ABSTRACT
The release of solid materials for unrestricted use-or clearance as it is referred to in the D&D vernacular-has been a hot-button issue for years. e debate primarily centers on whether there is an acceptable (i.e., safe) level of residual radioactivity that can remain on (or in) scrap metal, concrete construction materials, soil, and so on so that they can be released for continued use in commerce, or whether they must be disposed of as radioactive waste. Over the years, many organizations have studied and provided guidance on the clearance of materials and equipment, including the DOE, EPA, NRC, States, HPS/ANSI, as well as international bodies, such as the IAEA, European Commission (EC), and Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA).
