Contamination control monitoring at the Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Plutonium Facility
- Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Plutonium airborne contamination creates a particular hazard because of the possibility of intake by inhalation. To preclude excursions of radioactive materials into the operator’s breathing zone, controls are used to prevent contamination. Measures to control radioactive contamination include eliminating or minimizing the spread of contamination and preventing cross-contamination. Contamination control philosophy at the plutonium facility is conveyed in one simple statement: Detect the contamination closest to the source as possible! Speed and distance when self-monitoring is critical to detecting plutonium contamination. Responding correctly to an alarm or monitor not working properly minimizes the consequences of plutonium contamination. Performing a full body frisking correctly and using the Peerchecking tool also minimize the consequences of plutonium contamination.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- Grant/Contract Number:
- 89233218CNA000001
- OSTI ID:
- 1492670
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-18-27118
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Chemical Health and Safety, Vol. 25, Issue 2; ISSN 1871-5532
- Publisher:
- ElsevierCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Minimum detectable activity and false alarm rate relationships for alpha continuous air monitors
Tonopah Test Range Air Monitoring: CY2018 Meteorological, Radiological, and Wind Transported Particulate Observations