Re: Victoreen Wipe Counter

["Michael Kelly" <mskell01@louisville.edu>]

Ed,

If the units your are referring to are GM, not scintillation I have tested about 5-10 of them as a consultant. I carry a Co-57 button source (psuedo Tc-99m) that is anywhere from 2,000 to 10,000 DPM. I have never found the button source to be rejected. I personally don't think it can detect contamination from diagnostic nuclear medicine radionuclides to the required 2200 dpm/100 cm sq. As far as MDA, these units have a very low efficiency, usually less than 1% and a high background. I would think MDA would be high, even for 10 minute count time. Our state rad control does allow them because the NRC approved them.  

     Mike Kelly CHP, dABR

>>> estroud@smtpgate.dphe.state.co.us 02/23/00 11:49AM >>>
Radsafers,

Has anyone evaluated the Victoreen Deluxe Wipe Test Counter (model 05-578) for use in Nuclear Medicine Departments for package receipt and weekly contamination surveys?

-Is it accepted by your regulatory agency ?
-Are you permitted to use the "pass-fail" mode?
-Is the calibration NIST traceable?
-How does one calculate the MDA/LLD ?
-Can the Techs really be counted on to switch correction factors for the different isotopes?

Any comments would be appreciated!

Ed Stroud
Alt RSO, CDPHE
ed.stroud@state.co.us 

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