Re: Fixative for Air Sample Filters

[Tsurikov Nick <ntsuriko@rgc.com.au>]

Dear Steve

In Australian Mineral Sands Industry we are required to measure Activity   
Median Aerodynamic Diameter of particles inside our dry separation plants   
as a part of the Dose Assessment program.

Marple Personal Cascade Impactor (series 290) is used for this task.   
 Plastic 'Mylar' substrates 37 mm in diameter are used as filters for all   
six stages except the last one.

Approximately 5-6 hours before assembling the impactor I am spraying each   
stage with Slipicone spray and let the stages to dry up (otherwise it   
could happen that the filter weight after sampling is less than prior to   
samping).

I would like to recommend this Slipicon spray, since I did not have any   
problems with it (except for the couple of times when I was in a hurry   
and the weight of the filter decseased significantly during sampling...)

I've got a green can on my desk now:

<Front>
SLIPICONE
Release Spray
Silicone Release agent and lubricant
<PICTURE>
For packaging and food processing equipment whenever sticking is a   
problem.
* Contains silicone
* United States F.D.A./U.S.D.A. status
* -40oC to 199oC
* Provides moisture barrier
* Does not contain CFC's

NET 300 g

<Back>:

Manufactured by:
DOW CORNNG AUSRALIA PTY LTD
21 Tattersall Road
Blacktown  NSW  Australia 2148

SLIPICONE - is a registered trademark of DOW CORNING CORPORATION, USA

2155290-0590

If you have too much dust on the filter alpha self-absorbtion needs to be   
considered.


If you require any additional information please contact me:

Nick Tsurikov
Radiation Safey Officer
RGC Mineral Sands Limited
P.O.Box 47
Eneabba  WA  6518

ph: +61 8 9956 9555
fax: +61 8 9956 9597

e-mail: ntsuriko@rgc.com.au


 ----------
From:  'STEVE@SMTP <steve.epperson@srs.gov>'
Sent:  Friday, 26 September 1997 1:42
To:  ntsuriko; Multiple recipients of list
Subject:  Fixative for Air Sample Filters

ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß  
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     RADSAFE Friends:
       

     I have been toying with the idea of using some type of a spray (such   

     as hairspray) to spray on filter papers in an attempt to "fix" the
     collected airborne contamination and prevent/minimize loss as they   
are
     handled, transferred to the count room, etc.  Obviously, the   
counting
     losses due to alpha/beta attenuation would have to be considered.   
 Has
     anyone attempted such a test, and if so, what type of successes or
     failures did you have?
       

     Thanks
       

     Steve Epperson
     Savannah River Site
     (803) 725-2193
     steve.epperson@srs.gov