Re: Ra in balances other than Mettler?

[Michael Williamson <M.Williamson@mailbox.uq.oz.au>]

The radioactive static eliminators in balances story first surfaced in
Australia about 6 years ago.  I was in the regulatry field then and made a
lot of enquiries in the instrument servicing industry.  There didnt seem to
be any evidence that manufacturers other than Mettler actually incorporated
sources into their products.  The Ra amounts given in earlier posts agree
with advice obtained in 1990 as well as with the direct evidence from a
balance now in my possession.

A fairly sensitive test for radon emanation and plateout (indicative of
leakage) can be made by removing the top cover and scanning the inner
surface with a pancake GM detector.




Michael Williamson
                                        ph +61 7 3365 4504
Radiation Protection Adviser            fax +61 7 3365 1577
Occupational Health & Safety Unit       m.williamson@mailbox.uq.edu.au
University of Queensland
Brisbane 4072
Australia