Re: Radioactive Rocks

[Ron_Dobey_at_MU-EHS-PO1@ext.missouri.edu]

They might look nice in a rock garden!
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Radioactive Rocks
Author:  radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu at internet-ext
Date:    10/29/97 4:15 PM


Good afternoon, RADSAFErs:
     
Our Geology Department would finally like to get rid of some of its 
rock and mineral collection, which include some hot specimens.  Do 
you have any specific comments to offer concerning how we go about 
disposing of these unrefined, unprocessed rocks?  They're in their 
original form, just as they were chipped out of the ground decades 
ago.  I can't think immediately of regulatory requirements specifying 
that these have to go out as radioactive waste.  Any experience to the 
contrary?  If we toss them out, even one by one in the University's 
trash heading for the municipal landfill, there's some possibility 
that they could set off radiation detectors - if the landfill has any. 
Remember that, while you're free to argue and express outrage that 
we should even have to consider doing anything special to dispose of 
these naturally occurring materials, I really am looking for advice, 
previous experience and direction.  
     
with regards,
Sue Dupre
     
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Sue M. Dupre, Health Physicist
     
Office of Environmental Health and Safety       
Chemical Sciences Building/Forrestal Campus    
Princeton University                           
Princeton, NJ  08544-0710
     
E-mail: dupre@princeton.edu
Phone:  (609) 258-6252
Fax:    (609) 258-1804
     
Visit the EHS Web site at http://www.princeton.edu/~ehs 
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