[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: Gamma spectrum for Am/Be and Pu/Be
Interesting question actually. We use a PuBe source to calibrate our
germanium detectors up to 4.4 MeV. De-excitation from C12*. If you're not
looking for it, it's sure to pass on by.
Jeff Chapman
ORNL Waste Assay Facility
>
>Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 12:43:14 +1000 (EST)
>From: Anthony Barber <a.barber@qut.edu.au>
>To: radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
>Subject: Gamma spectrum for Am/Be and Pu/Be
>Message-ID: <199711120243.MAA14284@pigeon.qut.edu.au>
>
>Does anyone have key details of the gamma (not neutron) spectrum from Am/Be
>and Pu/Be sources, I'm doing some shielding calcs and need to work out the
>HVL/TVL for gammas in lead.
>I know the Am241 gamma is 59keV but am unsure about the prompt gammas from
>either the Am241/Be alpha,n reaction or the Pu239/Be alpha,n reaction
>
>Thanks
>
>
> Anthony Barber
> Queensland University of Technology
> a.barber@qut.edu.au
> 61 7 3864 3566
> fax: 61 7 3864 3993
> *****************************************************************
> "Why Not?"
>
> *****************************************************************
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 23:31:25 -0600
>From: "Ralph A. Fobair" <novarso@franklin.lisco.com>
>To: <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
>Subject: Re: Radioactive gems circulating in Asia?
>Message-ID: <199711120625.AAA17684@franklin.se-iowa.net>
>
>I do consulting for a client that irradiates white Topaz. Last week my
>client received an email from a supplier in Hong Kong who has warned us of
>radioactive cat's eye in the past. I also have the photos available as a
>JPG file if anyone is interested. You can email me directly at
>novarso@lisco.com
>I hope that this view point from the gemstone industry is of interest.
>Bottom line on this . . . If a gemstone can be irradiated and a few
>neutrons increases its price then it will be done. One can only hope that
>not too many of these hot cat's eye make it into the hands of the general
>public. Wishful thinking I know.
>
><---- Begin Forwarded Message ---->
>Date: 97-11-04 02:05:40 EST
>
>
>RADIOACTIVE CAT'S-EYE WARNING, BY: JEFFERY BERGMAN
>
>Photo: "Before and after treatment" courtesy of the Center for Gemstone
>Testing
>
>A frightning development in the never ending saga of gemstone treatments
>came to light this last August. The story started out innocent enough,
>but when the truth finally came out, a wave of fear swept through the
>worldwide communiy of gemstone dealers.
>
>Early in the month, two gem dealers based in Bangkok brought me a small
>selection of 3 to 5 carat cat's-eye chrysoberyls. Upon first examination
>they looked like very fine quality natural gems with sharp bright eyes
>and a very dark brown body color, but the color was just a little different
>from any cat's-eye chrysoberyl I had ever seen before.
>
>When I questioned the dealers, they said they had been told the stones
>were heat treated. I was quite puzzled by this since I had never read
>anything in any gemological literature about any treatment processes for
>any of the chrysoberyl family. I checked Kurt Nassaus diffinative work
>"Gemstone Enhancement" as well as the GIA chart on detecting gemstone
>enhancements and found nothing.
>
>What I heard next made me begin to question the literature I had just
>reviewed. The dealers said they had sold these cat's-eyes to an
>Indonesian dealer a month earlier for a few hundred dollars per carat.
>Then, a few
>weeks later, they bought their gems back from the very same dealer for
>over $1,000 per carat.
>
>Why would any gem dealer in their right mind do something like this?
>Simple. When they sold the cat's-eyes, they were a pale miky yellow
>color. When they bought their gems back they were a much more valuable
>chocolate brown color. Having known these dealers well for over a
>decade, I was confident in the veracity of their story.
