY causes of radioactive contamination.
EO5 IDENTIFY methods used to control radioactive
contamination.
EO6 DEFINE Contamination Area, High Contamination
Area, and Airborne Radioactivity Area.
EO7 IDENTIFY the requirements for entry, working in,
and exiting Contamination Areas and Airborne
Radioactivity Areas.
EO8 IDENTIFY the proper use of protective clothing.
EO9 STATE the appropriate response to a spill of
radioactive material.
Continued on Next Page
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
3
Enabling Objectives: E010 IDENTIFY methods for reducing radioactive waste.
(continued)
E011 IDENTIFY the purpose and use of personnel
contamination monitors.
E012 IDENTIFY the normal methods used for
decontamination.
Student Materials: Student's Guide
Plus any handouts or other materials for facility-specific
information or activities.
Bibliography Next
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
4
Bibliography: DOE standards, handbooks, and technical standards lists
(TSLs). The following DOE standards, handbooks, and TSLs
form a part of this document to the extent specified herein.
DOE (1993), U.S. Department of Energy, “Radiation
Protection of the Public and the Environment,” DOE Order
5400.5, Ch. 2.
DOE (1998), U.S. Department of Energy, 10 CFR Part 835,
“Occupational Radiation Protection.”
DOE/CH-9401 (1993), “Performance of Surveys for
Unrestricted Release Facility Guidance,” R&D Laboratory
Working Group (RADWG), Health Physics Procedures (HP)
Committee.
DOE (2004a), U.S. Department of Energy, “Radiological
Control Standard,” (RCS) DOE-STD-1098-1999, Ch. 1.
DOE (2004b), “Environment, Safety, and Health Reporting
Requirements,” DOE Order 231.1A, Ch. 1.
DOE (1995), EH-412 memorandum (R. Pelletier, Director
Office of Environmental Policy and Assistance) to the field,
“Application of DOE Order 5400.5 Requirements for
Release and Control of Property Containing Radioactive
Material.”
DOE (1998), U.S. Department of Energy, DOE-HDBK-
1130-98, Reaffirmation 2004, “Radiological Worker
Training,” and DOE-HDBK-1131-98, Reaffirmation 2004,
“General Employee Radiological Training.”
Continued on Next Page
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
5
Bibliography (continued)
Other government documents, drawings, and
publications. The following government documents,
drawings, and publications form a part of this document
to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise indicated,
the issues of these documents are those cited in the
contracting document.
NRC (1982), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Regulatory Guide 8.18, “Information Relevant to Ensuring
that Occupational Radiation Exposures at Medical
Institutions will be ALARA.”
NRC (1982), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Regulatory Guide 8.23, “Radiation Safety Surveys at
Medical Institutions.”
NRC (1991), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 10 CFR
Part 20, “Standards for Protection Against Radiation.”
Federal Guidance Report No. 11 (1988), Limiting Values of
Radionuclide Intake and Air Concentration and Dose
Conversion Factors for Inhalation, Submersion, and
Ingestion (based on the 1987 Federal Radiation Protection
Guidance), Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1988.
Non-Government documents
LA-4400 (1970), LA-4400, Los Alamos Handbook of
Radiation Monitoring.
ANSI 13.12 (1999), “Surface Radioactivity Guides for
Materials, Equipment, and Facilities to be Released for
Uncontrolled Use,” HPS Standards Committee.
Continued on Next Page
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
6
Bibliography (continued)
Section 14
National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement
(NCRP), NCRP No. 106 (1989), “Radiation Protection for
Medical and Allied Health Personnel.”
Lorenzen (1994), W.A., Ring J.P., “The Management and
Operation of a Large Scale Decay-In-Storage Program,”
paper presented at 27th Mid-Year Topical Meeting of the
Health Physics Society, Albany, NY.
Stein (1992), F., “Instructor Competencies: The Standards,”
International Board of Standards for Training, Performance
and Instruction.
Lesson Summary Next
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
7
LESSON SUMMARY
Introduction
Welcome students to the course.
Introduce self to the participants and establish rapport.
Define logistics:
• Safety briefing - exits.
• Restrooms.
• Hours.
• Breaks.
• Sign-in sheets.
• Test - accountability.
• End-of-course evaluation.
Terminal Objective
At the end of this course, the participant should be able to understand the basic radiological
contamination control measures for working in a research laboratory.
State Enabling Objectives.
Course Content
Briefly review the content of the course, noting that there is a logical sequence (“flow”) to the
material covered. As you present the material, relate it to the circumstances they can expect to
find in the facility workplace and procedures. (You will be inserting facility-specific laboratory
researcher information.)
Lesson Plan and Instructor’s Notes Next
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
8
Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
I. RADIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION
A. Comparison of Radiation and Radioactive Contamination
Radiation is energy, contamination is a material. Exposure to
radiation does NOT result in contamination.
B. Types of Contamination
Contamination can be grouped into 3 types:
• Fixed.
• Removable/transferable.
• Airborne.
1. Fixed contamination
Fixed contamination is contamination that cannot be
readily removed from surfaces.
• It cannot be removed by casual contact, wiping,
brushing, or washing.
• It may be released when the surface is disturbed
(buffing, grinding, using volatile liquids for cleaning,
construction, etc.).
• Over time it may “weep,” leach, or otherwise become
loose or transferable.
EO1: DISTINGUISH
between ionizing radiation
and radioactive
contamination.
EO2: DEFINE fixed,
removable, and airborne
contamination.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
9
Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
2. Removable/transferable contamination
Removable/transferable contamination is contamination
that can be readily removed from surfaces.
• It may be removed or transferred by casual contact,
wiping, brushing, or washing.
• Air movement across contamination could cause the
contamination to become airborne
3. Airborne contamination
Airborne contamination is contamination suspended in air.
This creates a particular hazard because of the possibility
of intake by inhalation. Inhalation is the most common
mode of uptake of radioactive material in the working
environment. In addition to the hazard to the worker,
radioactive materials may be carried into ventilation
systems, material may be deposited on surfaces over a
large area, and there is the potential for releases outside of
the facility.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
10
Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
C. Measuring Radioactive Contamination
Because radioactive contamination is radioactive material,
the units are the same, e.g., disintegrations per minute
(dpm).
When measuring the amount of radioactive contamination
(material) on a surface, the units most commonly used are
disintegrations per minute per 100 centimeters squared
(dpm/100 cm2).
Section 15
1. Direct reading
Contamination monitors measure radiation emitted by the
radioactive material. The units are normally counts (as
seen by the monitor) per minute (cpm).
2. Discuss counts per minute (cpm) versus disintegrations per
minute (dpm).
There is a direct relationship between the counts recorded
and the actual activity (disintegrations) present. The
counter efficiency (expressed as the ratio of cpm/dpm) is
divided into the measured cpm to obtain the activity.
EO3: IDENTIFY the
units used to measure
Radioactive contamination.
Explain counter efficiency.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
11
Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
D. Causes of Radioactive Contamination
Radioactive material can be spread to unwanted locations.
The following are some causes of radioactive
contamination:
1. Sloppy work practices, such as cross-contamination of
tools, equipment, or workers.
2. Not wearing gloves, or removing them prematurely.
3. Poor housekeeping in contaminated areas.
4. Opening radioactive materials/systems without proper
controls.
5. Leaking containers or tears in radiological containers
such as barrels, plastic bags, boxes, or protective gear.
6. Spills, glass breakage, and animal fluids.
7. Airborne contamination depositing on surfaces.
8. Not adhering to standard laboratory procedures (such as
not checking gloves after handling radioactive materials
or working in a potentially contaminated area).
9. Emergencies including:
• Fire.
• Earthquake, etc.
EO4: IDENTIFY causes of
radioactive contamination.
Optional method may include
listing trainees’ response on
board or flip chart.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
12
Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
D. Indicators of Possible Area Contamination
The following are some indicators of possible area
contamination:
1. Visual indicators, such as:
• Leaks, spills, standing liquids.
• Damaged radiological containers.
2. Detection of contamination or elevated radiation
levels including:
• Spurious or unexplained personnel contamination.
• Radioactivity observed in bioassay samples
collected.
• Higher than normal background on personnel
contamination survey devices.
• Higher than normal background radiation levels on
area monitors and air samples.
• Routine radiation contamination surveys
conducted by the Radiological Control
Organization.
Presence of higher than
background levels of
radioactivity in bioassay
samples indicates
radiological control
measures are not being
effectively implemented
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
13
Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
F. Primary Reasons for Contamination Control
1. Protection of the worker
Measures to control radioactive contamination are
implemented to protect workers by:
• Minimizing the chance of inhalation or ingestion of
radioactive/hazardous material.
• Eliminating or reducing external radiation dose rates.
• Reducing worker discomfort by minimizing the use
of personal protective clothing and/or respirators.
2. Radioactive materials may enter the body by:
Inhalation (the most common pathway).
• Cuts/wounds (i.e., sharp instrument punctures).
• Absorption (skin, mucous membranes, eyes).
• Ingestion (biting nails, applying cosmetics, eating,
drinking, or smoking either in the lab or outside
without monitoring or washing hands).
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
14
Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
3. Protection of the environment
Measures to control radioactive contamination are
implemented to protect the environment by:
• Controlling the release of radioactivity in the
Section 16
environment.
• Minimizing the amount of radioactive waste
generated.
4. Protection of the facility and programs
Measures to control radioactive contamination are
implemented to protect facilities and programs by:
• Eliminating or minimizing the spread of
contamination.
• Preventing cross-contamination and the loss of
experimental results.
• Meeting regulatory requirements.
Also, note that resources applied to cleanup reduce the
resources available for other program goals. Additionally,
serious contamination events may detract from maintaining
good public relations.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
15
Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
G. Radiological Contamination Control Measures
Radiological contamination control measures should address:
1. Characteristics of radionuclides used:
Type of radiation emitted
Energy of radiation emitted
Half-life
2. Preparation of areas and materials - including:
• Marking, labeling, and posting of areas and
materials.
• Personnel protective equipment type,
availability, and use.
• Storage and containment of
radioactive/hazardous materials.
3. Good work practices - including:
• Special precautions for handling liquids.
• Special precautions for handling sharps.
• Clean up the work area at the end of the job or
end of the day, whichever is first.
4. Radioactive waste management.
5. Radiation monitoring (including interpretation of
meter readings) during and at completion of work. If
a problem is detected or suspected, notify the
Radiological Control Organization.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
16
Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
6. Decontamination.
7. Regulatory requirements.
8. Training requirements.
The following sections discuss in detail characteristics of
radionuclides and contamination control measures.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
17
Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
II. CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMONLY USED
RADIONUCLIDES
Select those radionuclides
from Appendix A that are
applicable to your facility and
add applicable radionuclide
information.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
18
Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
III. PREPARATION OF WORK AREA AND MATERIALS
E. Appropriate Selection of Work Area
The work station should not present an exposure potential to
another individual within the laboratory or to the adjacent
laboratory. The work station should not conflict with other
work within the laboratory (i.e., strong gamma emitters near
low background counting equipment, etc.).
F. Preparation of Work Areas
1. Minimize area
Confine operations involving radioactive materials to a
small as space as practicable.
2. Clear area
Clear area of extraneous items and material.
3. Work surface
Cover area as appropriate. Diaper paper should be placed
absorbent side up.
4. Containment
Use trays when appropriate.
Material in this Section may
be deleted if it is covered in
other training.
EO5: IDENTIFY
methods used to control
Radioactive contamination.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
19
Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
5. Waste
Receptacles for radioactive waste should be located by
the work station so that you may conveniently dispose of
waste without further contamination of the work area.
C. Preparation of Equipment/Materials
1. Assemble survey meters
Section 17
The survey meter should be turned on and located in
close proximity to the work station. A preoperational
check is necessary before use to ensure the meter is
working properly. Position the detector so it is directed
toward your work area. This will enable you to
conveniently monitor your hands as you work and also
can indicate when materials are removed from shielded
containers. Always work with the audio turned on. Your
safety and the safety of others must take priority over the
concept that the sound may be disturbing to others.
Know the location of the nearest phones. Post the
Radiological Control Organization phone number
nearby.
2. Equipment preparation
Use dedicated equipment/tools when appropriate.
Cover/tape tools or equipment used during the job to
minimize radioactive contamination.
State that later in the course
the selection and use of the
proper instruments will be
covered (Section VI).
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
20
Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
3. Assemble materials and supplies
Those supplies that would minimize small spills of
radioactive materials should be within arm's reach while
handling unsealed radioactive materials.
4. Marking and labeling
• The area/material is marked and labeled as
appropriate (typically by Radiological Control
personnel).
• Do NOT discard intact radioactive labels/markings
in normal trash! Remove or deface labels before
discarding boxes, etc.
5. Assemble spill materials (as appropriate)
D. Shielding
1. Placement
Placement of shielding materials is critical to both your
safety and that of your colleagues. Work stations that
require the use of shielding should be located where
there would be no worker on the opposite side of the
workbench, such as in corners and against walls.
Show appropriate labels, tape,
etc.
Discuss consequences if
radiation label is found in
municipal waste stream.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
21
Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
2. Penetration through walls
Be certain to consider what (or who) is on the other side
of the wall. However, if this can not be accommodated,
shielding should be considered for the work station on
the opposite side of the workbench where your colleague
may be working.
3. Beta and Gamma Emitters
When shielding for both beta and gamma emitters, the
shielding for the beta emitters should be first. The beta
shield (plastic, wood, foil) should be closer to the
radiation source to minimize the production of
X-rays from the beta emitter interacting with the lead
(gamma) shield.
4. Considerations
Some considerations for use of shielding were addressed
above. Because issues involving shielding can be
complex, always consult the Radiological Control
Organization before using shielding.
E. Ventilation Control
1. Airflow
Airflow should be from the areas of least contamination
to areas of most contamination (e.g., clean to
contaminated to highly contaminated areas) such as fume
hoods, gloveboxes, etc.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
22
Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
2. Pressure differential
Slight negative pressure is maintained in
buildings/rooms where potential contamination exists.
3. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration
HEPA filters, which remove radioactive particles from
the air, may be used. This is commonly required for
higher levels of airborne radioactivity such as
concentrations exceeding 10 percent of the Derived Air
Concentration (DAC) for a particular radionuclide.
Charcoal filters are required for specific radionuclides
such as iodine. Ventilation system requirements should
be determined in consultation with the Radiological
Control Organization.
Section 18
A DAC is the radionuclide airborne concentration.
Breathing an air concentration of 1 DAC for 1 working
year (2,000 hours) will result in committed dose
equivalent equal to an annual limit, i.e., 5 rem whole-
body or 50 rem to any organ or tissue.
4. Flow rate
Always check the flow rate or pressure in ventilated
enclosures before staring operations. Air flow is easily
measured with an inexpensive velometer.
Insert facility-specific
requirements.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
23
Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
F. Posting of Radiological Areas
10 CFR 835.602 requires that each access point to a
controlled area be appropriately posted. Further, 835.602
requires that each access point to a radiological area be
appropriately posted.
Posting of radiological areas is typically a Radiological
Control Organization function. Workers should become
aware of the posting requirements.
DOE has designated the following areas as requiring
posting:
1. Radioactive Material Area
An area or structure where radioactive material,
exceeding the values provided in 10 CFR 835 Appendix
E, is used, handled, or stored.
The posting/sign will indicate:
“CAUTION, RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL”
Additional posting is not required if the Radioactive
Material Area is inside a Contamination, High
Contamination, or Airborne Radioactivity Area.
Materials in this Section need
not be repeated if it is covered
in other training.
Reference 10 CFR 835 and
exemptions from posting.
Reference Glossary for
definition of radioactive
material, controlled area, and
radiological area.
Discuss that entry
requirements may be included
on radiological postings,
(e.g., TLD required, monitor
upon exiting and/or protective
clothing required). Insert
facility-specific posting
requirements and examples
here.
