Re: DECAY-IN-STORAGE

[Mr Philo <pjconnol@chaph.usc.edu>]

Patrick Beyer wrote that his institution sent some waste to Barnwell.  Some
of us are no longer so lucky...

Lynn,
At the other USC, we are keeping ourselves out of a serious waste problem by
a decay-in-storage program.  Mostly decayed are 32P, 125I and now 35S --
both dry solids and liquids.  The 35S dry solids are becoming a problem. 
The 88 day half life means we have to keep it for quite a while, and space is 
becoming critical.

Dry solids are separated by radionuclide in the labs and placed in 17-gallon 
drums.  We date these and at the appropriate time survey and throw away.
Liquids are collected and decayed in 5 gallon carboys, followed by sewer
disposal.

As mentioned above, space is a problem for us (mainly from 35S).  Our license
is being changed to allow us to dispose after 7 half lives, but even with that
we will probably have to get a trailer or something just for the 35S.

By the way, USC has two licensed campuses, and the other campus prefers to 
pour liquids from 1 gallon jugs.  They say it keeps the technicians from
slopping it around so much.

Good luck,
Phil Connolly
Radiation Safety Specialist
University of Southern California,
University Park Campus