[ RadSafe ] School Becquerel kits

[Jim Hardeman]

Christina et al. --
 
We had a situation involving a similar (if not identical) source set at a high school here in Georgia not too long ago. Bottom line is that the poly boxes are not air-tight. These nitrates appear to be hydrophilic -- and some of them leaked to the point that there was removable contamination in the areas where the kits were stored. I'll be happy to discuss w/ you in private e-mail -- although I'm out of pocket for the next few days and my availability may be limited.
 
 
Jim Hardeman, Manager
Environmental Radiation Program
Environmental Protection Division
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
4220 International Parkway, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30354
(404) 362-2675
Fax: (404) 362-2653
Personal fax: (404) 521-4485
E-mail: Jim.Hardeman at dnr.state.ga.us 


>>> "Louie Cueva" <louie at tgainc.com> 4/22/2008 18:05 >>>
With regards to waste disposal I have come across these "Becquerel kits"
from various schools. The last kit I came across contained approximately 2
grams of each of the following: sulfur, U nitrate, Th nitrate, Na nitrate,
Na sulfate, U sulfate.  

These kits are usually contain similar contents with the biggest disposal
concern coming from the uranium and thorium nitrates which are considered
mixed waste due to the oxidizing and radioactive nature. Typically the poly
cubes are numbered or lettered with the corresponding description printed on
the box it comes in.


Louie Cueva
Director of Technical Services

Thomas Gray & Associates, Inc.
1205 West Barkley Avenue, Orange, CA 92868
P: 714.997.8090
F: 714.997.3561
E: louie at tgainc.com 


-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl [mailto:radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl] On Behalf
Of Christina Dillard
Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 10:47 AM
To: radsafe at radlab.nl 
Cc: Labsafe at aol.com; gregk at westgeauga.k12.oh.us 
Subject: [ RadSafe ] School kits


Dear Radsafe Listers,

Below is an email from a teacher in Ohio that has come across "6 small boxes
of yellow & white powders labeled 'Becquerel Chemicals, Damon Engineering
Product #99142' by Damon Scientific Company."

I have seen this question posted before and all I have been able to deduce
is that this is most likely a radioisotope kit for a cloud chamber. Kristen
has been encouraged at this point to at minimum borrow a Geiger counter to
check the radioactivity. 

If you can help us further identify these samples please contact us through
the list or directly at gregk at westgeauga.k12.oh.us (Kristen Gregory)

Thank you,

Christina L. Dillard
Assistant Director

The Laboratory Safety Institute (LSI)
A Nonprofit International Organization for Safety in Science and Science
Education

192 Worcester Road, Natick, MA 01760-2252
Phone: 508-647-1900 Fax: 508-647-0062
Cell: 781-789-1178
cdillard at labsafety.org 
www.labsafety.org 

PS We thank you for printing this e-mail only if it is necessary
-----Original Message-----
From: Kristin Gregory [mailto:gregk at westgeauga.k12.oh.us] 
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 11:54 AM
To: cdillard at labsafety.org 
Subject: radioactive chemicals

Hello,

This is a follow up email to corresponce with Jim Kaufman regarding the
identification of some radioactive chemicals that I have in my department.

I know it's a long shot, but I was hoping that maybe you have come across
this question before. 

We need to get rid of, or at least identify, all radioactive substances in
stock as per Jarod's Law. The troublesome chemicals that I have are in kits
of 6 small boxes of yellow & white powders labeled "Becquerel Chemicals,
Damon Engineering Product #99142" by Damon Scienctific Company. 

A web search showed 2 entries by others who have these chemicals in their
storerooms, but no identification of the compounds. 

Do you have any idea what they are or where to search for an answer? 

Thank you for your help.


Kristin J. Gregory
Science Department Chair
440-729-5922 ext. 4123
gregk at westgeauga.k12.oh.us 

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