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
2. Contamination Area
Any area where removable contamination levels are
greater than the values specified in Appendix D of 10
CFR 835, but less than or equal to 100 times those
levels.
The posting/signs will indicate:
“CAUTION, CONTAMINATION AREA”
EO6: DEFINE
Contamination Area, High
Contamination Area, and
Airborne Radioactivity Area.
Reference: 10 CFR
835.2(a), 835.603(e), and
Appendix D of 10 CFR
835.
Abbreviated Table of Contamination Values
(See 10 CFR 835 Appendix D for complete listing)
NUCLIDE
REMOVABLE TOTAL dpm/ 100 cm2
I-125, I-129
I-131, I-133
Beta/gamma
Tritium
20 500
200 1,000
1,000 5,000
10,000 N/A
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
3. High Contamination Area
Any area where removable contamination levels are
greater than 100 times the values listed in Appendix D of
10 CFR 835.
The posting/sign will indicate:
“DANGER, HIGH CONTAMINATION
AREA Radiological Work Permit (RWP)
Required for Entry.”
4. Airborne Radioactivity Area
Any area where the measured concentration of airborne
radioactivity, above natural background, exceeds or is
likely to exceed the derived air concentration (DAC)
values listed in Appendix A or Appendix C of 10 CFR
835 or where an individual in the area without
respiratory protection could receive an intake exceeding
12 DAC-hours in a week.
The posting/sign will indicate:
“CAUTION, AIRBORNE RADIOACTIVITY
AREA”
Section 19
A DAC is the radionuclide airborne concentration.
Breathing an air concentration of 1 DAC for 1 working
year (2,000 hours) will result in committed dose
equivalent equal to an annual limit, i.e., 5 rem whole
body or 50 rem to any organ or tissue.
Reference: 10 CFR 835.2(a)
Reference: 10 CFR 835.2(a)
and 835.603(d)
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
G. Labeling of Radioactive Materials and Other Postings
1. “CAUTION, RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL”
Equipment, components, and other items that are
radioactive, potentially radioactive, or have been in
contact with radioactive contamination or activation
sources.
2. “CAUTION, INTERNAL CONTAMINATION” or
“CAUTION, POTENTIAL INTERNAL
CONTAMINATION”
Equipment, components, and other items with actual or
potential internal contamination.
3. “CAUTION, FIXED CONTAMINATION”
Components, equipment, or other items with fixed
contamination.
4. Facility-Specific Postings/Labeling
These may include Radiological Buffer areas.
Reference: 10 CFR 835
Reference: RCS, Ch. 1,
Article 412
Reference: RCS, Ch. 1,
Article 412
Add facility-specific
postings/labeling.
Discuss differences between
posting and labeling. Areas
that can be physically entered
are posted. Equipment,
components, and radioactive
sources are labeled.
Reference: RCS Article 233
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
IV. CONDUCT OF WORK - GOOD PRACTICES
A. Personal Preparation
Ensure that you are ready to work and that you have the
following:
• Training to meet entry requirements.
• Work permits, procedures, etc.
• Dosimetry.
• Personal protective equipment.
B. Requirements of Posted Contamination Areas
1. Requirements for entry into posted contamination areas.
The RadCon Standard recommends individuals allowed
unescorted entry into Contamination Areas be provided
the following:
• Radiological Worker II training.
• Worker's signature on the Radiation Work Permit, as
applicable.
• Protective clothing/equipment as required by the
Radiation Work Permit.
• Personnel dosimetry, as appropriate.
• Pre-job briefing for High Contamination and
Airborne Radioactivity Areas.
Reference: RCS,
Rev 1, Article 335
EO7: IDENTIFY the
requirements for entry,
working in, and exiting
Contamination Areas and
Airborne Radioactivity
Areas.
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
2. Requirements for working in posted contamination areas
The RadCon Standard recommends that individuals
allowed unescorted entry into Contamination Areas:
• Avoid unnecessary contact with contaminated
surfaces.
• When possible wrap or sleeve materials and/or
equipment brought into the area.
• Do not touch unexposed skin surfaces. This could
result in skin contamination.
Smoking, eating, chewing, drinking, and putting on
makeup could result in ingesting radioactive material; for
this reason, these activities are not allowed in
Contamination Areas.
3. Requirements for exiting posted contamination areas
The RadCon Standard recommends that individuals
allowed unescorted entry into Contamination Areas:
a. Exit only at step-off pad.
• A step-off pad provides a “barrier” between
contaminated and other areas to prevent or
control the spread of contamination between
areas. Correct use of step-off pads is included in
the practical factors exercise.
Reference: RCS, Ch. 1,
Article 335
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
Section 20
• If more than one step-off pad is used, the final
step-off pad is “clean,” outside the exit point,
and adjacent to the boundary of the
Contamination Area.
b. Remove protective clothing carefully and slowly.
Loose contamination on the clothing can be
dislodged causing a possible spread of contamination
or even potential inhalation if contamination
becomes airborne.
c. Perform a personal survey. If contamination is
indicated:
• Stay in the area.
• Notify Radiological Control personnel.
• Take action to minimize cross-contamination
(e.g., put a glove on a contaminated hand or tape
over contamination on clothing).
d. Tools or equipment being removed from a posted
area must be monitored prior to release.
e. After exiting and monitoring yourself, it is a good
practice to wash your hands.
In some cases,
Radiological Control
personnel may perform the
survey. Tritium cannot be
detected with standard survey
meters.
Reference: 10 CFR
835.1101 requirements.
Insert facility-specific
procedures.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
C. Dosimetry
Always have proper personnel monitoring that might
include:
1. Whole body
Whole-body dosimeter such as a thermoluminescent
dosimeter (TLD) or film badge.
.
2. Extremity monitoring
Finger rings, if handling high contact dose rate materials
such as P-32.
D. Personnel Protective Clothing (Anti-C)
The degree of clothing required is dependent on the work
area, radiological conditions, and the nature of the job. The
use of personnel protective clothing and equipment is the
least desired option. Use of engineering controls such as
gloveboxes or fumehoods is preferred. Standard clothing
requirements for biomedical research laboratory work
include:
• Lab coats with long sleeves that are buttoned or
otherwise closed.
Insert facility-specific
dosimetry requirements
EO8: IDENTIFY the proper
use of protective clothing.
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
• Surgeon's gloves; the gloves may be needed to
protect against radioactive contamination, as well as
other lab hazards applicable, such as acids and
caustics.
• Closed-toed shoes.
• Safety glasses or equivalent for eye protection from
eye hazards including radiological hazards, such as
from P-32.
1. Proper use of protective clothing
• Inspect all protective clothing for rips, tears,
holes, or wear prior to use.
• Personal effects such as watches, rings, jewelry,
etc. should not be worn.
• After donning protective clothing, such as anti-
contamination clothing, proceed directly from
the dress-out area to the work area. In general, a
lab coat is sufficient to protect the individual at
most biomedical research laboratories.
• Avoid getting lab coats wet. Wet lab coats
provide a means for contamination to reach the
skin/clothing.
• Contact Radiological Control personnel if
clothing becomes ripped, torn, etc. during
operations.
DISCUSS the use of gloves.
DEMONSTRATE how to
change gloves without
contaminating fingers or
wrists.
DISCUSS how and why
contamination can reach the
skin and clothing.
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
2. Eye protection
Safety glasses, goggles, or face shields must be worn to
prevent eye contamination in the event of splashes or
droplet contamination. In addition, eye protection will
provide protection from moderate to high energy beta
radiation, such as betas emitted from P-32.
3. Respiratory equipment
Section 21
Respiratory equipment is used to prevent the inhalation
of radioactive materials. This training course does not
qualify a worker to wear respiratory equipment.
Ventilation design should eliminate the need to use
respiratory equipment except in extreme cases.
E. Storage and Containment of Radioactive Material
Containment generally means using vessels, trays, diaper
paper, bench tops, etc. to contain contamination.
EO5: IDENTIFY
methods used to control
Radioactive contamination.
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
1. Storage areas
a. Store large bottles and containers close to the floor.
b. Shelves should:
• Be secured (bolted) to a wall.
• Have lips or restraining cords to prevent bottles
from falling.
c. Storage area should be well lit, properly ventilated,
and have an even temperature.
2. Radioactive materials should be properly stored:
• In unbreakable containers; if not possible, in
secondary containment (the secondary containment
should be able to contain the entire volume of the
primary container).
• In stable containers with secure means of closing.
• Away from sinks and drains or other possible
pathways that do not collect in retention tanks.
• Protected from adverse environmental factors.
• Away from combustibles and other fire sources.
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
• Protected from “unauthorized relocation,” this may
include locked refrigerators and storage cabinets.
• With the outside of container clearly labeled with
contents.
• With provided instructions to open containers.
3. Posting and labeling of storage areas
Room access and cabinets, refrigerators, freezers, etc.
that house the container should be posted or labeled
“Caution Radioactive Material” or “Caution Radioactive
Material Storage Area.”
4. Chemical considerations for storage
Segregate incompatibles and store by hazard class.
Appendices B and C address chemical storage in more
detail.
F. Good Housekeeping
“Good housekeeping” is the prime factor in an effective
contamination control program and it involves the
interactions of all groups within the facility. Each individual
must be dedicated to keeping “his house clean” to help
control the spread of contamination.
Storage of chemicals may be
addressed here if not covered
in other training.
EO5: IDENTIFY
methods used to control
Radioactive contamination.
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
G. RadCon Required Actions and Good Practices
1. BELIEVE! labels and posted areas.
2. Avoid Contamination and Airborne Radioactivity Areas.
These areas should be isolated from routine operations.
3. Treat Contamination Areas as if everything was
contaminated.
4. Minimize the number of items carried or placed into
potentially contaminated areas.
5. Use proper and functional radiation detection
instrumentation.
6. Do not eat, drink, apply makeup, etc.
7. Always wash hands upon completion of work.
H. Special Precautions for Liquids
Radioactive solutions are a potential source of radioactive
contamination if they are spilled or allowed to evaporate. A
particular concern of a spill is that it may be a source of
airborne radioactivity. In addition, when radioactive material
is in a solution, it can be carried to places not normally
accessible, e.g., under equipment.
It is important to remove
labels and postings as soon as
the radioactive materials are
no longer present so that
employees will believe that
the labels are correct at all
times.
Section 22
Remind attendees that there
are release requirements.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
1. Handling liquids
Standard good practices for handling liquids include:
• Use appropriate gloves for liquids being
handled.
• Protect personal clothing.
• Work in tray with absorbent paper.
• Use mechanical pipettes and dilutors (NEVER
pipette by mouth).
• Work in a properly vented area.
• Report any spills or suspected spills
.
2. Preventing spills
The best way to handle a spill is to prevent it in the first
place by:
• Storing materials unless in use.
• Limiting quantities to what is needed.
• Keeping work area clean and free of obstructions.
• Using stable containers with secure means of
closure.
Note: If the liquids could
generate airborne
radioactivity, additional
posting and monitoring may
be required.
Discuss facility-specific
reporting requirements.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
• Avoiding unstable (top heavy) containers or
arrangements.
• Using secondary containment for liquids.
3. Leaking containers
• Report all suspected leaks immediately to the
Radiological Control Organization.
• If the material is highly toxic, evacuate everyone
from the area.
• Leaking containers should be placed in a fume hood
if it can be done safely
.
4. Handling spills
One simple method utilized for response to spills is the
acronym SWIMS, which stands for:
• Stop the spill.
• Warn others.
•
• Isolate the area.
• Minimize exposure.
• Secure the ventilation system. If the spill involves
volatile chemical or volatile or gaseous
radionuclides, the ventilation may need to be left on.
Add facility-specific information.
As previously discussed, report the spill to the
Radiological Control Organization.
EO9: STATE the appropriate
response to a spill of
radioactive material.
Discuss and demonstrate
facility/room-specific
response to a spill.
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
V. RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
A. Segregation
Segregate waste by waste stream category and half-life to
facilitate storage, minimization, and disposal.
B. Waste Storage
Each laboratory should have a designated location for storing
waste. Radioactive waste should be stored separately from
hazardous waste. This location should be out of the way of
normal lab activities, but easily accessible, recognizable, and
properly labeled and shielded.
Liquid waste materials should be kept in secondary
containers and segregated by hazard class. Secondary
containers may be lab trays or any device that will contain
110 percent of the largest container.
C. Sharps
Contaminated syringes, glass pipettes, and other sharp items
must be placed in a specifically designed, rigid container.
EO10: IDENTIFY methods
for reducing radioactive
waste.
Waste Stream Segregation
includes maintaining
separation between hazardous
and radioactive wastes.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
D. Methods for Minimizing Waste
1. Minimize waste generation
a. Confine operations: Confine operations with
radioactive materials to as small an area as possible.
b. Minimize materials: Minimize materials introduced
into radioactive material handling areas.
c. Segregate: Segregate clean materials from
radioactive materials. Do not dispose of clean
materials in radioactive waste containers.
d. Good housekeeping: Contamination control
Section 23
measures, such as covering benches, etc., generate
waste. On the other hand, decontamination generates
a great deal of waste. Good housekeeping, following
procedures, minimizing bench areas and secondary
containment can reduce the amount of coverings
required.
Ask attendees for reasons and
methods.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
2. Storage for Decay
a. Storage: Some radionuclides have a short half-life
and can be stored, with appropriate DOE approval,
for decay. Normal storage times are 10 half-lives.
The waste must be surveyed prior to disposal to
ensure it is below disposal criteria.
b. Substitution: Substitute shorter-lived for
longer-lived radionuclides, if possible.
3. Disposal via Sanitary Sewer
Disposal of small quantities via sanitary sewer is
available to some facilities. Add facility specific
information.
4. Disposal of specific waste per 10 CFR 20.2005
In accordance with Part 20.2005, NRC licensees may
dispose of the following as if it were not radioactive:
Reference: Lorenzen (1994)
Reference: DOE (1993)
DOE allows discharge via
sanitary sewer per Order
5400.5, Ch. 2, Chapter II, 3.d.
Include facility-specific
procedures.
NRC licensees and most
agreement States allow for
limited quantities of
radionuclides to be disposed
via the sanitary sewer per 10
CFR 20.2003 or the
agreement State equivalent
regulation. Reference: NRC
(1991).
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
a. Liquid scintillation counting (LSC) media:
Liquid scintillation counting media containing 0.05
microcuries or less per gram of medium of H-3 or
C-14.
b. Animal carcasses: Animal carcasses containing 0.05
microcuries or less per gram of animal tissue
(averaged over the weight of the entire animal) of
H-3 or C-14.
5. Volume reduction
a. Compaction: May produce reduction factors of up to
5 to 1.
b. Shredding: May produce reduction factors of up to
12 to 1.
c. Incineration: Difficult under present regulations and
political climate; allowed under 10 CFR 20.2004.
Currently, scintillation fluids are incinerated by
commercially licensed vendors.
Discuss concerns of LSC
sewer disposal (clog drains,
exposure to LSC fluid). Need
to follow facility-specific
procedures. Encourage use of
non-tolulene-based LSC.
Animal carcasses can’t be
used for human food or
animal feed.
Reference: Woehr (1994)
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
E. Mixed Waste
Mixed waste is exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to
dispose of at this time. Currently, DOE has a self-imposed
moratorium on the off-site shipment of RCRA/TSCA waste
suspected of having radioactivity. This moratorium was
instituted by the DOE Office of Waste Management (EM-
30).
1. The EM-30 Performance Objective (PO) for Certification
of Non-radioactive Hazardous Wastes was developed in
1991 and is currently under revision. This PO was
developed to guide DOE sites in addressing the issue of
hazardous waste that contains added radioactivity.
2. Ways to avoid generating mixed waste:
• Use non-hazardous cleaning materials for
decontamination whenever possible.
• Segregate “radioactive only” from “hazardous only”
at the source.
