Emergency environmental monitoring practices at U.S. nuclear power reactor sites

Nuclear power reactor licensees are required by the U.S Code of Federal regulations, 10 CFR 50. 47 and 10 CFR 50 Appendis E, to be able to monitor and assess the offsite radiological consequences of an emergency condition at each reactor site. This capability is practiced and demonstrated regularity during drills and emergency response exercises evaluated by NRC inspectors. Licensees use a wide variety of different types of transportation, sampling and measuring techniques, survey instruments, recording and reporting methods and contamination control practices in meeting the requirements, This paper discusses the purpose of the environmental monitoring requirements, reviews common mistakes noted during drills and exercise, and presents a summary of good emergency environmental monitoring practice