L. Decontamination and Shielding Requirements

2. Decontamination of Areas and Equipment

  1. To determine the extent of contamination, careful contamination (wipe) surveys of the area should be performed. Preceding wipe surveys with a direct radiation survey is helpful if the radiation can be detected by a portable survey instrument (e.g., survey meter). If gross (>50,000 cpm) or widespread contamination is detected, immediately notify the RSO.
  2. If the surveys indicate contamination of large areas, it is helpful to define the contaminated area by outlining it with tape.
  3. Minimum protection for personnel performing decontamination procedures includes disposable gloves, protective clothing (e.g., lab coats or "scrubs"), personnel monitoring devices (whole body and ring badges - if required) and shoe covers if it is necessary for individuals to walk within the contaminated area.
  4. All supplies utilized for decontamination should be assembled and placed within reach of the contaminated area before beginning the procedure.
  5. It is important to decontaminate from the lowest area of contamination to the highest area of contamination (e.g., from the periphery to the center of the spill area).
  6. Initial decontamination efforts should be carried out with standard cleaning solutions (e.g., detergent and water). Commercial decontaminates or scouring powder may also be used. Care should be exercised to prevent excess water from spreading the contamination.
  7. Decontamination materials (e.g., paper towels or other absorbent material) should be used liberally and changed frequently. In some severe cases, such material may only be used to wipe an area once and then disposed.
  8. Be careful not to contaminate decontamination solutions. After a contaminated area is wiped, do not reintroduce the contaminated absorbent pad or toweling into the decontamination solution.
  9. All supplies used in the decontamination process should be treated as radioactive waste and placed in an appropriately labeled container.
  10. Decontamination efforts should be continued until the residual contamination is reduced to below 200 cpm/100 cm2 and direct radiation exposure is less than 2 mR/hr at 30 cm. If decontaminated levels appear to be unattainable, the RSO should be contacted immediately.
  11. Decontamination results should be evaluated by performing wipe surveys on the area. It is also important to perform direct radiation surveys (for high energy beta and gamma emitting radionuclides) to determine the presence of fixed versus removable contamination. Survey results should be documented in the same manner as routine surveys. In addition, any required reports to the RSO should include the results of all surveys.

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