RE: Decay Storage Requirements

["Spell, Bill" <bills@deq.state.la.us>]

In addition to what has been said, (1) it's an easy number to remember, (2) 
it's an easy number to use (multiply and divide by), (3) it allows an 
additional safety factor which will please some "flaming environmentalists," 
but (4) as was said, if the PROPER survey is made and records retained, 
there is absolutely no reason it cannot be released when there is no 
detectable activity with a PROPER survey (this could require more than one 
meter or analysis).  Note the emphasis on PROPER.  This also takes into 
account "large" quantities.

All IMHO.  At least, it will work in Louisiana.  <GRIN>

Bill Spell
bills@deq.state.la.us
 ----------
From: radsafe
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Decay Storage Requirements
Date: Thursday, December 05, 1996 6:57AM

What is the scientific/technical basis for the regulatory requirement of
holding
radioactive wastes for a minimum of 10 half-lives prior to release.  Is 
there
a
technical reference as to why it is not 7 or even 12 for that matter.  The
requirement is always accompanied by the need to survey with conventional
instrumentation.... prior to release. For low activity wastes the 10
half-lives
+ surveys can be overkill.

If a researcher uses radioactivity for an experiment and does a survey of
his/her experiment wastes at the bench top and finds no detectable
radioactivity
on the materials they are not placed in the radioactive waste.  So if one 
was
to
survey wastes which are held for decay after 5 or even 7 half-lives and 
finds
no
detectable activity why can't it be released?

Any technical basis for this requirement would be helpful.