Subpart Q: DOE Radon Emissions

Subpart Q protects the public and the environment from the emission of radon-222 to the ambient air from Department of Energy (DOE) storage or disposal facilities for radium-containing materials. Radon-222 is produced as a radioactive decay product of radium. The radon-222 emission rate from these facilities to the surrounding (ambient) air must not exceed 20 pico curies per square meter per second.

The DOE administers many facilities, including government-owned, contractor-operated facilities across the country. At least six of these facilities have large stockpiles of radium-containing material. Much of this material has a high radium content and emits large quantities of radon making it important to regulate emissions to the atmosphere around the facilities.

DOE is taking remedial action at these facilities under procedures defined by Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act. Remedial activities are complete at some facilities and the radium-containing residues placed in interim storage. Remedial activities aimed at long-term disposal of the materials are underway at other facilities.

DOE's compliance with this standard is included in its Federal Facilities Agreements with EPA.

In addition, there are general requirements that all facilities subject to any NESHAP must meet, 40CFR61, Subpart A: General Provisions .

40 CFR61, Subpart Q (PDF) (1 pg,47K About PDF)

Subpart Q: DOE Radon Emissions

Rad NESHAPs

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