Re: Leak Testing of Radiography sources

[Chris Davey <cdavey@med.phys.ualberta.ca>]

On Wed, 12 Oct 1994, Ninni Jacob wrote:

> Do any of you have experience with leak testing of radiography sources,
> specifically, Iridium and depleted uranium(in the camera)? Apparently it
> is wiped with a Q-tip. How do you count the q-tip, other than by liquid
> scintillation? Have you tried dissolving the radionuclide out of the q-tip?
> Any hints would be helpful.
> Thanks
> 
> 
> Ninni Jacob
> Radiation Safety Officer
> University of Rhode Island

I'd use a pancake probe for this.  Most GM pancake probes can detect down
to the legal requirement for leak testing.  Allow the meter plenty of time
to react, as you hold the q-tip a half centimetre or so from the sensitive
side.  As long as you do this in a low background field, you should be fine.

Chris Davey
RSO
Cross Cancer Institute