Smoke Detectors

["Roy A. Parker" <70472.711@compuserve.com>]

C'mon guys  this is a classic Catch 22 situation and I was trying to lay
low, but you have dragged me into it.
 
1. Yes, NRC  and agreement state regulations say that you may dispose of
   the Am-241 smoke detectors in the trash, but how do you get it to the
   trash dump.   Classic case of lack of coordination between regulatory
   agencies.
 
2. Am-241 has  an A2 value of 5.41 mCi.  The Am-241 is a foil, therefore
   it is  a solid,  and therefore  the Am-241  limited quantity value is
   5.41 uCi.   Thus, it  could easily  be  transported  as  an  excepted
   package, which  means the  package  must  meet  the  general  packing
   requirement, the  smoke detector  is marked radioactive, the excepted
   package notice  is included, and the maximum external radiation level
   on the  surface of  the package  is 0.5 mrem/hr.   It  could also  be
   considered an  "instrument" and the activity limit in that case would
   be 54.1 uCi.   The  same excepted  package criteria  would have to be
   met.  But what consumer has been told this?
 
3. Who is  going to  enforce this?  (I would hope they would have better
   things to do.)
 
4. (Tongue in  cheek)   Consider it an instrument.  If it is mailed then
   the mailable activity limit becomes 5.41 uCi.  Assume the detector or
   foil is  marked "Radioactive."   Put  in a  package with at least one
   external dimension  of the package not less than four inches.  Assume
   the maximum  surface radiation level on the surface of the package is
   0.5 mrem per  hour.   No excepted  package notice  required.  General
   packaging requirement  not required.   Maybe they should be mailed to
   the trash dump.
 
Later.  I am returning to better things.
 
Roy A. Parker, Ph.D.
E-Mail: 70472.711@compuserve.com
Tel: 225-924-1473
Fax: 225-924-4269
 

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