[ RadSafe ] Fukushima beta radiation burns

[Steven Dapra]

March 24

         Why would anyone stand in water --- rad water or otherwise 
--- without wearing rubber boots?  I can scarcely believe that these 
N-plants don't have rubber boots on hand.

Steven Dapra


At 01:50 PM 3/24/2011, you wrote:
>Below are a couple of links on reports that three workers at the 
>Fukushima No. 3 reactor got beta-radiation burns on their feet when 
>they were laying electrical cables while standing in 
>radioactively-contaminated water.  One report stated: "TEPCO said 
>radioactive water may have seeped through the workers' radiation 
>protective gear, causing radioactive materials in the water to stick 
>to their skin."
>
>The workers also received radiation doses of 17 to 18 rem while 
>working from 10 AM to 12:10 PM (suggesting a 1.2 - 1.3 rem/h average 
>dose rate).  It's not clear whether the workers were standing in 
>water the entire 14 hours.
>
>Can one estimate (or WAG) the solution concentrations of 
>beta-emitters (Ci/L) that would have to be in the water for the 
>workers to get radiation burns from the water that seeped through 
>the workers' radiation protective gear (e.g. Tyvex booties over work shoes?)?
>
>http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20110324D24JF855.htm
>http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110324/japan-radiation-tapwater-110324/20110324/?hub=CalgaryHome 
>
>
>
>Rick Strickert
>Austin, TX