U.S. Department of Energy policies, directives, and guidance for radiological control and release of property.
U.S. Department of Energy (U.S. DOE) regulates its operations with a system of rules, directives, and guidance under the Atomic Energy Act. U.S. DOE's policy is to conduct its radiological operations in a manner that ensures the health and safety of its employees, contractors, and the public. U.S. DOE uses an annual dose limit of 100 mrem (1 mSv) with an "as low as reasonably achievable" (ALARA) process to achieve radiological protection. The primary directive for radiation protection of the public and the environment is DOE Order 5400.5. It contains requirements for the protection of the public and the environment from routine operations, including controlling and releasing property. Since the publication of Order 5400.5 in 1990, U.S. DOE has issued guidance for meeting requirements under it; Guide G 441.1-xx consolidates this guidance. DOE applies a dose constraint of 25 mrem y (0.25 mSy y(-1)), plus ALARA, for the release of real property, and 1 mrem y(-1), plus ALARA, for release of personal property. Models and guidance to develop the needed documentation for release of property are easily available and user-friendly. While achieving protection of human health and the environment, U.S. DOE's dose-based release process has resulted in significant cost savings. U.S. DOE has recently adopted a management systems approach for general environmental and public protection programs. The integration of the radiation protection program into this new approach is a high priority.