Background Radiation Characterization Surveys: Technical Guidance and Concept of Operations

An ideal background radiation survey will provide first responders, emergency managers, and public health officials with a better understanding of the typical levels of radiation in their jurisdiction. Having this data will provide an environmental baseline that is useful to both preventative radiological nuclear detection (e.g., search and interdiction of radioactive material) and consequence management operations. This guidance presents steps for designing, conducting, and documenting a comprehensive, geographically mapped background radiation characterization survey.

This document is separated into two parts: Part One is Technical Guidance and Part Two, Concept of Operations (CONOPS). Part One contains science-driven recommendations for how to plan, conduct, and document background radiation surveys. It explains how to develop a radiation survey plan, including tips on how to collect the best data possible in a manner that will maximize the survey information’s usefulness. Part Two outlines the major steps involved in designing and performing a background radiation characterization survey and provides examples for three different types of surveys: quick and simple surveys, moderate surveys, and advanced surveys.