[ RadSafe ] Pb-210 Accumulation on Supply Fan Filters and On

[Conway Lowe Family]

Hi,

Pb-210 accumulation on residues from gas pipelines cleaned by brush  "pigs" is a common occurrence, although not all maintenance workers take the appropriate waste management options, such as suggested by Nick.  I have seen Pb-210 concentrations on such "pigging wastes" up to 15,000 Bq/kg.  Fairly conservative dose calculations suggest that doses (inhalation and ingestion) from exposure to such waste would be low, < 0.002 mSv for a working day.  Actual doses under good industrial hygiene practices would be lower still. 

L. Lowe 

-----Original Message-----
From: Nick Tsurikov [mailto:nick.tsurikov at gmail.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2016 8:06 AM
To: The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List <radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu>
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Pb-210 Accumulation on Supply Fan Filters

Dear all,
I've seen Pb-210 on several occasions in gas production/storage facilities.  Sure, there is large Pb-210 peak - but it is present in the form of a a rather thin film (1/16" is probably the most I've seen) and is relatively easy to remove. Clean the stuff with a "pig"/"plug", put it in a drum in the corner of the workshop/plant and signpost it (so it won't get lost), pipes are back - clean and good for re-use.
With filters - one needs to look at the electrostatic precipitators and filters at different smelters (copper and nickel in particular, sometime iron/steel as well).  The "attached fraction" [to dust] of Rn-222 progeny tends to accumulate there, and the longest living progeny (Pb-210) is almost always detectable...
Kind regards
Nick Tsurikov

On Tue, Feb 16, 2016 at 5:15 PM, Conway, Ken C <kcconway at bwxt.com> wrote:

> I have seen this on outside metals. The Pb 210 rusts right into  the 
> metal.  The daughter Po-210 a strong alpha emitter should accompany it.
> Lead 210 as you describe it is expected.
>
>
> From the Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Assessment of Material and 
> Equipment (MARSAME) manual (USEPA, 2009) "
> Radon progeny tend to become fixed to solid particles in the air. 
> These particles can become attached to surfaces as a result of 
> electrostatic charge or gravitational settling. Air flow through 
> ventilation ducts can produce an electrostatic charge that will 
> attract these particles. A decrease in atmospheric pressure often 
> precedes a rainstorm, which increases the radon emanation rate. 
> Immediately prior to an electrical storm, an electrostatic charge can 
> build up on equipment resulting in elevated radiation levels from 
> radon progeny. Rainfall acts to scavenge these particles from the air, 
> potentially resulting in elevated dose rates and surface activities during and immediately following rainfall.
>
> Pb-210 is a decay product of 222Rn and 238U. The 22-year half-life 
> provides opportunities for buildup 210Pb and progeny in sediments and 
> low-lying areas. As mentioned previously, rain acts to scavenge radon 
> progeny from the air. Areas where rain collects and concentrates can 
> result in elevated levels of 210Pb and progeny over time. In addition, 
> lead is easily oxidized and can become fixed to surfaces through 
> corrosion processes. Rust or oxide films on equipment can be 
> indicators of locations with a potential for elevated background radioactivity."
>
> NCRP 45 states that Pb-210 is present in ground level atmosphere at 1 
> E-14 uCi/ml. I would expect that air handling devices constantly 
> exposed to such air would accumulate  Pb-210 as discussed in MARSAME. 
> Similarly rain contains ~ 3 pCi/l Pb-210 and is also a potential source( NCRP 77).
>
> This radon daughter washout process is a known and established natural 
> process.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu [mailto:
> radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of 
> Randy.Redmond at cns.doe.gov
> Sent: Monday, February 15, 2016 4:42 PM
> To: 'radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu'
> Subject: EXTERNAL: [ RadSafe ] Pb-210 Accumulation on Supply Fan 
> Filters
>
> Anyone else run across supply fan filters that have detectable 
> beta-gamma that will not decay away like typical short-lived radon 
> progeny?  Gamma spec shows a large Pb-210 peak.  Our thought process 
> is there is an accumulation of Pb-210 on the filters because of the 
> amount of air being moved and filtered;  the filters remain in use for 
> several years; and the
> Pb-210 has a 20.4 year half-life.
>
>
> [cid:image001.png at 01CF9A97.E7064240]
>
> Randy Redmond
> Y-12 Radiological Control
> Radiological Engineering
> Randy.Redmond at cns.doe.gov<mailto:Randy.Redmond at cns.doe.gov>
> (865) 574-5640 Office
> (865) 574-0117 Fax
>
>
>
>
> ----------------------------------------- This message is intended 
> only for the individual or entity to which it is addressed and 
> contains information that is proprietary to BWX Technologies, Inc 
> and/or and/or its affiliates, or may be otherwise confidential. If the 
> reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee 
> agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended 
> recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, 
> distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. 
> If you have received this communication in error, please notify the 
> sender immediately by return e-mail and delete this message from your computer. Thank you.
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>