• Explore the use of other materials that are non-
hazardous for use in radiological areas to prevent the
generation of mixed waste.
• Discontinue use of non-biodegradable (organic
solvent based) liquid scintillation media.
Biodegradable liquid scintillation media are
available.
Section 24
Reference: Stevens (1994)
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
• Some States are more restrictive than the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in their
listing of those scintillation cocktails that are
biodegradable.
• Organic solvents with a flash point below 60○C
(140○F) may be classified as “ignitable,” thus
creating a mixed waste where disposal may not be
possible. If the flash point is above 140○F, the
organic solvent may not be considered as ignitable;
however, these materials must be handled and
disposed of with extreme caution.
3. Other methods for facilitating disposal:
• Do not combine solvents with metals; disposal is
very difficult. Examples are lead or mercury
combined with solvents.
• Generally, it is a good idea to separate organics and
inorganics whenever possible to facilitate disposal.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
VI. MONITORING FOR CONTAMINATION
While handling unsealed radioactive materials, you should
monitor your hands frequently as you work. Monitor your hands,
feet, sleeves, and lab coat when leaving the work station or
laboratory. It is common to find contamination on the lab coat
where you may be leaning against your workstation.
A. Contamination Monitoring Equipment
Always use radiation survey meters. Tritium and certain
other isotopes, such as C-14, cannot be detected with a hand-
held survey instrument. For these isotopes, wipe tests, which
are counted in a liquid scintillation counter, are required.
1. Purpose
Contamination-monitoring equipment is used to detect
radioactive contamination of personnel and work areas.
2. Selection of proper survey instrument
(Insert facility-specific information)
EO11: IDENTIFY the
purpose and use of personnel
contamination monitors.
INTRODUCE facility
specific instruments and
procedures.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
Most hand-held survey instruments are calibrated to a
Cesium-137 source. Correction factors for the specific
radionuclide being monitored should be known when
surveying. Often the survey instrument will over or
under respond when monitoring for beta or alpha
radiation.
3. Pre-operational Checks
Perform pre-operational checks before work:
• Confirm calibration is current.
• Verify that battery is OK.
• Perform an audio check (audio response is
immediate, while needle response takes time to
stabilize.
• Ensure instrument responds to source.
• Verify that background count rate is normal.
DEMONSTRATE
preoperational checks.
Explain that there is a
statistical variation in count
rates and demonstrate this
range daily.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
B. Conducting Surveys - General
1. Survey hands before picking the probe up.
2. Hold the probe approximately ½ inch from surface being
surveyed.
3. Move probe slowly over surface to be surveyed,
approximately 2 inches per second.
C. Area Surveys
1. Frequently monitor work areas.
2. Monitor upon completion of work (or prior to taking a
break and leaving the work area).
3. Monitor at least every 2 hours for work in progress.
4. Wipe surveys should be performed on equipment and
areas where survey instruments are not adequate to
monitor contamination.
D. Personnel Surveys
1. Proceed to survey in the following typical order:
• Head (pause at mouth and nose for approximately 5
seconds).
• Neck and shoulders.
Demonstrate general surveys.
Section 25
Explain facility policy.
Clarify who is responsible to
perform these surveys.
Explain wipe survey.
Demonstrate personnel
surveys.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
• Arms (pause at each elbow), hands, wrists;
especially where gloves end.
• Chest and abdomen.
• Back, hips, and seat of pants.
• Legs and cuffs.
• Shoe tops.
• Shoe bottoms (pause at sole and heel).
2. The whole-body survey should take approximately 3
minutes. A full whole-body survey or frisk is not
generally necessary for routine bench-top operations
unless a spill occurs or contamination is found on the
hands or face. The survey should be done before
removing the lab coat and repeated on personal clothing
if contamination is found.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
3. If the count rate increases during frisking (such as the
audible signal), pause for 5-10 seconds over the area to
provide adequate time for instrument response.
4. Carefully return the probe to holder.
5. Keep the instrument close to the work area to facilitate
frequent checking of hands and fingers.
E. Detection of Contamination
If contamination is indicated:
1. Remain in the immediate area.
2. Notify Radiological Control personnel.
3. Minimize cross-contamination (such as putting a glove
on a contaminated hand until decontamination can be
attempted).
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
F. Release of Materials
1. Release to Controlled Areas
Release from potentially contaminated areas to
Controlled Areas is covered by 10 CFR 835.
Equipment and materials released from a potentially
contaminated area must be surveyed and released under
a formal program.
If surveys indicate the presence of removable
contamination at levels greater than 10 CFR 835
Appendix D, the materials may be moved to another
posted area. Appropriate controls must be
established and should include:
• Surveys of materials before movement.
• Containment of materials during transit.
• Establishment of approved transit routes.
• Survey of transit route after movement (if materials
exhibited removable contamination).
Insert facility-specific
information as appropriate (if
laboratory personnel do not
conduct release surveys, it
may be appropriate to just
cover their responsibilities).
Reference: DOE/CH-9401
(1993)
Reference: 10 CFR
835.1101(b)
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
If surveys indicate presence of fixed contamination only
(removable contamination less than 10 CFR 835
Appendix D values), the items may be released to the
controlled area if:
• Routine surveys are performed to ensure
contamination remains fixed to surface.
• The item is clearly labeled or tagged to warn others
of the contamination.
• Written procedures are established to control such
items.
2. Unrestricted Release
Unrestricted release is addressed in DOE Order 5400.5,
Ch. 2. See Appendix F for more information.
3. Techniques
Monitoring techniques for release of materials is covered
in Appendix D.
Reference: 10 CFR
835.1101(c)
Additional guidance was
provided to the field by EH-
412 on Nov. 17, 1995.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
VII. DECONTAMINATION
Decontamination is the removal of radioactive materials from
locations where it is not wanted. This does not result in the
disappearance of radioactive material, but involves the removal
of the radioactive materials to another location.
A. Decontamination or Not
Section 26
If the presence of loose contamination is discovered,
decontamination is a valuable means of control.
In some situations, this is not always possible.
1. Economical conditions
Cost of time and labor to decontaminate location
outweighs the hazards of the contamination present.
2. Radiological conditions
Radiation dose rates or other radiological conditions
present hazards that far exceed the benefits of
decontamination.
B. Preventive Methods
1. Identifying and repairing leaks before they become a
serious problem.
DISCUSS who makes the
decision when to
decontaminate.
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
2. Changing out gloves or protective gear as necessary to
prevent cross-contamination of equipment.
C. Skin Contamination
Skin contamination normally does not cause physical
injury to the skin. Some nuclides and chemical forms allow
absorption through the skin (i.e., iodine and tritium).
Strong beta emitters may present a hazard to the skin.
1. Concerns of skin contamination are:
• Cross-contamination by touching.
• Absorption through the skin.
• Threat of uptake by ingestion, touching face, etc.
2. Skin decontamination
Intact skin is an excellent barrier, so use gentle
methods to decontaminate.
Normally, mild soap and lukewarm water are used to
decontaminate personnel. Good practices include:
• Do not abrade skin.
EO12: IDENTIFY the normal
methods used for
decontamination
Discuss the need to involve
RadCon personnel as
appropriate. Refer to facility
specific requirement.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
• Do not chap skin by cold water or harsh chemicals.
• Avoid hot water because it will open pores.
3. If skin contamination remains, a common procedure is
to wear surgeon's gloves overnight to induce sweat that
will lift contamination from the skin. The decision to
wear gloves to induce sweat must be made by the
responsible Health Physicist. This practice requires
detailed documentation and procedural guidance.
D. Material Decontamination
Material decontamination is the removal of radioactive
materials from tools, equipment, floors, and other surfaces
in the work area.
1. Establish controls to prevent spread of contamination.
2. A high priority is to prevent airborne radioactivity.
3. Decontaminate from areas of low to high
contamination (exception is when potential for
airborne is high).
4. Decontaminate from top to bottom so that
contamination will not run down on the clean surface.
5. Only make one pass, then discard or turn wipe to a
clean surface (don't recontaminate area).
6. The Radiological Control Organization will make the
final determination if the material has been adequately
decontaminated.
EO12: IDENTIFY the normal
methods used for
decontamination.
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
VIII. FACILITY-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
Insert facility-specific information.
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
IX. CONTAMINATION CONTROL LESSONS
LEARNED
Present lessons learned that are relevant to your site.
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
X. SUMMARY - Review of Objectives
EO1 DISTINGUISH between ionizing radiation and
radioactive contamination.
EO2 DEFINE
• Fixed.
• Removable.
• Airborne contamination.
EO3 IDENTIFY the units used to measure radioactive
contamination.
EO4 IDENTIFY causes of radioactive contamination.
EO5 IDENTIFY methods used to control radioactive
Section 27
contamination.
EO6 DEFINE Contamination Area, High
Contamination Area, and Airborne
Radioactivity Area.
EO7 IDENTIFY the requirements for entry, working
in, and exiting Contamination Areas and
Airborne Radioactivity Areas.
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
EO8 IDENTIFY the proper use of protective clothing.
EO9 STATE the appropriate response to a spill of radioactive
material.
EO10 IDENTIFY methods for reducing radioactive waste.
EO11 IDENTIFY the purpose and use of personnel
contamination monitors.
EO12 IDENTIFY the normal methods used for
decontamination.
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GLOSSARY
Airborne radioactive material or airborne radioactivity means radioactive material dispersed in
the air in the form of dusts, fumes, particulates, mists, vapors, or gases.
Annual Limit On Intake (ALI): The derived limit for the amount of radioactive material taken
into the body of an adult worker by inhalation or ingestion in a year. ALI is the smaller value of
intake of a given radionuclide in a year by the reference man (ICRP Publication 23) that would
result in a committed effective dose equivalent of 5 rems (0.05 sievert) or a committed dose
equivalent of 50 rems (0.5 sievert) to any individual organ or tissue. ALI values for intake by
ingestion and inhalation of selected radionuclides are based on Table 1 of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's Federal Guidance Report No. 11, Limiting Values of Radionuclide Intake
and Air Concentration and Dose Conversion Factors for Inhalation, Submersion, and Ingestion,
published September 1988. This document is available from the National Technical Information
Service, Springfield, VA.
Becquerel (Bq): The SI unit for activity equivalent to 1 nuclear disintegration per second.
Beta Decay: Radioactive decay in which a beta particle is emitted. This transformation changes
only the atomic number of the nucleus, raising or lowering the atomic number (Z) by one for
emission of a negative or positive beta particle, respectively.
Beta Particle: Charged particle emitted from the nucleus during radioactive decay, having a mass
and charge equal to that of an electron.
Bioassay: The determination of kinds, quantities, or concentrations, and, in some cases, locations
of radioactive material in the human body, whether by direct measurement or by analysis, and
evaluation of radioactive materials excreted or removed from the human body.
Biological Half-Life: See Half-Life Biological.
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GLOSSARY (continued)
Characteristic X-ray: X-rays that are characteristic of the element in which they are produced.
Their emission results from the rearrangement of electrons in the shells of excited atoms.
Contamination: Undesired (e.g., radioactive or hazardous) material that is deposited on the
surface of, or internally ingrained into, structures or equipment, or that is mixed with another
material.
Radioactive Contamination: A radioactive substance dispersed in materials or places
where it is undesirable.
Fixed Contamination: Radioactivity remaining on a surface after repeated
decontamination attempts fail to significantly reduce the contamination level.
Removable Contamination: That fraction of the radioactive contamination present on a
surface that can be transferred to a swipe tab by rubbing with moderate pressure.
Surface Contamination: The deposition and attachment of radioactive materials to a
surface, also the resulting deposit.
Section 28
Continuous Air Monitor (CAM): Instrument that continuously samples and measures the levels of
airborne radioactive materials on a “real time” basis and has alarm capabilities at preset levels.
Controlled Area: Any area to which access is managed to protect individuals from exposure to
radiation and/or radioactive materials.
Curie: The unit of activity equal to a rate of 3.7 X 1010
nuclear disintegrations per second.
Decontamination: The reduction or removal of contaminating radioactive material from a
structure, area, object, or person. Decontamination may be accomplished by treating the surface
to remove or decrease the contamination, or by letting the material stand so that the radioactivity
is decreased as a result of natural decay.
Derived Air Concentration (DAC): The airborne concentration that equals the ALI divided by the
volume of air breathed by an average worker for a working year of 2,000 hours (assuming a
breathing volume of 2400 m3). For the radionuclides listed in Appendix C of 10 CFR 835, the air
immersion DACs were calculated for a continuous, non-shielded exposure via immersion in a
semi-infinite atmospheric cloud. The value is based upon the derived airborne concentration
found in Table 1 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Federal Guidance Report No. 11,
Limiting Values of Radionuclide Intake and Air Concentration and Dose Conversion Factors for
Inhalation, Submersion, and Ingestion, published September 1988. This document is available
from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA.
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GLOSSARY (continued)
Disintegration, Nuclear: A spontaneous nuclear transformation (radioactivity) characterized by
the emission of energy and/or mass from the nucleus. When numbers of nuclei are involved, the
process is characterized by a definite half-life.
Dose Terms:
Committed Dose Equivalent: The calculated dose equivalent projected to be received by
a tissue or organ over a 50-year period after an intake of radionuclide into the body. It
does not include contributions from external dose.
Committed Effective Dose Equivalent: The sum of the committed dose equivalents to
various tissues in the body, each multiplied by its weighting factor.
Cumulative Annual Effective Dose Equivalent: The sum of the annual effective dose
equivalents recorded for an individual for each year of employment.
Dose Equivalent: The product of absorbed dose (D) in rad (or gray) in tissue, a quality
factor (Q), and other modifying factors (N).
Effective Dose Equivalent: The summation of the products of the dose equivalent
received by specified tissues of the body (HT) and the appropriate weighting factor (wT)--
that is, HE = ΣwTHT. It includes the dose from radiation sources internal and/or external to
the body.
Dosimeter: A portable instrument for measuring and registering the total accumulated dose to
ionizing radiation.
Dosimetry: The theory and application of the principles and techniques involved in the
measurement and recording of radiation doses. Its practical aspect is concerned with the use of
various types of radiation instruments with which measurements are made.
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GLOSSARY (continued)
Dose Rate: The radiation dose delivered per unit of time. Measured, for example, in rad per hour.
Effective Half-Life: See Half-Life, Effective.
External Radiation: Exposure to ionizing radiation when the radiation source is located outside
the body.
Section 29
Flash Point: The minimum temperature at which a substance gives off flammable vapor that will
ignite if in contact with spark or flame.
Fume Hood: Ventilated containment space, enclosed on five sides, with the sixth side covered by
a movable glass or plastic window to allow access and to maintain sufficient inflow or air and
splash control to protect the worker from the hazardous materials handled inside.
Gamma Ray: Very penetrating electromagnetic radiation of nuclear origin. Except for its origin, it
is identical to an X-ray.
Geiger-Mueller Counter: A radiation detection and measuring instrument. It consists of a gas-
filled tube containing electrodes, between which there is an electrical voltage but no current
flowing. When ionizing radiation passes through the tube, a short, intense pulse of current passes
from the negative electrode to the positive electrode and is measured or counted. The number of
pulses per second measures the intensity of radiation. It is sometimes called simply a Geiger
counter, or a G-M counter.
Gray (Gy): The SI unit for absorbed dose. One gray is equivalent to one Joule per kilogram or
100 rad.
Half-Life Biological (Tbio): The time required for the body to eliminate one-half of an
administered dose of any substance by regular processes of elimination. This time is usually the
same for both stable and radioactive isotopes of a particular element. The biological half-life of
tritium is 10 days, whereas the physical half-life is 12.3 years.
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GLOSSARY (continued)
Half-Life, Effective (Teff): The time required for the amount of a radioactive nuclide deposited in
a living organism to be diminished 50 percent as a result of the combined action of radioactive
decay T½ and biological elimination Tbio.
