Industrial hygiene concerns during the decontamination and decommissioning of the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor

A significant industrial hygiene concern during the decontamination and decommissioning (D&D) of the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) was the oxidation of the lead bricks´ surface, which were utilized for radiation shielding. This presented both airborne exposure and surface contamination issues for the workers in the field removing this material. This paper will detail the various protection and control methods tested and implemented to protect the workers including those technologies deployed to decontaminate the work surfaces. In addition, those techniques employed to recycle the lead for additional use at the site will be discussed.