[ RadSafe ] School Becquerel kits

Tue Apr 22 22:25:30 CDT 2008

In Illinois, http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=9&RecNum=5485 we are conducting a rad chemical and source roundup for high schools and middle schools.  We are currently conducting our spring roundup.  Over the last three weeks, we have picked up several hundred of these kits and are accumulating them for disposal. I picked up 50 of them from 4 schools today.  It's our most popular item due to the potential for leaks and the older plastic containers that are quite brittle with age, and exposure to a lesser degree.  We are working with CRCPD to find a current processor/vendor of U and Th salts and hope to recycle these along with actual U and Th chemicals still in stock bottles.

See if there's a state program to take the materials.  Either as a rad pickup or as part of a household/community hazardous waste pickup.  If it's a small total number of kits, they are exempt.

Kelly Grahn
Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Division of Nuclear Safety
630-947-2721
kelly.grahn at illinois.gov

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Jim Hardeman" <Jim.Hardeman at dnr.state.ga.us> 

> 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" 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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