Re: Glow in the Dark Watches -REPLY -Reply

[Kenneth Prendergast <KMP@nrc.gov>]

Reading the mail brought up some old memories.

I can remember doing an inspection in Washington State at a radium dial facility. 
The owner had a big contamination problem!  He also had some luminous paint he had
purchased in Korea.  The paint was not labelled radioactive, however, my survey
meter indicated activity was present. However the activity was easily attenuated.  I
suspected a beta emiter of some sort  (probably promethium 147 )So I sent it to the lab
for analysis.  The Washington lab tried to count the sample of paint using a liquid
scintilation counter and never really got back with me.  I laughed when I found out
what they did.  Also to make matters worse, the shop had to be decontaminated. 
After decon, the shop again showed contamination.  This time it was due to the
polishing compound used to polish the lenses.  The can was hotter than a pistol.  I
suspected thorium sand.  After my experience with lab, I did not send in the polishing
compound for analysis.

This information does not reflect the view of Agency.  These are just the ramblings of
an old inspector.