Radiation Protection of the Public and the Environment

The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, authorizes DOE to protect the health and safety of the public against radiation. It is the Department's objective to operate its facilities and conduct activities so that radiation exposures to members of the public and the environment are maintained as low as is reasonably achievable (ALARA), within limits established in DOE O 458.1, Radiation Protection of the Public and the Environment.

• DOE O 458.1, Chg 2, Radiation Protection of the Public and the Environment, June 6, 2011
  DOE O 458.1 supersedes DOE Order 5400.5, Radiation Protection of the Public and the Environment. It establishes requirements to protect the public and the environment against undue risk from radiation associated with radiological activities conducted under the control of the Department of Energy (DOE) pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (AEA).
• HS-22 Radiation Protection Staff
  The staff provides guidance and assistance on policies and procedures related to the protection of the public and the environment against undue risks related to radiological activities at DOE sites.
• Policy, Standards & Guidance
  DOE policies, standards and guidance that supports or helps implement DOE O 458.1, Radiation Protection of the Public and the Environment
• Moratorium and Suspension of the Release of Metals from DOE Sites
  Documents related to the moratorium and suspension of the release of metals at DOE Sites.
• Regulatory Review Comment
  DOE reviews and provides comments on emerging actions and technical documents developed by other Federal regulatory agencies and interagency and international committees on radiation protection and radioactive waste topics.
• Training and Tools
  This section provides links to training, tools and aids related to radiation protection of the public and environment as well as links to radiation protection information.
• Environmental Radiological Assistance Directory (ERAD)
  The Environmental Radiological Assistance Directory or ERAD, developed by HS-22, serves as an assistance tool to the DOE complex for protection of the public and environment from radiation. The ERAD is a combination webinar/conference call, designed to provide DOE and its contractors a forum to share information, lessons-learned, best practices, emerging trends, compliance issues, etc. in support of radiological protection programs developed in accordance with DOE O 458.1.
• DOE Annual Site Environmental Reports (ASER)
  ASERs are required by DOE O 231.1B. The ASERs provide important information needed by site managers and DOE Headquarters to assess field environmental program performance, site-wide environmental monitoring and surveillance effectiveness, and confirm compliance with environmental standards and requirements. They are also the means by which DOE sites demonstrate compliance with the radiological protection requirements of DOE O 458.1. In addition, ASERs are an important means of conveying DOE's environmental protection performance to stakeholders and members of the public living near DOE sites.
• Interagency Committees and Working Groups
  DOE is actively involved with other Federal agencies that have responsibilities for the radiation protection of the public and the environment. This site provides the different committees and working groups that DOE is involved with.