Technical considerations for using in situ gamma spectroscopy in conducting final status surveys

Facilities undergoing decommissioning are required to conduct radiological surveys to initially characterize contaminants, guide remediation activities, and demonstrate that cleanup criteria have been met, based on screening or site-specific derived concentration guideline levels. This paper presents a number of technical considerations, not all inclusive, associated with the use of in situ gamma spectroscopy that should be addressed when such a method is proposed for conducting final status surveys. The technical issues identified here do not yet reflect the policy of the NRC on this subject.