Application of MARSSIM and MARLAP Concepts to the Interpretation of Sample Data for Determining the Presence of Radioactivity
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Buffalo District, 1766 Niagara St, Buffalo, NY 14207 (United States)
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) conducts cleanups of radioactive wastes at radiologically contaminated sites around the country that are part of the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP). At these sites environmental media are surveyed or sampled, and the results are used to guide decision-making, e.g., to help define the extent of radiological contamination and to determine if remediated areas may be released. USACE routinely implements the guidance of the Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Manual (MARSSIM) and the Multi-Agency Radiological Laboratory Analytical Protocols Manual (MARLAP) in its remediation work. Contractors and analytical laboratories frequently ignore the recommendations of MARSSIM and MARLAP for the interpretation of analytical data to determine the presence or absence of radioactive material. Many times radiological data are compared to a 'detection level' (LD or SD) or their activity equivalent, the 'minimum detectable activity' (MDA). However, current guidance uses a different criteria for comparison. MARSSIM and MARLAP suggest comparing radiological results to a 'critical level' (Lc or Sc) and not to an LD, SD or MDA. In MARSSIM and MARLAP, a positive result for radioactivity is one exceeding the 'critical level'. If radiological data are compared to the L D or MDA a 'U' or 'non-detect' qualifier may be placed on the data when it is possible that the 'critical level' has been exceeded. In addition, decisions using the MDA may not meet the project's data quality objectives (DQOs). It may be important to re-evaluate the interpretation of radiological data so that consistent criteria are applied to remediation decision-making. (authors)
- Research Organization:
- WM Symposia, Inc., PO Box 13023, Tucson, AZ, 85732-3023 (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 21208650
- Report Number(s):
- INIS-US--09-WM-06162
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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