[ RadSafe ] References needed: Radiation safety vs General Safety

Wed Feb 1 16:05:57 CST 2006

I am trying to refresh my "training bank" and I kindly request your help in
finding any papers or books (if any) highlighting differences in regulatory
application in ionizing radiation safety vs chemical safety for example or
biological safety etc. I don't want to start another discussion on ALARA or
even LNT, but I would be interested in seeing how much we are doing in
Health Phsycis vs how little we do in other safety fields (not assuming that
we are the only one working in safety !!!)

Some paper that would, for example, compare different regulations for the
same relative risk.  I am always amazed to see that we can't export easily a
couple of micro-curies of H-3 but we can send a nasty toxin without too much
problem. Or that we have to lock some P-32 but not any toxic chemicals or
strong reactives...

Thanks in advance.

Stéphane Jean-François, Eng., CHP
Manager, Environmental and Health Physics services
Merck Frosst Canada
514-428-8695
514-428-8670
stephane_jeanfrancois at merck.com
www.merckfrosst.com

-----Message d'origine-----
De : radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl [mailto:radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl] De la part
de Gaglierd, Tony
Envoyé : Wednesday, February 01, 2006 10:42 AM
À : 'radsafe at radlab.nl'
Objet : [ RadSafe ] Florida Blast Releases Low Level Radiation

Fla. Blast Releases Low Level Radiation 
© 2006 The Associated Press 
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - About 40 workers were exposed to a small amount of
radiation Monday when a container exploded, releasing krypton gas inside a
defense contractor's facility, company and fire officials said.
The exposure level was so low that most employees at Unison Industries did
not need to be decontaminated, said Jacksonville Fire-Rescue spokesman Tom
Francis said. About 30 firefighters and other rescue personnel were tested
for exposure and came back clean, he said.
One person who suffered cuts in the explosion was taken to a hospital for
treatment, and 15 others were taken to hospitals as a precaution after
complaining of being lightheaded, nauseous, having high-blood pressure or
other conditions.
Krypton gas is colorless and nontoxic. It can be made artificially
radioactive for use in manufacturing.
Unison makes alternators for turbine engines and ignition generators for
Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Update 2: Fla. Blast Releases Low Level Radiation 
01.30.2006, 02:46 PM 

About 40 workers were exposed to a small amount of radiation Monday when a
container exploded, releasing krypton gas inside a defense contractor's
facility, company and fire officials said. 

The exposure level was so low that most employees at Unison Industries did
not need to be decontaminated, said Jacksonville Fire-Rescue spokesman Tom
Francis said. About 30 firefighters and other rescue personnel were tested
for exposure and came back clean, he said. 

One person who suffered cuts in the explosion was taken to a hospital for
treatment, and 15 others were taken to hospitals as a precaution after
complaining of being lightheaded, nauseous, having high-blood pressure or
other conditions. 

Krypton gas is colorless and nontoxic. It can be made artificially
radioactive for use in manufacturing. 

Unison makes alternators for turbine engines and ignition generators for
Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Update 7: Fla. Blast Releases Low Level Radiation 
01.30.2006, 11:55 PM 

More than 70 people underwent decontamination Monday after being exposed to
a small amount of radiation from an exploded krypton gas container at a
defense contractor's plant Monday, officials said. 

No one was in danger of being exposed to a life-threatening dose,
authorities said. 

Sixteen people were taken to a hospital after complaining of nausea, said
Bennie Seth, a fire and rescue spokeswoman. No one was seriously ill. 

No radiation escaped the building at Union Industries. 

Seventy-three people were found to be exposed to levels of radiation high
enough that they had to be decontaminated, Seth said. A tent was set up
between two fire trucks next to the building, and people disrobed and were
washed down one by one. 

Krypton gas is colorless and nontoxic. It can be made artificially
radioactive for use in manufacturing. The krypton at the plant was used for
making medical supplies, Seth said. 

Unison also makes alternators for turbine engines and ignition generators
for Tomahawk cruise missiles.

I think the article speaks for itself. There is a need to provide the first
Responder Community with Good, High Quality, Practical; Training on
Radiation and Radiation Emergency Response. Lets put some of that WMD money
were it will give us some benefit in the here and now. 

Correct me if I'm wrong but Krypton is an inert gas. Breath it In Breath it
out. Exposure YES, Contamination I say NO. Why the need to "Decontaminate"
from a radiation stand point?

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