Re: NCRP/NRC recommendations on dose limits for hot particles

[William V Lipton <liptonw@dteenergy.com>]

The issue has become moot since the new 10 CFR 20 took effect.  Under the
old 10 CFR 20, the dose limit to the skin was 7.5 rems per calendar
quarter.  There was a good chance of exceeding this dose from a hot
particle.  A typical "fuel flea" could give you this dose through your
protective clothing in less than an hour.  Thus, even though the risk from
exposure to a small surface area is minimal, this generated a reportable
event.  Under the new 10 CFR 20, the skin dose limit is 50 rems per year.
This is unlikely to be exceeded by a hot particle exposure.

The opinionx expressed are strictly mine.
It's not about dose, it's about trust.

Bill Lipton
liptonw@dteenergy.com


Monty Charles wrote:

> Dear Colleagues
> Some weeks ago radsafe carried some discussion of NRC
> interim guidance which gave a significant relaxation in the skin dose
> limit for hot particle exposures.  This was on the basis of an as yet
> unpublished NCRP report - which I understand is to be published very
> soon. What is the current status of the NRC proposal?
> Dr Monty Charles, Reader in Radiation Physics
> School of Physics & Space Research
> University of Birmingham
> Edgbaston
> Birmingham B15 2TT
> England
> TEL +44  0121 414 3483
> FAX +44  0121 414 4725
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