Program Elements - Continued - STD-1128-98master0256

DOE-STD-1128-98

Guide of Good Practices for Occupational Radiological Protection in Plutonium Facilities

Consequence assessment procedures should provide for the rapid retrieval

and analysis of sample media from any fixed samplers that may be operating

in an area affected by a plutonium release. The procedures should specify

the type of measurements to be done on those sample media, including any

instrument settings, conversion factors, or adjustments needed to produce

useful results in the shortest time possible.

(f)

Protective Actions. The Protective Action Guides (PAGs) published by the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, 1991) have been adopted by DOE as its basic

protective action criteria for planning and response. The evacuation PAG for the early

phase of a radiological incident is 1 rem (TEDE) under normal conditions and up to 5

rem under conditions where evacuation might pose excessive hazards to the population

(adverse weather, etc.).

Because the dose from intake of long-lived radionuclides like plutonium is

delivered over a period of many years, the dose increment actually received in

any given year is a small fraction of the total dose commitment. The

Introduction to the Emergency Management Guide (DOE, 1997) and related

guidance authorize use of the 5 rem protective action threshold for planning and

hazards assessment purposes when a large fraction of the dose from a

radionuclide mixture will be delivered over a period of years following the

exposure.

(g) Medical Support. If the potential exists for large intakes of plutonium, the emergency

management program should include specific planning for the quantification of

exposure, diagnosis of health effects, and treatment. Medical facilities providing

emergency medical support should be provided with references relating to plutonium

toxicity and treatment protocols. Criteria for implementing treatments such as surgical

excision of contaminated tissue, lung lavage, or use of chelating agents should be

discussed with the medical staff and sources of real-time advice and assistance should

be identified.

(h) Recovery and Reentry. The specific properties of the hazardous material do not

significantly affect the content of this program element.

(i)

Public Information. The specific properties of the hazardous material do not

significantly affect the content of this program element.

(j)

Emergency Facilities and Equipment. Except for instruments and analysis methods

used in consequence assessment, little by way of specialized facilities and equipment

will be required to meet the emergency management program needs of plutonium

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