Recycling radium
The Technology Programs Department of Fluor Daniel Fernald investigated alternatives for dealing with the World`s largest concentrated supply of radium, the K-65 silos at Fernald, the United States Department of Energy`s (DOE) former uranium processing facility near Cincinnati, Ohio. These two silos contain nearly 3,770 curies (by definition 3,770 grams) primarily of Ra-226 (T {1/2} = 1600 a) within 10,000 metric tons of material. Material contents of the silos were to be vitrified according to a Record of Decision (ROD) between the DOE and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Because of cost considerations, that alternative must be reconsidered. Research showed that although Ra-226 had come mostly into disfavor as a therapeutic agent for cancer, isotopes derived from the neutron bombardment of pure Ra-226 and radioactive decay of the resulting purified isotopes could be used to good effect. One of these isotopes, bismuth-213 (Bi-213, T {1/2} = 45.6 m), is being used in clinical trials against acute myelogenous leukemia. The isotope is attached to an antibody that seeks out cancer cells. Because alpha particles dissipate most of their energy within the space of one or a few cells, virtually all the surrounding healthy tissue remains unharmed. Because of the short half life, waste disposal is no problem. Because of past policies, radium for feedstock is difficult to find. A new policy is needed in the United States acknowledging radium`s value for feedstock while continuing to control its health and environmental consequences.
- OSTI ID:
- 598175
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-970830-; TRN: 98:004763
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Beneficial Reuse `97: 5. annual conference on the recycle and reuse of radioactive scrap metal, Knoxville, TN (United States), 5-7 Aug 1997; Other Information: PBD: 1997; Related Information: Is Part Of Beneficial reuse `97; PB: 565 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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