Notice: Possible contamination of lead products

["M. Woo" <melissa@zelda.ehs.uiuc.edu>]

This comes from the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety, but is
probably of general interest/concern:
======
                           June 3, 1997

                              NOTICE
             POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF LEAD PRODUCTS

The Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety recently become aware
of a problem with contamination of certain lead products used for
shielding.  Lead aprons, gonad shields, thyroid shields and other
lead vinyl products manufactured after November 1996, may be
contaminated with a small amount of non-removable contamination.

Although radiation surveys of the contaminated items do not
demonstrate a threat to health and safety, the department
recommends the following:

Persons in possession of lead vinyl products purchased after
November 1996, should discontinue using these products.  
 
Several manufacturers of lead aprons and other products are
voluntarily recalling affected products.  Please contact your
supplier for further instructions concerning return of the current
product and obtaining a suitable replacement.  
 
If you are unable to contact your supplier or have additional
questions or concerns, please contact the department at
(217) 785-9947.

The department is attempting to identify where contaminated
lead products may have been distributed.  Our information
indicates that the companies listed below may manufacture
lead vinyl aprons or materials used therein.  They include,
but may not be limited to:

     Bar Ray Products
     Kennedy Company
     Lite Tech
     Tillotson
     
When contacting your supplier or distributor, please mention
these manufacturers.  We will update you with additional
information as it becomes available.

--
Melissa Woo, Health Physicist                    |m-woo@uiuc.edu
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign       |ofc 1.217.244.7233
DEHS, MC225, 101 S. Gregory St., Urbana, IL 61801|fax 1.217.244.6594
http://www.uiuc.edu/ph/www/m-woo                 |