[ RadSafe ] Apparently large amount of Radon in Natural Gas Release near Los Angeles

[jjshonka at shonka.com]

Brad


The concentration of radon in the gas depends on the source, which would be the surrounding soil matrix given the short half life of radon.  Interstitial soil concentrations are 100’s to 1,000’s of times that seen in air.  The concentration in the methane might be 100’s of pCi/L.  Of course, the concentration in air would depend on release rate and dilution in transit to the location.


Joe Shonka






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From: Brad Keck
Sent: ‎Tuesday‎, ‎January‎ ‎12‎, ‎2016 ‎11‎:‎57‎ ‎AM
To: The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List





Since this is a storage, rather than a production well, I would think that radon is very low even in the gas directly.  ( say something less than 5 pCi/L) 

Methane has to be about 4% in air to explode and this is the first thing a sensible person would measure as it could theoretically go boom, rendering any future mortalities irrelevant.  So I presume the gas company and any sensible regulators are keeping tabs closely on this and this is the primary consideration in calling for an evacuation.  

On the other hand, chronic exposure to the odorants at a much lower concentration of gas will make people nauseous, worried and very angry!  

Brad






> On Jan 12, 2016, at 11:23 AM, Maury <maurysis at peoplepc.com> wrote:
> 
> Natural gas is lighter than air.  I have used it often over the years to fly homemade balloons! <g>  Not as good as H or He, but it works fine for toys and, of course, it flares great.
> 
> One interesting reference re radon content is:
> http://energyindepth.org/marcellus/radon-rhetoric-of-anti-expert-on-natural-gas-rejected/ 
> 
> Maury&Dog  [maurysis at peoplepc.com]
> ==============================
> 
>> On 1/11/2016 9:42 PM, Joseph Preisig wrote:
>> Radsafe/Roger:
>>       Don't know what the radon levels are in the natural gas.  Maybe some
>> HP should go in and take a sample for counting at the gas well.  Wear Scott
>> Air Pack???  Count the samples and let all concerned know.
>> 
>>      I don't know if the natural gas is heavier than air.  If so, it could
>> fill in a little valley in California and choke off all the life in such a
>> valley.  The radon is a secondary threat.
>>      There are people who are proficient in capping natural gas wells in
>> the petroleum industry.  Someone call them.  The gas well isn't on fire,
>> right???  Is there a well head or well casings in place.  If necessary,
>> pour a concrete base around the well and let it harden.  This might keep
>> gas from getting out through the soil around the well.  Call BP ---they
>> capped a well underwater in the Gulf of Mexico a while ago, remember???
>>      The procedure is fairly simple if some sort of well head is above
>> ground.  Make a capping pipe which will closely fit over the well head.
>> There should be a working big valve assembly at the top of the capping
>> pipe.  The capping pipe is placed with a crane or whatever above the well
>> head.  It may be necessary to have side ropes for people to hold the
>> capping pipe in place.  The valve should be open.  Once the capping pipe is
>> in place, attach via screws or whatever the capping pipe to the well head.
>> Do not weld it in place???!!!
>>      Once the capping pipe is in place firmly, slowly close the valve and
>> avoid sparking.  Once the valve is closed, make the well head to capping
>> pipe attachment assembly stronger.   There, DONE???  Repeat process if it
>> doesn't work the first time.
>> 
>>      Joe Preisig
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> On Mon, Jan 11, 2016 at 10:10 PM, Roger Helbig <rwhelbig at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Here is NY Times article on the gas leak from a storage well that has
>>> been leaking since October and has led to Governor Brown declaring an
>>> emergency.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/07/us/california-governor-declares-emergency-over-los-angeles-gas-leak.html
>>> 
> -------------------------------------snipped-------------------------------
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