Re: sewer disposal

[pcharp@ix.netcom.com (Paul A. Charp )]

Depending on the amount of material, its half-life and its solubility 
in an ever-changing chemical environment of the sewer, I can foresee 
problems with disposal.  One must remember that public works employees 
do, from time to time, enter sewer systems .....

I have seen reports from a military site (which will remain nameless) 
where the dose rates in a sewer system had been reported at 40 mr/hr 
(0.4 mSv/hr, if you prefer SI).  The site did process radium and 
thorium and although the dose rate could not be verified, one would 
wonder if similar situations exist in other systems with different 
radioisotopes and pathways of exposure.


paul charp (pcharp@ix.netcom.com)

You wrote: 
>
>
>It is interesting that there is that much concern about sewer 
disposal.
>I would think that concern should only arise if it has been shown that
>someone were hurt because of sewer disposal. Of course pipes will be
>contaminated. So what?  As for reconcentration, what is the mechanism?
>Since sewer disposal is permitted, the regulatory agency (NRC) must 
have
>already analyzed the risk and found it acceptable. I sense that this 
is
>another concern that shouldn't be one. Am I wrong? Al Tschaeche.