Report a Safety Concern
Search

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is in the process of rescinding or revising guidance and policies posted on this webpage in accordance with Executive Order 14151 Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing, and Executive Order 14168 Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government. In the interim, any previously issued diversity, equity, inclusion, or gender-related guidance on this webpage should be considered rescinded that is inconsistent with these Executive Orders.

Home About NRC Radiation Protection How the NRC Protects You Health Physics Positions Based on 10 CFR Part 20

Health Physics Questions and Answers - Question 18

Question 18: For power reactors, the Technical Specification instantaneous release rate limits are based on old Part 20 doses and concentrations (relative to an implied 500 mrem/yr limit). Will changes in the Technical Specifications and ODCMs be required as a result of the explicit 100-mrem/yr limit in the revised Part 20?

Answer: The instantaneous release rate limits for airborne releases will not be changed because they are imposed on licensees as a control to ensure that licensees meet Appendix I requirements. However, the instantaneous release rates for liquid effluents, to the extent that they directly reference Appendix B concentration values, will need to be changed. The corresponding bases and certain alarm set-points will have to be changed by license amendment.

(Reference: Reactor Technical Specifications)

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, November 08, 2017