Radiation Hazard or NOT ?

[Jim Abraham <jimabe@LAMAR.COLOSTATE.EDU>]

Dear Radsafers:



I have a question that I'm wondering if you can help me with. In the

process of haz. wasting a variety of old chemicals that have been stored

at our university for many years, we came across something that raised a

red flag. I'm trying to find out if there is any radiation hazard with

this. The item of concern is a metal container that holds a product know

as FP 2267. It was manufactured by the now famous U.S. Radium

Corporation

of New Jersey. From scientific literature, I know that this product is

flourescent tracer particles composed primarily of zinc-cadmium sulfide.

It was used in a lot of atmosheric tracer studies circa the 1960's and

early 70's, many probably funded to study the dispersal of radioactive

material. Nevertheless, I don't know enough about the material to know

what causes the flourescence, nor do I know if I need to be concerned

about the "various elements added in small amounts as activators" (from

a

1965 reference). Any chance you know about this and whether there might

be

radiation involved?  Thank You

-- 

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

James P. Abraham

Alt. Radiation Safety Officer

Radiation Control Office - Environmental Health Serv.

Colorado State University - Fort Collins, CO 80523-6021



Phone:  (970) 491-3928          Fax:    (970) 491-4804

email:  jimabe@lamar.colostate.edu

URL:	http://www.ehs.colostate.edu/radiation

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

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