Scint. Vial Crushing

[10525kfb@ibm.cl.msu.edu (Kristin Erickson)]

Hello, Pat and Others:

In response to the letter below, I agree with Jess McKenzie in a big way. 
We had to stop crushing vials in our rad. waste building because of the
permits required, in fact can't even store mixed waste in that building any
longer.  Reason?  DNR/EPA stopped us.  So, check that one out.  

Another area needing surveillance is the levels of toluene and other
solvents int the air.  We got our Industrial Hygienist out there to monitor
on several occassions, and found levels in the air well above the TLV and
STEL levels.  This required full protective gear and good respirators for
personnel crushing and present in the room.  Our ventilation was quite
good, but that operation just produces lots of fumes, thus, the exceeded
TLVs.  

The end result?  we do not crush any vials at all now, and have two
crushers for sale at a "price you can't refuse".  One is a manual, the
other a automatic.  We pack the vials in a drum now, whole,  and ship them
off to Quadrex through our hauler, for almost the same cost as the crushing
operation (man hour wages, gear, disposal as bulk liquid solvents).  

Good luck with this; we'll be interested in hearing how it works for you.



>Date: Thu, 4 Aug 1994 15:50:59 -0500 (CDT)
>From: "Patrick D. Beyer" <pbeyer@post.its.mcw.edu>
>Subject: Scint. Vial Processing
>
>
>Heidy Ho neighbors,
>
>I need a quick opinion from everyone about the crushing of scintillation
>vials to extract the fluid. My question is what is an acceptable
>seperation percentage. Is a 90 - 10  seperation (vial/scintillator)
>acceptable? What do you concider acceptable? What do your regulators
>concider acceptable? We are currently assisting S & G Enterprises with
>the beta testing of a new vial crusher. All information would be
>appreciated..
>
>
>Pat Beyer
>Medical College of Wisconsin
>Milwaukee


These opinions are mine, and not necesarily those of my employer.

************************************************************************
Kristin Erickson, Radiation Safety Officer
Office of Radiation, Chemical and Biological Safety
C124 Research Complex-Eng.
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan 48824
Telephone: (517) 355-5008   Fax: (517)353-4871   Email: 10525kfb@msu.edu
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