[ RadSafe ] Fukushima beta radiation burns

[Larry Addis]

I was curious as to how the dose to the skin was diagnosed as "beta burns".
Do we think multiple dosimetry, as in extremity dosimetry was being used. 

I frequently required eleven individual dosimeters for jobs that met the
expected exposure parameters. But if that were the case here, and known or
unknown levels were suspect in water, high boots or waders would have been
required at a minimum. 

I've put workers in knee deep water before, but had them adequately attired
for the job.

I look forward to eventually getting good information from this event
overall so we can come to a better understanding of it.

LA 

-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu
[mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of Cary Renquist
Sent: Friday, March 25, 2011 1:28 PM
To: The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) MailingList
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Fukushima beta radiation burns


Doesn't it take a while for even erythema to appear?
I know that Boric Acid isn't exactly the nastiest chemical out there, but
could it have caused skin irritation if it was in the water?
Or perhaps, the media is wrong?  I know, impossible!

---
Cary Renquist
cary.renquist at ezag.com

-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu
[mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of Strickert, Rick
Sent: Thursday, 24 March 2011 13:51
To: The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List
Subject: [ RadSafe ] Fukushima beta radiation burns

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-tapw
ater-110324/20110324/?hub=CalgaryHome 


Rick Strickert
Austin, TX
_______________________________________________
You are currently subscribed to the RadSafe mailing list

Before posting a message to RadSafe be sure to have read and understood the
RadSafe rules. These can be found at:
http://health.phys.iit.edu/radsaferules.html

For information on how to subscribe or unsubscribe and other settings visit:
http://health.phys.iit.edu
_______________________________________________
You are currently subscribed to the RadSafe mailing list

Before posting a message to RadSafe be sure to have read and understood the
RadSafe rules. These can be found at:
http://health.phys.iit.edu/radsaferules.html

For information on how to subscribe or unsubscribe and other settings visit:
http://health.phys.iit.edu