Request for Replies to "Hot Playground"

[/I=J/S=PRESLEY/O=AECB.CCEA@mhs-atomcon.attmail.com]

     I would appreciate a copy of any replies which are sent
     to Ms. Cartmell on her request for professional opinions
     related to the "hot playground".
     
     James Presley
     Health Physicist
     Atomic Energy Control Board
     
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Date: Fri, 16 Feb 1996 13:43:46 -0500 From: ljc@wbb.com
Subject: Hot playground?


I would appreciate the comments of medical and scientific professionals 
with regard to Surface Gamma Radiation levels recorded on a school 
playground located in Ontario, Canada. The school was built near the site 
of a plant which, during World War II, created high levels of radiation. A 
substantive volume of radioactive soil has been removed from residential 
properties in the area.

One piece of Uranium ore recovered from the playground gave a Radioactivity 
reading of from 700-800 micro R/h on contact. The known range of background 
gamma radiation in southern Ontario is from 2.5 to 10 micro R/h.

Uranium results for a soil sample taken in the area where the ore was 
recovered gave a measurement of 65.11 ppm. The Ontario Typical Range is 
given as being 1.9 to 2.1 ppm for uranium in soil. The radium result for 
the soil sample was 3.49 pCi/g, which is more than twice the Upper Limit 
Normal for this area of 1.5 pCi/g.

My question is this: Do readings such as those I've presented create any 
basis for health concerns on the part of those using a playground? Can 
scientists suggest acceptable levels of radiation and uranium in surface 
soil for a school property, or are there *no* demonstrably safe levels for 
such an environment?

As a lay person I would appreciate informed comments. Thank you very much.

Lori Cartmell.

(ljc@wbb.com)