[ RadSafe ] TFP - next questions

[Bradshaw, Keith]

James,

>Is there any reason that chemoluminescent contamination is 
>expected to be more prevalent in areas near reactors?

Can you explain what you mean by "chemoluminescent contamination" please?


>> simply precipiting carbonates is not specific enough for
>> Sr-90 analysis.  A whole range of natural (and artificial)
>> radionuclides would carry through the procedure. 

>So where's that mass spectroscopy money from the nuclear 
>energy industry associations?

>[more crickets]

You don't need a mass spectrometer.  The Quantulus itself is an expensive
instrument and I don't think they can plead poverty as an excuse.  In the UK
at least, you're looking at the thick end of £50,000 (about US$90,000). If
used in tandem with a procedure that removes interferences, it would have
been able to detect 0.001Bq (0.027 pCi)of Sr-90.  As it is, they MAY have
detected an increased gross beta.  But without looking at the detail of the
criteria for deciding on the detection limit, I can't say whether or not
they've even done that.  It's actually very unfortunate that these
politically sensitive and hard won samples were analysed in such a
questionable manner.

BTW, it looks to me that chemoluminescence shouldn't be a problem here.
Using only the channels above 400 would cut this out.  Also, K-40 is
probably one of the few nuclides that might have been removed via the
precipitation.  Still leaves most of the rest of the periodic table though.

Personal views only

keith.bradshaw at niras.co.uk

www.niras.co.uk




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