Teff = Tbio x T½ / Tbio + T½
Half-Life, Physical (T½): The time in which half the atoms of a particular radioactive substance
disintegrate to another nuclear form. Measured half-lives vary from millionths of a second to
billions of years.
Half-Value Layer (HVL): Thickness of a specified substance which, when introduced into the
path of a given beam of radiation, reduces the exposure rate by one half.
Health Physicist: A person trained to advise on operating procedures for minimizing radiation
exposures, perform radiation surveys, oversee radiation monitoring, and estimate the degree of
radiation hazard.
Health Physics: The science concerned with recognition, evaluation, and control of health hazards
from ionizing radiation.
Health, Radiological: The art and science of protecting human beings from injury by radiation, as
well as promoting better health through beneficial applications of radiation.
High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA): An air filter generally rated as being capable of
removing at least 99.97 percent of the particulate material in an air stream.
Indirect Bioassay: The assessment of radioactive material deposited in the body by detection of
radioactivity in material excreted or removed from the body.
Intake: The quantity of material (activity or mass) initially taken into the body. (For example, in
the case of inhalation, the intake includes the quantity of material immediately exhaled.)
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GLOSSARY (continued)
Internal Emitter: A term used for a radionuclide deposited in the body.
In-vitro Methods: Detection of radiations emitted by radioactive materials excreted or removed
from the body, using radiochemical and/or radioanalytical techniques.
Section 30
In-vivo Methods: Detection of radiations emitted by radioactive materials deposited in the body,
usually by whole body (or critical organ) counting techniques.
Ionization (Ion) Chamber: An instrument that detects and measures ionizing radiation by
measuring the electrical current that flows when radiation ionizes gas in a chamber, making the
gas a conductor of the electricity.
Ionizing Radiation: Any electromagnetic or particulate radiation capable of producing ions (either
directly or indirectly) in its passage through matter.
Irradiation: Exposure to radiation.
Isotope: One of two or more atoms with the same number of protons, but different numbers of
neutrons in their nuclei. Isotopes have very nearly the same chemical properties.
keV: The symbol for one thousand-electron-volts (1,000 eV).
Kilo: Symbol k. A prefix indication base unit is to be multiplied by 1,000.
Kilovolt (kV): A unit of electrical potential equal to 1,000 volts.
Lead Equivalent: The thickness of lead affording the same attenuation, under specified
conditions, as the material in question.
License: Written authorization issued to the licensee by the NRC or agreement State to perform
specific activities related to the possession and use of byproduct, source, or special nuclear
material.
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GLOSSARY (continued)
MeV: A unit of energy. The energy acquired by an electron accelerated through a potential
difference of one million volts.
Micro-: A prefix that divides a basic unit into one million parts. Often used with activity such as
microcurie.
Milli-: A prefix that divides a basic unit by 1,000. Often used with dose and activity such as
millirem or millicurie.
Million Electron Volts (MeV): Energy equal to that acquired by a particle with one electronic
charge in passing through a potential difference of one million volts.
Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA): The lowest amount of any specific radiation that can be
detected with a particular level of statistical significance above background levels.
Nano-: A prefix that divides a basic unit by one billion. Often used in measurements of activity
such as nanocurie.
Nuclide: A species of atom having a specified number of neutrons and protons in its nucleus.
Personnel Monitoring: Monitoring any part of individuals, their breaths, or excretions, or any part
of their clothing to determine the amount of radioactivity present in or on an individual.
Pico-: A prefix that divides a basic unit by one trillion. Often used in measurements of activity
such as picocurie.
Proportional Counter: An instrument in which an electronic detection system receives pulses that
are proportional to the number of ions formed in a gas-filled tube by ionizing radiation.
Prospective Monitoring: Routine workplace and personnel monitoring for possible intakes or
radioactive materials. Prospective monitoring will typically include air monitoring, surface
contamination surveys, and bioassay. Any prospective monitoring results above Investigation
Levels will trigger retrospective monitoring.
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GLOSSARY (continued)
Quality Factor: The principal modifying factor used to calculate the dose equivalent from the
absorbed dose; the absorbed dose (expressed in rad or gray) is multiplied by the appropriate
quality factor (Q).
Rad: A unit of absorbed dose. The word comes from the acronym Radiation Absorbed Dose and
is equivalent to 100 ergs per gram. It does not take into account the biological effect resulting
from the absorbed dose.
Section 31
Radioactive Material: Radioactive material includes any material, equipment, or system
component determined to be contaminated or suspected of being contaminated. Radioactive
material also includes activated material, sealed and unsealed sources, and material that emits
radiation.
Radioactivity: The process whereby certain nuclides undergo spontaneous disintegration in which
energy is liberated, generally resulting in the formation of new nuclides. The process is
accompanied by the emission of one or more types of radiation, such as alpha particles and
gamma photons.
Radiochemical: A molecule or a chemical compound or substance containing one or more
radioactive atoms.
Radiological Area: Any area within a controlled area that must be posted as a “radiation area,”
“high radiation area,” “very high radiation area,” “contamination area,” “high contamination
area,” or “airborne radioactivity area” in accordance with 10 CFR 835.603.
Radiological Buffer Area (RBA): An intermediate area established to prevent the spread of
radioactive contamination and to protect personnel from radiation exposure.
Radiological Work Permit (RWP): Permit that identifies radiological conditions, establishes
worker protection and monitoring requirements, and contains specific approvals for radiological
work activities. The Radiological Work Permit serves as an administrative process for planning
and controlling radiological work and informing the worker of the radiological conditions.
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GLOSSARY (continued)
Radionuclide: A radioactive (unstable) nuclide.
Radioisotope: An unstable isotope of an element that decays or disintegrates spontaneously,
emitting radiation. Approximately 5,000 natural and artificial radioisotopes have been identified.
Reference Man: A hypothetical individual whose characteristics are often used to estimate
radiation dose. Reference Man is to be 20-30 years of age, 170 cm (5 ft 10 in) in height, weighing
70 kg (160 lb); and living in a climate with an average temperature of from 10○ to 20○ C.
Reference Man is a Caucasian and is Western European or North American in habitat and
custom.
Rem: A unit of dose equivalent. The word comes from the acronym Roentgen Equivalent Man
and takes into account the biological effect from an absorbed dose of radiation.
Retrospective Monitoring: Retrospective monitoring is a series of measurements made after an
intake is suspected to confirm the intake and assess any doses that may result from the intake.
Roentgen: The unit for exposure. It is that amount of gamma or X-rays required to produce ions
carrying 1 electrostatic unit of electrical charge in 1 cubic centimeter (2.58 X 10-4coulomb/kg) of
dry air under standard conditions.
Scintillation Detector: The combination of phosphor, photomultiplier tube, and associated
electronic circuits for counting light emissions produced in the phosphor by ionizing radiation.
Sealed radioactive source means a radioactive source manufactured, obtained, or retained for the
purpose of utilizing the emitted radiation. The sealed radioactive source consists of a known or
estimated quantity of radioactive material contained within a sealed capsule, sealed between
layer(s) of non-radioactive material, or firmly fixed to a non-radioactive surface by electroplating
or other means intended to prevent leakage or escape of the radioactive material. Sealed
radioactive sources do not include reactor fuel elements, nuclear explosive devices, and
radioisotope thermoelectric generators.
Section 32
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GLOSSARY (continued)
Shielding: Any material or obstruction that absorbs radiation and thus tends to protect personnel
or materials from the effects of ionizing radiation.
SI: The International System of Units (“Le Systeme International d'Unites”) as defined by the
General Conference of Weights and Measures in 1960. These units are generally based on the
meter/kilogram/second units, with special quantities for radiation including the becquerel, gray,
and sievert.
Sievert (Sv): The SI unit of dose equivalent. It is equivalent to 100 rem.
Specific Activity: The total activity of a given nuclide per gram of material. Specific activity is a
function of half-life and is therefore also unique to each radionuclide. There are approximately
10,000 curies in a gram of tritium and 1 curie in a gram of radium-226.
Survey Meter: An instrument used to monitor the presence of radioactivity by detecting the
radiation emitted during the radioactive decay.
Tenth Value Layer (TVL): Amount of shielding material required to reduce radiation exposure by
a factor of 10. One TVL is equal to 3.3 HVL.
Tissue Equivalent Material: Material made up of the same elements in the same proportions as
they occur in a particular biological tissue.
Thermoluminescent Dosimeters (TLD): Dosimeters made of certain crystalline materials that are
capable of both storing a fraction of absorbed ionizing radiation and releasing this energy in the
form of visible photons when heated. The amount of light released can be used as a measure of
radiation exposure to these crystals.
Tritium: The hydrogen isotope with one proton and two neutrons in the nucleus. Tritium is
radioactive and has a half-life of 12.3 years.
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GLOSSARY (continued)
Uptake: Quantity of a radionuclide taken up by the systemic circulation, e.g., by injection into the
blood, by absorption from compartments in the respiratory or gastrointestinal tracts, or by
absorption through the skin or through wounds in the skin.
Weighting Factor: The fraction of the overall health risk, resulting from uniform, whole body
irradiation, attributable to specific tissue (T). The dose equivalent to tissue, T, is multiplied by the
appropriate weighting factor to obtain the effective dose equivalent to that tissue.
Whole-Body Counter: A device used to identify and measure the radiation in the body (body
burden) of human beings and animals; it uses heavy shielding to keep out background radiation
and ultrasensitive scintillation detectors and electronic equipment.
Whole-Body Counting: A technique to determine the internally deposited radionuclides within
the body by measuring with an external radiation detector the photons emitted. Results are
generally expressed in the form of percent of the ALI for the nuclides in question. This technique
can identify and measure accurately normal body radiations as well as those that are taken into
the body due to such things as injection, ingestion, and inhalation from atmospheric releases,
medical diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, etc.
Whole Body Dose Equivalent: The dose equivalent that results when the whole body is irradiated
and taken, when the irradiation is uniform, as equivalent to the effective dose equivalent.
X-rays: Penetrating electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths shorter than those of visible
light, usually produced by bombardment of a metallic target with fast electrons in a high vacuum.
In nuclear reactions, it is customary to refer to photons originating in the nucleus as gamma rays,
and those originating in the extra nuclear part of the atom as X-rays.
Section 33
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APPENDIC A
CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMONLY USED RADIONULCLIDES
Instructor’s Notes
TRITIUM (H-3)
Tritium is a low-energy beta emitter and cannot be monitored directly
with a thin-window G-M probe. Monitoring is normally performed
by taking a swipe of the area and counting the swipe in a liquid
scintillation counter.
1. Maximum energy: 0.018 MeV (average energy is 0.006
MeV or about 1/3 the maximum energy).
2. Maximum range in air: 1/4 inch (6 mm).
3. Maximum range in water: 6 x 10-3mm.
4. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) toxicity
classification: Low.
Select those radionuclides
that are applicable to your
facility and add applicable
radionuclide information.
Effective half-life values are
from LA-4400 (see reference
LA-4400 1970)
Individuals who handle large
quantities of tritium may
benefit from the Article 663
course Radiological Training
for Tritium Facilities.
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Instructor’s Notes
5. Physical half-life (T1/2): 12.35 years.
6. Effective half-life (Teff): 10 days (the time it takes for ½
of the material to be eliminated from the body by both
biological processes and radioactive decay).
7. Critical organ: Whole body (the part of the body where
the most limiting dose is delivered).
8. Personnel monitoring: Bioassay - urinanalysis, NOT
detected with a dosimeter (thermoluminescent dosimeter
(TLD) or film).
9. Annual Limit of Intake (ALI): Tritiated water: 80 mCi
(3 x 109 Bq) by inhalation or ingestion.
10. Shielding: None (the low-energy beta is not very
penetrating).
11. Special Considerations:
• Cannot be measured directly with a thin window G-
M probe (standard survey meter).
Elemental tritium is not taken
into the body and is assigned
an ALI based on a TEDE
resulting from lung exposure.
However, in many
environments elemental
tritium converts rapidly to
tritiated water vapor.
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Instructor’s Notes
• Can be absorbed through the skin.
• Many compounds readily penetrate gloves and skin.
Handle these compounds remotely, wear two pairs
of gloves, and change the outer layer at least every
20 minutes.
• Tritiated DNA precursors are considered more toxic
than tritiated water. However, they are generally less
volatile and do not present a significantly greater
hazard.
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Instructor’s Notes
CARBON-14 (C-14)
Carbon-14 is a low-energy beta emitter (about 10 times more
energetic than tritium). C-14 is not easily detected with a
handheld survey instrument such as a thin-window G-M (the
efficiency is ~ 10%). Monitoring is normally performed by
taking a swipe of the area and counting the swipe in a liquid
scintillation counter.
1. Maximum energy: 0.156 MeV (the average energy is
0.052 MeV).
2. Maximum range in air: 9 inches (24 cm).
3. IAEA toxicity classification: Medium-low.
4. Physical half-life: 5,730 years.
5. Effective half-life: (Teff): 12 days.
6. Critical organ: Whole body and the body fat.
7. Personnel monitoring: Bioassay - urinalysis and/or breath
measurements (CO2), NOT detected with a dosimeter
(TLD or film).
8. ALI:
• 2 mCi (7 x 107 Bq) -labeled organic compounds by
inhalation or ingestion.
• 2 Ci (7 x 1010 Bq) CO by inhalation.
• 200 mCi (7 x 109 Bq) CO2 by inhalation.
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Instructor’s Notes
9. Shielding: 3mm of plexiglass (if needed) – thicker
plexiglass may be used for rigidity.
10. Special Considerations:
Section 34
• Detection of C-14 by radiation survey instruments
requires special care due to the low efficiency of
detection.
• Some C-14-labeled compounds may penetrate
gloves and skin. Handle these compounds
remotely, wear two pairs of gloves and change the
outer layer frequently.
• Special caution should be observed when handling
C-14-labeled halogenated acids.
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Instructor’s Notes
SODIUM-22 (Na-22)
Sodium-22 is a positron emitter (positive beta particle/electron) and
high-energy gamma emitter. It also emits an annihilation photon
when the positive electron is annihilated with a negative electron,
producing pure energy.
Sodium-22 is detected with a thin-window G-M probe, sodiumiodide
scintillation counter, or liquid scintillation detector.
1. Energy:
• Maximum beta energy: 0.546 MeV, average energy
0.182 MeV.
• Gamma energy: 1.275 MeV.
• Annihilation photon: 0.511 MeV.
2. Maximum beta range in air: 4.7 feet (1.4 m).
3. Unshielded dose rate from 1mCi point source at ½ inch
(1cm): 11.8 rad/hr.
4. IAEA toxicity classification: High-medium.
5. Physical half-life: 950 days.
6. Effective half-life (Teff): 10.9 days.
7. Critical organ:
• Whole body for intake of transportable compounds.
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Instructor’s Notes
• Lungs for inhalation.
• Lower large intestine for ingestion.
8. Personnel monitoring: dosimeter and finger rings,
uptakes may be determined by urinalysis.
9. ALI:
• 0.6 mCi (2 x 107
Bq) by inhalation, clearance in
weeks.
• 0.4 mCi (1 x 107
Bq) by ingestion.
10. Shielding:
• Half-value layer (the thickness required to attenuate
the dose rate by ½) is 0.26 inches (6.5mm) of lead.
• Multi-hundred mCi quantities need to be completely
surrounded by beta shielding material to prevent the
betas from escaping and creating a source of
secondary annihilation radiation outside the
shielding.
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Instructor’s Notes
11. Special considerations:
• Near an unshielded Na-22 source, dose rates due to
beta radiation can be much higher than dose rates
due to gamma radiation.
• Avoid direct eye exposure by interposing transparent
shielding or indirect viewing.
• Avoid skin dose by indirect handling.
