Release of Potentially Contaminated Material

DOE-HDBK-1106-97

APPENDIX F

RELEASE OF POTENTIALLY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL

- DOE ORDER 5400.5, Ch.2

1.0

Surface Contamination Levels

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.

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