Part 2. Release and Transportation of Radioactive Material

DOE-STD-1098-99

Radiological Control

Radioactive Materials

June 2004

PART 2 Release and Transportation of Radioactive Material

421 Release to Controlled Areas

Once materials and equipment have entered radiological areas controlled for surface contamination or airborne

radioactivity, comprehensive and time -consuming evaluations of the potential for contamination are required prior to

releasing the material or equipment to controlled areas. Likewise, exposure of certain materials and equipme nt to a beam

of neutrons or other particles produced in a nuclear reactor or particle accelerator may result in activation of that material

or equipment, resulting in the creation of radioactive material requiring controlled use, storage, and disposal. The need

for evaluation of the radiological characteristics of these materials and equipment and implementation of appropriate

controls provides substantial impetus for implementation of measures to limit the amount of material and equipment that

enters radiological areas and to prevent contamination or activation of materials and equipment that do enter these areas.

Accessible surfaces of material or equipment that has entered contamination, high contamination, or airborne

radioactivity areas shall be surveyed prior to release from these areas to controlled areas [see 835.1101(a)].

Guidance for conducting these surveys is provided in the footnotes to Table 2-2.

If an assessment of the prior use of the material or equipment indicates that inaccessible surfaces are not likely to be

contaminated in excess of applicable limits, a complete survey of accessible surfaces and documentation of the

assessment may be an appropriate basis to release materials to the controlled area [see 835.1101(a)(2)].

If an assessment of the prior use of the material or equipment indicates that inaccessible surfaces are likely to be

contaminated to levels in excess of the Table 2-2 values, then the material shall not be released from the radiological

area, except as permitted under Article 421.5 or 421.6 [see 835.1101(a)(2)]. If it is necessary to release the material or

equipment from the radiological area, the material or equipment should be disassembled to the extent necessary to

perform adequate surveys.

Removable contamination levels shall be less than Table 2-2 values prior to releasing material and equipment for

unrestricted use in controlled areas [see 835.1101(a)(1) & (a)(2)].

Material and equipment with fixed contamination levels that exceed the total contamination values specified in Table

2-2, and removable contamination levels less than Table 2-2 values, may be released for restricted use in controlled

areas outside of radiological areas [see 835.1101(c) & (c)(1)]. The material or equipment shall be routinely monitored

and clearly marked or labeled to alert individuals to the contaminated status [see 835.1101(c)(2)]. Written

procedures should be developed to establish requirements for monitoring of the material or equipment and

surrounding areas, control of access to these areas, authorized uses of the material or equipment, and contingency

plans for spread of radioactive contamination.

Material and equipment with total or removable contamination levels exceeding Table 2-2 values may be moved on

site from one radiological area to another if appropriate monitoring is performed and appropriate controls are

established and implemented [see 835.1101(b)]. These controls should include provisions for containment to the

extent practicable, labeling in accordance with Article 412, monitoring and control of the transfer route and

participating individuals, and control of spills.

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