MARSSIM FAQs
Frequently asked questions about MARSSIM and MARSSIM training at Argonne National Laboratory.
Frequently Asked Questions about MARSSIM Training at Argonne
General Questions about MARSSIM
Frequently Asked Questions about MARSSIM Training at Argonne
Can MARSSIM training be done at my site?
Yes, all the training workshops can be conducted at your location.
How long are the training workshops?
The length of each workshop can be adjusted to fit the audience’s needs and time available. Workshops for individuals responsible for the day-to-day implementation of MARSSIM-based activities typically cover three days. The MARSSIM for Managers workshop generally lasts one day, while MARSSIM workshops for public stakeholders are usually two to three hours long.
Do I need to be a “technogeek” to understand the material?
No, each workshop is organized to meet the technical background of its participants. A general understanding of statistics and radiological terminology is helpful but can be included in the instruction, if needed.
Can the workshops be tailored to my site and my needs?
Yes, a key objective of MARSSIM training workshops conducted by Argonne is to give the participants practical knowledge that can be immediately applied for planning and implementation at specific sites.
Can I get continuing education credits for participating in the workshops?
Yes, both the American Academy of Health Physics and the American Board of Industrial Hygiene award continuing education credits for participation in Argonne’s MARSSIM training workshops.
How much do the workshops cost?
The cost of each MARSSIM training workshop is determined by a variety of factors including duration, location, and number of participants. Workshops can be conducted for any number of federal or state agency employees plus a cleanup project’s public stakeholders, contractors, and regulators. A cost estimate for any specific potential training workshop can be prepared by contacting Argonne.
Individuals interested in MARSSIM training should contact Argonne for information on upcoming classes that may have open participation.
How do I decide which course is best for me to attend?
Individuals responsible for detailed MARSSIM planning and implementation issues should participate in a three-day training workshop. The one-day MARSSIM for Managers may be best for those who need a general understanding of planning and implementation principles. The MARSSIM for the Public workshop is designed for members of the general public or restoration advisory board members.
Why is Argonne qualified to teach this material?
Argonne staff members have extensive training and practical experience with radiological site assessment and cleanup projects plus an in-depth knowledge of MARSSIM and its implementation at a wide variety of sites. Our training workshop has been recognized by numerous organizations and individuals for being practical and well-designed for their intended audiences.
Does Argonne provide technical assistance to apply MARSSIM beyond training workshops?
Yes, Argonne staff members are available to assist with a wide range of MARSSIM-related planning and implementation issues throughout the entire radiological site assessment, remedial action, and closure process.
General Questions about MARSSIM
Am I required to implement/use MARSSIM?
No, MARSSIM is guidance, not a requirement.
Do I have to follow the process outlined in MARSSIM? Are any deviations allowed?
The performance-based approach used to develop MARSSIM, the systematic planning process used in MARSSIM, and the data quality objective (DQO) process foster flexibility rather than rigid compliance to one method.
Are there any alternatives to the MARSSIM process?
Yes, many alternatives are mentioned in MARSSIM. The DQO process is utilized to determine the appropriate method(s). The process may indicate MARSSIM, or some alternate method, as the best choice.
Who are the MARSSIM users?
Federal agencies such as DOD, DOE, EPA, and NRC, states, site owners, contractors, the public, etc.
How do the costs associated with the MARSSIM compare with other currently available alternatives?
Under most circumstances, following the MARSSIM process will require fewer measurements or samples, thereby saving time and money. Other methods may either overestimate or underestimate the number of measurements or samples needed to demonstrate compliance or may not take decision errors into account.
What are the benefits to using MARSSIM over currently available methods? What is the value of the MARSSIM in comparison with other currently available alternatives?
MARSSIM provides a technically defensible process over a broad range of situations. Results to date indicate that the MARSSIM process requires fewer measurements than other methods for demonstrating compliance for radiological sites. The MARSSIM also provides a performance-based approach and has a strong focus on planning. The MARSSIM generally involves more planning and less re-work than other currently available methods.
Is the MARSSIM technically accurate?
Yes, the MARSSIM underwent extensive scientific and peer reviews prior to finalization. The methods are technically accurate and applicable over a large range of situations.
Does the MARSSIM provide a practical and implementable approach to performing radiation surveys and site investigations?
The MARSSIM has been shown to be practical and implementable in field application. The MARSSIM provides technically defensible and efficient methods to demonstrate compliance with radiological criteria.
Is there an overall plan or timetable for implementation of MARSSIM?
Each agency has committed to timely implementation. The NRC has identified dates (for example, after 8/20/98, all new D&D plans must be compliant with their dose-based radiological criteria for decommissioning regulations). Training is being conducted to familiarize users with the guidance in MARSSIM.
