ABSTRACT

Dose modeling as an integral part of decommissioning is a relatively new phenomenon1. The driver behind this is, of course, the NRC’s decommissioning rule-making that provides a dose-basis for unrestricted release. This chapter will acquaint the reader with some of the basics in how dose modeling intersects with decommissioning planning. While this chapter will by no means cover all aspects of dose modeling, it will provide a way to get started-understanding the importance of modeling exposure pathways and scenarios determining whether to expend resources on site-specific parameters, and calculating DCGLs and area factors. Precisely because this is such a complex part of decommissioning, it is recommended that the decommissioning team include someone designated as the ‘modeling expert’. This role becomes increasingly important as the scope and complexity of the decommissioning project increases. For starters, the modeling expert should be well-versed in both the D&D and RESRAD modeling codes, and their supporting documentation, such as the four volume NUREG/CR-5512 series, NUREG-1549 and the RESRAD manuals.