Guide for radiological characterization and measurements for decommissioning of US Department of Energy surplus facilities

In-situ determination of radionuclide levels in facilities to be decommissioned using the allowable residual contamination level method

“…One of the most expensive parts of decommissioning a facility is determining the inventories of radionuclides present. The usual method involves collecting samples of concrete, paint, piping, sediment, etc., in a statistically valid manner for laboratory-based radiochemical analysis (Denham, Baines and Jaquish 1983;Holaway et al 1981;West, Umbarger and Dempsey 1978). An in-situ method for determining the inventories of radionuclides may provide quicker turnaround on sample analyses, at a reduced cost, and with the potential for providing more accurate determinations of contamination levels.…”