LSC Biodegradeable

[GEORGE CICOTTE <GEORGE_CICOTTE@health.ohio.gov>]

     Just putting in my two cents.  I realize this comment is slightly 
     off-topic, but (perhaps) of value regarding LSC users:
     
     I've been watching the discussion, and those who oppose use of 
     biodegradeable LSC cocktails appear to have missed a minor point.  The 
     term "biodegradeable" does not mean benign.  It means the chemicals 
     will degrade under environmental conditions, that the components of 
     the cocktail will decompose to "relatively" benign chemicals without 
     having to be acidified, incinerated, etc.  However, the basis is 
     (usually) that you have to expose the chemicals to light and/or air.  
     I think that if you have your lab check the chemicals after they've 
     had a chance to decompose, you'll find the hazardous stuff is in fact 
     mostly gone.  This simply won't happen with petroleum distillates, 
     etc., from which the non-biodegradeable stuff is typically made.
     
     V/R
     George R. Cicotte
     Health Physicist III
     Bureau of Radiation Protection
     Ohio Department of Health
     george_cicotte@health.ohio.gov.us