Performing Contamination Surveys

I. Introduction:
Regular contamination surveys are an essential part of any radiation
laboratory safety program. Contamination surveys should only be
performed by trained radiation workers. Ensuring radioactive materials are
completely accounted for is one of the primary responsibilities of a
radiation worker. Controlling surface contamination is necessary to limit
external dose rates and the threat of radioactive materials going airborne.
Radioactive material controls and regulations are governed by the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission (NRC) and University policy.

Contamination surveys are used to check whether a surface is free of radioactive material. Often times
when performing this check, the radioactive material is not able to be seen. For this reason, a conservative
approach is always used. Surveys should be performed on all surfaces that can potentially become
contaminated in the working area. These surfaces include: furnishings, walls, floors, and test equipment.

Direct all questions or concerns to your lab supervisor or the Penn State Health Physics office:
(814) 865-6391

II. Precautions:
If at any time radiation levels are greater than 100 CPM above background, then consider the area
contaminated.

Block off the contaminated area by setting up conservative boundaries

Call Penn States Health Physics (HP) office at (814) 865-6391
Do not let anyone enter the area until HP arrives. If discovered after hours, lock the laboratory
and post as a contaminated area.

III. Equipment:
1. Ludlum Model 3 and frisker probe
2. Contamination control equipment as required by university Policy
3. Rubber gloves

IV. References:
1. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Radiation Controls: https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-
collections/cfr/part020/
2. Penn State Health Physics: https://ehs.psu.edu/radiation-protection
V. Procedure:
Prior to conducting a contamination survey, the detector pre-operational checks must be performed.
These checks are performed prior to using any type of handheld radiation detector. Ensuring the
detector is in proper working condition is essential to determining an area free of contamination. Using
a malfunctioning detector could result in a false negative, and put the health of people using the lab in
danger.

Physical Integrity:
Examine the detectors physical condition. Specific things to look for are:
Detector housing covers are tight. No detector internals are
visible
The meter covering is intact
The mylar film on the detector face is not punctured

Calibration:
Examine calibration sticker (figure 5). Specific things to look for:
Serial number of the sticker matches the serial number of the
detector Figure 1 - Ludlum Model 3 with Frisker Probe
Ensure detector calibration is not expired

Figure 2 - Standard Calibration Sticker

Battery:
Turn the scale select knob to BATT (figure 5) and ensure the needle moves to the BAT TEST area.
This is shown in green on figure 6.

Figure 3 - Battery Check and Speaker Figure 4 Satisfactory Battery Check

Source:
Ensure the detector responds to a known source by doing the following:
Examine the calibration sticker, determine expected source response (ex. 500 CPM in figure 4)
Place detector face near the source
Check that detector indicates within +/- 20% of expected value

Now that detector operability has been verified, the contamination survey can be performed.

1. Select the lowest scale

i. The lowest setting is selected to make detector response more noticeable for low level
radiation

2. Verify the speaker is turned on. Refer to figure 5

i. The speaker adds another indication of increases radiation levels

3. Obtain a background count

i. Hold the detector away from the potentially contaminated surface
ii. Read the count rate obtained. This is the natural radiation background level. As you
conduct the survey, use the natural background count rate as the zero point

4. Hold detector approximately 1 cm about the surface to be surveyed

Note:
1 cm is approximately the thickness of your finger. Holding the detector further away could
reduce radiation readings.

Avoid contact of the probe and potentially contaminated surfaces

5. Conduct contamination survey:

i. Sweep across the area at approximately 2-3 inches per second

Note:
The detector has a small-time delay. Surveying to quickly will result in missing
contamination

ii. Pay careful attention to the detector meter and the speaker. Slowly sweep any area that
gives an increased count rate

Note:
Radioactive decay is a random process. Small spikes in background radiation are
normal, and may not be indicative of a contaminated surface
 iii. If the detector reads a steady count rate greater than 100 cpm above background level,
perform the actions detailed in the precautions portion of this procedure (Section II)
The following 2 figures indicate a background of 140 cpm and a reading of 280 cpm. This would
be an indication of a contaminated surface.

Figure 5 Background Count of 140 cpm Figure 6 Count of 280 cpm (100 cpm > background)

6. If there is no indication of increased count rate, the area is considered free of

contamination

VI. Troubleshooting:
Radiation detectors are prone to malfunction due to their sensitive equipment and high operating
voltages. These are a few common problems that you may face:

Note:
If a radiation detector is malfunctioning it should not be used. Contact the University Health
Physics office and report any problems. Penn State Radiation Protection office: (814) 865-6391

1. Random sporadic spikes in radiation levels

i. Check for loose wiring between the detector base and probe
ii. Check the tightness of the range selector switch

2. Failed battery check

i. Take the detector to the Health Physics office and ask for a battery replacement. Do Not
attempt to replace the batteries yourself. Voltages in excess of 1500 Vdc are present
within the detector housing

3. Constant reading of zero

i. Check the wiring from the probe to the base module
ii. Inspect the frisker for a punctures mylar window
iii. If the mylar window is damaged, the probe will need to be replaced
Puncturing the window releases the gasses within the probe necessary to detect radiation
VII. References
1. (Figure 1) Radiation Science and Engineering Center. http://www.rsec.psu.edu. Accessed on
November 9, 2017
2. All other figures were taken by Alex Landress. Senior Reactor Operator at the Radiation Science
and Engineering Center.