smoke detector disposal

[<L691731@LMSC5.IS.LMSC.LOCKHEED.COM>]

You might contact some other manufacturer of detectors that still is in
business. While they might charge something to accept someone elses
unit, it may be less hassle than radioactive waste disposal. I don't
know what sort of access you have to disposal facilities, but a few
years ago when we did, our broker indicated that the burial site would
accept a smoke detector with no special requirements for packaging
within the drum. That was ONLY true as long as the unit remained
assembled as for use. If we removed the Am source (in the interest of
volume reduction) then it had to be solidified in concrete. Go figure.
The moral is, DON'T TAKE IT APART until you know what the disposal
requirement is.

Steven Souza, Lockheed Missles and Space Co., Inc.
Alternate Radiation Safety Officer    tel (408) 742-0767
Sunnyvale, CA 94089                   fax (408) 742-0611
PROFS: SSOUZA  Internet: L691731@lmsc5.is.lmsc.lockheed.com
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Date: Tue, 11 Oct 94 12:15:27 -0500
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From: "joseph guido" <joseph_guido@pc.radian.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
Subject: smoke detector disposal
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X-Comment:  Radiation Safety Distribution List

     Does anyone out their have any advice on what to do with a smoke
     detector whose manufacturer has gone out of business?

     The device contains 3 uCi of AM-241.


     Thanks

     Joe Guido
     Radian Corp.
     Joseph_Guido@pc.radian.com
     (505) 672-0384