>
>Gem labs are the super sleuths, the Sherlock Holmes's, the detectives of
>the gemstone industry. One of the best labs in the world just happens to
>be around the corner from my office, so I borrowed one of the suspect
>cat's-eyes, dropped it in my pocket, and headed for the Asian Institute of
>Gemological Sciences (now the Center for Gemstone Testing). I gave them the
>stone, a 3.5 carat oval, and briefed them on the story.
>
>I then set off on my own search to discover the secret of this new
>treatment process. My dealer friends said the cat's-eyes came from the
>Orissa gem deposits in India, so I obtained a dozen small samples from
>this source, and began a series of heat treatment experiments attempting to
>duplicate the results I had seen. Every variation of temperature, time
>and atmosphere produced not the slightest change in any of the samples.
>This
>failure lead me to believe we were not dealing with a heat treatment
>process.
>
>My daily phone calls to the lab all resulted in the same news, "We can
>not find anything". I went back to the dealers and began to ask more
>questions. During one conversation, one of the dealers inquired, "Is it
>possible to
>get sick from wearing one of these cat's-eyes in jewelry?". The
>implications
>hit me like a ton of bricks.
>
>I called the lab that was checking the sample and got Gary Dutoit on the
>line. I asked him if a residual radiation check had been done on the
>stone and he said "No. Hold on and I'll go get it". He came back on the
>line
>shortly and said "listen to this". With a Geiger counter on audio, he
>placed the stone near the machine, and over the phone line I heard the tell
>tale "Beep beep beep beep
>beepbeepbeepbeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..."
>as the counter went off the scale. Gary quickly found a lead container
>to safely store the very hot gemstone.
>
>Preliminary testing, using equipment provided by Doug Parsons of Beta
>Color Ltd., verified the stone was indeed highly radioactive and quite
>dangerous. I shudder when I think of the time I carried it around in my
>pocket. The 3.5 carat sample revealed a radioactivity level of 52
>nCi/g. This is significantly higher than the legal release levels set by
>the
>relevant authorities in the USA (1.0 nCi/g) the UK (2.7 nCi/g) and Asia
>(2.0
>nCi/g). Subsequent tests by Beta Color have shown it to have a moderately
>long
>half-life of approximately one-hundred three (103) days, indicating that
>this particular stone will reach the legal release level in Asia in another
>sixteen (16) months (around January 1999). Before that time it must be
>kept in
>a properly shielded radioactive materials storage container.
>
>Meetings with lab director Ken Scarratt, and three of the dealers
>involved, revealed that several hundered carats of this treated material
>was
>already circulating through the gem market in Thailand. Further meetings
>determined that significent quantities were also on the market in
>Indonesia, where it is believed the nuclear facility responsible for the
>treatment
>is illegally releasing the dangerous gems "out the back door". At this
>point we had to assume the treated cat's-eyes were also making their way
>into
>other Asian markets. It was not long before our fears were confirmed.
>
>On September 2, I left for the Hong Kong Show to help out fellow gem
>dealer Dan McKinney in his booth. Since he processes and sells blue
>topaz he has a Geiger counter in his office to check for radioactive stones
>that have been released before they are safe. I visited several prominant
>cat's-eye dealer's booth's and told them the story, offering to check their
>stones. Fortunately, all of their stocks were non radioactive.
>
>Word traveled fast, and dealers began to drop by the McKinney
>International booth to have their cat's-eyes checked for radiation.
>Every stone we checked was fine, until one dealer visited us just a few
>hours
>before the end of the show. He had a beautiful gem of over 30 carats in
>a gold mounting surrounded by diamonds. It was so radioactive that the
>Geiger counter went off the scale.
>
>Finding a dangerous cat's-eye in Hong Kong, already mounted in jewelery,
>shows just how far these gems have been dispersed in the Asian
>marketplace. Although Ken Scarratt, president of the new Center for
>Gemstone Testing in Bangkok, has alerted the proper international
>nuclear authorities about the problem, it is really the gemstone industries
>responsibility to police itself.
