Health physics manual of good practices for the prompt detection of airborne plutonium in the workplace

Technical Report · Fri Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6926403· OSTI ID:6926403

This manual provides guidance to US Department of Energy (DOE) facilities on the prompt detection of airborne plutonium in the workplace. Information is first given to aid in detection systems that will function effectively in various workplaces. Steps in designing a system are covered: its general requirements, the plotting of workplace sources of plutonium, and methods of determining workplace airflow patterns. Guidance is provided on the proper numbers and locations of probe sites, the orientation of probes for representative sampling, and the mixture of stationary and portable probes. Recommendations for delivery in sampling systems include examination of particle loss and self-absorption problems, methods of eliminating air leakage in the system, and optimization of decontamination capabilities. System flow rate, requirements in a collection medium, burial loss and pressure drop, and prudent frequency of renewing the collection medium are among air sampling considerations covered. After a discussion of controlling airflow and of vacuum sources and system backups, the checkpoints to ensure system reliability are listed. The manual then discusses instrument specifications that provide correct airborne plutonium concentrations and reliably activate alarms. Focusing on the interrelationship of all components, essential factors in instrument reliability are addressed: the regulatory lower limit of detection and performance specifications of detectors and filters, maintenance and calibration requirements, and features of commonly used plutonium air-sampling instruments. Finally, the manual advises on establishing a documentation program to archive and evaluate the performance of a plutonium air-sampling program.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6926403
• Report Number(s): PNL-6612; ON: DE88017191
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
AIR SAMPLERS
EVALUATION
SPECIFICATIONS
PLUTONIUM
DETECTION
US DOE
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
AIR CLEANING
AIR CLEANING SYSTEMS
AIR FLOW
CALIBRATION
DECONTAMINATION
MAINTENANCE
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
PARTICULATES
RELIABILITY
STANDARDS
ACTINIDES
CLEANING
ELEMENTS
ENGINEERED SAFETY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
METALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PARTICLES
SAFETY
SAMPLERS
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
US ORGANIZATIONS
500300* - Environment
Atmospheric- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
054000 - Nuclear Fuels- Health & Safety
440300 - Miscellaneous Instruments- (-1989)
290300 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety