Glossary cont'd - doe-std-1128-98

DOE-STD-1128-98

as low as is reasonably achievable (ALARA): The approach to radiation protection to manage

and control exposures (both individual and collective) to the work force and to the general public

to as low as is reasonable, taking into account social, technical, economic, practical, and public

policy considerations. ALARA is not a dose limit but a process which has the objective of

attaining doses as far below the applicable limits of 10 CFR 835 as is reasonably achievable. (10

CFR 835)

bioassay: The determination of kinds, quantities, or concentrations, and, in some cases, locations

of radioactive material in the human body, whether by direct measurement or by analysis, and

evaluation of radioactive materials excreted or removed from the human body. (10 CFR 835)

breathing zone air monitoring: Actions conducted to detect and quantify the radiological

conditions of air from the general volume of air breathed by the worker, usually at a height of 1 to

2 meters. See personal air monitoring. (Workplace Air Monitoring IG)

contamination area: Any area where removable contamination levels are greater than the

removable values specified in appendix D of 10 CFR 835, but less than or equal to 100 times

those levels. (10 CFR 835)

continuous air monitor (CAM): An instrument that continuously samples and measures the

levels of airborne radioactive materials on a "real-time" basis and has alarm capabilities at preset

levels.

contractor: Any entity under contract with the Department of Energy with the responsibility to

perform activities at a DOE site or facility. (10 CFR 835)

controlled area: Any area to which access is managed in order to protect individuals from

exposure to radiation and/or radioactive material. (10 CFR 835)

decontamination: The process of removing radioactive contamination and materials from

personnel, equipment or areas. (RCS)

Department of Energy operations: Those activities funded by DOE for which DOE has

authority to enforce for environmental protection, safety, and health protection requirements.

(DOE Order 5484.1)

Department of Energy site: Either a tract owned by DOE or a tract leased or otherwise made

available to the Federal Government under terms that afford to the Department of Energy rights

of access and control substantially equal to those that the Department of Energy would possess if

it were the holder of the fee (or pertinent interest therein) as agent of and on behalf of the

Government. One or more DOE operations/program activities are carried out within the

boundaries of the described tract. (DOE Order 5484.1)

derived air concentration (DAC): For the radionuclides listed in appendix A of 10 CFR 835, the

airborne concentration that equals the ALI divided by the volume of air breathed by an average

worker for a working year of 2000 hours (assuming a breathing volume of 2400 m3). For the

radionuclides listed in appendix C of this part, the air immersion DACs were calculated for a

continuous, non-shielded exposure via immersion in a semi-infinite atmospheric cloud. The value

is based upon the derived airborne concentration found in Table 1 of the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency's Federal Guidance

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