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Instructor’s Notes
PHOSPHORUS-32 (P-32)
Phosphorus-32 is a high-energy beta emitter that may create a whole
body, skin, and an eye hazard. Most common means of detection is
with a thin-window probe or liquid scintillation.
1. Maximum energy: 1.71 MeV; the average energy is
0.570 MeV.
2. Maximum range in air: 19 feet (6 m).
3. Maximum range in tissue: 8 mm.
4. IAEA toxicity classification: Medium-low.
5. Physical half-life: 14.29 days.
6. Effective half-life (Teff): 10-14 days.
7. Critical organ:
• Bone for transportable compounds.
• Lung and lower large intestine are critical organs for
inhalation and ingestion, respectively.
8. Personnel monitoring: Dosimeter and finger rings, uptakes
may be determined by urinalysis.
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Instructor’s Notes
9. ALI:
• 4mCi (1 x 107 Bq) by inhalation, clearance in weeks.
• 4mCi (1 x 107 Bq) by ingestion.
10. Shielding: ½ inch (1.2 cm) of plexiglass (that will shield
the beta particles and minimize the production of
bremsstrahlung).
P-32 betas will travel:
• 19 feet in air.
• 0.8 cm in tissue.
• 0.7 cm in plexiglass.
• 0.3 cm in aluminum.
11. Special considerations:
• A high local dose can be received if the radioactive
material is touched and allowed to remain in contact
with the skin.
Section 35
• Do not work over an open container, the eyes can
receive a substantial beta dose.
• Safety glasses can provide eye protection.
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Instructor’s Notes
• Contamination is easily detected with G-M thin-
window probe.
• Bremsstrahlung radiation will be a consideration for
millicurie quantities.
• Radwaste containers may need to be shielded with
plexiglass.
Typical dose rates from 0.1 mCi (4 x 106 Bq):
• 3 mrad/hr at 1 cm.
• 0.03 mrad/hr at 10 cm.
• 0.002 mrad/hr at 40 cm.
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Instructor’s Notes
PHOSPHORUS-33 (P-33)
Phosphorus-33 is a low-energy beta emitter. Most common means of
detection is with a thin-window probe or liquid scintillation.
1. Maximum energy: 0.248 MeV; the average energy is
0.083 MeV.
2. Maximum range in air: 1.5 feet (0.5 m).
3. Maximum range in tissue: 1 mm.
4. IAEA toxicity classification: Medium-low.
5. Physical half-life: 24.4 days.
6. Effective half-life (Teff): 10-24 days.
7. Critical organ:
• Bone for transportable compounds.
• Lung and lower large intestine are critical organs for
inhalation and ingestion, respectively.
8. Personnel monitoring: NOT detected with a dosimeter
(TLD or film) dosimeter and finger rings, uptakes may
be determined by urinalysis.
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Instructor’s Notes
9. ALI:
• 3 mCi (1 x 108 Bq) by inhalation, clearance in
weeks.
• 6 mCi (2 x 108 Bq) by ingestion.
10. Shielding: 3mm of plexiglass.
11. Special considerations:
Detection of P-33 by radiation survey instruments
requires special care due to the low efficiency of
detection.
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Instructor’s Notes
SULFUR-35 (S-35)
Sulfur-35 is a low-energy beta emitter similar to carbon-14. Most
common means of detection is with liquid scintillation.
1. Maximum energy: 0.167 MeV (the average energy is
0.056 MeV).
2. Maximum range in air: 10 inches (24 cm).
3. Maximum range in tissue: 0.32mm.
4. IAEA toxicity classification: Medium-low.
5. Physical half-life: 87.4 days.
6. Effective half-life (Teff): 77 days.
7. Critical organ: Whole body and testis.
8. Personnel monitoring: Bioassay - urinanalysis, NOT
detected with a dosimeter (TLD or film).
9. ALI:
• 10 mCi (4 x 108 Bq) inorganic compounds (vapor
inhalation).
• 2 mCi (7 x 107 Bq) by inhalation, weekly clearance.
• 6 mCi (2 x 108 Bq) by ingestion.
10. Shielding: 3mm of plexiglass (if needed).
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Instructor’s Notes
11. Special Considerations:
• Detection of S-35 by radiation survey instruments
requires special care due to the low efficiency of
detection.
• Sulfur-35 compounds, including methionin, generate
volatile fractions particularly during lyophilization
or incubation.
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Instructor’s Notes
CHLORINE-36 (Cl-36)
Chlorine-36 is a medium-energy beta emitter. Use a thin-end window
G-M detector or liquid scintillation counter for detection.
1. Maximum energy: 0.710 MeV (the average energy is
0.233 MeV).
2. Maximum range in air: 7 feet (2 m).
3. Maximum range in tissue: 0.1 inch (2.6 mm).
4. IAEA toxicity classification: High-medium.
5. Physical half-life: 3 x 105
years.
6. Effective half-life (Teff): 10-29 days.
7. Critical organ:
• Whole body for transportable compounds.
• Lung for inhalation.
• Lower large intestine for ingestion.
8. Personnel monitoring: Urinanalysis, finger rings.
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Instructor’s Notes
9. ALI:
• 0.2 mCi (7 x 106 Bq) by inhalation.
• 2 mCi (7 x 107 Bq) by ingestion.
Section 36
10. Shielding: 0.25 inches (6mm) of plexiglass.
11. Special Considerations:
• Cl-36 beta particles have sufficient energy to
penetrate gloves and skin.
• When handling millicurie quantities, do not work
over an open container.
• Avoid glove and skin contamination or ensure that it
is promptly detected and removed.
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Instructor’s Notes
CALCIUM-45 (Ca-45)
Calcium-45 is a low-energy beta emitter and may be detected with a
thin-window probe. Calcium-45 is commonly used with animal
studies.
1. Maximum beta energies: 0.257 MeV (the average energy
is 0.086 MeV).
2. Maximum range in air: 20 inches (52 cm).
3. Maximum range in tissue: 0.62mm.
4. IAEA toxicity classification: High.
5. Physical half-life: 163 days.
6. Effective half-life (Teff): 163 days.
7. Critical organ: Bone.
8. Personnel monitoring: Bioassay, initially by urine, later
by feces: NOT detected with a dosimeter (TLD or film).
9. ALI:
• 0.8 mCi (3 x 107 Bq) by inhalation.
• 2 mCi (7 x 107 Bq) by ingestion.
10. Shielding: 3mm of plexiglass.
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Instructor’s Notes
11. Special Considerations:
Detection of Ca-45 by radiation survey instruments
requires special care due to the low efficiency of
detection.
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Instructor’s Notes
CHROMIUM-51 (Cr-51)
Chromium-51 is a gamma and a X-ray emitter. Cr-51 is readily
detected with a thin-window G-M probe. Liquid scintillation
counting is also used.
1. Maximum energy: 0.32 MeV gamma ray (9.8%), a very
low energy (0.005 MeV) X-ray (22 %) and 0.004 MeV
(66.9%) auger electron.
2. IAEA toxicity classification: Medium-low.
3. Physical half-life: 27.7 days.
4. Effective biological half-life: 27 days.
5. Critical organ: Lower large intestine, and lungs.
6. Personnel monitoring: Dosimeter, internal uptakes may
be determined by urine or fecal sampling.
7. ALI:
• 20 mCi (7 x 108 Bq) by inhalation, yearly clearance.
• 20 mCi (7 x 108 Bq) by ingestion.
8. Shielding: - 3.2 mm of lead is the half value layer
(thickness of lead that will reduce the dose rate by one-
half).
9. Special Considerations:
Use thin-end window G-M or solid scintillation detectors
or liquid scintillation counting.
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Instructor’s Notes
IRON-55 (Fe-55)
Iron-55 decays by electron capture and so is an X-ray emitter. Fe-55
contamination may be detected by a thin-window G-M probe looking
at the very low-energy characteristic Mn X-rays. Manganese is
formed when the iron nucleus captures an electron. The manganese
emits X-rays characteristic to its electron shell structure. Liquid
scintillation counting may also be used.
1. Average X-ray energy: Electron capture with an average
low energy of 0.006 MeV.
2. IAEA toxicity classification: Medium-low.
3. Physical half-life: 2.6 years.
4. Effective half-life (Teff): 370 days.
5. Critical organ:
• Liver and spleen for inhalation.
• Lower large intestine for ingestion.
6. Personnel monitoring: Uptakes evaluated by analysis of
blood.
7. ALI:
• 2 mCi (7 x 107 Bq) by inhalation, daily Clearance.
• 9 mCi (3 x 108 Bq) by ingestion.
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Instructor’s Notes
COBALT-57 (Co-57)
Cobalt-57 is an X-ray emitter. Most common means of detection is
with a thin-window G-M probe.
1. Maximum energy: X-ray radiation from 0.014 to 0.692
MeV (0.122 MeV emitted 85.5% of the time).
2. IAEA toxicity classification: Medium-low.
3. Physical half-life: 270.9 days.
Section 37
4. Effective half-life (Teff): 9 days.
5. Critical organ: Lower large intestine.
6. Personnel monitoring: Dosimeter, uptakes may be
evaluated by whole body counting.
7. ALI:
• 0.7 mCi (3 x 107 Bq) by inhalation, yearly clearance.
• 4 mCi (2 x 108 Bq) by ingestion.
8. Shielding: 3.2 mm of lead is the half value layer.
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Instructor’s Notes
IRON-59 (Fe-59)
Iron-59 is a beta and gamma emitter that can create an external, an
internal, and skin and eye hazard. Iron-59 is detected with a thin- end
window G-M probe, solid scintillator, or liquid scintillation counter.
1. Maximum beta energies:
• 0.466 MeV, average energy is 0.155 MeV.
• 0.273 MeV, average energy is 0.091 MeV.
• 0.131 MeV, average energy is 0.044 MeV.
2. Gamma energies:
• 1.292 MeV.
• 1.099 MeV.
• 0.192 MeV.
• 0.143 Mev.
3. Maximum range in air of beta: 45 inches (115 cm).
4. Unshielded dose rate from 1 mCi point source at ½ inch
(1 cm): 6.18 rad/hr.
5. IAEA toxicity classification: Medium-high.
6. Physical half-life: 44.6 days.
7. Effective half-life (Teff): 42 days.
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Instructor’s Notes
8. Critical organ:
• Liver and spleen for inhalation.
• Lower large intestine for ingestion.
9. Personnel monitoring: Dosimeter, finger rings - fecal
analysis may be used to determine uptake for weeks or
months after handling. Urinalysis is recommended from
4-24 hours after handling.
10. ALI:
• 0.3 mCi (1 x 107 Bq) by inhalation.
• 0.8 mCi (3 x 107 Bq) by ingestion.
11. Shielding: 0.38 inch (9.7 mm) of lead is the half value
layer.
12. Special considerations:
• Near an unshielded Fe-59 source, dose rates from
beta radiation can be much higher than dose rates
due to gamma radiation.
• Avoid direct eye exposure.
• Avoid skin exposure.
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Instructor’s Notes
IODINE-125 (I-125)
Iodine-125 is a gamma and X-ray emitter. I-125 contamination may
be detected by a thin-window G-M probe or with liquid scintillation
counting.
1. Maximum energy: 0.035 MeV gamma (6.5%), 0.027
MeV x-ray (112.5%) and 0.031 MeV x-ray (25.4%).
2. IAEA toxicity classification: Medium-high.
3. Physical half-life: 60 days.
4. Effective half-life (Teff): 42 days.
5. Critical organ: Thyroid gland.
6. Personnel monitoring: Internal uptakes evaluated by
thyroid scan.
7. ALI:
• 0.06 mCi (2 x 106 Bq) by inhalation, daily clearance.
• 0.04 mCi (1 x 106 Bq) by ingestion.
8. Shielding: 0.25 mm of lead is the half-value layer.
9. Other considerations for iodine compounds:
• Volatilization of iodine (NaI) is the most significant
hazard.
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Instructor’s Notes
• Simply opening a vial of sodium iodide at high-
radioactive concentrations can cause minute droplets
to become airborne.
• Solutions containing iodide ions should not be made
acidic nor stored frozen; both lead to formation of
volatile elemental iodine.
• Some iodide compounds can penetrate surgical
rubber gloves - wear two pairs or polyethylene
gloves over rubber.
• Can be easily absorbed through the skin.
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Instructor’s Notes
IODINE-131 (I-131)
Iodine-131 is a gamma, X-ray, and beta emitter. I-131
contamination may be detected by a thin-window G-M probe or
with liquid scintillation counting.
1. Maximum beta energies: 0.248 - 0.606 MeV.
2. Primary gamma energies: 0.364 MeV, 0.637 MeV, and
0.284 MeV.
3. IAEA toxicity classification: Medium-high.
4. Physical half-life: 8 days.
Section 38
5. Effective half-life (Teff): 7.6 days.
6. Critical organ: Thyroid gland.
7. Personnel monitoring: Dosimeter, thyroid scan for
uptakes.
8. ALI:
• 0.05 mCi (2 x 106 Bq) by inhalation, daily clearance.
• 0.03 mCi (1 x 106 Bq) by ingestion.
9. Shielding: 2.3 mm of lead is the half-value layer.
Note: gammas are by
decreasing percentages.
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Instructor’s Notes
10. Other considerations for iodine compounds:
Volatilization of iodine is the most significant hazard.
• Simply opening a vial of sodium iodide (NaI) at
high-radioactive concentrations can cause minute
droplets to become airborne.
• Solutions containing iodide ions should not be made
acidic nor stored frozen; both lead to formation of
volatile elemental iodine.
• Some iodide compounds can penetrate surgical
rubber gloves - wear two pairs or polyethylene
gloves over rubber.
• Can be easily absorbed through the skin.
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APPENDIX B
STORAGE OF RADIOACTIVE/HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Instructor’s Notes
1.0 Containment of Material
Containment generally means using vessels, trays, diaper
paper, bench tops, etc. to contain contamination.
2.0 Segregation and Storage
Segregate incompatibles and store by hazard class.
Recommended general hazard classes for storage are:
1. Caustics (bases).
2. Acids (mineral).
3. Flammables (including organic acids).
4. Poisons (toxics).
5. Oxidizers.
6. Water reactives.
3.0 General Guidelines
1. Keep flammables by themselves in Underwriters
Laboratory (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM) approved safety
cans or cabinets.
2. Keep acids away from bases.
3. Separate organics from inorganics.
4. Store oxidizers away from flammables.
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Instructor’s Notes
5. Provide as much physical separation as possible between
classes.
6. Biohazards should be properly labeled and may be stored
as one group.
7. Class B and C carcinogens should be properly labeled and
stored with their chemical family.
8. Store Class A carcinogens in the glovebox or another
regulated area.
Note: EPA carcinogen
designations are as
follows:
EPA-A Human
Carcinogen: sufficient
evidence from epidemiologic
studies to support a casual
association between exposure
and cancer.
EPA-B Probable Human
Carcinogen: weight of
evidence of human
carcinogenicity based on
epidemiologic studies is
limited; agents for which
weight of evidence of
carcinogenicity based on
animal studies is sufficient.
Two subgroups: B1: Limited
evidence of
carcinogenicity from
epidemiologic studies;
B2: Sufficient evidence
from animal studies;
inadequate evidence or no
data from epidemiologic
studies.
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Instructor’s Notes
4.0 Formation of Organic Peroxides
Organic peroxides are a class of compounds that have unusual
stability problems that make them among the most hazardous
substances found in the laboratory. As a class, organic
peroxides are considered to be powerful explosives and are
sensitive to heat, friction, impact, and light, as well as to strong
oxidizing and reducing agents. Common compounds that form
peroxides during storage include:
• ethyl ether.
• isopropyl ether.
• potassium metal.
• vinyl chloride.
• cyclohexene.
• dicyclopentadiene.
• vinyl acetylene.
• dioxane.
• acetal.
• butadiene.
• vinyl ethers.
• styrene.
• diacetylene.
• vinyl acetate.
