Re[2]: One last comment on Irradiation

[Steven.Rima@DOEGJPO.COM (Steven Rima)]

     Stephane and RADSAFERS,
     
     Some of the "pretty incredible stories" about irradiator facilities in 
     other countries are, unfortunately, true. For example, in 1989 at a 
     Co-60 irradiator facility in El Salvador, three workers entered the 
     irradiation room when a source rack become stuck in the unshielded 
     position. Needless to say, they received acute doses, two had their 
     legs amputated, and one died six months later.
     
     The IAEA has a booklet about this incident titled "The Radiological 
     Accident in San Salvador" that is interesting reading and illustrates 
     when formality of operations and training are neglected. (The booklet 
     I have is dated 1990 and is from the IAEA; no document number I can 
     find.) REAC/TS in Oak Ridge responded to this accident, so they may 
     have information also.
     
     Steven D. Rima, CHP
     steven.rima@doegjpo.com


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: One last comment on Irradiation
Author:  stephane_jeanfrancois@merck.com (Stephane Jeanfrancois) at Internet
Date:    12/17/96 9:09 PM


I agree with Jim,
     
Since this server is assigned to RADSAFETY,  there is no radiation 
safety issue concerning the irradiator itself . We should realize that 
in industrial countries, irradiators do not present a critical rad 
safety problem. Outside the irradiation room, when the 2 million curies 
of Co-60 are exposed, we read background radiations.
     
Maybe Mrs Wieland was thinking about other countries (I heard some 
pretty incredible stories but are they just stories ?)
     
Stephane Jean-Francois P. Eng.
RSO
Merck Frosst Canada Inc.
stephane_jeanfrancois.merck.com