H-3 in desiccant (Drierite)?

["Helga K. de Szalay" <Hks$dfm@qc1.qc.edu>]

I am asking THE LIST for help for a colleague of mine who is not a 
subscriber: 
At his college they had an accident where a container of 
desiccant (a small jar of Drierite, MgSO4, about 1/4 - 1/2 lb.) and 
some vacuum pump oil (about 400 ml) were contaminated with H-3.  
A 0.2 ml sample of the original pump oil suspended in scintillation 
cocktail read 1500 CPM.  The vacuum pump was rinsed with fresh oil 
that was also analyzed.  The "rinse oil" had readings 
indistinguishable from background.  
They plan to mix the two oil samples with one gallon of xylene and 
dispose of it as flammable waste.  
The Question is:  How can the desiccant be counted?  Drierite 
consists of coarse morsels that change color when moisture is 
absorbed.  Is it possible to get a valid reading when these morsels 
are suspended in scintillation cocktail and counted?  
At their college they work only with small quantities of 
radioisotopes;  all their waste is low level, they do not have any 
dry waste disposal. 
Please respond directly to me or to the list if you think your answer 
benefits all.  
My e-mail address is: HKS$DFM@QC1.QC.EDU 
I appreciate your help! 
Helga

> > >  The Usual Disclaimers Apply  < < < 
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Helga K. de Szalay, MS., MPA.
Laboratory Safety Officer and R.S.O.
Queens College/CUNY
Remsen Hall 125
65-30 Kissena Boulevard
Flushing, NY 11367
Tel: 718-997-4108   FAX:718-997-4103
E-Mail: <HKS$DFM@QC1.QC.EDU>
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