re: Sealed Industrial Sources

[MVala@USCCMAIL.uscc.bms.com]

     Mike G. -

     I think what you are referring to was the Po-210 static eliminators
     recall in 1987 or 1988.  The polonium was encased in ceramic
     microspheres and these microspheres were epoxied to the inside radius
     of an airline.  Air was blown through these devices to eliminate
     static charge on process lines and other equipment.  Apparently dirt
     and grease from the air blowing through the line corroded the epoxy in
     some of these devices and the microspheres were blown out onto the
     process line area.  One pharmaceutical facility in NJ, not the one I
     work for :-), was contaminated.  I believe they found contamination in
     the processing area, cafeteria, and employee's cars.

     As I recall, since the Po-210 was encapsulated, very little internal
     dose would be experienced if the microsphere was ingested of inhaled.
     The microsphere was large enough to be cleared by the nasal passages
     and durable enough to withstand the GI tract.

     Regards,

     Mike Vala
     mvala@usccmail.bms.com
     ------------------------------

     Date: Mon, 07 Oct 1996 07:58:14 -0700
     From: "Michael P. Grissom" <mikeg@SLAC.Stanford.EDU>
     Subject: Re: Working life of sealed industrial sources

     Radsafers,

     I believe one of the more notorious failures may have been,
     as Wes Dunn noted earlier, more one of device.  That is, some
     years ago industrial air cleaners used Ra-226 sources in the
     nozzles (?) to de-ionize air.

     Rumor has it that source material was released into many
     containers being "cleaned".  Unfortunately, the company was
     a major food processor and containers (filled with food) so
     cleaned apparently did make it to market.

     Anyone recall the particulars?

     S.,

     MikeG