Re: survey meter check sources

[tmohaupt@wright.edu]

Hello Radsafers,

We had many instruments that needed check sources.  The cost of 
purchasing check sources for each instrument, at about $40 each, was 
prohibitive.  Fortunately, we had a 5-gram strip of depleted uranium 
purchased from Victoreen.  We careful cut off a small piece and 
epoxied the piece to the side of the instrument.  It doesn't take 
much.  We glued a small laminated radiation symbol over the source.  
It's worked out very well.  Since we had everything on hand, it didn't 
cost us anything, except for the epoxy.  The strip of depleted 
uranium will last us, for all practical purposes, forever.

I don't know if Victoreen sells those strips any more or how much 
they would be.  Ours was enclosed in plastic wrap.  It was here when I 
came.  You might be able to get a small piece of depleted uranium for 
free or very cheap from other places, say Aberdeen Proving Grounds.  
You don't need much.

Tom
Tom Mohaupt, MS, CHP
Wright State University
Radiation Safety Officer

Voice:  (937) 775-2169
Fax:  (937) 775-3301
E-mail:  tmohaupt@wright.edu
Address:  104 Health Sciences Bldg, Wright State University
          Dayton, OH 45435