Washington Administrative Code
Title 246 - Health, Department of
RADIATION
Chapter 246-247 - Radiation protection-Air emissions
Section 246-247-075 - Monitoring, testing, and quality assurance

(1) The department may, upon request by a non-federal licensee, authorize provisions specific to that nonfederal licensee, other than those already set forth in WAC 246-247-075 for nonfederal emission unit monitoring, testing, or quality assurance, so long as the department finds reasonable assurance of compliance with the performance objectives of this chapter.

(2) Equipment and procedures used for the continuous monitoring of radioactive air emissions shall conform, as applicable, to the guidance contained in ANSI N13.1, ANSI N42.18, ANSI N323, ANSI N317, reference methods 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 2C, 2D, 4, 5, and 17 of 40 C.F.R. Part 60 (effective July 1, 2021), Appendix A, 40 C.F.R. Part 52 (effective July 1, 2021), Appendix E, and any other methods approved by the department.

(3) The operator of an emission unit with a potential-to-emit of less than 0.1 mrem/yr TEDE to the MEI may estimate those radionuclide emissions, in lieu of monitoring, in accordance with 40 C.F.R. Part 61, Appendix D (effective July 1, 2021), or other procedure approved by the department. The department may require periodic confirmatory measurements (e.g., grab samples) during routine operations to verify the low emissions. Methods to implement periodic confirmatory monitoring shall be approved by the department.

(4) The department may allow a nonfederal facility to use alternative monitoring procedures or methods if continuous monitoring is not a feasible or reasonable requirement.

(5) The following types of facilities shall determine radionuclide emissions in accordance with either a methodology referenced in subsections (1) through (4) of this section or the respective document referenced below:

(6) Licensed facilities shall conduct and document a quality assurance program. Except for those types of facilities specified in subsection (5) of this section, the quality assurance program shall be compatible with applicable national standards such as ANSI/ASME NQA-1-1988, ANSI/ASME NQA-2-1986, QA/R-2, and QA/R-5.

(7) Those types of facilities specified in subsection (5) of this section shall conduct and document a quality assurance program compatible with either the applicable national standards referenced in subsection (6) of this section or the NRC's Regulatory Guide 4.15, dated February 1979.

(8) Facilities shall monitor nonpoint and fugitive emissions of radioactive material.

(9) The department may conduct an environmental surveillance program to ensure that radiation doses to the public from emission units are in compliance with applicable standards. The department may require the operator of any emission unit to conduct stack sampling, ambient air monitoring, or other testing as necessary to demonstrate compliance with the standards in WAC 246-247-040.

(10) The department may require the owner or operator of an emission unit to make provision, at existing emission unit sampling stations, for the department to take split or collocated samples of the emissions.

(11) The planning for any proposed new construction or significant modification of the emission unit must address accidental releases with a probability of occurrence during the expected life of the emission unit of greater than one percent.

(12) All facilities must be able to demonstrate that appropriate supervisors and workers are adequately trained in the use and maintenance of emission control and monitoring systems, and in the performance of associated test and emergency response procedures.

(13) All facilities must be able to demonstrate the reliability and accuracy of the radioactive air emissions monitoring data.

(14) A facility owner or operator, or any other person may not render inaccurate any monitoring device or method required under chapter 70A.388 RCW, or any ordinance, resolution, regulation, permit, or order in force pursuant thereto.