Appendix F Release of Potentially Contaminated Material

DOE-HDBK-1106-97

Radiological Contamination Control Training

for Laboratory Research

Student's Guide

APPENDIX F

RELEASE OF POTENTIALLY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL - DOE ORDER 5400.5

1.0

Surface Contamination Levels

Prior to being released, property should be surveyed to determine whether both removable and total

surface contamination (including contamination present on and under any coating) is greater than

the levels given in the DOE Order 5400.5.

2.0

Potential For Contamination

Property should be considered to be potentially contaminated if it has been used or stored in

radiological areas that could contain unconfined radioactive material or that are exposed to beams

of particles capable of causing activation.

Material and Equipment in Radiological Areas established to control surface or airborne radioactive

material shall be treated as potentially contaminated.

3.0

Inaccessible Areas

Where potentially contaminated surfaces are not accessible for measurement, such property may be

released after case-by-case evaluation and documentation based on both the history of its use and

available measurements demonstrate that the unsurveyable surfaces are likely to be within the

release criteria.

4.0

Volume Contamination

EH-412 has provided guidance for release of material that has been contaminated with tritium

(reference DOE 1995). Other materials may be released if criteria and survey techniques are

approved by DOE.

5.0

Items With Fixed Contamination

Under exceptional conditions, materials and equipment with fixed contamination that exceeds the

release criteria may be released for use in Controlled Areas outside of Radiological Areas. As a

condition of such release, the removable contamination levels must be below the level specified in

Appendix D of 10 CFR 835. The materials shall be routinely monitored, clearly labeled and/or

F-1