ABSTRACT
As discussed in the previous chapter, a major factor influencing survey instrument selection is detection sensitivity. The detection sensitivity of an instrument or measurement procedure is often given by the term minimum detectable concentration (MDC). The value of the MDC for field survey instruments and laboratory analyses in relation to the DCGLs is necessary, in particular, to assess compliance with the MARSSIM recommendation that detection sensitivities for direct measurements of surface activity and laboratory analyses of soil samples be less than 50% of the appropriate DCGLW. The MDC of field survey instruments relative to the derived concentration guideline levels is a major factor affecting the planning and design of final status surveys.
