Re: Low-level biodegradable and mixed wastes

[jelliott@ccvax.fullerton.edu (John Elliott)]

Facing the same disposal and cost problems, several years ago we switched
over office use of LSC from 6-7ml vials to 2ml microcentrifuge tubes.
Packard Instrument Company adapters (shaped like a 20 ml vial, with holes in
the sides) carry the microtubes through the unmodified LS Counter.  We cut
sample costs (cocktail volume, vial cost, etc.) by roughly 75%, and nearly
tripled the number of samples that can be dumped in a waste drum for
shipment to a licensed commercial incineration facility.  A number of our
researchers are also switching over to microtubes, and verify that they have
roughly 85-95% of the efficiency and reproducibility of larger conventional
vials.  I have some papers on this topic if you want to give me a call - our
network and /or computer are a little fragile right now, and I am not always
getting e-mail.

John C. Elliott, RSO
Director of Research & Instructional Safety
California State University, Fullerton
Fullerton, CA 92634
(714) 773-2687 office
(714) 449-5843 direct/voice mail.>
>
>Dear Radsafers:
>
>Given the increasingly difficult conditions that most low-level 
>(cocktail) waste generators now face, that is, high-costs of disposal
>and lack of storage space, what are the "tips and tricks" or alternative 
>solutions for getting rid of:
>
>1).  Biodegradable cocktail solutions with low-levels of C-14 and H-3?
>
>2).  Scintillation counting solutions (mixed waste with toluene)?
>
>What are the advantanges and disadvantages of incineration, disposal in
>the sewer system, burial, long-term storage?  What are the most popular
>methods for dealing with biodegradable and mixed low-level wastes?
>
>Your suggestions will be gratefully appreciated.
>
>With best regards,
>
>Leif Peterson
>peterson@plato.jsc.nasa.gov
>