Radium Sources

["Fischer, Karl (OD)" <kfischer@exchange.nih.gov>]

Susan (and other interested RadSafe parties),

It just so happens that the recent supplement to the Journal of Health Physics
(entitled Operational Health Physics) has an excellent article that discusses
"orphan" sources such as the one you mentioned ("Unwanted Radioactive Sources in
the Public Domain: A Historical Perspective", by J.O. Lubenau).  Apparently, the
NRC, Agreement States, EPA, and CRCPD (Conference of Radiation Control Program
Directors, Inc.) have established a committee to address the problem of unwanted
sources.

The CRCPD has already set up an unwanted RAM assistance site at:

http://www.crcpd.org/Orphans.htm

It looks to be a good place to start.

Karl Fischer, M.E.
Area Health Physicist
Radiation Safety Branch, NIH
(301) 496-5774 x263
kwf@nih.gov


	Date: Sun, 31 Jan 1999 18:48:13 -0500
	From: Susan Gawarecki <loc@icx.net>
	Subject: Radium Sources for Sinus Treatments

	After seeing the post on NRI treatments, my husband told me that his
	ear/nose/throat doctor has old radium sources, formerly used for sinus
	treatments, that he doesn't know what to do with.  These sources are
	mounted on sticks and were placed in the throat where the eustacian
	(sp?) tubes drain to kill cells at this location, thus opening up the
	drainage points and decreasing likelihood of sinus blockages.
	Currently the sources are stored in a plywood box in an examination
	room.  Does this storage pose a hazard to the people working at this
	practice?  To whom should this physician be referred to help him
	properly dispose of these sources?

	Susan Gawarecki
	loc@icx.net
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