Use of DAC-Hours for Radiation Work Permit Suspension Guides and Validation of Respiratory Equipment Selection at the Savannah River Site

Conference · Thu Oct 30 04:00:00 EST 2003

OSTI ID:817233

Hadlock, D J

Historically, the Savannah River Site, like many Department of Energy sites, has used some multiple of the expected Derived Air Concentration (DAC) of a radionuclide as a suspension guide for Radiological Work Permits (RWP) or validation of selected respiratory protection equipment. The term DAC expresses the concentration of a radionuclide in air, typically in mCi/cc. Even though the term DAC is derived from an intake of radioactivity (Annual Limit on Intake) that would result in defined estimated dose to a worker, knowing only the DAC value does not allow a worker's potential dose to be determined. Recently, the Savannah Rive Site has converted to the use of DAC-hours for RWP suspension guides and respiratory equipment validation. The term DAC-hr takes into account not only the concentration of the radionuclide in air (DAC) but also the time the individual was exposed allowing an estimate of a worker's dose to be determined. The conversion to DAC-hrs resulted in four benefits to the radiation protection program without increasing the risk to workers; (1) consistency with the constant air monitor (CAM) alarm setpoint protocol; (2) consistency with Internal Dosimetry terminology; (3) an a priori determination of the potential risk to a worker; and (4) reduced complexity/error in field calculations. This paper outlines the justification for the conversion to DAC-hrs, the protocols used for field and count room calculations, and the implementation process utilized at the Savannah River Site

• Research Organization: Savannah River Site (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Department of Energy (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-96SR18500
• OSTI ID: 817233
• Report Number(s): WSRC-MS-2003-00660
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY
CONCENTRATION RATIO
DOSIMETRY
RADIATION MONITORS
RADIATION PROTECTION
RADIOISOTOPES
RESPIRATORS
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
VALIDATION