Glossary cont'd - doe-std-1136-20040228

DOE-STD -1136-2004

Guide of Good Practices for Occupational Radiation Protection in Uranium Facilities

as low as reas onably 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: A form of air monitoring that is used to detect and quantify the

radiological conditions of air from the general volume of air breathed by the individual, usually at a height

of 1 to 2 meters. See personal air monitoring. (Air Monitoring Guide )

contamination area: Any area, accessible to individuals, where removable surface contamination

levels exceed or are likely to exceed the removable surface contamination values specified in

appendix D of this part, but do not exceed 100 times those values. (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 alarm set points.

(Air Monitoring Guide )

contractor: Any entity under contract with the Department of Energy with the responsib ility to perform

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

decontamination: The process of removing radioactive contamination and materials from personnel,

equipment, or areas.

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

authority over environmental, safety, and health protection requirements.

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.

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, nonshielded exposure via immersion

in a semi- infinite atmospheric cloud. The value is based upon the DAC found in Table 1 of the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency's Federal Guidance Report No. 11, Limiting Values of Radionuclide

Intake and Air Concentration and Dose Conversion Factors for Inhalation, Submersion, and Ingestion,

published September 1988. (10 CFR 835)

detector: A device or component designed to produce a quantifiable response to ionizing radiation,

normally measured electronically. (Portable Monitoring Instrument Calibration Guide )

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