>
>Unfortunately, radioactivity can not be seen, felt, heard, tasted or
>smelled, but it can be extremely dangerous. Anyone subjected to close
>contact
>with these gemstones runs a high risk of developing serious health
>problems,
>with cancer at the top of the list. If you suspect you may have treated
>cat's-eyes in your inventory, the only safe and sane thing to do is to
>have them checked in a lab equipped with a Geiger counter. If they are
>found
>to be radioactive, they must be stored in a proper storage container until
>they reach levels safe and legal for release.
>
>END
>
>
>
><---- End Forwarded Message ---->
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 23:33:46 -0600
>From: "Ralph A. Fobair" <novarso@franklin.lisco.com>
>To: <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
>Subject: Re: Radioactive gems circulating in Asia?
>Message-ID: <199711120625.AAA17744@franklin.se-iowa.net>
>
>Michael Willamson was right in saying that some gemstones might be legally
>radioactive. Here is an example of some test lots of white topaz that was
>irradiated for 100 hours. Activities in Bq/g
>
> Lot # 1A 2B
> Ta-182 13 71
> Mn-54 5.5 11.3
> Sc-46 2.8 8.5
> Sb-124 2.1
> Cs-134 2
>
>The above activities were measured several months after irradiation! In
>the case of lot 2B almost one year would need to pass before the U.S.
>release level of 15 Bq/g would be reached.
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 07:24:10 -0500
>From: "ANTHONY F. ARMAGNO" <ARMAGAF@GWSMTP.NU.COM>
>To: radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
>Subject: Re: Radioactive gems circulating in Asia? -Reply
>Message-ID: <s46959c1.037@GWSMTP.NU.COM>
>
>Does anyone know what the desired result is for irradiating a "cats eye"? I
>know neutron irradiation of diamonds can darken them up to making them black,
>however to my knowledge, the diamonds didn't become activated. Also, the
>original diamond color could be restored by heating with an acetylene torch.
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
>Anthony F. (Tony) Armagno
>Northeast Utilities Millstone Station
>E-Mail: armagaf@gwsmtp.nu.com
>Remember: "All things being equal, fat people use more soap!"
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 12:52:57 +0000
>From: Simon "M." Jerome <smj1@npl.co.uk>
>To: Radsafe <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
>Subject: Deuterium Oxide and Diamonds
>Message-ID: <199711121252.MAA07147@herschel.npl.co.uk>
>
>In response to several enquiries, the 'no tritium' D2O that I had was
>obtained from the Aldrich Chemical company in 1992. I do not have any
>of the order details, catalogue numbers or indeed any of the material
>left. I had purchased it with the specific purpose of seeing if it
>contained any Tritium, due to the enrichment process. No information on
>the tritium content, or the origin of this material was supplied. The
>measurements made were very simple: a 1 ml aliquot was mixed with 15 ml
>Ecoscint and counted. The count rate obtained was no different from the
>background from local tapwater.
>
>The D2O was supplied in glass ampoules.
>
>I note from the current Aldrich catalogue that they do several versions
>of their 99.9% and 100% D2O in glass ampoules and one (cat no 34,716-7)
>is described as 'low tritium content ~150 dpm/ml). This would have been
>way above our LS background!
>
>So, it still remains a mystery as to why it should have been so
>inactive.
>
>If anyone is interested, I have 2 x 1g 'Poly(ethylene-d4) - presumably
>100% deuterated polythene, ex Merck, Sharp and Dome of Canada and 1 x
>20g 99.7% D2O, ex Norsk Hydro - both the packages look like they came
>from the 50s or 60s, but there is no date on either. Might make
>interesting museum pieces.
>
>On the irradiated gemstones front, coloured diamonds (more valuable
>than the plain type) are sometimes monitored for radioactivity, when it
>is suspected that they have been generated in a neutron flux, rather
>than deep underground. As far as I can recall, the colours come from
>trapped free radicals, rather than a chemical impurity. Also, because
>diamonds tend to be pure carbon, the level of induced activity is very
>low, necessitating taking your counting equipment about 250m below
>ground to resuce the ambient background. Frankly, I can't see what the
>point of worrying about whether the diamond is naturally coloured or
>artificially coloured is, since they are visually indistinguishable and
>not (significantly) radioactive.
