Before releasing a controlled area for normal use, what must be verified?

• A. The area has not been cleaned and no surveys were performed.
• B. Visual inspection is enough to release.
• C. Contamination removal and decontamination to acceptable levels, with a confirming survey.
• D. Release is permitted after a brief dust wipe.

Answer: (C)

Before releasing a controlled area for normal use, you must verify that any contamination has been removed to the established acceptable levels and confirmed by a formal survey. This means decontaminating surfaces and the environment until measurements show they meet release criteria, and then performing a confirming survey with calibrated instruments (such as wipe tests and surface scans) to document the results. Visual checks alone cannot detect hidden or removable contamination, and any release procedure must rely on quantitative survey data rather than a quick dust wipe or an unclean area. Leaving the area unclean or skipping surveys would pose unnecessary exposure risks and violate safety standards.