Re: Pressure buildup in radium sources

[RADPROJECT@aol.com]

In a message dated 98-07-08 09:42:13 EDT, Mike Malaxos writes:

<< I would welcome your comments on the following;
 
 Potential for pressure build-up of Radon in double encapsulated special
 form sources
 Method of calculating this build-up if it exists.
 Details of any experience with incidents arising from pressure build-up.
  >>
A good reference on the above subject is:

Roosenbeek, Earl van, et.al., "Safe Encapsulation Period for sealed Medical
Radium Sources", Amer. J. of Roent., Radium Therapy & Nuclear Medicine,  p.
697-704,Vol. 102, March 1968, No. 3

This paper reviews a number of source accidents due to pressure buildup.
Pressure buids due to radon daughter product buidup, helium from emitted alpha
particles, and hydrogen and oxygen gas from water[if present due to poor
source prep] decomposed by alpha bombardment.

Calcuations documented in this paper note a negligible pressure due to radon
buildup, about one atmosphere of pressure per year per milligram of radium;
and very much more than that from the potential decomposition of water into
hydrogen and oxygen if the radium contains water of hydration or is not
otherwise dry.  


Stewart Farber, MS Public Health
Director - Radium Experiment Assessment Project
19 Stuart St.
Pawtucket, RI 02860

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