Purpose of Air Monitoring - STD-1128-98master0098

DOE-STD-1128-98

Guide of Good Practices for Occupational Radiological Protection in Plutonium Facilities

anticipated abnormal events by facility design features and personnel protective equipment.

As stated above, this is an extremely challenging goal for those facilities in environmental

remediation. The conditions encountered in decommissioning and environmental restoration

will typically place a heavy reliance on administrative controls.

4.1.2 Purpose of Air Monitoring

Airborne contamination surveys are performed for the following reasons:

Prompt detection of airborne contaminants for worker protection.

Personnel exposure assessment.

Monitoring of trends within the workplace.

Special studies.

Of primary importance is the prompt detection of airborne contaminants. The rapid, early

detection of airborne releases requires knowledge of the potential sources and characteristics

of the airborne material, the locations of the personnel who are at risk, and the capabilities of

the detection devices. Optimally, the samples should be taken between the source and the

person to intercept the airborne materials before they reach the individual. With the

numerous sources and mobility of the workers, interception under all conditions is difficult,

if not impossible, to achieve. To aid in early detection samples of airborne materials should

be taken as close to their points of origin as practicable to maximize the probability of their

detection (airborne concentrations are at a maximum at their points of origin). Detailed

guidance for the placement of air samplers and monitors, selection of system characteristics

and requirements, and maintenance and calibration of the equipment is available in the

Health Physics Manual of Good Practices for the Prompt Detection of Airborne Plutonium

in the Workplace (Mishima et al., 1988) and Air Sampling in the Workplace (NRC, 1993).

4.1.3 Regulations and Limits

The regulations for control of radiation work are covered in 10 CFR 835 (DOE, 1998a).

Additional requirements and guidance for implementation is provided in the DOE standard,

Radiological Control (DOE, 1999a), and the Implementation Guides. While many of the

topics included in the Implementation Guides relate to plutonium contamination control,

specific guidance on contamination control has not been provided. The limits established

for plutonium and other transuranic elements for contamination areas, high contamination

areas, and airborne radioactivity areas are given in 10 CFR 835.603 and Appendix D of 10

CFR 835 and are summarized in Table 4.1.

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