Free Release

[erollins <erollins@conterra.com>]

I am seeking information pertaining to methods acceptable to the NRC for determining the presence 
or absence of byproduct and other types of radioactive material in waste streams (not effluents).  
Agreement state authorities are requiring that hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal 
facilities (TSDs) obtain certifications from their clients (hazardous waste generators) that waste 
submitted for treatment, storage, or disposal is free of radioactive material.  This presumably 
refers to licensed or unlicensed byproduct material, source material, and transuranics.  The 
agreement state authorities go on to say that this determination must be made in accordance with 
NRC guidance.

Is anyone aware of NRU guidance documents that outline methodologies and acceptance criteria 
(instrument types and required sensitivities) for unconditional release of potentially contaminated 
material?  Of particular interest are references that include acceptable methods and sensitivities 
for volumetric (not surface contamination limits) measurements of materials potentially 
contaminated with tritium, pure beta emitters, and transuranics.