Re: Uranium Release Limits

[AndrewsJP@AOL.COM]

In a message dated 6/26/2001 11:39:16 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 

estroud@SMTPGATE.DPHE.STATE.CO.US writes:



> 

>  Radsafers,

>  Can anyone recommend a guidance document, article or opinion concerning

>  the release limits for equipment leaving a uranium mining/milling

>  facility? (I already have Reg Guide 1.86)  Specifically, should the

>  release survey include a check for beta-gamma levels, or is an alpha

>  survey for fixed and removable contamination sufficient?

>  

>  Thanks

>  Ed Stroud

>  CDPHE

>  ed.stroud@state.co.us



With regard to surveying only for alpha radiation for equipment leaving a 

mining and milling operation, you should always check for both alpha and 

beta-gamma radiation and contamination from this kind of facility.  The easy 

way to do the direct surveys is to use one of the detector systems that 

measures both alpha and beta radiation and gives different sounds for each 

kind of radiation detected.  Listening while surveying is by far the fastest 

and most effective survey technique, especially for low level contamination.  

If milling is involved, there are lots of opportunities for the separation of 

the nuclides into various streams, thus providing different alpha to beta 

ratios.  Only both types of surveys can be counted on to detect this kind of 

contamination.  Also alpha surveys are not efficient for thick deposits of 

dirt or other materials as alpha radiation will not penetrate paint or other 

coatings.  Beta and gamma surveys are appropriate as well as administrative 

controls and rules to assure detection of hidden activity.  For large 

equipment, gamma radiation surveys should be used to detect hidden radium 

contamination.



John Andrews

Knoxville, Tennessee

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