Glossary cont'd - hdbk110697

DOE-HDBK-1106-97

GLOSSARY (continued)

and bioassay. Any prospective monitoring results above Investigation Levels will trigger retrospective

monitoring.

Quality Factor: The principal modifying factor used to calculate the dose equivalent from the absorbed

dose; the absorbed dose (expressed in rad or gray) is multiplied by the appropriate quality factor (Q).

Rad: A unit of absorbed dose. The word comes from the acronym Radiation Absorbed Dose and is

equivalent to 100 ergs per gram. It does not take into account the biological effect resulting from the

absorbed dose.

Radioactive Material: Radioactive material includes any material, equipment, or system component

determined to be contaminated or suspected of being contaminated. Radioactive material also includes

activated material, sealed and unsealed sources, and material that emits radiation.

Radioactivity: The process whereby certain nuclides undergo spontaneous disintegration in which energy

is liberated, generally resulting in the formation of new nuclides. The process is accompanied by the

emission of one or more types of radiation, such as alpha particles and gamma photons.

Radiochemical: A molecule or a chemical compound or substance containing one or more radioactive

atoms.

Radiological Area: Any area within a controlled area that must be posted as a "radiation area," "high

radiation area," "very high radiation area," "contamination area," "high contamination area," or "airborne

radioactivity area" in accordance with 10 CFR 835.603.

Radiological Buffer Area (RBA): An intermediate area established to prevent the spread of radioactive

contamination and to protect personnel from radiation exposure.

Radiological Work Permit (RWP): Permit that identifies radiological conditions, establishes worker

protection and monitoring requirements, and contains specific approvals for radiological work activities.