The "Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Manual" (MARSSIM) provides detailed guidance on how to demonstrate that a site is in compliance with a radiation dose- or riskriskThe probability of injury, disease or death from exposure to a hazard. Radiation risk may refer to all excess cancers caused by radiation exposure (incidence risk ) or only excess fatal cancers (mortality risk). Risk may be expressed as a percent, a fraction, or a decimal value. For example, a 1% excess risk of cancer incidence is the same as a 1 in a hundred (1/100) risk or a risk of 0.01.-based regulation. MARSSIM focuses on the demonstration of compliance during the final status survey following scoping, characterization and any necessary remedial actions. Learn more about the Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Manual (MARSSIM).

MARSSIM, Revision 1 (August 2000), including the June 2001 updates, is available in print or electronic format.

Printed Copies

You can purchase a print copy of MARSSIM from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) Sales Desk or NTIS Website. The MARSSIM NTIS document number is PB97-117659.

NTIS Sales Desk

Hours: 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM EST, Monday-Friday
Phone: 800-553-6847
TDD (Hearing impaired only): 703-487-4639

Below you can download an electronic copy of MARSSIM, Revision 1 and supporting documents.

• Memo: The Consultation on Proposed Updates and Changes to the Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Inspection Manual (MARSSIM) (PDF)(2 pp, 672 K)
  This memo was sent from the Director of EPA's Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (ORIA) to the Science Advisory Board on June 22, 2011.
• MARSSIM, Revision 1, CORRECTIONS (PDF)(30 pp, 354 K, August 2002)
• MARSSIM: Availability of Reference Materials (PDF)(1 pg, 27 K)
  This document details how to obtain (and the availability of) reference materials used in the MARSSIM Manual.
• MARSSIM: Table of Contents (PDF)(26 pp, 163 K)
  This is the table of contents for the MARSSIM Manual.
• MARSSIM: Roadmap (PDF)(15 pp, 184 K)
  The goal of the roadmap is to present a summary of the major steps in the design, implementation, and assessment of a final status survey and to identify where guidance on these steps is located in MARSSIM Manual.
• MARSSIM: Cover Page and Spine (PDF)(2 pp, 110 K)
  This document provides the cover page and easy to print spine label for the MARSSIM Manual.
• MARSSIM: Chapter 1 (PDF)(9 pp, 91 K)
  Introduction: Purpose and Scope of MARSSIM
• MARSSIM: Chapter 2 (PDF)(40 pp, 243 K)
  Overview of the Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Process
• MARSSIM: Chapter 3 (PDF)(26 pp, 228 K)
  Historical Site Assessment
• MARSSIM: Chapter 4 (PDF)(39 pp, 489 K)
  Preliminary Survey Considerations
• MARSSIM: Chapter 5 (PDF)(55 pp, 339 K)
  Survey Planning and Design
• MARSSIM: Chapter 6 (PDF)(66 pp, 364 K)
  Field Measurement Methods and Instrumentation
• MARSSIM: Chapter 7 (PDF)(28 pp, 247 K)
  Sampling and Preparation for Laboratory Measurements
• MARSSIM: Chapter 8 (PDF)(27 pp, 398 K)
  Interpretation of Survey Results
• MARSSIM: Chapter 9 (PDF)(9 pp, 72 K)
  Quality Assurance and Quality Control
• MARSSIM: References, Regulations, & U.S. Code (PDF)(18 pp, 181 K)
  This is the list of references pertaining to the MARSSIM Manual.
• MARSSIM: Glossary (PDF)(24 pp, 324 K)
  This is the glossary for the MARSSIM Manual.
• MARSSIM: Index (PDF)(11 pp, 133 K)
  This is the index for the MARSSIM Manual.
• MARSSIM: Bibliographic Data Sheet (PDF)(1 pg, 29 K)
  This document shows the performing and sponsoring agencies in the creation of the MARSSIM Manual.
• MARSSIM: Appendix A (PDF)(20 pp, 328 K)
  Example of MARSSIM Applied to a Final Status Survey
• MARSSIM: Appendix B (PDF)(2 pp, 96 K)
  Simplified Procedure for Certain Users of Sealed Sources, Short Half-Life Materials, and Small Quantities
• MARSSIM: Appendix C (PDF)(21 pp, 163 K)
  Regulations and Requirements Associated with Radiation Surveys and Site Investigations
• MARSSIM: Appendix D (PDF)(29 pp, 301 K)
  The Planning Phase of the Data Life Cycle
• MARSSIM: Appendix E (PDF)(5 pp, 61 K)
  The Assessment Phase of the Data Life Cycle
• MARSSIM: Appendix F (PDF)(10 pp, 171 K)
  The Relationship Between the Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Process, The CERCLA Remedial or Removal Process, and the RCRA Corrective Action Process
• MARSSIM: Appendix G (PDF)(22 pp, 181 K)
  Historical Site Assessment Information Sources
• MARSSIM: Appendix H (PDF)(56 pp, 462 K)
  Description of Field Survey and Laboratory Analysis Equipment
• MARSSIM: Appendix I (PDF)(36 pp, 971 K)
  Statistical Tables and Procedures
• MARSSIM: Appendix J (PDF)(10 pp, 269 K)
  Derivation of Alpha Scanning Equations Presented in Section 6.7.2.2
• MARSSIM: Appendix K (PDF)(6 pp, 101 K)
  Comparison Tables between Quality Assurance Documents
• MARSSIM: Appendix L (PDF)(8 pp, 61 K)
  Regional Radiation Program Managers
• MARSSIM: Appendix M (PDF)(10 pp, 77 K)
  Sampling Methods: A List of Sources
• MARSSIM: Appendix N (PDF)(18 pp, 184 K)
  Data Validation Using Data Descriptors