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Results of Airborne/Dust Concentration



Many thanks to all who responded with information.  This is a complicated issue
and many hours of research have been dedicated to the derivation of thumbrules
and assumptions.  The real example and proposed solution I came up with are as
follows:

Given a pile of gypsum (calcium sulfate) with known concentrations of
Ra-226/228 (sample analysis) of 25 pci/g, if the air is monitored with a PDM-3
MiniRam for particulate matter, the nuisance dust level for gypsum as per the
ACGIH TLV Book is 10 mg/m3.  A conservative estimate based on studies
(performed by Dames & More Risk Assessment Group)at the INEL facilities
indicate a maximum concentration of radionuclides caused by intrusive
activities would be 30%.  If 30% of the 10 mg/m3 was due to Ra-226 alone, the
activity of the air is 7.5E-10 uci/ml.  As per 10CFR20 App B the DAC for Ra-226
is 3E-10 uci/ml.  Therefore if real time monitoring is performed and nuisance
dust is maintained below 10 mg/m3 (via wetting of the soil) the DAC for Ra-226
will never be reached.