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Subpart Q: National Emission Standards for Radon Emissions From Department of Energy Facilities

Subpart Q: National Emission Standards for Radon Emissions From Department of Energy Facilities
Basic Information
Legal Authorities
  • 42 U.S.C. §7401
Federal Register Citations
  • 54 FR 51701
Code of Federal Regulations Citations
  • 40 CFR Part 61
Effective Date
  • December 15, 1989

On this page:

  • Rule Summary
  • Compliance

Rule Summary

Subpart Q protects the public and the environment from radon-222 air emissions from Department of Energy (DOE) storage or disposal facilities for specific radium containing materials. Radon-222 is produced as a radioactive decay productThe atoms formed and the energy and particles emitted as radioactive material decays to reach a stable form. of radium-226.

Compliance

The radon-222 emission rate from these facilities to the surrounding air must not exceed 20 picocuries (0.74 becquerel) per square meter per second.

The regulation directs compliance with this requirement to be addressed in Federal Facilities Agreements between the EPA and the DOE.

All facilities subject to any National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) must also meet  40 CFR Part 61, Subpart A: General Provisions.

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Last updated on May 23, 2025
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