[ RadSafe ] School Becquerel kits
Geo>K0FF
GEOelectronics at netscape.com
Wed Apr 23 09:02:08 CDT 2008
Back in the ATOMS FOR PEACE days, the US was wild about teaching atomic
science.
School experiments in radiochemistry, radiopphysics and radiobiology
abounded.
We also taught about rockets, explosives, electronics, radio, and high
voltage. A typical middle school
would have a Van de Graaff generator, a Geiger Counter and some metallic
sodium. Radio clubs, electronics clubs,
photography ( darkroom) clubs, rocket clubs, science clubs, etc were
numerous.
Now days we are much "safer" and eco friendly.
As a result there is a tragic shortage of engineering students in the USA.
Can you say "H-1B Visa"?
George Dowell
New London Nucleonics Lab
----- Original Message -----
From: "Min Sook Kim" <msk02 at health.state.ny.us>
To: <radsafe at radlab.nl>; <radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl>
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 6:54 AM
Subject: RE: [ RadSafe ] School Becquerel kits
> Would anyone kindly explain why these chemicals were widely distributed to
> middle schools and high schools: why those schools bought radioactive
> chemicals anyhow (assume that's how they got those chemicals): why they
> needed them before but don't need them any longer so they need to dispose
> them now. Thanks.
>
> Min-Sook Kim, Ph.D.
> New York State Department of Health
> E-Mail : msk02 at health.state.ny.us
> TEL: (518) 402-7650
>
>
>
> grahnk at comcast.ne
> t
> Sent by: To
> radsafe-bounces at r radsafe at radlab.nl
> adlab.nl cc
>
> Subject
> 04/22/2008 11:26 RE: [ RadSafe ] School Becquerel
> PM kits
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 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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