RE: DOT vs NRC/DOE Regs

[CARL SPEER <speercl@earthlink.net>]

Free release contamination limits in DOE Rad Con Manual Table 2.2 are set at 20 dpm/100 sq. cm alpha and 1000 dpm/100sq. cm beta (removable) but 49 CFR 173 removable external contamination limits are 2.2 dpm/sq. cm alpha and 22 dpm/sq.cm beta.  Transportation of RAM outside of the DOE world would seem less restrictive . . . 

Does anyone have any rules of thumb for estimating quantities of  alpha, beta and gamma emitting radionuclides in contaminated environmental samples based on gross alpha/beta/gamma field screening measurements?  How can you estimate if it is close to the 2000pCi/g limit based on gross alpha/beta/gamma field screening measurements?  If the samples are over 2000pCi/gram how can you estimate the activity of each nuclide  for the A2 values?  The samples are soil and water that are over ambient background. 

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