THE BEHAVIOR OF RADIOACTIVE ISOTOPES IN A SEWER
Experiences in Great Britain with disposal and behavio r of radioactive isotopes in a sewer are discussed. The major use of radionuclides is in the form of sealed sources. The total radioactivity of open sources that may be discharged to the sewer is low, and the hazard is negligible. Nevertheless, the behavior of currently used radioactive materinls in the sewer or treatment process was evaluated. Procedures for the experimental study and techniques for evaluation are outlined. Results of the experiment followed a behavior pattern noted in other published works on radioisotopes in rivers and sewage treatment processes. Isotopes such as Na/sup 24/, P/sup 32/, S/sup 35/, and I/sup 131/, that are normall y present in solution in sewage are not appreciably retained, while elements normally absent or present in an insoluble form such as Cr/sup 51/ , Co/sup 60/, and Au/sub 198/ tend to be retained. The dose effect to sewer workers was calculated and necessary precautions to be taken in regard to specific isotopes are outlined. (Public Health Eng. Abstr., 43: No. 8)
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-036061
- OSTI ID:
- 4641411
- Journal Information:
- J. Proc. Inst. Sewage Purif., Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-63
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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