EPA-C: Possible Human
Carcinogen: Limited evidence
of carcinogenicity in animals
in the absence of human data.
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101
Instructor’s Notes
• tetrahydrofuran.
• divinylidene chloride.
• cumene.
• sodium amide.
• methyl acetylene.
• methylcyclopentene.
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APPENDIX C
STORAGE GUIDELINES BY HAZARD CLASS
Instructor’s Notes
1.0 Caustics
Caustics are materials with pH > 10. Examples include
ammonium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, and sodium
hydroxide.
1.1 Separate from acids.
1.2 Store solutions of inorganic hydroxides in polyethylene
containers.
1.3 Store large containers below eye level.
2.0 Acids
Acids are materials with pH < 5. Examples include acetic,
chromic, and hydrofluoric.
2.1 Separate from bases and materials that could evolve
toxic vapors on contact (i.e., sodium cyanide).
2.2 Store large bottles low to the ground -- at least below
eye level.
2.3 Separate inorganic acids from organic acids (i.e., acetic,
oxalic, etc.).
2.4 Separate from active metals (i.e., sodium, potassium).
2.5 Store perchloric and nitric acid as oxidizers.
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Instructor’s Notes
3.0 Flammables/Combustibles
Flammables/combustibles vapors ignite easily at room
temperature. Examples include alcohols, esters, ketones,
ethers, and pyrophorics.
3.1 Store flammable liquids in Underwriters Listed (UL) or
Factory Mutual (M) safety cans or cabinets.
3.2 Keep away from heat, sun, flame, and spark sources.
3.3 Separate from oxidizers.
3.4 Use only (UL) listed or FM approved “explosion safe”
or “spark-proof” refrigerators for cold storage of
flammables.
4.0 Poisons (Toxics)
Poisons are dangerous if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed
through the skin. Examples include phenol and hydrazine.
4.1 Store according to label directions.
4.2 Separate from other hazard classes.
4.3 Keep tightly sealed.
5.0 Oxidizers
Oxidizers are materials that yield oxygen: react with water,
fire, flammables, and combustibles. Examples include
inorganic nitrates, permanganates, inorganic peroxides,
persulfates, and perchlorates.
Oxidizers must be stored in accordance with NFPA 45,
Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals
and NFPA 430, Code for the Storage of Liquid and Solid
Oxidizers.
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Instructor’s Notes
5.1 Keep separate from flammables and other organic
materials.
5.2 Keep separate from reducing agents (i.e., zinc, alkaline
metals, formic acid).
5.3 Do not store directly on wooden surfaces.
5.4 Peroxide formers should be labeled with date received
and opened, and should be discarded as hazardous waste
within three to six months of opening. Depending on the
chemical, unopened peroxide performers should be
discarded within 12 months of receipt.
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Instructor’s Notes
6.0 Organic Peroxides
Organic peroxides area a class of compounds that have
unusual stability problems.
Oxidezers must be stored in accordance with NFPA 45,
Standard on Fire Projection for Labratories Using
Chemicals and NFPA 432, Code for the Storage of
Organic Peroxides.
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APPENDIX D
Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
I. RELEASE OF MATERIALS
A. Monitoring Techniques General
Monitoring techniques for release of materials are
addressed in DOE/CH-9401 (1993). The following
techniques apply for G-M detectors (H-3 cannot be
measured).
1. Surveys should be conducted in a low background area
(background levels are not to exceed 300 cpm; lower
levels are preferable and in most cases achievable).
Section 40
2. Direct measurement should be made prior to smear
surveys.
3. Materials or equipment with inaccessible surface areas
should be disassembled for survey or the inaccessible
areas evaluated for contamination with special survey
techniques or by review of process knowledge.
If potential for internal contamination cannot be
adequately assessed, material may not be released.
4. An audible response should be utilized as the principal
indicator for initial detection of surface radioactivity.
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
5. The assigned instrument/detector efficiencies should
reflect a prior evaluation of facility wastes.
Typical efficiencies for a thin-window G-M probe.
• C-14, S-35 - 10%.
• P-32 - 50%.
B. Beta/Gamma Direct Monitoring
1. Window: Use a thin-window probe, detector window
thickness (mylar) should not be more than 2.0 mg/cm2.
2. Scanning: Scan the surface; in most cases, scanning
will cover nearly 100 percent of accessible surfaces.
3. Distance: Maintain detector window no more than inch
from surface.
4. Speed: The number of counts produced in the detector
is inversely proportional to the scanning speed.
5. Audio: If at any point a perceivable audible or visual
response is detected, perform a stationary evaluation
of count rate.
Results: If surveys indicate
presence of contamination
(refer to 10 CFR 835
Appendix D for release from
controlled areas or DOE
5400.5, Ch.2, for unrestricted
release), the material should
not be released. Prior to
release, contamination levels
must be less than appropriate
values and should be reduced
as low as reasonably
achievable.
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Lesson Plan Instructor’s Notes
C. Smear Surveys for Releasing Material
1. An initial screening evaluation may be conducted by
wiping 100 percent of surface.
2. These large-area wipes may be evaluated by holding
the probe up to the swipe (~5 sec.).
3. If initial screening evaluation indicates presence of
contamination, take representative disc smears (100
cm2 spill area) of up to 100 percent of accessible
surface areas.
D. Documentation
All surveys for release shall be documented in writing.
Documentation of release from controlled areas should
include information required by RCS Article 421.5.
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APPENDIX E
IDENTIFICATION OF MIXED LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTVIE WASTE (LLW)
Instructor’s Notes
1.0 40 CFR PART 261
RCRA, in 40 CFR Part 261 Subpart C, defines general
characteristics that, if exhibited by a waste material, require the
classification of that material as hazardous. These
characteristics are:
1.1 Ignitability.
1.2 Corrosivity.
1.3 Reactivity.
1.4 Toxicity.
2.0 Specific Waste Streams
In addition to defining the characteristics of hazardous wastes,
40 CFR Part 261 lists specific waste streams that are
considered hazardous. These lists are compiled in tables in
Subpart D according to:
2.1 Hazardous waste from nonspecific.
2.2 Hazardous waste from specific sources.
2.3 Discarded commercial chemical products, off
specification species, and container and spill residues.
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APPENDIX F
RELEASE OF POTENTIALLY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL – DOE ORDER
5400.5, Ch. 2
Instructor’s Notes
1.0 Surface Contamination Levels
Section 41
Prior to being released, property should be surveyed to
determine whether both removable and total surface
contamination (including contamination present on and
under any coating) is greater than the levels given in the
DOE Order 5400.5, Ch. 2.
2.0 Potential For Contamination
Property should be considered to be potentially contaminated if
it has been used or stored in radiological areas that could
contain unconfined radioactive material or that are exposed to
beams of particles capable of causing activation.
Material and Equipment in Radiological Areas established to
control surface or airborne radioactive material shall be treated
as potentially contaminated.
3.0 Inaccessible Areas
Where potentially contaminated surfaces are not accessible for
measurement, such property may be released after case by case
evaluation and documentation based on both the history of its
use and available measurements demonstrate that the
unsurveyable surfaces are likely to be within the release
criteria.
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Instructor’s Notes
4.0 Volume Contamination
EH-412 has provided guidance for release of material that has
been contaminated with tritium (reference DOE 1995). Other
materials may be released if criteria and survey techniques are
approved by DOE.
5.0 Items With Fixed Contamination
Under exceptional conditions, materials and equipment with
fixed contamination that exceeds the release criteria may be
released for use in Controlled Areas outside of Radiological
Areas. As a condition of such release, the removable
contamination levels must be below the level specified in
Appendix D of 10 CFR 835. The materials shall be routinely
monitored, clearly labeled and/or tagged to alert personnel of
the contaminated status, and have appropriate administrative
procedures established and exercised to maintain control of
these items.
6.0 Covering of Contaminated Surfaces
Radioactivity on equipment should not be covered by paint,
plating, or other covering material unless contamination levels,
as determined by a survey and documented, are below the
“Removable” Criteria of Table 1 of DOE Order 5400.5, Ch. 2
(see below). A reasonable effort must be made to minimize the
contamination prior to use of any covering.
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Instructor’s Notes
If it is likely that contamination exists under a painted surface,
it may be necessary to remove some of the painted surface to
measure contamination levels below. Use a paint remover to
collect paint samples from areas of approximately 200 cm2 .
Measure alpha and/or beta-gamma levels beneath paint. Check
with Radiological Control personnel prior to using any paint
remover to eliminate the generation of mixed waste.
Where potentially contaminated surfaces are not accessible for
measurement, the equipment may be released after case by
case evaluation and documentation based on both the history
of its use and available measurements demonstrate that the
unsurveyable surfaces are likely to be within the release
criteria.
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Allowable Total Residual Surface Contamination
(dpm/100 cm2)1/
Radionuclides 2/ Average 3/, 4/ Maximum 4/, 5/ Removable 4/, 6/
Transuranics, I-125, I-129, Ra-226, 500 1500 20
Ac-227, Ra-228, Th-228, Th-230,
Pa-231. Th-Natural, Sr-90, I-126, I-131, 1,000 3,000 200
I-133, Ra-223, Ra-224, U-232, Th-232
U-Natural, U-235, U-238, and associated 5,000 15,000 1,000
decay product, alpha emitters.
Section 42
Beta-gamma emitters (radionuclides with
decay modes other than alpha emission or 5,000 15,000 1,000
spontaneous fission) except Sr-90 and
others noted above. 7/
Figure IV-1 Surface Contamination Guidelines
1/ As used in this table, dpm (disintegrations per minute) means the rate of emission by radioactive material
as determined by correcting the counts per minute measured by an appropriate detector for background,
efficiency, and geometric factors associated with the instrumentation.
2/ Where surface contamination by both alpha- and beta-gamma-emitting radionuclides exists, the limits
established for alpha- and beta-gamma-emitting radionuclides should apply independently.
3/ Measurements of average contamination should not be averaged over an area of more than 1 m2. For
objects of less surface area, the average should be derived for each such object.
4/ The average and maximum dose rates associated with surface contamination resulting from beta-gamma
emitters should not exceed 0.2 mrad/h and 1.0 mrad/h, respectively, at 1 cm.
5/ The maximum contamination level applies to an area of not more than 100 cm2.
6/ The amount of removable material per 100 cm2
of surface area should be determined by wiping an area
of that size with dry filter or soft absorbent paper, applying moderate pressure, and measuring the amount
of radioactive material on the wiping with an appropriate instrument of known efficiency. When removable
contamination on objects of surface area less than 100 cm2 is determined, the activity per unit area should
be based on the actual area and the entire surface should be wiped. It is not necessary to use wiping
techniques to measure removable contamination levels if direct scan surveys indicate that the total residual
surface contamination levels are within the limits for removable contamination.
7/ This category of radionuclides includes mixed fission products, including the Sr-90 which is present in
them. It does not apply to Sr-90 which has been separated from the other fission products or mixtures
where the Sr-90 has been enriched.
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APPENDIX G
ANIMAL FACILITIES
Instructor’s Notes
1.0 Objective
Describe the exposure potentials when handling animals that
contain radionuclides during experiments.
2.0 Outline
• Exposure potentials.
• Methods of minimizing external exposures.
• Methods of minimizing internal exposures.
• Methods of minimizing cross contamination.
• Room contamination problems.
3.0 Dose Potentials
Animals that have had radionuclides administered to them can
present a hazard both to the individuals working with them and
to the success of the experiment as well. When using
radionuclides in animals, one must be sure that the cages are
well labeled, away from much foot traffic, and properly
maintained to minimize the hazards arising from radionuclide
use. Hazards that are likely to be encountered when using
radionuclides in animals are listed below:
3.1 External personnel exposure resulting from
gammaemitting radionuclides that have been used in an
animal.
3.2 Internal radiation exposure resulting from accidental
ingestion of radionuclides.
3.3 Cross contamination of radionuclides from one
radiological experiment to another.
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Instructor’s Notes
3.4 Room contamination that can result in the spread of
radionuclides to a non-radioactive use area.
4.0 Methods of Minimizing External Dose
Section 43
4.1 Distance
Maintain the greatest distance possible between the
worker and the gamma-emitting animal to make full use
of the inverse square law. This law, simply stated,
implies that if the distance from a radioactive source is
doubled, the dose is reduced by a factor of four.
4.2 Time
When the distance cannot be minimized, the amount of
time spent in the proximity of the radioactive animal
should be kept at a minimum.
4.3 Shielding
When the above is not possible for any reason or when
the dose rate is determined to be very high, lead
shielding of the proper thickness should be placed
between the worker and animal. This is a clumsy
technique and should only be attempted following
consultation with a health physicist.
4.4 Source Reduction
Following the experiment and/or the death of the animal,
proper waste disposal proceedings should be initiated.
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Instructor’s Notes
5.0 Methods of Minimizing Internal Dose
When handling radioactive animals or applying radionuclides
to animals, it is required that the handler wear gloves that can
be thrown away when contaminated. This will prevent the
transfer of radionuclides from hand to mouth and is equally
important when handling excreta or animal parts that may be
radioactive.
Procedures for handling of the animal should be implemented
to reduce the possibility of animal bites. This would include
such activities as sedation of the animal in some procedures
and special handling techniques for specific animals in other
procedures. Both the researcher and the animal handler should
be trained in these procedures.
6.0 Methods of Minimizing Cross Contamination
Cross contamination may cause the radioactive materials used
in one experiment to turn up unexpectedly in the results of
another. Since some experiments utilize only minute amounts
of radionuclides while others use large amounts, it is easy to
visualize the confusion when large amounts of unknown
radionuclides appear suddenly in a low-level experiment.
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Instructor’s Notes
Cross contamination can result from mishandling;
contaminated protective clothing; contaminated cages, food,
and water supplies; and airborne materials being transferred
from cage to cage.
Contaminated cages should be allowed to decay where
possible, and then be thoroughly washed. Following washing,
they must be surveyed before re-use.
7.0 Room Contamination Problems
These problems can best be avoided by maintaining
radioactive animals in a separate room and maintaining high
standards of housekeeping in the room. Feces, cage linings,
and urine should be stored in the appropriate containers. These
items should not be allowed to accumulate.
In case any of the above-mentioned items are spilled, they
should be cleaned up immediately, utilizing absorbent,
disposable materials. All materials used in cleaning up a spill
should be placed in the appropriate containers to preclude the
possibility of further contamination spread. It is essential that
spills be cleaned up without delay.
