Re: Fume hood in HP Labs

[Slaback@micf.nist.gov]

My opinion:  If you are doing open chemistry a fume hood is a small investment in place of the 

inevitable questions of people exposure and likely room decon.  It is taken to be the standard 

tools-of-the-trade so that you are guilty if you do not have it.  Needed?  In most cases, no.  

Some procedures are more likely to release activity but most are not.  Many operations simply do 

not have significant dose potential.  But defending yourself at a later time to justify the lack 

of facilities is tough.  On the other hand, it does not mean you have to invest in an expensive 

stainless steel radioisotope hood.  If the hood is not fundamentally necessary, and is more of an 

ALARA measure, be economical.