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Re: Alpha emitters
RE>> Alpha emitters 10/25/94
I don't believe the initial question was necessarily concerning alpha decay in
naturally occurring chains. The recoil energy of some alpha emitters, such as
Po-210, has caused contamination problems without having a change in physical
state (i.e., solid to gas). You may check with some of the DOE facilities that
handled large quantities of Po-210 for documentation of this problem.
Rob Forrest
UPENN
--------------------------------------
Date: 10/25/94 8:58 AM
To: ROB FORREST
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From: Tom N. Massey <massey@oual2.phy.OhioU.Edu>
To: Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
Subject: Re: Alpha emitters
X-Listserver-Version: 6.0 -- UNIX ListServer by Anastasios Kotsikonas
X-Comment: Radiation Safety Distribution List
Your question about the naturally occuring decay chains is correct in the
assumption that these sources tend to get everywhere. The reason is the
change in the chemistry of the source when the decay to the noble gas radon
rather than the alpha recoil. Radon is now known as a major indoor radiation
hazard in many structures. Isotopes of radon from naturally occuring
uranics have half lifes from 4 seconds to 3.8 days. Thus the radon gas can
travel rather large distances.
Tom Massey
Dep. Physic and Ast.
Ohio University