What is the maximum dpm/cm^2 noted for Alpha contamination in a Contamination Area?

In a Contamination Area, the maximum allowable level for alpha contamination is established to ensure the safety of personnel and minimize the risk of internal exposure to radioactive materials. The correct value of 2,000 disintegrations per minute per square centimeter (dpm/cm²) represents a threshold that reflects potential hazards associated with alpha-emitting isotopes.

Alpha particles have a limited range and are less penetrating than beta particles or gamma rays, but they can pose significant health risks if alpha-emitting materials are ingested or inhaled. Due to the potential for serious biological effects following internal exposure, regulatory guidelines set the maximum contamination level at 2,000 dpm/cm² in order to manage risk and implement appropriate controls.

Recognizing this threshold allows facility operators to establish safety protocols and decontamination efforts to keep contamination levels manageable and to protect workers adequately. The other values presented are either too low or too high, which do not reflect the regulatory stipulations for a Contamination Area. Hence, the figure of 2,000 dpm/cm² is crucial in defining acceptable contamination levels and ensuring that safety measures are in place to protect staff from the inhalation or ingestion of radioactive materials.