Decontamination - doe-hdbk-1106-97

DOE-HDBK-1106-97

Lesson Plan

Instructor's Notes

VII. DECONTAMINATION

Decontamination is the removal of radioactive materials from

locations where it is not wanted. This does not result in the

disappearance of radioactive material, but involves the removal

of the radioactive materials to another location.

DISCUSS who makes the

A. Decontamination or Not

decision when to

decontaminate.

If the presence of loose contamination is discovered,

decontamination is a valuable means of control.

In some situations, this is not always possible.

1. Economical conditions

Cost of time and labor to decontaminate location

outweighs the hazards of the contamination present.

2. Radiological conditions

Radiation dose rates or other radiological conditions

present hazards that far exceed the benefits of

decontamination.

B. Preventive Methods

1. Identifying and repairing leaks before they become a

serious problem.