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Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Radiation Storage
Date: Thursday, June 1, 2017 at 6:41:22 PM
Author: Dave Roberts <droberts**At_Symbol_Here**DEPAUW.EDU> 		Next by Date:
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines from Google (14 articles)
Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2017 06:31:58 -0400
Author: "Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety"

From: Harry J. Elston <helston**At_Symbol_Here**MIDWESTCHEMSAFETY.COM>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Radiation Storage
Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2017 17:49:52 -0500
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Message-ID: CAJ2hcfdMsMuZAviFqRjKjt03yPAQ-6So=tv3JZXL-L+d456TKg**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com
In-Reply-To


Melissa,

Neither OSHA or EPA have much to say about radioactive material because RAM is governed under the Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations in 10 CFR. Protection regulations are in Part 20. That's Federal Regulation. California undoubtedly has their own version of regulatory hell, and I have no idea where to begin there, but I would start with public health (California Regulations Title 17) and see where that takes you.

In terms of safe storage: The glass bottle will protect from the alpha emission. No big deal there. If you're looking for zero or near-zero exposure, place the bottle in a lead pig. (In our rad lab, we stored our 500g bottle of thorium nitrate in the hot lab, but everyone there was a rad worker so we could get away with the minimal occupational exposure that gave.)

I do not believe that you've inherited trouble. What you inherited is a pain in the backside (literally, if you keep your wallet there) if you choose to dispose of the material. It will be a king's ransom to get rid of it.

Harry


Virus-free. www.avast.com

On Thu, Jun 1, 2017 at 3:53 PM, Melissa Anderson <mwanderson08**At_Symbol_Here**gmail..com> wrote:
Hi Everyone,

Where can I find more information on the rules and regulations for storing and using radioactive materials? We have some uranyl nitrate that a colleague "acquired" from a local high school (without anyone's approval). I'm worried that we may have also acquired a heap of trouble.

We're a community college with no resources for radiation training, storage, etc. and I'm trying to determine what the appropriate recommendation is to give to my Dean in terms of dealing with the material.

I've looked at the OSHA and EPA websites, but I haven't really found a clear summary of what the key items are that relate to situation like this. Any help would be most welcome.

Thanks,
Melissa Anderson
Chemistry Instructor
Pasadena City College
--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional secretary at secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas



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Harry J. Elston, Ph.D., CIH
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