(Part 3 of 3)
RADIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION CONTROL
TRAINING FOR LABORATORY RESEARCH
Student’s Guide
Office of Health, Safety and Security
U.S. Department of Energy
January 2007
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Table of Contents
Page
TERMINAL OBJECTIVE………………………………………………………………….1
ENABLING OBJECTIVES………………………………………………………………...1
I. RADIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION…………………………………………. 2
Section 44
A. Comparison of Radiation and Radioactive Contamination ………………... 2
B. Types of Contamination…………………………………………………….. 2
C. Units of Radioactive Contamination………………………………………... 3
D. Causes of Radioactive Contamination……………………………………… 4
E. Indicators of Possible Area Contamination………………………………… 5
F. Primary Reasons for Contamination Control……………………………….. 6
G. Radiological Contamination Control Measures…………………………….. 7
II. CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMONLY USED RADIONUCLIDES………….. 9
III. PREPARATION OF WORK AREA AND MATERIALS……………………….. 10
A. Appropriate Selection of Work Area……………………………………….. 10
B. Preparation of Work Areas…………………………………………………. 10
C. Preparation of Equipment/Materials………………………………………... 11
D. Shielding……………………………………………………………………. 12
E. Ventilation Control…………………………………………………………. 13
F. Posting of Radiological Areas…………………………………………….... 14
G. Labeling of Radioactive Materials and Other Postings…………………….. 16
IV. CONDUCT OF WORK - GOOD PRACTICES………………………………….. 17
A. Personal Preparation………………………………………………………... 17
B. Requirements of Posted Contamination Areas……………………………... 17
C. Dosimetry…………………………………………………………………… 19
D. Personnel Protective Clothing (Anti-C)…………………………………….. 19
E. Storage and Containment of Radioactive Material…………………………. 21
F. Good Housekeeping………………………………………………………… 23
G. RadCon Required Actions and Good Practices…………………………….. 23
H. Special Precautions for Liquids…………………………………………….. 23
V. RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT…………………………………….. 26
A. Segregation…………………………………………………………………. 26
B. Waste Storage……………………………………………………………… 26
C. Sharps……………………………………………………………………….. 26
D. Methods for Minimizing Waste…………………………………………….. 26
E. Mixed Waste………………………………………………………………... 28
VI. MONITORING FOR CONTAMINATION………………………………………. 30
A. Contamination Monitoring Equipment……………………………………... 30
B. Conducting Surveys – General……………………………………………... 31
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Table of Contents
(Continued)
Page
C. Area Surveys………………………………………………………………... 31
D. Personnel Surveys…………………………………………………………... 31
E. Detection of Contamination……………………………………………….... 32
F. Release of Materials………………………………………………………… 33
VII. DECONTAMINATION…………………………………………………………... 35
A. Decontamination or Not…………………………………………………….. 35
B. Preventive Methods………………………………………………………… 35
C. Skin Contamination………………………………………………………… 35
D. Material Decontamination………………………………………………….. 37
VIII. FACILITY-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS……………………………………….. 38
IX. CONTAMINATION CONTROL LESSONS LEARNED……………………….. 39
SUMMARY - Review of Objectives………………………………………………………. 40
BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………………………….. 41
GLOSSARY……………………………………………………………………………….. 44
APPENDIX A……………………………………………………………………………. A-1
APPENDIX B……………………………………………………………………………. B-1
APPENDIX C……………………………………………………………………………. C-1
APPENDIX D……………………………………………………………………………. D-1
APPENDIX E……………………………………………………………………………. E-1
APPENDIX F..................................................................................................................... F-1
APPENDIX G……………………………………………………………………………. G-1
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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TERMINAL OBJECTIVE:
At the end of this course, the participant should be able to understand the basic radiological
contamination control measures for working in a research laboratory.
ENABLING OBJECTIVES:
The participant will be able to:
E01 DISTINGUISH between ionizing radiation and radioactive contamination.
E02 DEFINE
• Fixed.
• Removable.
• Airborne contamination.
Section 45
E03 IDENTIFY the units used to measure radioactive contamination.
E04 IDENTIFY causes of radioactive contamination.
E05 IDENTIFY methods used to control radioactive contamination.
E06 DEFINE Contamination Area, High Contamination Area, and Airborne
Radioactivity Area.
E07 IDENTIFY the requirements for entry, working in, and exiting Contamination
Areas and Airborne Radioactivity Areas.
E08 IDENTIFY the proper use of protective clothing.
E09 STATE the appropriate response to a spill of radioactive material.
E10 IDENTIFY methods for reducing radioactive waste.
E11 IDENTIFY the purpose and use of personnel contamination monitors.
E12 IDENTIFY the normal methods used for decontamination.
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I. RADIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION
A. Comparison of Radiation and Radioactive Contamination
Radioactive contamination is radioactive materials where you do not want it.
Recall that radioactive material is material that contains unstable “radioactive” atoms.
Even when this radioactive material is properly contained, it still emits radiation and
may be an external dose hazard, but it will not be a contamination hazard. When
radioactive material is inadvertently released from its container (e.g., a spill), it is
then referred to as radioactive contamination.
Radiation is energy, contamination is a material. Exposure to radiation does NOT
result in contamination.
B. Types of Contamination
Contamination can be grouped into 3 types:
• Fixed.
• Removable/transferable.
• Airborne.
1. Fixed contamination
Fixed contamination is contamination that cannot be readily removed from
surfaces.
• It cannot be removed by casual contact, wiping, brushing, or washing.
EO1 DISTINGUISH between ionizing radiation and radioactive contamination.
EO2 DEFINE fixed, removable and airborne contamination.
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• It may be released when the surface is disturbed (buffing, grinding, using
volatile liquids for cleaning, construction, etc.).
• Over time it may “weep,” leach, or otherwise become loose or transferable.
2. Removable/transferable contamination
Removable/transferable contamination is contamination that can be readily
removed or transferred from surfaces.
• It may be removed or transferred by casual contact, wiping, brushing, or
washing.
• Air movement across this type of contamination could cause the
contamination to become airborne.
3. Airborne contamination
Airborne contamination is contamination suspended in air.
This creates a particular hazard because of the possibility of intake by inhalation.
Inhalation is the most common mode of uptake of radioactive material in the
working environment. In addition to the hazard to the worker, radioactive
materials may be carried into ventilation systems, the material may be deposited
on surfaces over a large area, and there is the potential for releases outside of the
facility.
C. Measuring Radioactive Contamination
Because radioactive contamination is radioactive material, the units are the same,
e.g., disintegrations per minute (dpm) for both.
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When measuring the amount of radioactive contamination (material) on a surface, the
units most commonly used are disintegrations per minute per 100 centimeters
squared (dpm/100 cm2).
1. Direct reading
Contamination monitors measure radiation emitted by the radioactive material.
The units are normally seen by the monitor as counts per minute (cpm).
2. Counts per minute (cpm) versus disintegrations per minute (dpm)
Section 46
There is a direct relationship between the counts recorded and the actual activity
(disintegrations) present. The counter efficiency (expressed as the ratio of
cpm/dpm) is divided into the measured cpm to obtain the activity.
D. Causes of Radioactive Contamination
Radioactive material can be spread to unwanted locations. The following are some
causes of radioactive contamination:
1. Sloppy work practices, such as cross-contamination of tools, equipment, or
workers.
2. Not wearing gloves, or removing them prematurely.
3. Poor housekeeping in contaminated areas.
EO3 IDENTIFY the units used to measure radioactive contamination.
EO4 IDENTIFY causes of radioactive contamination.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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4. Opening radioactive materials/systems without proper controls.
5. Leaking containers or tears in radiological containers such as barrels, plastic
bags, boxes, or protective gear.
6. Spills, glass breakage, and animal fluids.
7. Airborne contamination depositing on surfaces.
8. Not adhering to standard laboratory procedures (such as not checking gloves
after handling radioactive materials or working in a potentially contaminated
area).
9. Emergencies including:
• Fire.
• Earthquake, etc.
E. Indicators of Possible Area Contamination
The following are some indicators of possible area contamination:
1. Visual indicators, such as:
• Leaks, spills, standing liquids.
• Damaged radiological containers.
2. Detection of contamination or elevated radiation levels including:
• Spurious or unexplained personnel contamination.
• Radioactivity observed in bioassay samples collected.
• Higher than normal background on personnel contamination survey devices.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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• Higher than normal background radiation levels on area monitors and air
samples.
• Routine radiation and contamination surveys conducted by Radiological
Control Organization.
F. Primary Reasons for Contamination Control
1. Protection of the worker
Measures to control radioactive contamination are implemented to protect
workers by:
• Minimizing the chance of inhalation or ingestion of radioactive/hazardous
material.
• Eliminating or reducing external radiation dose rates.
• Reducing worker discomfort by minimizing the use of personal protective
clothing and/or respirators.
2. Radioactive materials may enter the body by:
• Inhalation (the most common pathway).
• Cuts/wounds (e.g., sharp instrument punctures).
• Absorption (skin, mucous membranes, eyes).
• Ingestion (biting nails, applying cosmetics, eating, drinking or smoking in the
lab or outside without monitoring or washing hands).
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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3. Protection of the environment
Measures to control radioactive contamination are implemented to protect the
environment by:
• Controlling the release of radioactivity in the environment.
• Minimizing the amount of radioactive waste generated.
4. Protection of the facility and programs
Measures to control radioactive contamination are implemented to protect
facilities and programs by:
• Eliminating or minimizing the spread of contamination.
• Preventing cross-contamination and the loss of experimental results.
• Meeting regulatory requirements.
Also, note that resources applied to cleanup reduce the resources available for other
program goals. Additionally, serious contamination events may detract from
maintaining good public relations.
G. Radiological Contamination Control Measures
Section 47
Contamination control measures should address:
1. Characteristics of radionuclides used:
Type of radiation emitted
Energy of radiation emitted
Half-life
2. Preparation of areas and materials - including:
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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• Marking, labeling, and posting of areas and materials.
• Personnel protective equipment type, availability, and use.
• Storage and containment of radioactive/hazardous material.
3. Good work practices - including:
• Special precautions for handling liquids.
• Special precautions for handling sharps.
• Clean up the work area at the end of the job or end of the day, whichever is
first.
4. Radioactive waste management.
5. Radiation monitoring (including interpretation of meter readings) during and at
completion of work. If a problem is detected or suspected, notify the
Radiological Control Organization.
6. Decontamination.
7. Regulatory requirements.
8. Training requirements.
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II. CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMONLY USED RADIONUCLIDES
Because radioactive contamination is radioactive material, the units are expressed in
activity; e.g. disintegrations per minute (dpm).
Insert facility-specific radionuclides (see Appendix A).
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III. PREPARATION OF WORK AREA AND MATERIALS
A. Appropriate Selection of Work Area
The work station should not present an exposure potential to another individual
within the laboratory or to the adjacent laboratory. The work station should not
conflict with other work within the laboratory (i.e., strong gamma emitters near low
background counting equipment, etc.).
B. Preparation of Work Areas
1. Minimize area
Confine operations involving radioactive materials to as small a space as
practical.
2. Clear area
Clear area of extraneous items and material.
3. Work surface
Cover area as appropriate. Diaper paper should be placed absorbent side up.
4. Containment
Use trays when appropriate.
EO5 IDENTIFY methods used to control radioactive contamination.
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5. Waste
Receptacles for radioactive waste should be located by the work station so you
may conveniently dispose of waste without further contamination of the work
area.
C. Preparation of Equipment/Materials
1. Assemble survey meters
The survey meter should be turned on and located in close proximity to the work
station. A pre-operational check is necessary before use to ensure the meter is
working properly. Position the detector so it is directed toward your work area.
This will enable you to conveniently monitor your hands as you work and also
can indicate when materials are removed from shielded containers. Always work
with the audio turned on. Your safety and the safety of others must take priority
over the concept that the sound may be disturbing to others. Know the location of
nearby phones. Post the Radiological Control Organization phone number
nearby.
2. Equipment preparation
Use dedicated equipment/tools when appropriate. Cover/tape tools or equipment
used during the job to minimize radioactive contamination.
3. Assemble materials and supplies
Those supplies that would minimize small spills of radioactive materials should
be within arm's reach while handling unsealed radioactive materials.
4. Marking and labeling
• The area/material is marked and labeled as appropriate (typically by
Radiological Control personnel).
• Do NOT discard intact radioactive labels/markings in normal trash!
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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• Remove or deface labels before discarding boxes, etc.
Section 48
D. Shielding
1. Placement
Placement of shielding materials is critical to both your safety and that of your
colleagues. Work stations that require the use of shielding should be located
where there would be no worker on the opposite side of the workbench, such as
in corners and against walls.
2. Penetration through walls
Be certain to consider what (or who) is on the other side of the wall. However, if
this can not be accommodated, shielding should be considered for the work
station on the opposite side of the workbench or wall where your colleague may
be working.
3. Beta and Gamma Emitters
When shielding for both beta and gamma emitters, the shielding for the beta
emitters should be first. The beta shield (plastic, wood, foil) should be closer to
the radiation source to minimize the production of X-rays from the beta emitter
interacting with the lead (gamma) shield.
4. Considerations
Some considerations for use of shielding were addressed above. Because issues
involving shielding can be complex, always consult the Radiological Control
Organization before using shielding.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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E. Ventilation Control
1. Airflow
Airflow should be from the areas of least contamination to areas of most
contamination (e.g., clean to contaminated to highly contaminated areas) such as
fume hoods, gloveboxes, etc.
2. Pressure differential
Slight negative pressure is maintained in buildings/rooms where potential
contamination exists.
3. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration.
HEPA filters, which remove radioactive particles from the air, may be used. This
is commonly required for higher levels of airborne radioactivity such as
concentrations exceeding 10 percent of the Derived Air Concentration (DAC) for
a particular radionuclide. Charcoal filters are required for specific radionuclides
such as iodine. Ventilation system requirements should be determined in
consultation with the Radiological Control Organization.
A DAC is the radionuclide airborne concentration. Breathing an air concentration
of 1 DAC for 1 working year (2,000 hours) will result in committed dose
equivalent equal to an annual limit, i.e., 5 rem whole-body or 50 rem to any
organ or tissue.
4. Flow rate
Always check the flow rate or pressure in ventilated enclosures before starting
operations. Air flow is easily measured with an inexpensive velometer. Refer to
facility-specific flow rate measurement requirements.
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F. Posting of Radiological Areas
10 CFR 835.602 requires that each access point to a controlled area be appropriately
posted. Further, 835.603 requires that each access point to a radiological area be
appropriately posted.
Posting of radiological areas is typically a Radiological Control Organization
function. Workers should become aware of the posting requirements. DOE has
designated the following areas as requiring posting:
1. Radioactive Material Area
An area or structure where radioactive material, exceeding the values provided in
10 CFR 835 Appendix E, is used, handled, or stored. The posting/sign will
indicate:
“CAUTION, RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL”
Additional posting is not required if the Radioactive Material Area is inside a
Contamination, High Contamination, or Airborne Radioactive Area.
2. Contamination Area
Any area where removable contamination levels are greater than the values
specified in Appendix D of 10 CFR 835, but less than or equal to 100 times those
levels.
The posting/signs will indicate:
Section 49
“CAUTION, CONTAMINATION AREA”
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Abbreviated Table of Contamination Values
(See 10 CFR 835 Appendix D for Complete Listing)
NUCLIDE REMOVABLE TOTAL
I-125
I-131, I-133
Beta/gamma
Tritium
20 500
200 1,000
1,000 5,000
10,000 N/A
3. High Contamination Area
Any area where removable contamination levels are greater than 100 times the
values listed in Appendix D of 10 CFR 835.
A DAC is the radionuclide airborne concentration. Breathing an air concentration
of 1 DAC for 1 working year (2,000 hours) will result in committed dose
equivalent equal to an annual limit, i.e., 5 rem whole-body or 50 rem to any
organ or tissue.
The posting/sign will indicate:
“DANGER, HIGH CONTAMINATION AREA” “Radiological Work
Permit (RWP) Required for Entry.”
4. Airborne Radioactivity Area
Any area where the measured concentration of airborne radioactivity, above
natural background, exceeds or is likely to exceed the derived air concentration
(DAC) values listed in Appendix A or Appendix C of 10 CFR 835 or where an
individual in the area without respiratory protection could receive an intake
exceeding 12 DAC-hours in a week.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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The posting/sign will indicate:
“CAUTION, AIRBORNE RADIOACTIVITY AREA”
A DAC is the radionuclide airborne concentration. Breathing an air concentration
of 1 DAC for 1 working year (2,000 hours) will result in committed dose
equivalent equal to an annual limit, i.e., 5 rem whole-body or 50 rem to any
organ or tissue.
G. Labeling of Radioactive Materials and Other Postings
1. “CAUTION, RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL”
Equipment, components, and other items that are radioactive, potentially
radioactive, or have been in contact with radioactive contamination or activation
sources.
2. “CAUTION, INTERNAL CONTAMINATION” or
“CAUTION, POTENTIAL INTERNAL CONTAMINATION”
Equipment, components, and other items with actual or potential internal
contamination.
3. “CAUTION, FIXED CONTAMINATION”
Components, equipment, or other items with fixed contamination.
