ASTM International

Standard Practices for Decontamination of Sampling and Non Sample Contacting Equipment Used at Low Level Radioactive Waste Sites
 N D5608

Annotation

These practices cover the decontamination of sampling and non-sample contacting equipment used in the sampling of soils, soil gas, sludges, surface water and groundwater at waste sites known or suspected of containing low level radioactive wastes. It may also have application for decontamination of sampling and heavy construction equipment used during remediation activities.

This practice is applicable at sites where low level radioactive wastes are known or suspected to exist. This practice may also be applicable for the decontamination of equipment used in known or suspected transuranic, or mixed wastes when used by itself or in conjunction with Practice D5088.

Procedures are contained in this practice for the decontamination of equipment that comes into contact with the sample matrix (sample contacting equipment), and for ancillary equipment that has not contacted the sample, but may have become contaminated during use (non-contacting equipment). For sample contacting equipment there are four separate procedures (Procedure A through D) in Section 8. For noncontacting equipment, one procedure is presented as covered in Section 9.

The user is reminded of the importance of proper decontamination planning to minimize the amount of decontamination wastes generated and to reduce or eliminate the use of cleaning agents that are themselves hazardous materials. Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) radiological surveys and samples that document decontamination effectiveness can be used to modify or enhance decontamination techniques.

This practice is applicable to most conventional sampling equipment constructed of metallic and hard, smooth synthetic materials. Materials with rough or porous surfaces, or having a high sorption rate should not be used in radioactive waste sampling due to the difficulties with decontamination.