Re: Re[2]: Tritium in exit signs and on watch dials -Counting Lab Concerns

[RADPROJECT@aol.com]

In a message dated 2/15/99 12:44:52 PM Eastern Standard Time,
Steven.Rima@DOEGJPO.COM writes:

<< I have an older Timex watch from 
      the early 80's, that clearly states on the back that it contains "200 
      mCi 3H". It also has the trefoil symbol on the back. I quit wearing it 
      after a radiochemistry lab manager "borrowed" it for a few days and 
      found detectable tritium leaching out of it.  >>

Numerous guideline documents from the 1970s which I had consulted in designing
the Yankee Atomic Environmental Lab  from 1976-77 clearly warned against
having tritium containing watches anywhere near a low-level H-3 counting lab.
I don't have the references right at my fingertips now, but recollect some of
them were from the IAEA. Anyone involved in low level tritium counting should
be aware not to let a tritium backlit watch in a tritium sample prep lab.

Regards,

Stewart Farber, MS Public Health
Consulting Scientist
Public Health Sciences
Director - Radium Experiment Assessment Project [REAP]
19 Stuart St.
Pawtucket, RI 02860

Phone/FAX: (401) 727-4947  E-mail: radproject@usa.net
            Web address: http://www.delphi.com/carsreap





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