{"data":{"id":"us-va/12vac5-481-3510","jurisdiction":"us-va","citation":"12VAC5-481-3510","heading":"Release for unrestricted use","body":"Each person subject to a license under this part shall:\n\n1. Not transfer or release for unrestricted use facilities or equipment contaminated with TENORM in excess of levels in Table 6.\n\nTable 6.\n\nAcceptable Surface Contamination Levels1 for TENORM\n\nAVERAGE2,3,6\n\nMAXIMUM2,4,6\n\nREMOVABLE2,3,5,6\n\nAlpha\n\n5,000 dpm/100 cm2\n\n15,000 dpm/100 cm2\n\n1,000 dpm/100 cm2\n\nBeta-gamma\n\n5,000 dpm/100 cm2\n\n15,000 dpm/100 cm2\n\n1,000 dpm/100 cm2\n\n1Where surface contamination by both alpha and   beta-gamma emitting nuclides exists, the limits established for alpha and   beta-gamma emitting nuclides should apply independently.\n\n2As used in this table, dpm (disintegrations per   minute) means the rate of emission by radioactive material as determined by   correcting the counts per minute observed by an appropriate detector for   background, efficiency, and geometric factors associated with the instrumentation.\n\n3Measurements of average contamination level   should not be averaged over more than one square meter. For objects of less   surface area, the average should be derived for each object.\n\n4The maximum contamination level applies to an   area of not more than 100 cm2.\n\n5The amount of removable radioactive material per   100 cm2 of surface area should be determined by wiping that area   with dry filter or soft absorbent paper, applying moderate pressure, and   assessing the amount of radioactive material on the wipe with an appropriate   instrument of known efficiency. When removable contamination on objects of   surface area A (where A is less than 100 sq. cm) is determined, the entire   surface should be wiped and the contamination level multiplied by 100/A to   convert a \"per 100 sq. cm\" basis.\n\n6The average and minimum radiation levels   associated with surface contamination resulting from beta-gamma emitters   should not exceed 0.2 mrad/hr (2μGy/hr) at 1 cm, respectively, measured   through not more than 7 milligrams per square centimeter of total absorber.\n\n2. Not transfer or release for unrestricted use equipment contaminated with TENORM in excess of a surface gamma radiation level of 200 μrem/hr at 1 cm excluding natural background; and\n\n3. Not transfer land for unrestricted use where the concentration of radium-226 or radium-228 in soil averaged over any 100 square meters exceeds the background level by more than 185 Bq/kg (5 pCi/gm), averaged over any 15 cm layer of soil below the surface, unless compliance with 12VAC5-481-3490 B through D can be demonstrated.","path":["Title 12. Health","Agency 5. Department of Health","Chapter 481. Virginia Radiation Protection Regulations","Part XVI. Regulation and Licensing of Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM)","Article 7. Notification"],"source_url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title12/agency5/chapter481/section3510/","current_through":"2026 Regular Session (effective July 1, 2026)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T04:50:33Z","sha256":"73b392de50bc0c1bcbdecf98c9f15ce031bf07f1ac01424044c5dbb4a28053a4","source_id":"us-va-vac","stale":false,"prev":"us-va/12vac5-481-3500","next":"us-va/12vac5-481-3520"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}