Re: Irradiator Accidents -Reply

[Jose Lopez <JLOPEZ@MEDNET.SWMED.EDU>]

 In reality, the exposed operator died several months after the
exposure of an infection of a skin graft. The infection was not by far
a fatal injury, but unfortunately was grossly mishandled by the local
hospital in El Salvador. The operator died of an injury related to the
exposure, but the exposure itself had not been fatal.

We also have to remember that on these irradiators we are talking
about MEGA curies. Current irradiators are rated for 7 and 8 million
curies of Co-60, and that in order to maintain their dose rates they
have to be re-sourced annually with almost 500,000 Ci Co-60. The
required safeguards  are extensive and many times redundant.

Jose A. Lopez, Ph.D., P.E.
Radiation Safety Officer
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center @ Dallas

(214)648-3952  FAX (214)648-3997
Jose.Lopez@email.swmed.edu

>>> Steven Rima <Steven.Rima@DOEGJPO.COM> 01/15/98 01:17pm >>>
     Dr. Raabe,
     
     I know of one such accident. It occurred in El Salvador in
February, 
     1989. Three workers were exposed; two had body parts amputated
and the 
     third died due to exposure. The reference I have for this one is
an 
     IAEA report entitled "The Radiological Accident in San Salvador."
I 
     can't find a report number on it but it's dated 1990. I also know
that 
     REAC/TS responded to this one. If you can't locate the report,
let me 
     know and I can get it to you.
     
     Steven D. Rima, CHP
     Manager, Health Physics and Industrial Hygiene
     MACTEC-ERS, LLC
     steven.rima@doegjpo.com


______________________________ Reply Separator
_________________________________
Subject: Irradiator Accidents
Author:  "Otto G. Raabe" <ograabe@ucdavis.edu> at Internet
Date:    1/15/98 11:08 AM


January 15, 1998
Davis, CA
     
A local anti-nuclear group claims that there have been fatalities in 
accidents involving Co-60 irradiators used for sterilizing purposes 
somewhere in the world. Does anyone have any info on such accidents?
     
Otto
                ***************************************************** 
                Prof. Otto G. Raabe, Ph.D., CHP
                [President, Health Physics Society, 1997-1998] 
                Institute of Toxicology & Environmental Health (ITEH)
                     (Street address: Old Davis Road)
                University of California, Davis, CA 95616
                Phone: 530-752-7754  FAX: 530-758-6140 [NEW AREA CODE]

                E-mail ograabe@ucdavis.edu