RE: cesium-137 gamma abundance

[Eva Lauber <laubere@wv.doe.gov>]

>Date: 22-Oct-96 17:42:53 -0400
>From: RADSAFE@smtp (radsafe){radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu}
>To: RADSAFE (Multiple recipients oflist){radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu}
>Reply-to: RADSAFE@smtp{radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu}
>Subject: cesium-137 gamma abundance
>Message-id: 8D526D3201CC2B79
>O-SMTP-Envelope-From: <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
>
>  From: Rick Rasmussen <rickras@lanl.gov>
>
>I have a question concerning the yield or abundance for the cesium-137
>662
>keV gamma.  The lesson plans used here at Los Alamos National Laboratory
>(which are written by the DOE) use the 6CEN to get the exposure
>rate in R/hr, where C is the activity in curies, E is the energy of the
>gamma in MeV, and N is the percent abundance.  The lesson plan uses 85%
>as
>the abundance for the 662 keV gamma and I ahve ssen the 85% used
>elsewhere.
>When looking in books that show the decay scheme for cesium-137 they
>indicate that the abundance is 93.5%.
>
>Which one is correct?  Any thoughts on the subject would be appreciated.
>
>Thanks.
>
>
>Rick Rasmussen
>Los Alamos National Laboratory
>phone: 505-665-7973
>fax:   505-665-4859
>e-mail rickras@lanl.gov
>

242Send-to: RADSAFE@smtp (radsafe){radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu}
Date: 23-Oct-96 10:00:36
230Sender: LAUBERE.MHS@WVDP
From: LAUBERE@WVDP (Eva Lauber)
To: RADSAFE@smtp (radsafe){radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu}
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oflist){radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu}
Subject: RE: cesium-137 gamma abundance
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>Date: 22-Oct-96 17:42:53 -0400
>From: RADSAFE@smtp (radsafe){radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu}
>To: RADSAFE (Multiple recipients oflist){radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu}
>Reply-to: RADSAFE@smtp{radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu}
>Subject: cesium-137 gamma abundance
>Message-id: 8D526D3201CC2B79
>O-SMTP-Envelope-From: <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
>
>  From: Rick Rasmussen <rickras@lanl.gov>
>
>I have a question concerning the yield or abundance for the cesium-137
>662
>keV gamma.  The lesson plans used here at Los Alamos National Laboratory
>(which are written by the DOE) use the 6CEN to get the exposure
>rate in R/hr, where C is the activity in curies, E is the energy of the
>gamma in MeV, and N is the percent abundance.  The lesson plan uses 85%
>as
>the abundance for the 662 keV gamma and I ahve ssen the 85% used
>elsewhere.
>When looking in books that show the decay scheme for cesium-137 they
>indicate that the abundance is 93.5%.
>
>Which one is correct?  Any thoughts on the subject would be appreciated.
>
>Thanks.
>
>
>Rick Rasmussen
>Los Alamos National Laboratory
>phone: 505-665-7973
>fax:   505-665-4859
>e-mail rickras@lanl.gov
>


Rick,

I am a member of the DOE Radiological Control Technician(RCT) Training 
Oversight Group (TOG), as is Mike McNaughton at LANL.  We have the 
responsiblity to keep the DOE training materials up to date and also to 
address concerns and/or comments.  I think the point you brought up is 
important for a couple of reasons.  First it points out sometimes people 
too 
familar with a concept skip steps, as in the answers to your question.  
Secondly, it demonstrates the need for these materials to be thoroughly 
reviewed to ensure a quality program.  I will bring up your observation to 
the committee and suggest that perhaps this explaination be added to the 
training materials.  Just for a little background the RCT training 
materials 
are reviewed and updated by a group of individuals throughout the DOE 
community.  These individuals have a variety of backgrounds which include 
degrees in health physics or education and training or are CHP or NRRPT or 
some combination thereof. As a group, however, we have at times been 
frustrated by the lack of review and/or meaningful comments.  The 
materials 
can be found on the internet and if individuals are interested I could 
find 
out the address and post it.


Eva Lauber
WVNS
e-mail laubere@wv.doe.gov