Section 18.85.210. Radioactivity in effluents to uncontrolled areas.

	(a)  Except as authorized in 18 AAC 85.280 or in (b) of this section, a person may not possess, use, or transfer radioactive  material in a manner that will release to an uncontrolled area radioactive material in concentrations that exceed the limits specified in 10 C.F.R. Part 20, Appendix B, Table 2, revised as of January 1, 2014 and adopted by reference. For purposes of this subsection, concentrations may be averaged over a period not greater than one year.  
	(b)  A person may apply to the department for proposed limits higher than those specified in (a) of this section. The department may approve the proposed limits if the applicant demonstrates that:  
		(1) the applicant has made a reasonable effort to minimize the radioactivity contained in effluents to uncontrolled areas; and  
		(2) it is not likely that radioactive material discharge in the effluent will result in the exposure of an individual to concentrations of radioactive material in air or water exceeding the limits specified in 10 C.F.R. Part 20, Appendix B, Table 2, adopted by reference in (a) of this section.  
	(c)  An application for higher limits pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section shall include information demonstrating that the applicant has made a reasonable effort to minimize the radioactivity discharged in effluents to uncontrolled areas, and shall include, as pertinent  
		(1) information on flow rates, total volume of the effluent, peak concentration of each radionuclide in the effluent, and concentration of each radionuclide in the effluent averaged over a period of one year at the point where the effluent leaves a stack, tube, pipe or similar conduit;  
		(2) a description of the properties of the effluents, including  
			(A) chemical composition;  
			(B) physical characteristics, including suspended solids content in liquid effluents, and nature of gas or aerosol for air effluents;  
			(C) the hydrogen ion concentrations (pH) of liquid effluents; and  
			(D) the size range of particulates in effluents released into air;  
		(3) a description of the anticipated human occupancy in the uncontrolled area where the highest concentration of radioactive material from the effluent is expected, and, in the case of a river or stream, a description of water uses downstream from the point of release of the effluent;  
		(4) information as to the highest concentration of each radionuclide in an uncontrolled area, including anticipated concentrations average over a period of one year  
			(A) in air at any point of human occupancy; or  
			(B) in water at points of use downstream from the point of release of the effluent;  
		(5) the background concentration of radionuclides in the receiving river or stream prior to the release of liquid effluent;  
		(6) a description of the environmental monitoring equipment, including sensitivity of the system, and procedures and calculations to determine concentrations of radionuclides in the uncontrolled area and possible reconcentrations of radionuclides; and  
		(7) a description of the waste treatment facilities and procedures used to reduce the concentration of radionuclides in effluents prior to their release.  
	(d)  For purposes of this section, the concentration limits in 10 C.F.R. Part 20, Appendix B, Table 2, adopted by reference in (a) of this section apply at the boundary of the controlled area. The concentration of radioactive material discharged through a stack, pipe, or similar conduit may be determined with respect to the point where the material leaves the conduit. If the conduit discharges within the controlled area, the concentration at the boundary may be determined by applying appropriate factors for dilution, dispersion, or decay between the point of discharge and the boundary.  
	(e)  In addition to limiting concentration in effluent streams, the department may limit quantities of radioactive materials released in air or water during a specified period of time if the department determines that the daily intake of radioactive material from air, water, or food by a suitable sample of an exposed population group, averaged over a period not exceeding one year, would otherwise exceed the daily intake resulting from continuous exposure to air or water containing one-third the concentration of radioactive materials specified in 10 C.F.R. Part 20, Appendix B, Table 2, adopted by reference in (a) of this section.  
	(f)  The provisions of this section do not apply to disposal of radioactive material into sanitary sewerage systems, which is governed by the provisions of 18 AAC 85.290.  

Authorities

46.03.020;46.03.250;46.03.260

Notes

Reference

18 AAC 85.310

Authority

AS 46.03.020 AS 46.03.250 AS 46.03.260

History

Eff. 9/16/71, Register 39; am 4/9/2009, Register 190; am 7/1/2015, Register 214