Re: Technical basis for 100 cm^2

["Bates Estabrooks -WIPP Site - N.M." <besta@tis.eh.doe.gov>]

At 09:05 PM 9/23/96 -0500, you wrote:
>     What do you mean by "Rickover Days"?  It wasn't that long ago. Or was 
>     it?  I'm glad to see someone still remembers the basic training.
>
>
>______________________________ Reply Separator
_________________________________
>Subject: Technical basis for 100 cm^2
>Author:  radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu at INTERNET
>Date:    9/23/96 4:46 PM
>
>
>     
>To the best of my knowledge, I think the technical basis for using 100 cm^2 
>when surveying for loose contamination comes from Naval Nuclear Power, during 
>the "Rickover Days", and is based on the following: 
>     
> (1) Smears tend to disintegrate when surveying areas greater than 100 
>cm^2.   (the original smears were paper chemistry filters) 
>     
> (2) 100 is a convenient number to use when performing calculations in 
>your head. 
>  (RadCon Math) 
>     
> (3) 100 cm^2 is approximately the area of clothing that would be 
>contaminated if   a individual brushed against a contaminated 
>surface. 
>     
>I hope this info can help.
>     
>
>
>


The "Rickover Days"  ended in 1981 when Pres. Reagan rather unceremoniously
retired him.  15 years ago is getting to be quite a while back.  My
understanding is though, that much of his legacy lives on.
Bates Estabrooks
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
WIPP-  Radiological  Ccontrols
505-234-8470
fax: 505-885-4562
besta@tis.eh.doe.gov

Comments expressed are my own; not my employer or U.S. DOE (unless otherwise
stated).