1.1 This practice covers the decontamination of field equipment used in the sampling of soils, soil gas, sludges, surface water, and ground water at waste sites known or suspected of containing low level radioactive wastes.

1.2 This practice is applicable at sites where low level radioactive wastes are known or suspected to exist. This practice may also be applicable for the decontamination of equipment used in known or suspected transuranic, or mixed wastes when used by itself or in conjunction with Practice D5088.

1.3 Procedures are contained in this practice for the decontamination of equipment that comes into contact with the sample matrix (sample contacting equipment), and for ancillary equipment that has not contacted the sample, but may have become contaminated during use (non-contacting equipment).

1.4 This practice is applicable to most conventional sampling equipment constructed of metallic and hard, smooth synthetic materials. Materials with rough or porous surfaces, or having a high sorption rate should not be used in radioactive waste sampling due to the difficulties with decontamination.

1.5 In those cases where sampling will be periodically performed, such as sampling of wells, consideration should be given to the use of dedicated sampling equipment if legitimate concerns exist for the production of undesirable or unmanageable waste byproducts, or both, during the decontamination of tools and equipment.

1.6 This practice does not address regulatory requirements for personnel protection or decontamination, or for the handling, labeling, shipping or storing of wastes, or samples. Specific radiological release requirements and limits must be determined by users in accordance with local, state and federal regulations.

1.7 For additional information see DOE Publication DOE/EH-0256T, DOE Order 5480.5, DOE Order 5480.11, and 10CFR, Part 834.

1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.

1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 6.