Re: DU in a fire

["Michael S Ford" <MFORD@pantex.com>]

Mike,

Check out DOE-HDBK-3010-94, "Airborne Release Fractions/Rates and Respirable Fractions For Nonreactor Nuclear Facilities", Section 4.2.1.2.1, page 4-37.  Preceding section is also useful.  [BTW:  the entire handbook is a great reference except the alpha specific activity for WG Pu is for 15 year old stuff, not much of that around at all.  Better to use 30 yr+ to be conservative.]

The section above looks to be exactly what you're searching for:  aerosol behavior of DU rounds + shrapnel following an 800 to 1100 deg C fire for about 3 hours.  No measurable airborne within 100 meters.  Data collected by Mishima et al..... you might try calling him if you have specific questions.  Surface to mass ratio appears to be key factor in determining ignitability ==> large pieces of DU very difficult to ignite (<1.0 sq cm/g).  Oxidation products in the respirable range obtained from residue samples appear to be mainly class Y U3O8.

Also remember that forest service fire fighters do not wear respiratory protection and don minimal turn-out gear.  Figure accordingly.

'Hope this helps!
v/r
Michael
mford@pantex.com

>>> mcnaught@lanl.gov 31 Mar 00 2:54:02 PM >>>
Dear RadSafers

Are there any concerns about DU shrapnel in a fire? At some outdoor areas
of Los Alamos National Lab., there is DU shrapnel on the ground and
embedded in trees, as a result of 50 years of tests. In a brush or forest
fire, what should a firefighter be concerned about? 

Thank you, mike

Mike McNaughton
email: mcnaught@LANL.gov or mcnaughton@LANL.gov 
phone: (505)667-6130
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