ASTM E1760

1.1 This guide covers the techniques for obtaining approval for release of materials encountered in decontamination and decommissioning (DD) from restricted use. It applies to materials that do not meet any of the requirements for regulatory control because of radioactivity content. shows the logic diagram for determining the materials that could be considered for release. Materials that negotiate this logic tree are referred to as "candidate for release based on dose."

1.2 The objective of this guide is to provide a methodology for distinguishing between material that must be carefully isolated to prevent human contact from that that can be recycled or otherwise disposed of. It applies to material in which the radioactivity is dispersed more or less uniformly throughout the volume of the material (termed residual in bulk form) as opposed to surface contaminated objects.

1.3 Surface contaminated objects are materials externally contaminated with radioactive material. Provisions already exist for their release for recycle if it can be shown that they meet applicable federal and state regulations for surface contamination. Regulatory Guide 1.86 and DOE Order 5400.5 specify the upper limits for radioactive surface contamination on material to be released for unrestricted use.

1.4 The release of material containing residual radioactive material (except for ²²⁶Ra) in bulk form (for example, soil or slightly activated metal) is based on the demonstration that the dose to a member of the public will be lower than a specified value (proposed by the petitioner or to be determined by future regulation) for its intended use and lower than a second specified value (also proposed by the petitioner or to be determined by future regulation) via the most restrictive plausible scenario. The first proposed value should be lower than the second since the dose to any member of the public (via the intended use scenario) will almost certainly be realized, whereas the dose from the alternate scenario will only accrue if an unintended (and presumably less probably) circumstance arises. Federal regulation already exists for the release of ₂₂₆Ra contaminated soils

2. Referenced Documents

E1278 Guide for Radioactive Pathway Methodology for Release of Sites Following Decommissioning
10 CFR 61, Licensing Requirements for Land Disposal of Radioactive Waste
10 CFR 60, Disposal of High-Level Radioactive Wastes in Geological Repositories
40 CFR 712, Chemical Information Rules
40 CFR 268, Land Disposal Restrictions
40 CFR 261, Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste
40 CFR 192, Health and Environmental Protection Standards for Uranium and Thorium Mill Tailings
40 CFR 716, Health and Safety Data Reporting
40 CFR 117, Determination of Reportable Quantities for Hazardous Substances
ANI/MAELU Information Bulletin 80-1A, Nuclear Liability Insurance Records Retention
DOE Order 5400.5, Radiation Protection of the Public and the Environment
NUREG/CR-5512, Residual Radioactive Contamination from Decommissioning
Regulatory Guide 1.86, Termination of Operating Licenses for Nuclear Reactors
Safety Series No. 111-P-1.1, Application of Exemption Principles to the Recycle and Reuse of Materials from Nuclear Facilities

Index Terms

decontamination and decommissioning; radiologically contaminated materials; release of materials; ICS Number Code 13.030.40

Citing ASTM Standards

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