>
>The problem comes, as did happen once, when the whole necklace was
>irradiated. The diamonds went a pretty colour, but stayed non active.
>The same could not be said for the gold....it was only when the wearer
>was diagnosed as having radiation burns around the neck that the whole
>story came to light.
>
>Best wishes,
>Simon Jerome
>Email: simon.jerome@npl.co.uk
>Web: http://www.npl.co.uk/
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 08:22:57 -0800
>From: "Nolan Hertel" <nolan.hertel@me.gatech.edu>
>To: <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
>Subject: Re: Gamma spectrum for Am/Be and Pu/Be
>Message-ID: <199711121330.IAA04295@sununo.me.gatech.edu>
>
>Expect a 4.45 MeV Gamma from the de-excitation of the first excited state
>of C-12. According to Profio (Radiation Shielding and Dosimetry) The gamma
>dose rate at 1m is1 mr/h-Ci for this gamma ray.
>
>----------
>> From: Anthony Barber <a.barber@qut.edu.au>
>> To: Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
>> Subject: Gamma spectrum for Am/Be and Pu/Be
>> Date: Tuesday, November 11, 1997 6:50 PM
>>
>> Does anyone have key details of the gamma (not neutron) spectrum from
>Am/Be
>> and Pu/Be sources, I'm doing some shielding calcs and need to work out
>the
>> HVL/TVL for gammas in lead.
>> I know the Am241 gamma is 59keV but am unsure about the prompt gammas
>from
>> either the Am241/Be alpha,n reaction or the Pu239/Be alpha,n reaction
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>>
>> Anthony Barber
>> Queensland University of Technology
>> a.barber@qut.edu.au
>> 61 7 3864 3566
>> fax: 61 7 3864 3993
>> *****************************************************************
>> "Why Not?"
>>
>> *****************************************************************
>>
>>
>>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 15:45:45 +0200 (IST)
>From: "J. J. Rozental" <josrozen@netmedia.net.il>
>To: radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
>Subject: Re: Radioactive gems circulating in Asia?
>Message-ID: <199711121345.PAA01184@alpha.netvision.net.il>
>
>1 - Dear Franz,
>
> The gemstone irradiation technology was developed also in Brazil, using
>neutron sources from an MTR reactor, at the beginning of 1980. In 1981 I
>needed to travel to USA because the NRC detected irradiated blue topaz
>gemstones imported from Brazil. The radiation level was 0.2 mR/h per stone
>and 12 mR/h considering a bag of 100 stones. The main induced radioactivity
>was from Sc-46. Research shows more than 50 induced radioactivity
>impurities. The main concern is from the Scandium impurity. During the
>meeting I had the opportunity to show at the NRC Officials, propaganda from
>American University also promoting such irradiation, including prices, etc.
>At that time I myself bought gemstones in Los Angeles, irradiated in the
>EEUU. Still I have some of those gemstones (about 12) in my apartment in
>Brazil. Since then, 1981, was forbidden in Brazil the commercial neutron
>gemstone irradiation. Today in many countries, including USA, still there
>are irradiated gemstones using electron beam. The color (London Blue) is
>also as neutron, permanent, but not so beautiful. Using neutron technology I
>believe, but I am not sure, only in some asian countries it is possible to
>irradiate gemstone for export.
>By the way, I will be again in Viena (Consultant Meeting at IAEA from 24 to 29)
>
>2 - From: "Ralph A. Fobair" <novarso@franklin.lisco.com>:
>
>>Michael Willamson was right in saying that some gemstones might be legally
>>radioactive.
>
> Please, check your information about "legally" -- There is not
>justification for neutron irradiation of gemstone, for commercial use
>
>GO TO ICRP 60, 4.3.1 (116), page 29 -- "The process of justification is
>required not only when a new practice is being introduced, but also when
>existing practice are being reviewed in the light of new information about
>their efficacy or consequences. If such a review indicates that a practice
>could not longer be claimed to produce sufficient benefit to offset the
>total detriment, withdrawal of the practice should be considered".
