Minimum Detectable Concentrations with Typical Radiation Survey Instruments forVarious Contaminants and Field Conditions

摘要

This document describes and quantitatively evaluates the effects of variousfactors on the detection sensitivity of commercially available portable field instruments being used to conduct radiological surveys in support of decommissioning. The purpose of this study was two-fold. First, the data were used to determine the validity of the theoretical minimum detectable concentrations (MDCs) used in the GEIS. Second, the results of the study, published herein, provide guidance to licensees for (1) selection and proper use of portable survey instruments and (2) understanding the field conditions and the extent to which the capabilities of those instruments can be limited. The types of instruments commonly used in field radiological surveys that were evaluated included, in part, gas proportional, Geiger-Mueller (GM), zinc sulfide (ZnS) scintillation, and sodium iodide (NaI) scintillation detectors.