Protective Actions - doe-std-1136-20040195

DOE-STD-1136-2004

Guide of Good Practices for Occupational Radiation Protection in Uranium Facilities

Environmental air concentrations are commonly measured continuously around the

perimeter of some uranium facilities. Consequence assessment procedures should

provide for the rapid retrieval and analysis of sample media from fixed samplers that

may be operating in an area affected by a uranium release.

9.2.2.6 Protective Actions

Because the health consequences of a given intake of uranium, or its compounds, are highly

dependent on properties such as enrichment, particle size, and solubility, facility and site-specific protective

action criteria stated in terms of observable quantities and features of the release should be developed. In

order for protective action criteria stated in terms of calculated dose or concentration to be valid, the

calculational models should account for the properties of the material.

9.2.2.7 Medical Support

If the potential exists for significant uranium intakes, the emergency management program should

include specific planning for the quantification of exposure, diagnosis of health effects, and treatment.

Medical facilities providing emergency medical support should be provided with references relating to

uranium toxicity and treatment protocols. Criteria for implementing treatments such as surgical excision

of contaminated tissue or use of chelating agents should be discussed with the medical staff and sources

of real-time advice and assistance be identified.

9.2.2.8 Recovery and Reentry

The specific properties of the hazardous material do not significantly affect the content of this

program element.

9.2.2.9 Public Information

The specific properties of the hazardous material do not significantly affect the content of this

program element.

9.2.2.10 Emergency Facilities and Equipment

Except for instruments and analysis methods used in consequence assessment, specialized

facilities and equipment will not be required to meet the emergency management program needs of

uranium facilities. Equipment and analytical techniques for detection and measurement of uranium in

environmental sample media should have sufficient sensitivity to measure levels at or below those

corresponding to decision criteria. Whereas larger sample sizes or longer counting times may be used to

reduce the limit of detection for routine environmental surveillance, time constraints may dictate that more

sensitive techniques be used for emergency response. Kinetic phosporimetry, a fast, sensitive, and accurate

method for direct determination of uranium, permits analysis of many sample media directly or with

limited sample preparation.

9.2.2.11 Training, Drills and Exercises, Program Administration

The specific properties of the hazardous material do not significantly affect the content of these

program elements.

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