Role of personal air sampling in radiation safety programs and results of a laboratory evaluation of personal air-sampling equipment

Recommended applications for personal air sampling in NRC licensee radiation protection programs are presented. The recommendations are based on performance tests of currently available samplers, a review of research and regulatory literature, and a survey of current licensee air-sampling programs. The performance tests show that personal air samplers are available which can provide a reliable, convenient means for breathing-zone sampling of workers in practically any work environment which might be encountered in the licensee industries. The research literature emphasized that estimates of an individual's exposure may be greatly underestimated if based on general area air samples, as is common practice in current licensee programs, due to the unpredictable variability of airborne-activity concentrations in the worksite. Research concerning the applicability of air-sampling measurements for estimating intake, uptake, and internal dose was also reviewed. These studies indicate that although breathing-zone activity measurements might provide the best (although not always accurate) means to estimate intake, estimates of uptake and internal dose usually should be made with bioassay or whole body counting. Other information on practical aspects of personal air sampling and related exposure control efforts are presented in the report. 27 refs., 15 figs., 18 tabs