[ RadSafe ] Ra-226 tubing?

[gelsg at aol.com]

Rick:

You may have done this already, but if you haven't, I would strongly suggest that you do a test for removable alpha contamination before you do anything else.  Count the swipes immediately, then again 4 hours later.  If there is still alpha contamination on the swipe after 4 hours, you will probably need to secure the area and call your regional EPA center for help.  If there is no external removable contamination, I would still suggest handling it carefully and taking periodic swipes.

It does not sound like a lot of radium is involved (mCi rather than Ci), but it could still cause you a lot of headaches if it gets spread around.

If and when you find out what its original use was, please let us know.  Right now, I am leaning towards the naval wartime use rather than the veterinary use, although both are plausible.

Jerry Gels




-----Original Message-----
From: RDAlarcao <RDAlarcao at dhhs.state.nh.us>
To: radsafe <radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu>
Sent: Fri, Sep 23, 2011 7:17 pm
Subject: [ RadSafe ] Ra-226 tubing?



ll,
Please see the attached PDF file (assuming the attachment goes through) of
 photo of an item that was found in an old barn in New Hampshire, USA.  It
ppears to be a bundle of rubber or plastic tubing with metal clips on the
nds.  The bundle in the photo is approximately 15 cm in diameter, with a
ube thickness of approximately 0.5 cm.  The contact exposure rate is 50
R/hr, and the isotope was identified to be Ra-226.  Does anyone know what
his might be or where it might have come from?
(See attached file: Ra-226 tubing3.pdf)
Thank you,
Rick D'Alarcao, Ph.D.
ealth Physicist
adiological Health Section
ureau of Public Health Protection
ew Hampshire Division of Public Health Services, Department of Health and
uman Services
ivision of Public Health Services
9 Hazen Drive
oncord, NH 03301-6504
hone: (603) 271-7578
ax: (603) 225-2325
mail: rdalarcao at dhhs.state.nh.us

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