>
>GO TO IAEA BASIC SAFETY STANDARDS Safety Series 115, 2.22, page 22 -- "the
>following practices are deemed to be not justified... (b) -- "Practices
>involving the frivoulos use of radiation or radioactive substances in
>commodities or products such as toys and personal jewellery or adornments"
>
>Regards,
>
>J. J. Rozental <josrozen@netmedia.net.il>
>
>
>
>At 05:24 PM 11/11/97 -0600, you wrote:
>>Schoenhofer
>>Habichergasse 31/7
>>A-1160 Wien
>>AUSTRIA
>>Tel./Fax: +43-1-4955308
>>Mobiltel.: +43-664-3380333
>>e-mail: schoenho@via.at
>>
>>----------
>>Von: Pickett, Bruce D <Bruce.Pickett@PSS.Boeing.com>
>>An: Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
>>Betreff: Radioactive gems circulating in Asia?
>>Datum: Dienstag, 11. November 1997 17:25
>>
>>The following news story was on the radio and in the paper this morning.
>>I got the text from:
>>http://www.seattletimes.com/extra/browse/html97/gems_111197.html
>>
>>-----------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>These gems obviously do not only circulate in Asia, but I remember that Mr.
>>Rozenthal, whom I had the pleasure to meet recently in Vienna, told me that
>>very similar problems exist(ed) in South America. I do not remember exactly
>>what kind of gem it was, which used to be irradiated to increase the value,
>>but since he is a RADSAFE subscriber I hope he reads these comments and can
>>tell us more.
>>
>>The fact, that gem stones have been irradiated need not be associated with
>>real risks, but of course it is fraud. One can also remember the ALARA
>>principle.
>>
>>Franz
>>
>>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 07:56:49 -0700
>From: "Theodore S Bohn"<BST@inel.gov>
>To: radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
>Cc: "Theodore S Bohn"<BST@inel.gov>
>Subject: Re: Radioactive gems circulating in Asia?
>Message-ID: <8725654D.0051BE02.00@lnsmtp01.inel.gov>
>
>
>
>
>Has it been noticed if the irradiated gems return to their original color
>upon decay?
>
>&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
>&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
>
>
>
>
>novarso@franklin.lisco.com on 11/11/97 10:50:17 PM
>
>Please respond to radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
>
>
>To: radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
>cc: (bcc: Theodore S Bohn/BST/LMITCO/INEEL/US)
>Subject: Re: Radioactive gems circulating in Asia?
>
>
>
>
>Michael Willamson was right in saying that some gemstones might be legally
>radioactive. Here is an example of some test lots of white topaz that was
>irradiated for 100 hours. Activities in Bq/g
> Lot # 1A 2B
> Ta-182 13 71
> Mn-54 5.5 11.3
> Sc-46 2.8 8.5
> Sb-124 2.1
> Cs-134 2
>The above activities were measured several months after irradiation! In
>the case of lot 2B almost one year would need to pass before the U.S.
>release level of 15 Bq/g would be reached.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 10:08:07 -0500
>From: Warren_Church@uml.edu (Warren Church)
>To: <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
>Subject: Re: Radioactive gems circulating in Asia?
>Message-ID: <19971112150305.AAA7296@RadiationLab9.uml>
>
>The color change appears to be permanent.
>
>----------
>> From: Theodore S Bohn <BST@inel.gov>
>> To: Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
>> Subject: Re: Radioactive gems circulating in Asia?
>> Date: Wednesday, November 12, 1997 10:01 AM
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Has it been noticed if the irradiated gems return to their original color
>> upon decay?
