Decay in Storage of Aqueous Waste

[Naomi Esmon <esmonn@OMRF.omrf.uokhsc.edu>]

  We are about to start our own decay in storage of short lived isotopes.
While trying to think of everything before we start, we realized we may have
a problem with aqueous waste. That is, it can start to grow things REAL fast
which might lead to Environmental Health issues at the back end. Since I-125
in involved, adding bleach when the waste is collected is not an option.
Azide is not complete enough to stop all growth (and acid conditions that
might result would make this an added hazard). Colleagues in a similar
situation were told to "clean up their act" but with no assistance as to
HOW. What do people out there use to stop bacterial growth while waiting for
the isotopes to decay?

Thanks for any useful suggestions.

Naomi Esmon
Chair, Radiation Safety Committee
Okla. Medical Res. Fndn.

naomi-esmon@omrf.ouhsc.edu