[ RadSafe ] Disposal of Am-241 In Smoke Detectors

[Walt Cofer]

Gene -

You are correct; it is legal to dispose of smoke detectors containing exempt quantities of Am-241 as normal trash, as long as the sources remain inside the detectors.  If you have multiple detectors, your best approach is to dispose of them individually, in  order to prevent anyone from accumulating enough sources to do something bad with them. 

Walt Cofer
Radiation Control, Inc.
Tallahassee, FL
Tel:    (850) 668-8559
Cell:   (850) 519-5351
Fax:   (850) 893-2566
Email: radcontrol at embarqmail.com
Web:  www.rad-control.net


----- Original Message -----
From: efforrer at aol.com
To: radsafe at radlab.nl
Sent: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 14:10:14 -0500 (EST)
Subject: [ RadSafe ] Re: Am-241 In SMoke Detectors

Per my recent conversations with California regulators, smoke detectors, with Am-241, are exempt items and may be disposed of in the trash.? Manufacturers will not take them back (same with H-3 Exit signs) for free anymore.? You can also hire a broker to dispose of them but at $1500.00 per drum (regardless of how many there are) is a bit steep for me.

Gene Forrer

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