Table to distinguish between major or minor spills

Estimate the amount of radioactivity spilled. Spills above these millicurie amounts are considered major, below are considered minor.

Radionuclide millicuries

P-32 10

S-35 100

C-14 100

H-3 100

I-125 1

MINOR SPILL

A spill can generally be considered minor if it contaminates small areas or equipment and results in:

· No external or internal contamination of personnel.
· No excessive external radiation exposure to personnel.
· No serious delay in work.

MAJOR SPILL

A spill is considered major if it results in any of the following:

· Internal radiation exposure to personnel (inhalation/ingestion of radioactive material).
· Excessive external radiation exposure to or contamination of personnel.
· Contamination of large areas.
· Considerable delay in work.