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Coal Slag

To: <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
Subject: Coal Slag
From: "Deborah Loeser" <DLoeser@larsonking.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2000 23:16:55 -0500

Does anyone know whether the inhalation of Ra-226 and its progeny by sandblasters working with coal slag ("Black Beauty abrasive") would predispose them to, or enhance their development of, silicosis? According to NIOSH, the Ra-226 concentration in coal slag can reach nearly 5 pCi/g depending on local geology; in areas contaminated by naturally occurring barium-radium sludge from crude oil recovery operations, it can approximate 20-50 pCi/g.  Sandblasters work with the sand 5-6 hours/day; often they wear nuisance dust masks when they sweep up the sand.

Any information would be helpful.  Thanks.

DLoeser@larsonking.com

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