Department of Energy (DOE) Radiological Control Manual

Chapter 4 - Radioactive Materials

Part 5 - Control of Radioactive Liquids and Airborne Radioactivity

Table of Contents (Articles 45x)

• 451 Minimization and Control of Radioactive Liquid Wastes
• 452 Control of Radioactive Drains
• 453 Control of Airborne Radioactivity

Article 451 - Minimization and Control of Radioactive Liquid Wastes

1. DOE 5820.2A provides criteria for minimizing the generation of radioactive liquid waste. Minimization should include evaluating operational requirements to reduce liquid usage and maximize recycling activities.

2. A water management program should be maintained to identify, trend and eliminate unnecessary sources of radioactive liquid waste and liquid mixed waste. This program should include aggressive measures to identify and repair leaks.

3. Activities that produce radioactive liquid waste shall be suspended unless sufficient processing, collection and storage capacity is available to accommodate the waste.

4. DOE 5400.5 provides radioactive liquid waste discharge requirements.

5. Radioactive liquid waste discharges should be controlled on a batch basis to enhance monitoring capability and to reduce the potential for inadvertent release.

6. Radioactive liquid waste discharges should be analyzed prior to release, monitored during release and the release terminated before exceeding predetermined limits.

7. Radioactive liquid waste that cannot be discharged shall be solidified and disposed of as solid radioactive waste.

Article 452 - Control of Radioactive Drains

Radioactive drain systems are designed to transport radioactive liquids. Improper use may cause an environmental release.

1. Radioactive drain systems should not discharge to the environment nor be used for the disposal of nonradioactive liquids.

2. Existing radioactive drains should be evaluated to ensure the following:

3. Verification of the existing radioactive drain piping configuration
4. Installation of flow-indicating devices in leak-off lines
5. Use of plugs to prevent nonradioactive input
6. Consideration of alternative work controls before systems are drained for maintenance
7. Controls prohibiting unauthorized use of drains.

• Modifications to the design or operation of existing radioactive drain systems should be controlled to include:

• Design considerations that prevent nonradioactive drain connections into radioactive drains
• Procedural and design controls to prevent cross- connections of radioactive drains with nonradioactive systems
• Management review of subsequent changes to the design of radioactive drain systems or radioactive drain controls
• Management controls to restrict the introduction of hazardous wastes into radioactive drain systems. Return to Chapter 4, Part 5 Table of Contents

Article 453 - Control of Airborne Radioactivity

1. Processes and activities with the potential for producing airborne radioactivity shall include engineering controls to limit releases whenever appropriate. The requirements of 40 CFR 61 shall be included in the evaluation.

2. The Radiological Control Organization shall be notified when engineering controls that prevent worker exposure to airborne radioactivity, such as barriers, gloveboxes and glovebags, are compromised. An evaluation should be made of continuing operations with compromised engineering controls. The use of respiratory protection to continue activities under these conditions is discouraged. Implementation of short-term engineering modifications that provide a commensurate level of worker protection is the preferred alternative.

3. Preventive maintenance and surveillance procedures shall be established to ensure equipment controls are maintained in an operable condition for containment of airborne radioactivity.