August 17, 2007
The Department of Energy maintains a significant inventory of radioactive substances at
facilities throughout the United States. To help ensure the safety of its workforce, the
Department established a two-tiered approach to biological or "bioassay" testing of
workers to determine whether and to what extent they may have absorbed radioactive
material. The more intense process mandates biological testing and applies to the
relatively few workers with significant exposure risk. When significant exposures are not
expected - the situation at most sites and upon which this audit focused - the
Department's contractors are required to develop a program to ensure that controls are
effective in reducing exposures to radioactive substances. Specific components of the
program are left to the discretion of the contractor. However, most rely on continuous air
monitoring, radiological surveys, and confimlatory bioassay testing.
Prior Office of Inspector General reviews have identified problems regarding the cost effectiveness and efficiency of the Department's bioassay monitoring program. Given the
current emphasis on worker safety and the obvious dangers posed by excessive radiation
exposure, we initiated this audit to determine whether contractor-developed bioassay
programs were effectively administered.
Office of Inspector General
