RE: Scanning Electron Microscopes

["Dunn, Wes" <WDunn@intiso.com>]

Erin,

SEM's are regulated by the State.  As such, any regulatory questions
(e.g., what is required) should be directed to the Indiana Indoor and
Radiologic Health Division of the State Department of Health.  My list
says Hans Messersmigh is the Coordinator of the X-Ray Machine Inspection
Program (ph: 317-233-7564)

As for actual radiological safety concerns, there really aren't any.
The SEM vacuum walls contain any produced x-rays.  And if you have a
vacuum leak, you don't have any x-ray production.  This is very
different from Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEMs), which can have
significant x-ray production if the shielding is not properly placed (or
the leaded glass windows are replaced with normal glass).

Wes

Wesley M. Dunn, CHP, Director, Environmental Health & Safety
International Isotopes, Inc.
3100 Jim Christal Road
Denton, Texas  76207
Wdunn@intiso.com <mailto:Wdunn@intiso.com>
Corporate Website:  http://www.intiso.com
940-484-9492; 940-484-0877 (fax)


	-----Original Message-----
	From:	Erin Lambert [SMTP:eclare@purdue.edu]
	Sent:	Wednesday, July 08, 1998 11:49 AM
	To:	Multiple recipients of list
	Subject:	Scanning Electron Microscopes

	Just a quick request to everyone,

	I am researching radiation safety concerns for Scanning Electron
Microscopes.
	I am not finding much information on my own so  I would like to
know if any of
	you have set up a SEM program at any of your facilities.  I
found some information
	at the Lawrence Livermore site but not much else.

	If anyone knows of any regulations on SEMs or anywhere that I
can find any 
	information on this topic, I would GREATLY appreciate it!

	Thank you in advance,

	Erin Lambert
	Health Physicist
	Department of Radiological & 
	  Environmental Management
	Purdue University
	eclare@purdue.edu
	765-494-2721