Appendix A: Glossary

DOE-STD-1128-98

Guide of Good Practices for Occupational Radiological Protection in Plutonium Facilities

APPENDIX A

GLOSSARY

abnormal situation: Unplanned event or condition that adversely affects, potentially affects or indicates

degradation in the safety, security, environmental or health protection performance or operation of a

facility. (RCS)

absorbed dose: The energy absorbed by matter from ionizing radiation per unit mass of irradiated

material at the place of interest in that material. The absorbed dose is expressed in units of rad (or gray)

(1 rad = 0.01 gray). (10 CFR 835)

activity median aerodynamic diameter: The diameter of a sphere having a density of 1 g cm-3 with the

same terminal settling velocity in air as that of the aerosol particle whose activity is the median for the

entire aerosol. (Internal Dosimetry IG)

air sampling: A form of air monitoring in which an air sample is collected and analyzed at a later time,

sometimes referred to as retrospective air monitoring.

air monitoring: Actions to detect and quantify airborne radiological conditions by the collection of an

air sample and the subsequent analysis either in real-time or off line laboratory analysis of the amount and

type of radioactive material present in the workplace atmosphere. (Internal Dosimetry IG)

airborne radioactive material: Radioactive material in any chemical or physical form that is dissolved,

mixed, suspended, or otherwise entrained in air.

airborne radioactivity area: Any area, accessible to individuals, where:

(1)

The 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 this part; or

(2)

An individual present in the area without respiratory protection could receive an

intake exceeding 12 DAC-hours in a week. (10 CFR 835)

alarm set point: The count rate at which a continuous air monitor will alarm, usually set to correspond

to a specific airborne radioactive material concentration by calculating the sample medium buildup rate.

ambient air: The general air in the area of interest (e.g., the general room atmosphere) as distinct from a

specific stream or volume of air that may have different properties.

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 rem (0.05 sievert) or a committed dose equivalent of 50 rem (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. (10 CFR 835)

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