Internal hazard controls - DOE-HDBK-1145-2001

Radiological Safety Training for Plutonium Facilities

DOEHDBK11452001

Student's Guide

4. Source reduction the source of the radiation

can be reduced by decontamination, better

storage methods, or elimination of the source

altogether. Extremity dose can be reduced by

periodically sweeping/wiping the plutonium dust

from the inside of the gloveboxes and gloves.

Protective clothing, commonly of Tyvex

material, is used to keep contamination off

personal clothing and skin. It does not stop the

external radiation exposure (except alpha rays),

but it helps prevent the spread of contamination

both onto and into the body.

C. Internal hazard controls

During operations in which there is a potential

to breach a containment system (such as glove

changes or seal-outs) and create airborne

radioactivity, respiratory protection is the primary

method of preventing internal dose from inhalation.

To minimize the possibility of inhalation, individuals

must ensure the physical integrity of the respirator,

obtain a good seal, and ensure the protection

factor of the respirator is adequate.

There are also methods to prevent injection

wounds (such as placing leather gloves over

glovebox gloves or ensuring there are no sharp

objects inside containments). If personnel have

any suspicion of an injection wound, they should

immediately seek the assistance of the site

radiological control organization.