Air and Surface Contamination

Question 1

State the purposes of airborne radioactivity limits.

Answer 1

1. Prevent inhalation of airborne radioactivity from causing significant internal radiation dose.
2. Preclude the need to monitor non-radiation workers in uncontrolled spaces.

Question 2

State the airborne radioactivity limits for NNPP and Nuclear Weapons Program.

Answer 2

NNPP: 1 x 10^-9 uCi/ml
- This is 1/10th DAC, <500 mrem/yr or <10 mrem/wk.
Nuclear Weapons: 100 uCi/m3 by the AN/PDR-73 (Tritium- H3).

Question 3

State the airborne radioactivity levels and the proper respiratory protection needed for NNPP.

Answer 3

1. 1E-9 uCi/ml to 1E-7 uCi/ml: Full-face filtered respirator (Mark V)
2. 1E-7 uCi/ml to 1E-6 uCi/ml: Forced Air supply (EAB/SCBA)
3. 1E-6 uCi/ml: No personnel entry.
   All areas posted “Caution Airborne Radioactivity Area.”

Question 4

Name the 3 methods for controlling airborne exposure for NNPP and give examples of each.

Answer 4

1. Engineering Controls: drapes, glovebags, Engineered ventilation, HEPA filtration.
2. Administrative Controls: Establish Airborne radioactivity limits, limit surface contamination levels.
3. PPE: Respiratory protection, Mark V, EABs, SCBAs, Anti-contamination clothing.

Question 5

State the purpose of surface contamination limits.

Answer 5

Minimize ingestion/inhalation of radioactivity, minimize the environmental buildup of radioactivity, and control external radiation exposure.

Question 6

State the loose surface contamination limits for alpha, beta, gamma for NNPP.

Answer 6

Beta and Gamma: Loose contam. removed by dry wipes 450 uuCi/100cm2 or by direct frisk.
Alpha: Undetectable (MDA = 50 uuCi/frisk)
(This is 2 separate EOs, it will be on the test)

Question 7

List three precautions involving a Controlled Surface Contamination Area (CSCA).

Answer 7

1. Control Point Area (CPA) and watch are required for access.
2. Boundaries and posting required.
3. No eating, drinking, smoking, chewing, etc.
4. Anti-C’s required.

Question 8

Discuss the waterborne and potable water limits.

Answer 8

Drinking normal quantities of water, you will not exceed whole body exposure limits in one year.

Question 9

State the waterborne contamination limits for nuclear powered vessels.

Answer 9

Nuclear powered ships/IMAs: 5E-7 uCi/ml

Non-nuclear Ships: 1E-6 uCi/ml

Question 10

State the requirements for diver radiologic controls.

Answer 10

1. Dosimetry required within 50 ft of the reactor compartment.
2. Prior to diving, brief on locations of the reactor compartment, sea chests for reactor systems, and radioactive liquid waste discharges.
3. When the reactor is critical, or for 15 minutes after, no diver may approach within 10ft of any hull surface in way of the Reactor Compartment.
4. From 15minutes to 24 hours, can be <10ft, but must have 10 minute max stay time with SIPD/EPD. If a need for further diving, they may only return after TLD/EPD reading has occurred.
5. Divers shall not touch sea chests for reactor systems or radioactive liquid wast sea discharges unless rubber gloves are worn. If they touch radioactive material, they shall be towel dried, whole body frisked with suit on, then the suit removed, the diver towel dried, and the frisk is repeated.