Re: smoke detector disposal

[Rich Oesterling <ogr@twinpeak.inel.gov>]

On Wed, 12 Oct 1994, Chris Davey wrote:

> 
> 
> On Tue, 11 Oct 1994, joseph guido wrote:
> 
> >      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
> >      
> > 
> In Canada, the advice given by the regulator (the Atomic Energy Control
> Board) is to ensure that there are no visible radiation warning labels on
> the smoke detector and then dispose of it to regular garbage.  The
> reasoning is that this amount of Am-241 is not going to cause a hazard to
> the environment, and that disposal to a rad waste site would be
> financially extravagant, and therefore not ALARA.  In fact, the AECB says
> don't dispose of more than 10 detectors per garbage can of waste!  (Max
> activity for this method of disposal is 5 microcuries)
> 
> Chris Davey
> RSO
> Cross Cancer Institute
> 

What an enlightened approach to the problem!!  Maybe there is hope for de 
minimis, after all, even if not in the USA.

Rich Oesterling, CHP
ogr@inel.gov