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This 12-section course is designed to explain the responsibilities of an incident commander at the scene of a Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) transportation incident. It was created for the U.S. Department of Energy WIPP located near Carlsbad, New Mexico, which receives radioactive shipments. The course has two purposes: (1) to provide first responders with the necessary knowledge to respond safely; to protect themselves, the public, and the environment; and (2) to describe the function of the Incident Command System, the Radiological Assistance Team procedures, and the TRUPACT-II (Transuranic Package Container) recovery methods. Section 1 is an introduction that defines WIPP oversight and mission and identifies TRU (transuranic) defense waste generating and storage sites. Each of sections 2-11 consists of a list of enabling objectives and informational material. Topics include the following: introduction to radiation, waste acceptance, transportation regulations, package design, emergency response, first responder actions, contamination control (decontamination), incident command system, radiological assistance team operations, and TRUPACT-II recovery. Section 12 contains these sample forms and checklists: incident command system matrix, fire and hazardous materials worksheet, decision matrix, field report, hazardous materials incident evaluation, and resource list. Appendixes include a glossary and a list of acronyms and abbreviations appearing in the text. (YLB)

This guide is Unit 3 of the four-part series, Science, Society, and America's Nuclear Waste, produced by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. The goal of this unit is to identify the key elements of the United States' nuclear waste dilemma and introduce the Nuclear Waste Policy Act and the role of the public in the development of a high-level waste management program. Particular attention is focused on activities to enable students to develop insight into the difficult task of siting, storing, transporting, and disposing of high-level nuclear waste. The first section of Unit 3 includes five lesson plans about risk assessment and the Nuclear Waste Policy Act. The second section provides a lesson plan about probability. Activity sheets for students and transparencies for the lesson plans and background notes are included in the third section followed by the unit test. Answers keys and a glossary are also included. Contains 12 references. (DDR)

This guide is Unit 1 of the four-part series Science, Society, and America's Nuclear Waste produced by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. The goal of this unit is to help students establish the relevance of the topic of nuclear waste to their everyday lives and activities. Particular attention is focused on the sources, characteristics, and locations of spent fuel and high-level nuclear waste in the United States. The first section of Unit 1 includes two lesson plans about the nature of nuclear waste, background notes, and many charts and graphs. The second section provides further background information and provides three lesson plans that explore nuclear waste management. Activity sheets for students and transparencies for the lesson plans and background notes are included in the third section, followed by the pretest, posttest and unit test. Answers keys and a glossary are also included. Contains 24 references. (DDR)

This guide is Unit 2 of the four-part series, Science, Society, and America's Nuclear Waste, produced by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. The goal of this unit is to convey factual information relevant to radioactivity and radiation and relate that information both to the personal lives of students and to the management and disposal of nuclear waste. Particular attention is focused on the nature of ionizing radiation, radioactive decay, and half-life. The first section of Unit 2 includes four lesson plans about radiation detection, exposure, and half-life. The second section provides further background information and includes five lesson plans that explore the biological effects of ionizing radiation. Activity sheets for students and transparencies for the lesson plans and background notes are included in the third section followed by the unit test. Answers keys and a glossary are also included. Contains 17 references. (DDR)

This guide is Unit 4 of the four-part series, Science, Society, and America's Nuclear Waste, produced by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. The goal of this unit is to explain how transportation, a geologic repository, and the multi-purpose canister will work together to provide short-term and long-term protection of people and the environment. These concerns are introduced by three lesson plans. The second section provides ten lesson plans that explore other issues related to transportation and storage of high-level nuclear waste. Activity sheets for students, transparencies for the lesson plans, and background notes are included in the third section followed by the unit test. Answers keys and a glossary are also included. Contains 11 references. (DDR)

This document presents the process of radon diagnostics and mitigation in schools to help educators determine the best way to reduce elevated radon levels found in a school. The guidebook is designed to guide school leaders through the process of measuring radon levels, selecting the best mitigation strategy, and directing the efforts of a multidisciplinary team in improving the overall indoor-air quality of the school. The book focuses on using a team approach, because effective radon mitigation requires specialized knowledge in several disciplines. EPA has extensively researched two highly successful radon-control strategies: (1) mitigation using active soil depressurization (ASD); and (2) mitigation using the school's ventilation system. Chapters 1 and 2 review what radon is, why it is a concern, and the mechanisms by which it enters and accumulates in a building. Chapters 3 and 4 outline the initial investigation process, in which the condition of the ventilation system is examined to determine whether restoring the ventilation to its intended operating condition could reduce radon levels to below the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) action level. The option of retesting is discussed in the fifth chapter. Chapter 6 discusses the detailed investigation phase that may be necessary if premitigation levels are too high or improving the ventilation system did not sufficiently reduce radon levels. Active subslab depressurization systems are described in chapter 7. The eighth and ninth chapters outline the process of making postmitigation measurements and discuss steps to ensure the long-term effectiveness of the mitigation strategy. Information regarding building codes and worker protection is offered in chapter 10. One table and 21 figures are included. Appendices contain a glossary and list of acronyms, a list of resource organizations, references, metric conversion factors, mitigation cost information, and two case studies based on the experience of EPA's research team. (LMI)

