RE: Magnesium-thorium question

["Andrew Lombardo" <alombardo@earthsciences.net>]

I have supported work sites that have thorium < 4% as a byproduct. The
thorium although NORM is licensed and is decommissioned to levels in soil in
the 2 - 10 pCi/g, a very restrictive concentration. Using risk based dose
modeling, natural thorium in this activity concentration delivers about 10 -
25 mrem TEDE/yr. "80 uCi" is not a helpful quantity. Is this total
inventory? More info is needed.

Andy Lombardo, CHP
Earth Sciences Consultants, Inc.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
> [mailto:radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu]On Behalf Of Mike Carstensen
> Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2001 11:35 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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