FW: Contaminated Lead Questions

["Brunette, Jeff" <jbrunette@kes.camcare.com>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Brunette, Jeff 
> Sent:	Monday, August 18, 1997 9:44 AM
> To:	'fgalpin@compuserve.com'
> Subject:	RE: Contaminated Lead Questions
> 
> There was a NRC Information Notice (97-50) addressing this topic that
> was issued recently. Additionally, the FDA issued a Public Health
> Notice on June 13, 1997 on the subject.  Other information can be
> found at http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety.html (FDA web site), as well
> as another Illinois Dept. of Nuclear Safety site
> (http://www.state.il.us/idns/notices/pubnotes.htm ).  However, to
> answer your questions:
> 
> 
> 1. What was the radionuclide that was contaminating the lead?
> 
> [Brunette, Jeff]  The contaminants were lead-210 and its daughter
> nuclides bismuth-210 and polonium-210.
> 
> 2. Was the source of the contamination ever determined, and if so what
> was it?
> 
> [Brunette, Jeff]  The source of the contamination was from a shipment
> of contaminated tin-lead alloy that was imported from Brazil and then
> processed by MIDCO Industries of St. Louis, MO.
> 
> 3. At what concentration, or range of concentrations did the
> contamination exist?
> 
> [Brunette, Jeff]  This is not discussed in the NRC notice.  However, I
> do recall seeing some sort of evaluation/estimate of contamination
> levels.  However, I don't recall the numbers.  (Check the Illinois
> Dept. of Nuclear Safety or FDA's web pages relating to the subject.)
> [Brunette, Jeff]  Digging a little deeper, the IDNS reports the
> contamination levels to be 4 +/- 2 nCi/gm with exposure rates of 0.6 -
> 3 mR/hr.
> 
> 4. What specific devices or materials were contaminated?  Was it only
> one company's devices, or were several involved.
> 
> [Brunette, Jeff]  MIDCO sold contaminated lead to Taracorp Industries
> of Granite city, IL.  Taracorp then manufactured contaminated lead
> powder which was sold to 19 firms.  To date, E-Z-EM and Picker Corp.
> are voluntarily recalling contaminated product.  However, I recall
> other firms being discussed as potentially containing the contaminated
> lead, such as lead aprons made by Lite-Tech and several others.  (Once
> again, check the web sites listed above.)
> 
> 5. I recall some "official" advisory that it was still better to use
> the
> shielding devices rather
> than do without shielding.  Who made this advisory and with what
> authority?
> 
> [Brunette, Jeff]  From the FDA notice:  "Standard radiation safety
> practice is to avoid unnecessary exposure to radiation.  Therefore,
> the use of contaminated products should be discontinued.  However, in
> cases where no alternative shielding is available, continued use of
> the contaminated products will be likely to provide greater protection
> during therapeutic and diagnostic procedures than using no shielding.
> Facilities which have no alternative protective devices available
> should consider continues use of the contaminated items until
> replacements are obtained."
> 
> 6. What would be the best source for follow up information?
> 
> [Brunette, Jeff]  The FDA and IDNS web sites listed above should have
> all the information.  
> 
>      If anyone has information on these questions please send me an
> e-mai=
> l
> directly to:
> fgalpin@compuserve.com.  Replies to RADSAFE are also OK if you think
> your=
> 
> response is
> of general interest.