Multi-Agency Radiological Laboratory Analytical Protocols Manual

The participating agencies are announcing the availability of the ``Multi-Agency Radiological Laboratory Analytical Protocols'' (MARLAP) Manual. The MARLAP Manual provides guidance for the planning, implementation, and assessment phases of projects that require the laboratory analysis of radionuclides. MARLAP's basic goal is to provide guidance for project planners, managers, and laboratory personnel to ensure that radioanalytical laboratory data will meet a project's or a program's data requirements. The manual offers a framework for a performance-based approach to achieving data requirements that is both scientifically rigorous and flexible enough to be applied to diverse projects and programs. This framework will promote national consistency in the generation of radioanalytical data of known quality that are appropriate for its intended use. Examples of radiological data collection activities that MARLAP supports include: site characterization, site cleanup and compliance demonstration, decommissioning of nuclear facilities, emergency response, remedial and removal actions, decontamination activities, effluent monitoring of licensed facilities, environmental site monitoring, background studies, and waste management activities. The MARLAP Manual, now finalized, is a multi-agency consensus document. The agencies previously sought public comment in order to receive feedback from the widest range of interested parties and to ensure that all information relevant to developing the document was received and addressed to the extent possible. The interagency MARLAP work group reviewed all public comments received as well as comments from a concurrent, independent technical peer review. Suggested changes were incorporated, where appropriate, in response to those comments.