Question 16: Will the Emergency Action Levels (EAL) as
part of the Emergency Plans have to be changed if based on
the old Part 20 methodology?
Answer: The EALs are not related to Part 20. Appendix 1
of NUREG-0654 contains the descriptions for the four
emergency classifications; unusual event, alert, site area
emergency, and general emergency. Example initiating
conditions are also found in this appendix. No reference
is made to the use or applicability of Part 20 in either
the regulations pertinent to emergency classifications nor
in the guidance. In the class descriptions, reference is
made to EPA protective action guide (PAG) exposure levels.
EPA has revised its PAG manual. EPA recommends the use of
committed effective dose equivalent to replace the whole
body dose for the plume PAG. The numerical values for the
plume PAG remain the same. It is therefore expected that
the licensees will have to revise, if necessary, their
emergency dose calculation methodology to classify an
emergency and recommend protective actions in order to
comply with the revised EPA PAG manual. (Reference: 50.47,
EPA PAG manual)