This standard provides guidance for performing characterizations of land areas and structures in support of decommissioning. In this context, land areas generally refers to environmental media such as soils, surface and ground water, and vegetation, structures typically refers to building construction materials. It is expected that when the ultimate objective of decommissioning is site release, characterization and final status survey design should be coordinated. Therefore, users of the MARSSIM or other final status survey protocols can use this standard for its technical approach to designing a characterization survey for a specific objective.



The scope of this standard is geared toward radiological characterization. However, if nonradiological contaminants (e.g., asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), lead, mercury, arsenic) are potentially present, it is beneficial to integrate radiological and non-radiological characterization activities. A useful reference for non-radiological characterization activities is ASTM E 1527-05.



It is outside the scope of this standard to discuss all of the instruments, tools, and procedures currently available to support characterization activities. This standard does not apply to the release of materials and equipment. Similarly, it is outside the scope to address emerging characterization technologies. Rather, this standard endorses any and all instruments, tools, and procedures that effectively achieve the particular characterization objective. In this regard, the standard serves to focus the user on preparing a characterization survey plan based on the DQO process, drawing on specific instruments, tools, and procedures as needed.