Re:I-131 on Hwy 10.

[William Stewart <william.stewart@usask.ca>]

Edmond,

2 Kg might include the mass of the packaging, (lead container), as is often 

done on the shipping documents.



William Stewart



An additional note, I had a family member lose a semi due to a similar 

situation.

They were carrying a sealed source, a small Rad I, sticker was all they 

knew about it at the time, and had an engine fire.  The E-response team 

decided to let the truck and contents burn rather than approach after they 

saw the load carried Class 7 materials, no matter what amount.







-----Original Message-----

From:	Baratta, Edmond J [SMTP:EBARATTA@ORA.FDA.GOV]

Sent:	Friday, August 02, 2002 8:42 AM

To:	'Franta, Jaroslav'; Radsafe (E-mail)

Subject:	RE: " Truck carrying radioactive material ignites on Hwy 10 " 

(ne	ar M ontreal)



It's hard to believe that the truck was carrying 2 kilograms.  According to

the Radiological Health Handbook (1970) US Department of Health, Education

and Welfare, Public Health Service Publication, the specific activity of 1

gram of Iodine-131 equals 1.25 E05 Curies (4.625 E15 Bq).  2 Kilograms 

would

equal 9.25 E21 Bq.  Where was it produced and could they shield that much

activity?  Also what hospital could use that much.  It takes only about 100

millicuries (3.7 E09 Bq) for a therapeutic procedure.







The news media should get their act together.







The last statement is my own personal opinion, not that of this Agency!!!







Edmond J. Baratta



Radiation Safety Officer



Tel. No. 781-729-5700, ext 728



FAX: 781-729-3593







-----Original Message-----

From: Franta, Jaroslav [mailto:frantaj@AECL.CA]

Sent: Friday, August 02, 2002 8:41 AM

To: Radsafe (E-mail)

Subject: " Truck carrying radioactive material ignites on Hwy 10 " (near M

ontreal)







A colleague here was stuck in that traffic jam yesterday morning on his way

to Montreal, and another colleague sent this news story....







Jaro







Truck carrying radioactive material ignites on Hwy 10: Transport was headed

to Centre de Medecins Nucleaire du Sherbrooke

The Record (Sherbrooke)

Fri 02 Aug 2002



A tractor-trailer caught fire on Highway 10 early yesterday morning after

the brakes jammed on the vehicle transporting hazardous material, according

to Surete de Quebec spokesperson Constable Manon Gaignard.



The SQ received a call at approximately 4:15 a.m. reporting the accident

near Carignan, involving 2 kilograms of radioactive iodine being 

transported

to the Centre de Medecins Nucleaire du Sherbrooke. The substance is used 

for

exams in the department of nuclear medicine to diagnose any malfunctioning

of the thyroid glands, said CHUS spokesperson Robert Nadon.



The highway was closed for five hours due to the accident, with traffic

backed up nearly 10 kilometres, to enable officials from the Minister of

Environment to inspect the damage and contact the Canadian Nuclear Safety

Commission. The left lane was closed to traffic until midday yesterday.



"The trailer burned completely," said Gaignard. A minor accident occurred 

on

the other side of the road as well, she added, because of curious onlookers

watching the blazing truck during rush hour.



The immediate report filed by Transport Canada shows that there was no

radioactive spill, the material was enclosed in a protective capsule and

remained untouched by the flames, explained Michel Cleroux, communications

officer for the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.







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