RE: ? lead hazard

[Wes <vanpelt@ios.com>]

Hi Radsafers,

I think using lead and lead foil in the lab can result in lead uptake and possibly adverse health effects (an opinion).
I advise my clients to replace all that lead foil (and even lead bricks (*overkill*)) with sheet metal.  Ordinary metal, mostly iron, in the form of sheet metal, metal cans, etc. is a very good shield for I-125.  (Don't use aluminum, the density and Z are too low.)  Iron based metal works fine for the microcurie to millicurie amounts used in the biomedical lab.

Wes Van Pelt
vanpelt@ios.con

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From: 	John Zummo[SMTP:zummo@gene.COM]
Sent: 	Wednesday, June 05, 1996 11:11 AM
To: 	Multiple recipients of list
Subject: 	? lead hazard

One of our IHs raised a question about the lead we use for shielding and
the hazards associated with it.  We tend to use a lot of lead foil for
the I-125 work.  It is bent and shaped as required, wearing gloves.

Should we be concerned about this?  Should all the lead foil and bricks
be wrapped in duct tape?  Has anyone measured lead levels in such cases?

If this issue has been raised before, please respond to me directly.  I
will post a summary of the answers.

Thanks.

Regards,

John



John Zummo, RSO
Genentech, Inc.
(415) 225-2959
(415) 225-5008 (fax)
zummo@gene.com