[ RadSafe ] Red Sand

[Cowie, Michael I]

Abrasive Sand/grit

Also recently encountered some red coloured fine sand, it has been suggested the material is "Garnet". Activity concentration is in the order of 30Bq/g (Total activity), and have measured gamma dose rates of in excess of 3microSiverts/hr from the material. A few years ago we ceased using abrasive sands/silica for blasting/preparation ops due to health related issues (silicosis) and the replacement material is a type of black grit (a trade name I have seen is EuroGrit, but there are others). This also has slightly enhanced activity levels but only around 1Bq/g. So it came as a bit of a shock to find this material, particularly with such enhanced activity levels and associated gamma dose-rate.

Again a couple of questions:

Are the activity concentrations in the "granet" or Rad Sand typical?
Are there standards to which suppliers should adhere?

I am pretty certain that this material if shipped now would trigger alarms at ports of entry if exported.

Mike



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