>>
>> &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
>> &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> novarso@franklin.lisco.com on 11/11/97 10:50:17 PM
>>
>> Please respond to radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
>>
>>
>> To: radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
>> cc: (bcc: Theodore S Bohn/BST/LMITCO/INEEL/US)
>> Subject: Re: Radioactive gems circulating in Asia?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Michael Willamson was right in saying that some gemstones might be
>legally
>> radioactive. Here is an example of some test lots of white topaz that
>was
>> irradiated for 100 hours. Activities in Bq/g
>> Lot # 1A 2B
>> Ta-182 13 71
>> Mn-54 5.5 11.3
>> Sc-46 2.8 8.5
>> Sb-124 2.1
>> Cs-134 2
>> The above activities were measured several months after irradiation! In
>> the case of lot 2B almost one year would need to pass before the U.S.
>> release level of 15 Bq/g would be reached.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 10:00:48 -0500
>From: qkv@ornl.gov (Kevin Meyer)
>To: radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
>Subject: thorium sources
>Message-ID: <3.0.32.19971112100045.0071f458@cosmail4.ctd.ornl.gov>
>
>I am looking for references for 'natural' concentrations of uranium and
>thorium isotopes in asbestos fiber insulation. Please email responses to:
>
>****************************************
>Kevin Meyer
>Nondestructive Assay Program Manager
>East Tennessee Technology Park
>Oak Ridge, TN
>(423) 241-6714
>qkv@ornl.gov
>****************************************
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 09:21:17 -0600 (CST)
>From: c697554@showme.missouri.edu
>To: Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
>Subject: Re: Radioactive gems circulating in Asia?
>Message-ID: <Pine.A41.3.95q.971112092029.147480C-100000@sp2n09.missouri.edu>
>
>Isn't that because the chemical bonds are now different than what was in
>the unirradiated "parent" stone?
>
>On Wed, 12 Nov 1997, Warren Church wrote:
>
>> The color change appears to be permanent.
>>
>> ----------
>> > From: Theodore S Bohn <BST@inel.gov>
>> > To: Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
>> > Subject: Re: Radioactive gems circulating in Asia?
>> > Date: Wednesday, November 12, 1997 10:01 AM
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Has it been noticed if the irradiated gems return to their original color
>> > upon decay?
>> >
>> > &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
>> > &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > novarso@franklin.lisco.com on 11/11/97 10:50:17 PM
>> >
>> > Please respond to radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
>> >
>> >
>> > To: radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
>> > cc: (bcc: Theodore S Bohn/BST/LMITCO/INEEL/US)
>> > Subject: Re: Radioactive gems circulating in Asia?
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Michael Willamson was right in saying that some gemstones might be
>> legally
>> > radioactive. Here is an example of some test lots of white topaz that
>> was
>> > irradiated for 100 hours. Activities in Bq/g
>> > Lot # 1A 2B
>> > Ta-182 13 71
>> > Mn-54 5.5 11.3
>> > Sc-46 2.8 8.5
>> > Sb-124 2.1
>> > Cs-134 2
>> > The above activities were measured several months after irradiation! In
>> > the case of lot 2B almost one year would need to pass before the U.S.
>> > release level of 15 Bq/g would be reached.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 10:37:12 -0500
>From: Wes Van Pelt <VanPeltW@idt.net>
>To: radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
>Subject: Re: Radioactive gems circulating in Asia?
>Message-ID: <3469CD28.1A7EF2F6@idt.net>
>
>Ralph A. Fobair wrote:
>>
>> Michael Willamson was right in saying that some gemstones might be legally
>> radioactive. Here is an example of some test lots of white topaz that was
>> irradiated for 100 hours. Activities in Bq/g
>>
>> Lot # 1A 2B
>> Ta-182 13 71
>> Mn-54 5.5 11.3
>> Sc-46 2.8 8.5
>> Sb-124 2.1
>> Cs-134 2
>>
>> The above activities were measured several months after irradiation! In
>> the case of lot 2B almost one year would need to pass before the U.S.
>> release level of 15 Bq/g would be reached.
>
>
>Hi Radsafers,
>
>I am curious, which US government agency sets a 15 Bq/g release level
>for gems???
