Radiation Publications
General Information
EPA's Radiation Protection Programs have published many reports, fact sheets, lists of frequently asked questions, and other documents that contain information about various aspects of radiation protection. Many of these documents are available electronically and can be viewed and downloaded. Others you can obtain only in hard copy.
On this page:
- Publications by Topics
- Publications by Programs and Projects
- Other publication-related information
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Topics
Understanding Radiation
Radiation: Risks and Realities (PDF) (16 pp, 1.17Mb) [EPA 402-k-07-006], May 2007
This booklet describes the risks and benefits of ionizing radiation.
Ionizing Radiation Fact Book (PDF) (22 pp, 1.12Mb)[EPA 402-F-06-061], May 2007
This booklet provides basic information about ionizing radiation and discusses health effects of radiation exposure.
Becoming Aware of Radiation Sources
- TENORM in SW
Copper Belt of Arizona (PDF) (124
pp, 2,470 K) [EPA 402-R-99-002], October 1999
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been working over the past several years to better understand the nature and extent of TENORM that may become concentrated at copper mining sites. This document presents the information that EPA has compiled on this issue to date.
Managing Radioactive Materials and Waste
- Radioactive Waste Disposal: An Environmental Perspective [EPA 402-K-94-001]
- EPA-Yucca Documents
- Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Certification Decision Documents
- Guidance for the Control of Radiation Hazards in Uranium Mining (PDF) (60 pp, 387,000 K) [FRC Rept. No. 8], September 1967
- The Role of Future Society and Biosphere in Demonstrating Compliance with High-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Standards and Regulations (ZIP) (2787K) [about zip format] ; Proceedings from Regulators' Workshop, Stockholm, Sweden, Sept. 11-13, 2001
- Mixed Waste Publications
- Profile and Management Options for EPA Laboratory Generated Mixed Waste (PDF) (120 pp, 953.33K) [EPA 402-R-96-015], August 1996
- Stabilization/Solidification Processes for Mixed Waste (PDF) (91 pp, 971K) [EPA 402-R-96-014], June 1996
- Resource Guide for Electrokinetics Laboratory and Field Processes Applicable to Radioactive and Hazardous Mixed Wastes in Soil and Groundwater from 1992 to 1997 (PDF) (83 pp, 1.2Mb) [EPA 402-R-97-006], July 1997
- Incineration of Low-Level and Mixed Wastes: Waste Handling and Operational Issues [EPA 402-R-93-012]
-
Depleted Uranium: Technical Brief (PDF) (48 pp, 508K) [EPA 402-R-06-011], December 2006
describes the chemical and radiological properties of depleted uranium, its management, fate and transport, measurement and remediation tools, and site cleanup.
Protecting People and the Environment
- A History of Radiation Protection at EPA: The First 30 Years (PDF) (84 pp, 1.2K) [EPA 402-B-00-001], August 2000
- HEAST Radionuclides Table Slope Factors
- Federal Radiation Protection Guidance Reports
- #1
Report No. 1: Background Material for the Development of Radiation Protection Standards(PDF) (43 pp,545K), May 1960, (Federal Radiation Council) - #2
Report No. 2: Background Material for the Development of Radiation Protection Standards (PDF) (23 pp,369K), September 1961, (Federal Radiation Council ) - #3
Report No. 3: Council Health Implications of Fallout from Nuclear Weapons Testing through 1961 (PDF) (13pp, 503K), May 1962, (Federal Radiation Council ) - #4
Estimates and Evaluation of Fallout in the United States from Nuclear Weapons Testing Conducted Through 1962 (PDF) (34 pp, 1.1Mb), May 1963, (Federal Radiation Council) - #5
Report No.5: Background Material for the Development of Radiation Protection Standards (PDF) (19 pp, 464K), July 1964, (Federal Radiation Council) - #6
Revised Fallout Estimates for 1964-1965 and Verification of the 1963 Predictions (PDF) (32 pp, 555K), October 1964, [Federal Radiation Council] - #7
Report No. 7:
Background Material for the Development of Radiation Protection Standards and Protective Action Guides for Strontium-89, Strotium-90 and Cesium-137 (PDF) (49 pp, 1.1Mb), May 1965, (Federal Radiation Council) - #8
Guidance for the Control of Radiation Hazards in Uranium Mining (PDF) (60 pp, 3.87K), September 1967, (Federal Radiation Council) - #9
