Program Elements - doe-std-1128-98

DOE-STD-1128-98

Plume depletion during transport. As it is transported downwind, an aerosol

plume will be depleted by gravitational settling of particles. Because of the

high density of plutonium and its compounds, this depletion effect can be very

significant in reducing the dose. Therefore, a consequence model that accounts

for plume depletion by gravitational settling should be used. When analyzing

consequences of any postulated accidental criticality, any model selected

should account for the decay during transport of short-lived fission product

gases.

Ground deposition. Following passage of a plume, the amount of plutonium

deposited on the ground will determine whether long-term intervention to

minimize the dose to the resident population will be required. The consequence

model selected should calculate ground deposition to support protective action

planning.

9.2.2

Program Elements

Properties and characteristics of plutonium and its compounds must be considered

in formulating the emergency management program elements. Following are

specific program element considerations related to the hazardous properties of

plutonium.

(a)

Emergency Response Organization. The primary influence of plutonium's

hazardous properties on the Emergency Response Organization (ERO) is in

the staffing of the consequence assessment component. As will be discussed

in e) below, staff should be assigned to the ERO who are knowledgeable of

and able to quantitatively evaluate the radiological aspects of the hazard.

(b)

Offsite Response Interfaces. The specific properties of the hazardous

material do not significantly affect the content of this program element.

(c)

Operational Emergency Event Classes. As with all hazardous materials,

classification of emergencies for plutonium facilities should be based on the

predicted consequences at specific receptor locations, as compared with

numerical criteria for taking protective action (total effective dose

equivalent). The classification of the postulated event or condition should be

determined during the hazards assessment process and the observable

features and indications identified as Emergency Action Levels (EALs) for

that event/condition.

(d)

Notification. The specific properties of the hazardous material do not

significantly affect the content of this program element.

(e)

Consequence Assessment. As discussed in section 9.3.1 c) and e), models

and calculational methods used for consequence assessment should be

appropriate to the physical, chemical, and radiological properties of the

hazards. Models used to calculate and project the radiological consequences

of a release of plutonium should be the same ones used in the hazards

assessment process. If the same models are not used, the differences between

outputs should be characterized and documented to avoid the potential for

confusion and indecision during response to an actual emergency. The

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