Re: Request for Information

["Wesley M. Dunn" <WDUNN@brc1.tdh.state.tx.us>]

The items in these categories are generally industrial level 
and density gauging devices.  Primary isotopes are Cs-137 (~30 yr 1/2 
life) and Co-60 (~5 yr 1/2 life).  Source activity covers a wide 
range, with the more problematic sources being 100 mCi to 5 Ci 
(predominantly 200-500 mCi).

The teletherapy sources mentioned by Alden Tschaeche form a very 
rare case (though obviously much more hazardous) than these gauges.

The NRC just recently published a report dealing with this issue 
(e.g., sources being melted down in the steel recycling process) that 
should have more detailed information.

NOTE: The terms "density and level" gauges is pretty self-
explanitory.  They monitor the density of material being processed or 
the level of material in a container.  Source on one side and the 
detector on the other side of the conveyer/container.  

Wes

> Date sent:      Fri, 24 Jan 97 09:14:36 -0600
> Send reply to:  radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
> From:           "K. K. S. Pillay" <s_pillay@lanl.gov>
> To:             Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
> Subject:        Request for Information

> Fellow Radsafers:
> 
> I have a request from Singapore to identify items that might contain
> radiaoctive materials  and likely to end up in scrap metal.  The following
> is the actula message.  I can think  of a few like smoke dtectors.  But, I
> don't know of a comprehensive list of such items.  If you have information,
> please forward it to me at:
> s_pillay@lanl.gov
> 
> Thank you.
> 
> Sam
> =======
> ORIGINAL MESSAGE
> 
> Dear S. Pillay:
> 
> We are a steel manufacturer in Singapore. We are currently doing a
> reasearch on radioactive materials in the recycled scraps. These
> radioactive are always found in sensors,gauges and some measuring
> instruments. We would like to find out details about products utilising
> radioactive source.
> 
> 1. Is there any of the porducts incorporate radioactive source?
>    if any, please specify.
> 2. What are their associated life spans?
> 3. What are the annual production in last twenty years or (1983 onwards)?
> 
> Dr. K. K. S. Pillay
> Nuclear Materials Technology Division
> Los Alamos National Laboratory
> Los Alamos, NM 87545 (USA)
> Tel: (505)667-2556
> Fax: (505)667-7966
> e-mail: s_pillay@lanl.gov
> 
> 
> 
*********************************************************************
Wesley M. Dunn, CHP                        512-834-6688
Deputy Director, Licensing                 512-834-6690 (fax)
(Texas) Bureau of Radiation Control        wdunn@brc1.tdh.state.tx.us
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