RESPIRATOR REDUCTION AIDS ALARA PROGRAMS AT DOE AND UTILITY NUCLEAR FACILITIES

Recognizing the health and safety problems associated with respiratory protection, the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) published their Guidelines for Radiological Protection at Nuclear Power Stations stating: "Because respirators can increase external exposure by affecting worker efficiency, their use should be minimized. Too often, respirators are used when engineering controls could be used to eliminate or reduce the source of airborne radioactivity." Unfortunately, this recommendation often goes unheeded by industry professionals.

Pentek's dustless decontamination system was originally deployed at SRS eight years ago at an on-site tank farm to ascertain whether it matched criteria for effective engineering controls. During this early experiment, health physics personnel determined that Pentek's self-contained system effectively eliminated the need for respiratory protection, relieving the health concerns of respirator over-usage and permitting the decontamination work to continue in longer shifts. As a result, crews employing Pentek equipment typically work without the burden of respirators or the need for expensive containment structures. "We are very happy with our Pentek system," said Vernon Davis, high level waste supervisor. The success of WSRC's Respirator Usage Reduction program relies heavily on the engineering controls selected to maintain exposures within acceptable levels.

The majority of the flooring was flat and unobstructed-ideal for the MOOSE, Pentek's remotely operated, floor scabbling robot with on-board VAC-PAC HEPA vacuum that collects and packages waste in a single-step dustless procedure. The MOOSE is capable of high production rates and complies with ALARA program goals by allowing the operator to remotely guide the scabbling robot from a vantage point in a low radiation area. While the MOOSE scarified floors to a uniform 1/8-inch (3 mm) depth, crew members attended to harder-to-access areas with hand held CORNER-CUTTER needle guns and SQUIRREL-III floor scabblers. Rooms containing chemical volume control system (CVCS) equipment and the waste holdup tank pit were congested with tanks, pumps, piping, and grating and could only be accessed by manual tools. SQUIRREL-III's extended pivoting handle allowed for guided entry under CVCS tanks without increasing unnecessary exposure, and the CORNER-CUTTER, designed for corner and trim work, proved especially helpful in penetrating tight spaces.

Once Con Edison's health physics department determined that respirators were unnecessary due to the strict emissions controls built into the Pentek system, the burdensome, full-face gear was immediately removed. "Wearing respirators while working in the contaminated areas only slowed us down," said Pentek's Project Manager, John Sotiriou. "Once allowed to remove our respirators, we increased productivity 50 percent and minimized our exposure."

The high quality construction of the Pentek system is engineered to facilitate decon following project completion-Pentek has never lost equipment to latent post-project contamination.