Indicators of Possible Area Contamination - doe-hdbk-1106-97

DOE-HDBK-1106-97

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.

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.

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.