Federal Guidance Report No. 9, Radiation Protection Guidance for Diagnostic X Rays (PDF) (41pp, 2.99Mb) [EPA 520/4-76-019], October 1967- Background Report: Recommendations on Guidance for Diagnostic X-Ray Studies in Federal Health Care Facilities (PDF) (38 pp, 872K)[EPA 520/4-76-002], March 1968
- #10
The Radioactivity Concentration Guides [EPA 520/1-84-010], 1984 - #11
Limiting Values of Radionuclide Intake and Air Concentration and Dose Conversion Factors for Inhalation, Submersion, and Ingestion, Report No. 11 (PDF) (224 pp, 15K) [EPA 520/1-88-020], September 1988 - #12
External Exposure to Radionuclides in Air, Water, and Soil, Report No. 12 (PDF) (238 pp, 1.61Mb) [EPA 402-R-93-081], September 1993 - #13
Cancer Risk Coefficients for Environmental Exposure to Radionuclides, - Federal Radiation Protection Guidance Report No. 13 (PDF) (335 pp, 3.06Mb) [EPA 402-R-99-001], September 1999
(CD Supplement and Acute Dose Calculator available)
- #1
- Estimating Radiogenic Cancer Risks Addendum: Uncertainty Analysis (PDF) (47 pp, 227K) [EPA 402-R-99-003], May 1999
Responding to Accidents and Emergencies
- Ready to Respond
- EPA's Radiological Emergency Response Plan (PDF) (58 pp, 1.48Mb), January 2000
Cleaning Up Radioactive Sites
You can find documents related to Cleanup on the following pages (these are technical documents):
- Cleanup: Publications, Technical Documents, and Guidance
- Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Manual: Obtain a Copy of MARSSIM
- Fate and Transport:
Understanding
Variation in Partition Coefficient, Kd, Values
(Volume I, II, & III)
- Volume I - Kd Model, Measurement Methods, and Application of Chemical Reaction Codes PDF) (212 pp, 2.6Mb) [EPA 402-R-99-004A], August 1999
- Volume II - Geochemistry and Available Kd Values for Selected Inorganic Contaminants (PDF) (341 pp, 2.1 Mb) [EPA 402-R-99-004 B], August 1999
- Volume III - Review of Geochemistry and Available Kd Values
for Americium, Arsenic, Curium, Iodine, Neptunium, Radium, and Technetium (PDF) (188 pp, 905K) [EPA 402-R-99-004C], July 2004
Programs and Projects
- Radiation
Protection at EPA: The First 30 Years (PDF) (84 pp, 1.2Mb), August 2000
- Companion Poster (PDF) (1 pg, 86K)
- Radiation Protection EPA's Unique Role (PDF) (2 pp, 398K), March 2002
Yucca Mountain
- Reporter's
Guide to Yucca Mountain (PDF) (52 pp, 321K)
With funding from EPA, the National Safety Council has developed a reporter's guide to the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository.To view other NSC Yucca Mountain publications, visit their Yucca Mountain page. - Technical
Bases for Yucca Mountain Standards
Link to the National Academy Press to learn how you can order a copy of the Report.
- Proceedings from Regulators' Workshop, Stockholm, Sweden
- Regulatory Documents
TENORM
- Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials From Uranium Mining Volume 1: Mining and Reclamation Background (PDF) (182 pp, 2.3Mb)[EPA 402-R-05-007], January 2006, Revised June 2007
- Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials From Uranium Mining Volume 2: Investigation of Potential Health, Geographic, and Environmental Issues of Abandoned Uranium Mines (PDF) (111 pp, 2.11Mb) [EPA 402-R-05-007], August 2007, Updated April 2008
- Uranium Location Database Compilation: Overview and Database Files
- Evaluation of
Guidelines for Exposures to Technologically Enhanced
Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (PDF) (22 pp,
394K) [EPA 402-R-00-01], January 1999
EPA sponsored a National Academy of Sciences evaluation of existing methods for estimating the risk from TENORM sites and existing guidelines for cleaning them up. EPA sponsored the study at the request of Congress. NAS completed its report, - Evaluation of
EPA's Guidelines for TENORM (PDF) (22 pp, 394K), June 2000
EPA Report to Congress proposing plans to implement the NAS's recommendations. - TENORM in SW
Copper Belt of Arizona (PDF) (124
pp, 2,470 K) [EPA 402-R-99-002], October 1999
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been working over the past several years to better understand the nature and extent of TENORM that may become concentrated at copper mining sites. This document presents the information that EPA has compiled on this issue to date.
Other Publication-Related Information
- All Publications from the Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (PDF) (33 pp, 116K), October 2002
- How to Obtain Documents