RE: Magnesium-thorium question

["Wallace, Howard L" <Howard.Wallace@PSS.Boeing.com>]

Mike,

You will find some information on Mg-Th alloys in: 

Thorium, Its Industrial Hygiene Aspects
Roy E. Albert
Academic Press, 1966

I hope this helps.

Howard Wallace,    Health Physicist       
Phone: (425) 393-9059        The Boeing Company     
Fax:  (425) 393-3060            email: Howard.L.Wallace@Boeing.com



> ----------
> From: 	Mike Carstensen[SMTP:carstensenm@edaw.com]
> Reply To: 	radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
> Sent: 	Wednesday, January 10, 2001 8:34 AM
> To: 	Multiple recipients of list
> Subject: 	Magnesium-thorium question
> 
> Hi,
> I'm new to this list (and to radsafe issues overall).
> I need some help and hope someone can at least 
> point me in the right direction.
> 
> I am a member of a team working on an environmental
> assessment that involves missile test launches.
> The proposed missiles use surplus POLARIS 
> 1st- and 2nd-stage boosters.  The skin on the 
> boosters is made from HK31A-H24 Magnesium-
> thorium, less than 3% thorium according to what
> we've been told.
> 
> A statement has been made, but not signed off to,
> that the "alloy's radioactivity measures less than 80
> microcuries and is handled as a normally occurring
> radioactive material."  There have been other 
> statements bandied about to the effect that the
> radiation from this is less than that from a watch.
> 
> The public is concerned and I am looking for a 
> way to accurately and appropriately address their
> concerns.  This doesn't mean placate.  If there
> is a genuine safety issue, I need to be able to 
> show what clearly what the saety issue is, etc...
> 
> Any pointers would be appreicated.  Please note
> that it is not my desire to get into any kind of 
> issue as to whether these tests are 'right' or 
> 'wrong'.  I just want to be able to analyze their
> use appropriately so the decisionmaker can
> make a properly-informed decision about the
> project.
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> 
> Mike Carstensen
> Staff Environmental Specialist
> EDAW, Inc.
> 256-430-5560
> 
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