re: Personal contamination goals

[Lester Slaback <Lester.Slaback@NIST.GOV>]

Why are such criteria separate and distinct from total exposure? 
Are there separate microrem whole body exposure goals and separate
millirem extremity goals, shallow dose goals, etc?  
Are skin exposures from contamination the dominant mode of radiation
exposure at power plants?
Or is this just a residue of pre-1994 regulations where internal exposure
and contamination were excessively controlled regardless of external
exposure?
Seriously, are there significant radiation exposure issues involved (not
counting hot particles) or is this simply an ALARA/cleanliness
issue?

Disclaimer:  the above are the personal musings of the author, and do not represent any past, present, or future position of NIST, the U.S. government, or anyone else who might think that they are in a position of authority.
Lester Slaback, Jr.  [Lester.Slaback@NIST.GOV]
NBSR Health Physics
Center for Neutron Research
NIST
100 Bureau Dr.  STOP 3543
Gaithersburg, MD  20899-3543
301 975-5810 voice
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