How does MARSSIM relate to existing guidance on scoping, characterization, or remedial action surveys?
MARSSIM does not provide extensive guidance on scoping, characterization, or remedial action surveys, but it does document approaches to these surveys as they relate to the Final Status Survey (FSS). The guidance presented in MARSSIM on these pre-release surveys is primarily focused on providing input to planning the FSS.
How is MARSSIM related to CERCLA or RCRA cleanup, FUSRAP, BRAC, and State requirements?
MARSSIM is a decision framework to release sites under any of these programs. The MARSSIM survey process could be used for obtaining data in any of these programs. Appendix C and F of MARSSIM discuss how MARSSIM fits in with regulatory and other programs.
What is the relationship between RESRAD or RESRAD-BUILD and MARSSIM?
These software tools are used to obtain site-specific release criteria (e.g., derived concentration guideline levels or DCGLs). Their purpose is to translate between a dose or risk to an activity per unit concentration or an activity per unit. Identifying the DCGL and the method of translation are outside the scope of MARSSIM.
What are the specific methods for demonstrating compliance?
The user uses a statistics-based methodology for obtaining and then comparing survey data to the DCGLs (pass/fail). Specific details on the MARSSIM methodology are outlined in the Manual (either by discussing them or referencing them).
Why does MARSSIM use statistics?
The science of statistics is the mathematics of the collection, organization, and interpretation of numerical data. It is especially used to analyze population characteristics by inference from sampling. Since MARSSIM is all about collecting, organizing, and interpreting data and taking sample sets to make decisions about populations of data, MARSSIM uses statistics. Statistics also provide a set of tools used to facilitate making decisions when conditions of uncertainty prevail.
What statistical tests are utilized for demonstrating compliance?
Many tests can be used and are discussed. For example, MARSSIM presents nonparametric tests (e.g., Wilcoxon ranked sum test, sign test) and discusses parametric tests for distributions based on the assumption of normality.
What guidance is provided by MARSSIM on conducting historical site assessments?
How to obtain site information and prior survey data (i.e., operations records) for input to the FSS.
What guidance is provided by MARSSIM on DQO?
MARSSIM describes the DQO process (seven steps) on how to systematically plan and make planning decisions.
What guidance is provided by MARSSIM on field survey methods and instruments?
MARSSIM provides an Instrument list and guidance on sampling, direct measurements, and scanning.
What guidance is provided by MARSSIM on survey planning and design?
It identifies items needed for planning. Chapter 5 of the manual covers this topic in detail.
What guidance is provided by MARSSIM on interpreting survey results?
Guidance is given on data quality assessment, data interpretation, and statistical tests. Chapter 8 of the manual covers this topic.
What guidance is provided by MARSSIM on QA/QC?
Guidance is given on quality assurance project plan (QAPP) development and performance-based QC requirements.
What do I do about conflicts between MARSSIM and existing guidance documents?
The MARSSIM is guidance. In some cases, MARSSIM would supercede existing guidance. Talk to your regulator or program office.
Does MARSSIM work with existing agency statutory programs that use release criteria (e.g., a concentration per 100 square meters in outdoor areas or per 1 square meter in indoor areas), such as those based on Reg Guide 1.86 and DOE Order 5400.5?
There are existing guidance documents for demonstrating compliance for such programs, such as NUREG/CR-5849 and the draft DOE Environmental Implementation Guide for Radiological Survey Procedures. MARSSIM was written for dose-based and risk-based regulations. However, other parts of MARSSIM, such as those on conducting a historical site assessment or determining minimum detectable concentrations, can still be used. There may be problems in using MARSSIM with some existing programs. You may not be able to use all of the guidance in MARSSIM now. Much of the guidance can be implemented now (e.g., plan, implement, assess, decide; QA and QC). Specific applications of MARSSIM guidance may require consultation with your program office, regulator, or agency representative.
Who were the Federal agency participants involved in the development of MARSSIM?
The participants (Work Group) are identified in the “Acknowledgments” in the front of the manual.
How can I determine if anyone from my site was involved in the development and/or peer review of MARSSIM?
Contact your program office, regulator, or agency representative for specific information.
Who is the MARSSIM point of contact for each of the four agencies?
The agency points of contact are identified in the “Acknowledgments” section in the front of the manual. They are also listed at the MARSSIM Federal Register Notice available at the Internet site at www.epa.gov/radiation/marssim.
How do I get a copy of MARSSIM?
Contact the Government Printing Office (GPO) for copies or access the EPA web site [www.epa.gov/radiation/marssim] for download. Instructions are on the MARSSIM web site.
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