NARM Use/Storage at Universities

[Ninni Jacob <njacob@gsosun1.gso.uri.edu>]

Dear RADSAFERS:
I would like to know what the policy is at your institution for Naturally
Occurring Material? Specifically, uranium and thorium compounds,
namely, uranyl acetate , thorium nitrate, etc.

1.Does the Radiation Safety Office store these for their users when they
dont need them anymore?
     
2. Does the RSO write procedures for handling these chemicals?

3. Since these chemicals do not need a license when purchasing them,
why is it so hard to dispose of them? Why do the hazardous waste vendors
not take them?

4. What is the most cost-effective way to dispose of these chemicals?

Thanks in advance for any info.

Ninni Jacob
Radiation Safety Officer
University of Rhode Island/
Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center
16 Reactor Road
Narragansett,RI 02882

Phone: (401) 789-9391
Fax:   (401) 782-4201
email: njacob@gsosun1.gso.uri.edu