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Re: Radioactive Rock Found In Science Class
New Jersey School Incident was posted in the Radsafe 08 May 1997 look at
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/radsafe/9705/msg00145.html
and more than 10 message about
Today the same jargon are expressed the subject
Jose Julio Rozental
joseroze@netvision.net.il
Israel
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gerald Nicholls" <Gerald.Nicholls@dep.state.nj.us>
To: <bcradsafers@HOTMAIL.COM>; <radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu>
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 4:53 PM
Subject: Re: Radioactive Rock Found In Science Class
> I checked with the school this morning on the incident reported in the
> posting. This actually occurred several years ago. I'm unsure why it
> is being posted now.
>
> My recollection of the events is that the principal of the school was
> alerted to the presence of a rock in a science room that gave readings
> on a geiger counter. Generally speaking, science teachers, even physics
> teachers, have little or no practical experience with radiation. The
> principal reported the incident to local emergency management who, in
> turn, reported it through normal channels for such incidents here in New
> Jersey. A staff member from our radiation protection program responded
> by telephone but found that either the school officials or the local
> emergency management group had evacuated the building. He then went to
> the school and found the school officials, the mayor and the media.
>
> He examined the rock (a geology specimen) and spoke to the mayor and
> school officials privately, explaining that no real hazard existed. The
> mayor then took charge of the situation, advising everyone that this was
> a simple case of overreaction. Everyone then went home. The media, of
> course, saw the events somewhat differently and hyped the report.
>
> It is interesting to note that the mayor, who acted quickly and
> responsibly once advised of the facts of the situation, is now the
> Governor of New Jersey, James E. McGreevey.
>
> Sometimes, however, incidents in schools are serious. About 15 years
> ago, a high school student was carrying a GM survey meter down the
> corridor of a private elementary school in New Jersey and noticed high
> readings. The student had borrowed the meter to show to friends. These
> events were reported to a faculty member at a local university and then
> to our radiation protection program. Subsequent investigation showed
> that the source of the readings was an unshielded 50 mCi radium
> nasopharyngeal applicator that had been sitting in a small store room
> for an undertermined amount of time. The source was eventually traced
> to the office of a deceased physician.
>
> To answer your original question, Colonia High School does have a web
> site. It is www.woodbridge.k12.nj.us/high_chs.html
>
> Gerald Nicholls
> NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection
>
> >>> "Bjorn Cedervall" <bcradsafers@HOTMAIL.COM> 06/12/03 05:46AM >>>
> > Colonia High School in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey is closed
> > today after officials discovered a grapefruit-sized radioactive
> rock
> > in a science class.
> > Woodbridge Township Emergency Management Coordinator John Mitch
> says
> > about 70 to 90 students were exposed. Mitch tells the Newark Star-
> > Ledger the children were advised to wash with soap and water as a
>
> I tried to find email addresses to the local administrators, school
> representatives (head
> principal for instance, city administrator, local Board of Education)
> etc
> but was unsuccessful.
> Anyone who can help?
> What about the journalist/writer at the Star-Ledger?
> email to the local emergency unit?
>
> Facts regarding the radioactive rock? (how many Bq etc?)
> How many kids were sent home? For how long?
>
> Bjorn Cedervall bcradsafers@hotmail.com
> http://www.geocities.com/bjorn_cedervall/
>
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