RE: Alpha sources designed NOT to emit alphas

["Lorna Bullerwell" <ljb1@postoffice.mail.cornell.edu>]

In message Fri, 9 Sep 94 08:50:52 -0500,
  "THOMAS OBRIEN" <OBRIEN@vax.afrri.usuhs.mil>  writes:

> Has anyone had experience with the NRC license condition concerning the
> leak testing of sealed sources that are alpha emitters (Pu, U, Np) but
> not  designed to emit alphas.  These would be exempt from leak testing
> per the  license condition, but I am not comfortable with how (and if) it
> applies to  PuBe and AmBe sources and encapsulated Pu sources.
>

Here at Cornell, we have five PuBe sources which we do leak test every
quarter.  It is my understanding it really only has to be done every six
months, but it is a requirement.  NRC inspectors do check to see that the
sources have been tested.  Hope this helps.

Lorna Bullerwell, Radiological Safety Specialist

Cornell University
Department of Environmental Health & Safety        E-mail:  ljb1@cornell.edu
2Laboratory Safety Section                         Phone:     (607) 255-8816
118 Maple Avenue, Ithaca, NY  14850                Fax:       (607) 255-8267


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