Results of surface activity and radiation field measurements made during surface decontamination experiments conducted at TMI-2

The loss of coolant accident at TMI-2 exposed about 22,000 square meters of concrete and metal surfaces within the reactor building to liquid and vapor-phase radionuclide contamination. During the course of the accident, floors and walls of the auxiliary fuel handling building were also contaminated. Since 1981 the decontamination of these surfaces has been conducted using water spray, strippable coating, and scabbling techniques. These decontamination studies have helped determine the distribution of radionuclides on building surfaces, and the nature of the radionuclide penetration into surface coatings. In addition, in situ radiological surveys of decontamination effectiveness were performed. This paper reviews the results of these surface decontamination studies and presents conclusions on the nature and extent of reactor building contamination as a consequence of the TMI-2 accident