Americum [sic] check source offered for sale on eBay online auction? Thoughts??

[RADPROJECT@aol.com]

I'd be interested in what radsafe members think about the following item being
offered for sale by someone on the internet on-line auction eBay. See:

<A HREF="http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=73991903";>
Click here: eBay item 73991903 (Ends 03/11/99 09:28:52 PST) - Radioactive
Check Source: Americum, 2.0mr/hr</A>

As described by the seller:
"Radioactive Check Source consisting of a 1/2 inch bar-bell shaped metal
container. This container holds a small piece of radioactive Americum which
registers 2.0mr/hr on a Civil Defense CD V-700 geiger counter. It is an
excellent check source to calibrate your geiger counter or verify the accuracy
of your milliroentgen dosimeter. These check sources are hard to find. Good
luck bidding. Winner pays $3.20 priority mail postage."

The misspelling of the above isotope is the seller's error, since the
description was simply copied over.

NOTE: I've got nothing to do with this item and just happened to chance upon
it in looking to see what might be for sale related to radium. 

I just find it interesting an Americium source is  being offered for sale to
anyone who wants it, although the opening bid requested at $35 is likely to
limit bidders.

Stewart Farber, MS Public Health
Director - Radium Experiment Assessment Project
19 Stuart St.
Pawtucket, RI 02860

Phone/FAX: (401) 727-4947  or (401) 724-3533
E-mail: radproject@usa.net
REAP Web site: http://www.delphi.com/carsreap


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