[ RadSafe ] Alpha Check Sources - Thanks!

[Kai Kaletsch]

Thank you to all who have responded off-list! Lots of good info!

Kai

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kai Kaletsch" <eic at shaw.ca>
To: <radsafe at radlab.nl>
Sent: Sunday, September 02, 2007 12:29 PM
Subject: [ RadSafe ] Alpha Check Sources


Dear Radsafers,

I am looking for a supplier of check sources that can be used for alpha 
counters. These can be very low activity. About 400 Bq would be ideal, but 
even much lower would be acceptable. The actual activity is not very 
important. These are to be used as check sources, rather than calibration 
standards. I am looking for the thin 25 mm disk sources.

This is how I understand the situation (and PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong): 
Small quantities of Am-241 are exempt from licensing requirements in most of 
the world, but not in the US. This makes it difficult for organizations in 
the US to get these sources. Up to 4% Thorium in tungsten does not need to 
be licensed in the US, but nobody makes check sources out of this material. 
So, what can organizations in the US use as an alpha check source?

The main supplier of Am-241 sources ( 
http://www.ipl.isotopeproducts.com/new_ipl_site/ ) is located in the US. 
Suppliers in the US are often not aware of regulations in other countries 
and are reluctant to ship these sources to unlicensed entities outside the 
US. Even if you can explain the situation and they ship the source, it gets 
to customs with a whole bunch of paperwork and the customs people don't know 
what to do with it. So, it is difficult to get an alpha check source outside 
the US, as well.

All of this adds to the cost. The price of a small Am-241 source is ~ $1000 
USD even before the paper burden, for a source that is several orders of 
magnitude smaller than what is contained in a $5 smoke detector.

My question is: Does anyone have a suggestion of how an unlicensed entity, 
either in the US or outside the US, can get a small alpha emitting check 
source for a reasonable price and without a lot of paperwork? (... that does 
not involve taking apart a smoke detector.)

Background:

To avoid having my door kicked in by various security agencies, I should 
probably explain the reason for this request.

We manufacture the TM372 portable alpha counter, which has become the 
standard instrument for measuring radon progeny and Long Lived Radioactive 
Dust in Canadian uranium mines. The uranium mining companies are licensed to 
have radioisotopes. They have the budget to pay $1000 for a check source and 
they have the staff that is accustomed to dealing with the paper burden 
related to getting radioactive material. So, this issue is not so difficult 
for them.

However, there are other entities who do not necessarily have a radioisotope 
license, who want to (and should!) measure radon progeny and use the TM372. 
These include other mines (e.g. zinc, gold, tin, molybdenum...) as well as 
consultants. Getting an alpha check source becomes a real difficulty for 
them.

Off-list responses welcome.

Thanks in advance,
Kai

Kai Kaletsch
Environmental Instruments Canada Inc.
http://www.eic.nu/




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