AW: [ RadSafe ] Seabrook Nukes and cancers: TFP

[Franz Schönhofer]

Edmond and RADSAFErs,

Having returned from a longer stay in Tunesia I find information about the
most recent, ridiculous TFP nonsense on RADSAFE - it is a good laugh.

As to the analytical aspects of determination of Sr-90 in teeth: We carried
out a research programme on retrospective determination of Sr-90 in red-deer
antlers (an excellent bioindicator!!) in order to determine the
environmental contamination by Sr-90 during the late fifties up to the mid
90's. We developed a method in which we used 1 to 2 g of material from the
antlers, using the ultra low-level liquid scintillation counter "Quantulus"
and this amount was more than sufficient to perform at least two parallel
determinations. 

The laboratory which performs Sr-90 analyses for the TFP uses a "Quantulus"
and as far as I have been able to gather information about the chemical
separation methods used, Ra-226 is separated (and anyway hardly present in
teeth) and correct protocols are followed. Therefore the results seem to me
to be trustworthy. 

The "gag" with the TFP is that it is an excellent example for how correct
data can be easily used to support nonsensical claims, to distort facts, to
make ridiculous correlations "confirming" totally wrong statements and how
to manipulate scientific evidence and results for self-serving purposes. 

Best regards,

Franz

Franz Schoenhofer
PhD, MR iR
Habicherg. 31/7
A-1160 Vienna
AUSTRIA
phone -43-0699-1168-1319
----------------------------------------------------------------

> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl [mailto:radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl] Im
> Auftrag von Baratta, Edmond J
> Gesendet: Dienstag, 06. Dezember 2005 14:47
> An: 'Norm Cohen'; Know_Nukes at yahoogroups.com; Radsafe
> Betreff: RE: [ RadSafe ] Seabrook Nukes and cancers: TFP
> 
>  I'm always amazed how data is obtained from 'baby' teeth.  What 'low-
> level'
> method is used to for the deter minion of Strontium-90.  The U.S.
> Environmental Protection Agency had listed as the limits of detection for
> Strontium-90 as 2 pCi/kg (0.074 Bq/kg).  Certainly the amount of sample
> used
> must be very small.  Do they combine a large amount of teeth or are they
> from individual teeth?  I would be interested in knowing more about this
> method.
>