This guide presents the standard curriculum for technical institutes in Georgia. The curriculum addresses the minimum competencies for a radiologic technology program. The guide contains four major sections. The General Information section contains an introduction giving an overview and defining purpose and objectives; a program description, including admissions, typical job titles, and accreditation and certification requirements; and a curriculum model, including standard curriculum sequence and lists of courses. The next three sections describe the courses under the following categories: General Core Courses (English, algebraic concepts, interpersonal relations and professional development); Fundamental Technical Courses (anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, introduction to radiography, radiographic procedures I-II, principles of radiographic exposure I, radiologic science I, introductory clinical radiography I-II); and Specific Technical Courses (radiographic procedures III-IV, radiologic science II, radiographic exposure II, radiographic imaging equipment, special radiographic procedures, radiographic pathology, radiation biology and protection, review, intermediate clinical radiography I-III, and advanced clinical radiography I-II). Each course entry consists of the following: course overview (description, competency areas, prerequisites, credit hours, contact hours); course outline with student objectives and class and lab hours; and resource list. An equipment list is appended. (YLB)

This publication contains statewide standards for the radiologic technology program in Georgia. The standards are divided into 12 categories; Foundations (philosophy, purpose, goals, program objectives, availability, evaluation); Admissions (admission requirements, provisional admission requirements, recruitment, evaluation and planning); Program Structure (curriculum design, program numbering system, program consistency, exit points, credentials, course code, course consistency, course sequence, electives, course transferability); Program Evaluation and Planning (program evaluation, program planning, enrollment, graduation, and placement levels, attrition levels, student performance); Instructional Program (course content, course objectives, course instruction, occupation-based instruction, evaluation of students, grading system, laboratory management, equipment, supplies, and materials; physical facility); Academic Skills (academic requirements); Employability Skills (job acquisition, job retention and advancement); Staff (faculty qualifications and responsibilities); Advisory Committee (function, membership, meetings); Special Needs (commitment); Equity (commitment); and Health and Safety (commitment). Each standard consists of these components: standard statement, explanatory comment, and evaluative criteria. (YLB)

Describes the use of potassium chloride in quantitative project investigations into radioactivity. (WRM)

This collection of lessons, exercises, and experiments deals with exponential and logarithmic mathematical functions in the context of biomedical situations. Typical units in this collection provide discussion of the biomedical problem or setting, discussion of the mathematical concept, several example problems and solutions, and a set of problems for the student to solve. Seventeen concept sections are presented, each subdivided into several lesson units. (RE)

This module, one of 25 on vocational education training for careers in environmental health occupations, contains self-instructional materials on using ionizing radiation detectors. Following guidelines for students and instructors and an introduction that explains what the student will learn are three lessons: (1) naming and telling the function of the major components of a geiger counter, and checking its operation using a sealed check source of low radioactivity; (2) reading a packet ion chamber dosimeter, and recharging the dosimeter using a dosimeter charger; and (3) demonstrating what effects distance, shielding, and time have on radiation levels. Each lesson contains objectives, recommended methods and locations for practice, performance criteria, equipment and supplies to perform a task, detailed step-by-step instructions for learning a task, and performance exercises. Performance tests cover the subject matter of each lesson. (CT)

This student module on ionizing and nonionizing radiation protection is one of 50 modules concerned with job safety and health. This module describes various types of ionizing and nonionizing radiation, and the situations in the workplace where potential hazards from radiation may exist. Following the introduction, 13 objectives (each keyed to a page in the text) the student is expected to accomplish are listed (e.g., Identify the main source of ultraviolet radiation). Then each objective is taught in detail, sometimes accompanied by illustrations. Learning activities are included. A list of references and answers to learning activities complete the module. (CT)

Originally prepared for use as a student textbook in Radiological Defense (RADEF) courses, this manual provides the basic technical information necessary for an understanding of RADEF. It also briefly discusses the need for RADEF planning and expected postattack emergency operations. There are 14 chapters covering these major topics: introduction to radiological defense, basic concepts of nuclear science, effects of nuclear weapons, nuclear radiation measurement, radiological detection and measurement instruments, radioactive exposure rate calculations, radiological monitoring techniques and operations, protection from radiation, radiological decontamination, RADEF operations, RADEF planning, and implementing a RADEF plan. A glossary concludes the manual. (YLB)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is studying the effectiveness of various ways to reduce high concentrations of radon in houses. This booklet was produced to share what has been learned with those whose radon problems demand immediate action. The booklet describes nine methods that have been tested successfully--by EPA and/or other research groups--on houses with high indoor radon levels. The information presented here is concerned primarily with radon which enters a house from the underlying soil. The first lesson to learn about radon reduction is this: No two houses are alike. Even houses that look the same have small differences in construction that can affect radon entry and the design and effectiveness of reduction techniques. Underlying soils also may vary, even among houses which sit close together. This booklet is intended primarily for homeowners who already have had their homes tested for radon and have decided that they need to take some action to reduce radon levels. (CW)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are concerned about the increased risk of developing lung cancer faced by persons exposed to above-average levels of radon in their homes. The purpose of this pamphlet is to help readers to understand the radon problem and decide if they need to take action to reduce radon levels in their homes. Topics discussed include: (1) what radon is; (2) why radon is a problem; (3) how radon gets into a home; (4) how to detect radon; (5) evaluating radon risk; (6) how to take action; and (7) how to reduce radon risk. (CW)

Defines ozone layer and the meaning, evidence, causes, and significance of ozone depletion. Summarizes solutions to the problem of ozone depletion and government action concerning the issue. Graphically depicts ozone depletion, global ozone loss, and how ozone is destroyed. Provides a lesson plan and listing for additional educational resources. (MCO)

Describes the geology of the radon problem in the United States and suggests how homeowners can cope with the radio active gas. Vignettes illustrate how and where radon is produced beneath the earth's surface, testing sites and procedures for radon in houses, and locations for potential radon problems across the United States. (MCO)

Describes four activities that use graphing calculators to model nuclear-decay phenomena. Students ultimately develop a notion about the radioactive waste produced by nuclear fission. These activities are in line with national educational standards and allow for the integration of science and mathematics. Contains 13 references. (Author/WRM)