Re: Scint. Vial Crushing

["William A. Fendt" <35346@strauss.udel.edu>]

S & G may want to reconsider the marketability of vial crushers.  
Disposal of full vials is fairly reasonable and avoids additional 
handling/hazards as well presented below.  Bill Fendt U of DE

On Fri, 5 Aug 1994, Kristin Erickson wrote:

> 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
> ************************************************************************
> 
> 
>