Re: Tritium in concrete

[DWhitfil@kdhe.state.ks.us]

Franz's response sparked my curiosity and there is a discussion about
cement and tritium retention in NCRP 62 on page 43 and 44. Table 5-1 gives
leach test data for tritiated cements. Using this data, the physical
half-life, and assuming an initial concentration you probably can make a
determination whether or not any tritium left would be detectable (just how
much concrete would be needed to get enough tritium for analysis?)...

Data is given for Portland Cement I, III, and lumnite. Work by Emelity
(1973) and Colombo (1974, 75) is cited.


                                                                                                
                    David Allyson                                                               
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Dear RADSAFE Members

Does anyone have any information about levels of tritium currently found in
concrete, from buildings that were built around 1962-1963, but NOT those
found in any nuclear facilities?  This period would have corresponded to
significantly higher levels of atmospheric tritium from weapons fallout.
Would it be feasible to expect that levels of tritium in concrete (from the
water used in its manufacture), to be above clearance levels?




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