Transportation of radioactive material in Georgia. Transportation surveillance study, October 1979-September 1980

This report describes the third year study, covering the period October 1979 through September 1980, conducted by the State of Georgia and the Georgia Institute of Technology, under NRC/DOT contract, to monitor radioactive material transport through Georgia. During the three years of the study, 12,000 radioactive material packages per year moved through the State, with 97% of the packages containing radiopharmaceuticals. Fuel cycle and low-level waste material accounted for 1,200 surface vehicle trips per year, while medical/industrial/research radioactive material accounted for 2,100 trips per year. Vehicle and package inspections uncovered infrequent violations, none of which posed serious threats to worker or public health and safety. Of 148 transport workers deemed most likely to be exposed to radiation, personnel monitoring with thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD's) showed only half received doses above background levels. The majority of workers in the highest dose category (above 500 mR/yr) were drivers of interstate vehicles carrying only radioactive material. Practices for reducing these radiation exposures are discussed in the report