>
>Wes
>--
>Wesley R. Van Pelt, Ph.D., CIH, CHP KF2LG
>President, Van Pelt Associates, Inc.
>Consulting in radiological health and safety.
>mailto:VanPeltW@IDT.net
>http://shell.idt.net/~vanpeltw/index.html
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 10:37:06 -0500 (EST)
>From: William A Fendt <35346@UDel.Edu>
>To: radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
>Subject: COMPLY ready for year 2000?
>Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.96.971112102930.21164D-100000@copland.udel.edu>
>
>Some of us use COMPLY still to demonstrate compliance with air emissions
>constraints (10mrem/yr). Does anyone know if its ready for the year 2000?
>
>Bill Fendt Univ of DE 35346@udel.edu
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Wed, 12 Nov 97 09:40:13 -0600
>From: "Ralph NORTH"<ralph.north@ccmail.adp.wisc.edu>
>To: <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
>Subject: "Nuclear B" disk
>Message-ID: <9711128793.AA879349175@ccmail.adp.wisc.edu>
>
>
>
>I have been asked to identify a quarter-sized disk (i.e., check source or
>calibration standard), dark in color, with "Nuclear B" engraved on it. At this
>time, I don't have the source in my possession, so I can't do any instrumental
>analysis. Any thoughts? Thanks.
>
>ralph.north@mail.admin.wisc.edu
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 08:25:22 -0800
>From: "Dr. Marvin Goldman" <mgoldman@ucdavis.edu>
>To: radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
>Subject: Re: Radioactive gems circulating in Asia?
>Message-ID: <v03007800b08f8858838a@[128.120.90.190]>
>
>>Schoenhofer
>>Habichergasse 31/7
>>A-1160 Wien
>>AUSTRIA
>>Tel./Fax: +43-1-4955308
>>Mobiltel.: +43-664-3380333
>>e-mail: schoenho@via.at
>>
>>----------
>>Von: Pickett, Bruce D <Bruce.Pickett@PSS.Boeing.com>
>>An: Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
>>Betreff: Radioactive gems circulating in Asia?
>>Datum: Dienstag, 11. November 1997 17:25
>>
>>The following news story was on the radio and in the paper this morning.
>>I got the text from:
>>http://www.seattletimes.com/extra/browse/html97/gems_111197.html
>>
>>-----------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>These gems obviously do not only circulate in Asia, but I remember that Mr.
>>Rozenthal, whom I had the pleasure to meet recently in Vienna, told me that
>>very similar problems exist(ed) in South America. I do not remember exactly
>>what kind of gem it was, which used to be irradiated to increase the value,
>>but since he is a RADSAFE subscriber I hope he reads these comments and can
>>tell us more.
>>
>>The fact, that gem stones have been irradiated need not be associated with
>>real risks, but of course it is fraud. One can also remember the ALARA
>>principle.
>>
>>Franz
>
>And then there were those who, some 3 decades ago, used to massively
>irradiate Brazilian quartz in Co-60 sources to create ersatz cerulean; (
>non-radioactive gems in that case, but fraud nontheless)
>mgoldman@ucdavis.edu
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Wed, 12 Nov 97 10:49:57 CST
>From: "Dale E. Boyce" <dale@radpro.uchicago.edu>
>To: radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
>Subject: Re: "Nuclear B" disk
>Message-ID: <9711121049.aa03241@radpro.radpro.uchicago.edu>
>
>Ralph,
>
>The only thing I have seen similar to what you describe were small
>radium sources. The ones I saw were medium gray, between a nickel
>and a quarter in diameter and perhaps 3/16" thick. If memory serves,
>and it sometimes mutates, I think these sources usually were associated
>with a gray colored survey instrument that had a compartment to store
>the source. I don't remember much more about the brand, etc, but
>maybe this will help jog someone else's memory. Good luck.
>
>Dale
>
>------------------------------
>
>End of RADSAFE Digest 1611
>**************************
>