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21 November 2009

Answer to Question #651 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Doses and Dose Calculations — Internal dose calculations

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

A question routinely comes up about estimating occupational exposure to personnel that may work on a radioactively contaminated site. I've used resuspension factors to calculate an estimated dose equivalent from surface contamination being kicked up into the air. Other than using something like RESRAD, is there another technique that can be used to estimate exposure from radionuclide values given as a concentration in soil (e.g., pCi/g to pCi/ml)?

I am not aware of methods other than those mentioned—that is, manual and computer-code calculations using resuspension models. Both methods should yield comparable results since the codes are, for the most part, based on the same published values—such as those found in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Guides 11 and 12. It should be noted, however, that there is a great amount of uncertainty associated with resuspension factors and inhalation parameters. Robert L. Coleman Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Answer posted on 19 February 2001. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.