Man do I love this topic! It went South a little, but it is back on track again.
Gosh am I great HP? Yes, I am one of the best that God ever made. Did I do NRRPT? Nope, never felt the need to prove myself that way, although I could pass it. I went to school and got a bachelors and masters degree in IT.
My @$$ is on the line here, because I don't hide behind a fake name. My real name is out there when I post these things. Think about it!
These things need discussion, for sure. OK, back on topic. Some people in EPA and protestors want nuclear to go to E-6 risk limits. That is impossible, becaue of natural background. To go to E-6 limits, we would have to dig up the entire planet and bury it on Mars, LOL!
Clean is a thing negotiated with your regulating bodies. Clean is what they accept.
We have a good crew of people here. We go with the ALARA concept. We basically get rid of it all and that so far has been "reasonably achievable" We have a lower limit than the rest of the country's nuclear sites, 15 mRem per year as opposed to 25 mRem per year. We go to non-detectable all of the time, and it is always reasonable.
We may be the first site to achieve release, a few years from now. From experience, if you can achieve this, do it!
I know that ALARA concepts may dictate different results from other sites. In that case, you have to look at limits and leave residual radioactivity behind. It can be done, but speculation and innuendo would agitate people who disagree. E-6 is not achievable, but ALARA is. We have proven that here.
ALARA is your best friend!