RE: Microfuge contamination

["Jim F. Herrold" <Herrold@UWyo.Edu>]

When we perform our regular inspections, microcentrifuges are always
checked, as we usually expect to find contamination in them (on the
order that you mentioned, 1000 - 3000 dpm or even higher). We notify the
lab if we find any contamination significantly above background and we
expect the equipment to be decontaminated as well as possible (to at
least get the counts below 1000). However, because these centrifuges
always seem to get contaminated and cannot easily be completely cleaned,
we insist that they designate the ones used for radionuclides and label
them as contaminated equipment. Supposedly there are microcentrifuge
tubes which do not leak, but I haven't witnessed any better success by
using them. I'd be interested if anyone has done any tests in this area.


Jim F. Herrold
Radiation Safety Officer
University of Wyoming
Environmental Health & Safety
312 Merica Hall
Laramie, WY 82071

herrold@uwyo.edu
(307) 766-3277


>----------
>From: 	Tom Kellogg[SMTP:tkellogg@cosmos.uvm.edu]
>Sent: 	Friday, November 22, 1996 2:06 PM
>To: 	Multiple recipients of list
>Subject: 	Microfuge contamination
>
>Hello,
>
>I have a question for you academic/univesity/medical type radsafe 
>people about microfuge contamination.  The question is this......
>
>Labs that spin eppendorf tubes in a microfuge containing P-32 and/or 
>S-35 seem to get contaminate frequently.  (approximately 1000 - 
>3000 dpm).  It's low level contamination but still contamination.  
>Has any one had any experience with this and were you able to make 
>some modification to eliminate this contamination?  Or, how much 
>contamination will you allow in microfuges that continually get 
>contaminated?