epr-method (2003) - IAEA Publications - International Atomic Energy ...

PLAIN LANGUAGE STATEMENTS
A/D< 0.01
INDIVIDUAL SOURCES 144
Not dangerous: No one could be permanently injured by this amount of radioactive
material.
DISPERSIBLE RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Not dangerous: Handling 145 this amount of radioactive material cannot cause permanent
injuries. There is no risk of injuries from a fire or explosion involving this amount of
radioactive material. The area in the immediate vicinity (within a few meters) of a spill, fire
or explosion could be contaminated to non-dangerous levels that may warrant cleanup 146 .
A/D = 0.01–1.0
INDIVIDUAL SOURCES
Unlikely to be dangerous: It is very unlikely that anyone could be permanently injured by
this amount of radioactive material. Such an amount of radioactive material, if it is not
managed safely and kept securely, could possibly — although it is unlikely — temporarily
injure someone who is close to it for a period of many weeks.
DISPERSIBLE RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Unlikely to be dangerous: It is very unlikely that anyone handling this amount of
radioactive material could suffer permanent injuries. There is no risk of permanent injury
from a fire or explosion involving this amount of radioactive material. The area in the
vicinity (within a few tens of metres or so) of a spill, fire or explosion could be
contaminated to non-dangerous levels that may warrant cleanup.
A/D = >1.0 – 10.0
INDIVIDUAL SOURCES
Dangerous to the person: This amount of radioactive material, if not managed safely and
kept securely, could cause the permanent injury of a person who handles it or is otherwise
in contact with it for some hours. It could possibly — although it is unlikely — be fatal to
be close to this amount of unshielded material for a period of days to weeks.
DISPERSIBLE RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Dangerous in the locality: Handling this amount of radioactive material could cause
permanent injury and could possibly – although it is unlikely - be fatal. There is little or no
risk of permanent injuries beyond the vicinity (a few metres or so) of a fire or explosion
144 An ‘individual source’ means a radioactive source that can be picked up or otherwise handled (e.g. solids such as metals,
ceramics, encapsulated powder, or liquid or gas in a sealed container).
145 Intentional eating of this amount by an individual may be dangerous.
146 This only applies to radionuclides that have long half-lives and refers to levels of contamination warranting cleanup in
accordance with international guidance (10 mSv/year) [31]. These levels are not dangerous; there are numerous inhabited
locations in the world where natural background radiation delivers more than 10 mSv/year.
247