Selection of Proper Packaging

DOE-HDBK-1129-99

The advantage to using the limited quantity excepted packaging is that it is excepted from

specification packaging, marking, labeling, and, if not a hazardous substance or hazardous

waste, it is also excepted from the shipping paper and certification requirements of the HMR.

LSA is a quantity of Class 7 (radioactive) material with limited specific activity. Shielding

materials surrounding the LSA material may not be considered in determining the estimated

average specific activity of the package contents. The definition for LSA was recently revised

into three groups: LSA-I, LSA-II, and LSA-III. Type A packages, which are discussed later, are

limited to an A2 quantity of radioactivity where the quantity A2 is listed in the regulatory

documentation for each individual radioactive material. The A2 quantity for tritium is 40 TBq

(1080 Ci) per Type A package. The LSA activity limits are based on the Type A package A2

quantity limit. The definitions for these groups are provided below.

-- LSA-I is defined as contaminated earth, concrete, rubble, other debris, and activated

material in which the radioactive material is essentially uniformly distributed and the

average specific activity does not exceed 10-6A2/g. For tritium, the maximum allowable

specific activity for LSA-I is 4 x 10-5 TBq/g (0.001 Ci/g, 1 Ci/kg, or 2.2 lb/Ci).

-- LSA-II is defined as either water with tritium concentration up to 0.8 TBq/L (20.0 Ci/L) or

material in which Class 7 (radioactive) material is essentially uniformly distributed and the

average specific activity does not exceed 10-4A2/g for solids and gases and 10-5A2/g for

liquids. For tritium-contaminated solids or gases, the maximum allowable specific activity is

0.004 TBq/g (0.1 Ci/g, 100 Ci/kg). The resulting limit for tritium-contaminated liquid (other

than tritiated water) is 4 x 10-4 TBq/g (0.01 Ci/g).

-- LSA-III is defined as solids such as consolidated wastes or activated materials that meet

the testing requirements of 49 CFR 173.468 (water leach test) and the following

requirements:

The Class 7 (radioactive) material is essentially uniformly distributed throughout a solid

or a collection of solid objects or essentially uniformly distributed in a solid compact

binding agent (such as concrete, bitumen, or ceramic).

The Class 7 (radioactive) material is relatively insoluble, or is intrinsically contained in a

relatively insoluble material, so that, even under loss of packaging, the loss of Class 7

(radioactive) material per package by leaching when placed in water for seven days

would not exceed 0.1 A2. The resulting limit for tritium is 4 TBq (108 Ci).

The average specific activity of the solid does not exceed 2 x 10-3A2/g. The resulting

limit for tritium is 0.08 TBq/g (2.16 Ci/g).

The advantage to using LSA instead of Type A packaging is that, for exclusive use shipments, bulk

and strong, tight packaging can be used in some cases, if authorized. In addition, LSA packages

are excepted from the marking and labeling requirements of 49 CFR 173 Subpart I.

SCO is similar to LSA but is limited to a solid object that is not itself radioactive but has Class 7

(radioactive) material distributed on any of its surfaces. SCO is divided into two groups, SCO-I

and SCO-II. The definitions are provided below.

-- SCO-I is defined as a solid object that meets all of the following requirements:

The nonfixed contamination on the accessible surface averaged over 300 cm2 (or the

area of the surface if less than 300 cm2) does not exceed 4 Bq/cm2 (10-4 Ci/c m 2) for

beta emitters such as tritium.