4. Facility-Specific Postings/Labeling
These may include Radiological Buffer Areas.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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IV. CONDUCT OF WORK - GOOD PRACTICES
A. Personal Preparation
Ensure that you are ready to work and that you have the following:
• Training to meet entry requirements.
• Work permits, procedures, etc.
• Dosimetry.
• Personal protective equipment.
B. Requirements of Posted Contamination Areas
1. Requirements for entry into posted contamination areas.
The RadCon Standard recommends individuals allowed unescorted entry into
Contamination Areas be provided the following:
• Radiological Worker II training.
• Worker's signature on the Radiological Work Permit, as applicable.
• Protective clothing/equipment as required by the Radiological Work
Permit.
• Personnel dosimetry, as appropriate.
• Pre-job briefing for High Contamination and Airborne Radioactivity Areas.
EO7 IDENTIFY the requirements for entry, working in and exiting Contamination Areas and
Airborne Radioactivity Areas.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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2. Requirements for working in posted contamination areas.
The RadCon Standard recommends that individuals allowed unescorted entry
into
Contamination Areas:
• Avoid unnecessary contact with contaminated surfaces.
• When possible wrap or sleeve materials and/or equipment brought into the
area.
Section 50
• Do not touch unexposed skin surfaces. This could result in skin
contamination.
Smoking, eating, chewing, drinking, and putting on makeup could result in
ingesting radioactive material; for this reason, the activities are not allowed in
Contamination Areas.
3. Requirements for exiting posted contamination areas.
RadCon Standard recommends that individuals allowed unescorted entry into
Contamination Areas:
a. Exit only at step-off pad.
• A step-off pad provides a “barrier” between contaminated and other
areas to prevent or control the spread of contamination between areas.
Correct use of step-off pads is included in the practical factors
exercise.
• If more than one step-off pad is used, the final step-off pad is “clean,”
outside the exit point, and adjacent to the boundary of the
Contamination Area.
b. Remove protective clothing carefully and slowly.
Loose contamination on the clothing can be dislodged causing a possible
spread of contamination or even potential inhalation if contamination
becomes airborne.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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c. Perform a personal survey. If contamination is indicated:
• Stay in the area.
• Notify Radiological Control personnel.
• Take action to minimize cross-contamination (e.g., put a glove on a
contaminated hand or tape over contamination on clothing too).
d. Tools or equipment being removed from a posted area must be monitored
prior to release.
e. After exiting and monitoring yourself, it is a good practice to wash your
hands.
C. Dosimetry
Always have proper personnel monitoring that might include:
1. Whole body
Whole-body dosimeter such as a thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) or film
badge.
2. Extremity monitoring
Finger rings, if handling high contact dose rate materials such as P-32.
D. Personnel Protective Clothing (Anti-C)
The degree of clothing required is dependent on the work area, radiological
conditions, and the nature of the job. The use of personnel protective clothing and
equipment is the least desired option. Use of engineering controls such as gloveboxes
or fumehoods is preferred. Standard clothing requirements for research laboratory
work include:
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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• Lab coats with long sleeves that are buttoned or otherwise closed.
• Surgeon's gloves; the gloves may need to protect against radioactive
contaminants as well as other lab hazards applicable, such as acids and
caustics.
• Closed-toed shoes.
• Safety glasses or equivalent for eye protection from eye hazards including
radiological hazards such as from P-32.
1. Proper use of protective clothing
• Inspect all protective clothing for rips, tears, holes, or wear prior to use.
• Personal effects such as watches, rings, jewelry, etc. should not be worn.
• After donning protective clothing, such as anti-contamination clothing,
proceed directly from the dress-out area to the work area. In general, a lab
coat is sufficient to protect the individual at most research laboratories.
• Avoid getting lab coats wet. Wet lab coats provide a means for
contamination to reach the skin/clothing.
• Contact Radiological Control personnel if clothing becomes ripped, torn,
etc. during operations.
2. Eye protection
Safety glasses, goggles, or face shields must be worn to prevent eye
contamination in the event of splashes or droplet contamination. In addition, eye
protection will
EO8 IDENTIFY the proper use of protective clothing.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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provide protection from moderate to high energy beta radiation, such as betas
emitted from P-32.
Section 51
3. Respiratory equipment
Respiratory equipment is used to prevent the inhalation of radioactive materials.
This training course does not qualify a worker to wear respiratory equipment.
Ventilation design should eliminate the need to use respiratory equipment except
in extreme cases.
E. Storage and Containment of Radioactive Material
Containment generally means using vessels, trays, diaper paper, bench tops, etc. to
contain contamination.
1. Storage areas
a. Store large bottles and containers close to the floor.
b. Shelves should:
• Be secured (bolted) to a wall.
• Have lips or restraining cords to prevent bottles from falling.
c. Storage area should be well lit, properly ventilated, and have an even
temperature.
2. Radioactive materials should be properly stored:
• In unbreakable containers; if not possible, secondary containment (the
secondary containment should be able to contain the entire volume of the
primary container).
EO5 IDENTIFY methods used to control radioactive contamination.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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• In stable containers with secure means of closing.
• Away from sinks and drains or other possible pathways that do not collect
in retention tanks.
• Protected from adverse environmental factors.
• Away from combustibles and other fire sources.
• Protected from “unauthorized relocation,” this may include locked
refrigerators and storage cabinets.
• With the outside of the container clearly labeled with contents.
• With provided instructions to open containers.
3. Posting and labeling of storage areas
Room access and cabinets, refrigerators, freezers, etc., that house the container
should be posted or labeled “Caution Radioactive Material” or “Caution
Radioactive Material Storage Area.”
4. Chemical considerations for storage
Segregate incompatibles and store by hazard class. Appendices B and C address
chemical storage in more detail.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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F. Good Housekeeping
“Good housekeeping” is the prime factor in an effective contamination control
program and involves the interactions of all groups within the facility. Each
individual must be dedicated to keeping “his/her house clean” to help control the
spread of contamination.
G. RadCon Required Actions and Good Practices
1. BELIEVE! labels and posted areas.
2. Avoid Contamination and Airborne Radioactivity Areas. These areas should be
isolated from routine operations.
3. Treat Contamination Areas as if everything was contaminated.
4. Minimize the number of items carried or placed into potentially contaminated
areas.
5. Use proper and functional radiation detection instrumentation.
6. Do not eat, drink, apply makeup, etc.
7. Always wash hands upon completion of work.
H. Special Precautions for Liquids
Radioactive solutions are a potential source of radioactive contamination if they are
spilled or allowed to evaporate. A particular concern of a spill is that it may be a
source of airborne radioactivity. In addition, when radioactive material is in a
solution, it can be carried to places not normally accessible, e.g., under equipment.
1. Handling liquids
EO5 IDENTIFY methods used to control radioactive contamination.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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Standard good practices for handling liquids include:
• Use appropriate gloves for liquids being handled.
• Protect personal clothing.
• Work in a tray with absorbent paper.
• Use mechanical pipettes and dilutors (NEVER pipette by mouth).
• Work in a properly vented area.
Section 52
• Report any spills or suspected spills.
2. Preventing spills
The best way to handle a spill is to prevent it in the first place by:
• Storing materials unless in use.
• Limiting quantities to what is needed.
• Keeping work area clean and free of obstructions.
• Using stable containers with secure means of closure.
• Avoiding unstable (top heavy) containers or arrangements.
• Using secondary containment for liquids.
• Leaking containers
• Report all suspected leaks immediately to the Radiological Control
Organization.
• If the material is highly toxic, evacuate everyone from the area.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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• Leaking containers should be placed in a fume hood if it can be done
safely.
4. Handling spills
One simple method utilized for response to spills is the acronym SWIMS,
which stands for:
• Stop the spill.
• Warn others.
• Isolate the area.
• Minimize exposure.
• Secure the ventilation system. If the spill involves volatile chemical or
volatile or gaseous radionuclides, the ventilation may need to be left on.
• As previously discussed, report the spill to the Radiological Control
Organization.
EO9 IDENTIFY the appropriate response to a spill of radioactive material.
DOE-HDBK-1106-97
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V. RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
A. Segregation
Segregate waste by waste stream category and half-life to facilitate storage,
minimization, and disposal.
B. Waste Storage
Each laboratory should have a designated location for storing waste. Radioactive
waste should be stored separately from hazardous waste. This location should be out
of the way of normal lab activities, but easily accessible, recognizable, and properly
labeled and shielded.
Liquid waste materials should be kept in secondary containers and segregated by
hazard class. Secondary containers may be lab trays or any device that will contain
110 percent of the largest container.
C. Sharps
Contaminated syringes, glass pipettes, and other sharp items must be placed in a
specifically designed, rigid container.
D. Methods for Minimizing Waste
1. Minimize waste generation
a. Confine operations: Confine operations with radioactive materials to as
small an area as possible.
b. Minimize materials: Minimize materials introduced into radioactive
material handling areas.
E05 IDENTIFY methods for reducing radioactive waste.
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c. Segregate: Segregate clean materials from radioactive materials. Do not
dispose of clean materials in radioactive waste containers.
d. Good housekeeping: Contamination control measures such as covering
benches, etc. generate waste. On the other hand, decontamination generates
a great deal of waste. Good housekeeping, following procedures,
minimizing bench areas, and secondary containment can reduce the amount
of coverings required.
2. Storage for Decay
a. Storage: Some radionuclides have a short half-life and can be stored, with
appropriate DOE approval, for decay. Normal storage times are 10 half-
lives. The waste must be surveyed prior to disposal to ensure it is below
disposal criteria.
b. Substitution: Substitute shorter-lived for longer-lived radionuclides, if
possible.
3. Disposal via Sanitary Sewer
Disposal of small quantities via sanitary sewer is available to some facilities.
Add facility-specific information.
4. Disposal of specific waste per 10 CFR 20.2005
In accordance with Part 20.2005, NRC licensees may dispose of the following
as if it were not radioactive:
a. Liquid scintillation counting media: Liquid scintillation counting media
Section 53
containing 0.05 microcuries or less per gram of medium of H-3 or C-14.
b. Animal carcasses: Animal carcasses containing 0.05 microcuries or less per
gram of animal tissue (averaged over the weight of the entire animal) of H-
3 or C-14.
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5. Volume reduction
a. Compaction: May produce reduction factors of up to 5 to 1.
b. Shredding: May produce reduction factors of up to 12 to 1.
c. Incineration: Difficult under present regulations and political climate;
allowed under 10 CFR 20.2004. Currently, scintillation fluids are
incinerated by commercially licensed vendors.
E. Mixed Waste
Mixed waste is exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to dispose of at this time.
Currently, DOE has a self-imposed moratorium on the off-site shipment of
RCRA/TSCA waste suspected of having radioactivity. This moratorium was
instituted by the DOE Office of Waste Management (EM-30).
1. The EM-30 Performance Objective (PO) for Certification of Non-radioactive
Hazardous Wastes was developed in 1991 and is currently under revision. This
PO was developed to guide DOE sites in addressing the issue of hazardous waste
that contains added radioactivity.
2. Ways to avoid generating mixed waste:
• Use non-hazardous cleaning materials for decontamination whenever
possible.
• Segregate “radioactive only” from “hazardous only” at the source.
• Explore the use of other materials that are non-hazardous for use in
radiological areas to prevent the generation of mixed waste.
• Discontinue use of non-biodegradable (organic solvent based) liquid
scintillation media. Biodegradable liquid scintillation media are available.
• Some States are more restrictive than the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) in their listing of those scintillation cocktails that are
biodegradable.
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• Organic solvents with a flash point below 60oC (140oF) may be classified as
“ignitable,” thus creating a mixed waste where disposal may not be possible.
If the flash point is above 140oF, the organic solvent may not be considered
as ignitable; however, these materials must be handled and disposed of with
extreme caution.
3. Other methods for facilitating disposal:
• Do not combine solvents with metals; disposal is very difficult. Examples are
lead or mercury combined with solvents.
• Generally, it is a good idea to separate organics and inorganics whenever
possible to facilitate disposal.
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VI. MONITORING FOR CONTAMINATION
While handling unsealed radioactive materials, you should monitor your hands frequently
as you work. Monitor your hands, feet, sleeves, and lab coat when leaving the work station
or laboratory. It is common to find contamination on the lab coat where you may be leaning
against your work station.
A. Contamination Monitoring Equipment
Always use radiation survey meters. Tritium and certain other isotopes, such as C-14,
cannot be detected with a thin-window G-M survey instrument. For these isotopes,
wipe tests, which are counted in a liquid scintillation counter, are required.
1. Purpose
Contamination-monitoring equipment is used to detect radioactive contamination
of personnel and work areas.
2. Selection of proper survey instrument
Most hand-held survey instruments are calibrated to a Cesium-137 source.
Correction factors for the specific radionuclide being monitored should be known
when surveying. Often the survey instrument will over or under respond when
monitoring for beta or alpha radiation.
Section 54
3. Pre-operational Checks
Perform pre-operational checks before work:
• Confirm calibration is current.
• Verify that battery is OK.
E011 IDENTIFY the purpose and use of personnel contamination monitors.
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• Perform an audio check (audio response is immediate, while needle response
takes time to stabilize.
• Ensure instrument responds to source.
• Verify that background count rate is normal.
Variation of daily counting results.
B. Conducting Surveys - General
1. Survey hands before picking the probe up.
2. Hold the probe approximately ½ inch from surface being surveyed.
3. Move probe slowly over surface to be surveyed, approximately 2 inches per
second.
C. Area Surveys
1. Frequently monitor work areas.
2. Monitor upon completion of work (or prior to taking a break and leaving the
work area).
3. Monitor at least every 2 hours for work in progress.
4. Wipe surveys should be performed on equipment and areas where survey
instruments are not adequate to monitor contamination.
D. Personnel Surveys
1. Proceed to survey in the following typical order:
• Head (pause at mouth and nose for approximately 5 seconds).
• Neck and shoulders.
• Arms (pause at each elbow), hands, wrists; especially where gloves end.
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• Chest and abdomen.
• Back, hips, and seat of pants.
• Legs and cuffs.
• Shoe tops.
• Shoe bottoms (pause at sole and heel).
2. The whole-body survey should take approximately 3 minutes. A full whole-body
survey or frisk is not generally necessary for routine bench-top operations unless
a spill occurs or contamination is found on the hands or face. The survey should
be done before removing the lab coat and repeated on personal clothing if
contamination is found. If contamination is detected, take proper steps as
addressed below in Section E.
3. If the count rate increases during frisking (such as the audible signal), pause for
5-10 seconds over the area to provide adequate time for instrument response.
4. Carefully return the probe to holder.
5. Keep the instrument close to the work area to facilitate frequent checking of
hands and fingers.
E. Detection of Contamination
If contamination is indicated:
1. Remain in the immediate area.
2. Notify Radiological Control personnel.
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3. Minimize cross-contamination (such as putting a glove on a contaminated hand
until decontamination can be attempted).
F. Release of Materials
1. Release to Controlled Areas.
Release from potentially contaminated areas to Controlled Areas is covered by
10 CFR 835. Equipment and materials released from a potentially contaminated
area must be surveyed and released under a formal program. If surveys indicate
the presence of removable contamination at levels greater than 10 CFR 835
Appendix D, the materials may be moved to another posted area. Appropriate
controls must be established. Appropriate controls should include:
• Surveys of materials before movement.
• Containment of materials during transit.
• Establishment of approved transit routes.
• Survey of transit route after movement (if materials exhibited removable
contamination).
Reference: 10 CFR 835.1101(b)
If surveys indicate presence of fixed contamination only (removable
contamination less than 10 CFR 835 Appendix D values), the items may be
released to the controlled area if:
• Routine surveys are performed to ensure contamination remains fixed to
surface.
• The item must be clearly labeled or tagged to warn others of the
contamination.
• Written procedures must be established to control such items.
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Reference: 10 CFR 835.1101(c)
2. Unre