FW: Error in Handbook?

["Clement, Christopher" <clementc@aecl.ca>]

Radsafers:

In a message last week, I mentioned an error in the uranium series shown
in the "Health Physics and Radiological Health Handbook" but did not
elaborate further.  I have since received requests to give a little more
information to the group.

The version I have is the "Revised Edition" (c) 1992, edited by Bernard
Shleien.  I have the addenda and errata sheet issued August 1994, but
this error is not covered.

On page 283, there is a table which details the uranium decay series.
The first part of the series printed is as follows:

U-238 -> Th-234 -> Pa-234m -> Pa-234 (99.87%) or PaIT-234 (0.13%) ->
U-234 -> Th-230 -> ...

My understanding is that the series is actually:

U-238 -> Th-234 -> Pa-234m -> U-234 (99.87%)  or [ Pa-234 (0.13%) ->
U-234 ] -> Th-230 -> ...

Another error on the same page is that 222Ra should read 222Rn, although
I'd caught this one some time ago and is now covered in the errata
sheet.

------------------------------------------------------------
Christopher H. Clement
Scientific Specialist / Radiation Protection Program Manager
Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Office
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited
clementc@aecl.ca


> ----------
> From: 	RadWizard@aol.com[SMTP:RadWizard@aol.com]
> Sent: 	June 19, 1998 10:10 PM
> To: 	Clement, Christopher
> Subject: 	Error in Handbook?
> 
> Christopher -
> 
> It would be instructive to point out exactly what the error in the
> Handbook
> is, and in what edition of the Handbook.
> I'm sure many on RADSAFE would appreciate that.
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> Gary Mansfield
> RADWIZARD@aol.com
> 
> ------------------------
> Radsafers:
> 
> Thanks everyone for your answers to my question.  My misunderstanding
> is
> a result of an error in the uranium decay series in "The Health
> Physics
> and Radiological Health Handbook" by Shleien.  For those of you
> relying
> on this reference beware!  (There's little doubt in my mind that the
> correct answer is 14 Bq.)
>