Re[2]: Generally Licensed Po-210 Static Eliminators -Reply

[Steven.Rima@DOEGJPO.COM (Steven Rima)]

     Joel,
     
     Nice common sense answer!!! We continue to rail against the LNT, 
     over-regulation, etc... and then we turn around and want to train 
     people and dispose of something that the regulatory agencies have 
     determined doesn't need this type of controls. Why??? If it's 
     generally licensed and it's legal to dispose of as plain old trash, 
     why not do that?
     
     As an aside, I surveyed my Coleman lantern many years ago (a real 
     "geeky" thing to do, but then I am an HP) and it's got several 
     thousand dpm smearable inside. I don't dispose of the old mantles as 
     radwaste, and so far my family has resisted radworker training. ;-)
     
     Steven D. Rima, CHP
     Manager, Health Physics and Industrial Hygiene
     MACTEC-ERS, LLC
     steven.rima@doegjpo.com


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: Generally Licensed Po-210 Static Eliminators -Reply
Author:  Joel Baumbaugh <baumbaug@nosc.mil> at Internet
Date:    7/21/98 9:54 AM


        Radsafers,
     
        I've been following the various processes described/suggested for
disposal of old Po-210 static eliminators.  Not quite as fun as the "music 
theme", but I don't want "you-know-who" to get mad at me...(grin).
     
        While I'm not suggesting that anyone do the following (in fact I just
included some old static eliminators in "my" last Rad-Wst shipment), but - if, 
by some chance, one HAD an OLD Po-210 source that was essentially 99.999% 
Pb-206...just "laying around"... Couldn't you just spray-paint the radiation 
symbol into oblivion and throw the d..n thing away?  All you have is a shiny 
thing that's got a radiation symbol on it.  I have T-shirts (with radiation 
symbols on them) and there's probably more radioactivity in the phosphate 
detergent I wash them in than are in 10 y/o static eliminators.  Aren't we 
"over-regulating" something simple again?  After all, they ARE Generally 
Licensed sources.  Weren't they put in that classification for a REASON?  What 
about the lantern mantles I use for "show and tell".  Can't I throw them in the 
trash when I'm through with them?  What about the lantern itself (its probably 
slightly contaminated)???  And my seven y/o daughter, if she handles the mant! 
les or lantern or inhales some of the product, am I going to have to stuff her 
in a drum as well?
     
     
     
        Just my 2 cents again,
     
     
        Joel Baumbaugh
     
     
Joel T. Baumbaugh, MPH, MHP
baumbaug@nosc.mil
Radiation Safety Officer
SSC San Diego, CA
     
     
        NOTE:   The contents of this message have not been reviewed, nor
approved by the Federal Government, the U.S. Navy, my bosses or my wife... 
     
     
        Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy.