[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: Labware grinder


	Does the NRC really care about fixed contamination in 
	the labware?  If not (probably not), why not just take
	a paper smear of the labware and run that through the
	LSC?

	Just a thought.

	Margaret Ashton
	Health Physics Laboratory
	University of Colorado
	Campus Box 441
	Boulder, CO  80301
	TELE:  (303) 492-4006
	FAX:  (303) 492-1322
	e-mail:  ashtonm@spot.Colorado.EDU

On Wed, 5 Apr 1995, Robert Jacobs (612) 962-6530 wrote:

>         Our Biology Department has been using disposable labware for 
>         procedures using small quantities of 3H. The 3H is within limits 
>         of sewer disposal, so the PI was washing the labware to dispose 
>         of as common trash. Enter NRC inspector who quoth "nevermore", 
>         since the procedure was not in our license. Then came the 
>         license renewal with a request to allow us to "wash slightly 
>         contaminated disposable labware, and if determined to be free of 
>         contamination following washing (net count less than 3X standard 
>         deviation above the background count for the liquid 
>         scintillation counting system), to dispose of such items as 
>         non-radioactive waste. This authorization will be restricted to 
>         beta emitting radionuclides, primarily H-3.". Then came approval 
>         of the request. ALL OF THIS BEFORE I RECENTLY BECAME RSO. 
>         (Sorry, but the shouting seemed necessary.)
>         
>         Now to the question, does anybody have an idea how to pull this 
>         off? In order to comply, I have to get a count off of the 
>         labware. This implies that I either have a _very_big_ liquid 
>         scintillation counter (and I don't), or I have to reduce the 
>         labware to _very_little_ pieces to get a sample into the counter 
>         that I have. This would suggest a grinder/chopper of some kind 
>         but I have never seen one marketed for this purpose, or for that 
>         matter, for any purpose.
>         
>         Does anyone have an idea?
>         
>         "New-boy-on-the-block"
>         Bob Jacobs, RSO
>         University of St. Thomas
>         2115 Summit Ave, Mail #PHP
>         St. Paul, MN  55105
>         
>         Tel (612)962-6530
>         Fax (612)962-6540
>         E-Mail rhjacobs@stthomas.edu
>         
>         
> 
>