Health risk assessment of irradiated topaz

Technical Report · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:6822150

Nelson, J W; Baum, J W ^[1]

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1. Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)

Irradiated topaz gemstones are currently processed for color improvement by subjecting clear stones to neutron or high-energy electron irradiations, which leads to activation of trace elements in the stones. Assessment of the risk to consumers required the identification and quantification of the resultant radionuclides and the attendant exposure. Representative stones from Brazil, India, Nigeria, Sri Lanka were irradiated and analyzed for gamma ray and beta particle emissions, using sodium iodide and germanium spectrometers; and Geiger-Muller, plastic and liquid scintillation, autoradiography, and thermoluminescent-dosimetry measurement techniques. Based on these studies and other information derived from published literature, dose and related risk estimates were made for typical user conditions. New criteria and methods for routine assays for acceptable release, based on gross beta and gross photon emissions from the stones, were also developed.

• Research Organization: Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (United States). Div. of Regulatory Applications; Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USNRC; Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• OSTI ID: 6822150
• Report Number(s): NUREG/CR-5883; BNL-NUREG-52330; ON: TI93006911
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
MINERALS
IRRADIATION
US NRC
REGULATIONS
HEALTH HAZARDS
IMPORTS
LICENSING
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATION DETECTION
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIOISOTOPES
SAFETY
DETECTION
HAZARDS
ISOTOPES
MONITORING
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
US ORGANIZATIONS
560101* - Biomedical Sciences
Applied Studies- Radiation Effects- Dosimetry & Monitoring- (1992-)
360605 - Materials- Radiation Effects
570000 - Health & Safety