[en] Pacific Northwest Laboratory has proposed a method for determining acceptable reidual radioactive contamination levels for the unrestricted public use of decommissioned nuclar facilities. This method compares the calculated maximum annual dose received by a maximum-exposed individual with established annual dose limits. While there is currently no guidance on annual dose limits specifically written for post-decommissioning situations, we feel that such guidance consistent with other existing standards is necessary. An example of the method is presented in this paper based on an assumed dose limit of one millirem. Using existing radiation exposure pathway models and data bases describing the chemical and physical properties of radionculides, we have computed annual doses over fifty years of continuous exposure for an example radionuclide inventory for select organs of reference. Annual dose versus time curves are first presented to illustrate the behavior of specific radionuclides. Next, we show annual dose versus time curves for the example radionuclide inventory to illustrate the composite behavior of a mixture. Finally, the calculated acceptable residual surface contamination of the example inventory corresponding to the assumed dose limit of one millirem is presented. 17 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab