Source Reduction - doe-std-1128-98

DOE-STD-1128-98

-- Source Reduction. Source reduction should concentration on minimizing or

eliminating the sources of radiation exposure. Reducing the number of areas

with radiological contamination and reducing dose rate are examples of source-

reduction goals. Where the presence of nonradiological hazardous materials

results in mixed waste, the removal of the hazardous material may have

ALARA benefits by reducing the waste classification. Such changes may also

reduce exposure at a later time by eliminating the need to store or further treat

the waste. In these cases, eliminating the hazardous material may be an

appropriate source-reduction ALARA goal.

-- Administrative. Administrative goals typically encompass training, program

improvements, procedure revision, or other administrative-type activities.

Administrative goals are generally qualitative, so it is difficult to develop

endpoints for them. Specific efforts must be made to ensure that adequate

closure mechanisms exist for administrative goals.

During all phases of ALARA goal-setting, the facility health physics personnel

should be intimately involved in providing advice and expertise on ALARA

actions.

When addressing exposure reduction, a cost/benefit analysis should be made to

determine the real cost of implementing a dose reduction plan. The Health Physics

Manual of Good Practices for Reducing Exposures to Levels that are as Low as

Reasonably Achievable (Munson et al., 1988), provides an excellent methodology

for conducting a cost/benefit analysis by health physics personnel.

The application of ALARA principles to the performance of work in the field is the

main objective of any ALARA program. ALARA design, engineering, planning,

and administration come to fruition in maintaining exposures ALARA to workers

and the public. The operational application of ALARA requires cooperation and

coordination of many functional groups, including radiation protection, operations,

maintenance, planning and scheduling, training, engineering, and administration.

The primary responsibility for controlling radiation exposure during operations

rests with the individual and his/her immediate supervisor. The support functions

provide the training, resources, guidance, and measurements, but it is in the

application that the effectiveness of an ALARA program is realized. Operational

measures for controlling exposure must be applied to assure that any work with

radioactive materials is carried out in the safest manner reasonable. Both

engineered and administrative control measures should be used for limiting

exposure.

Engineered controls should be utilized whenever possible. In addition, periodic

verification of the continued effectiveness of these controls should be performed by

facility health physics personnel. Ventilation and filtration systems should be

routinely checked and inspected to assure that operation is maintained within the

design criteria. The integrity of shielding, the reliability of equipment, and the

calibration of instruments should likewise be routinely verified.

Although administrative controls are not an adequate substitute for engineered

features, they are necessary. They are a part of the management systems developed

3-31