POSSIBLE HEALTH HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LAUNDERING OF RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

Journal Article · Mon Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1958 · Health Physics (England)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-195804000-00009· OSTI ID:4307376

Pearsall, S G; Gemmell, L; Breslin, A

An engineering study was made at the Brookhaven National Laboratory to evaluate the possible health hazards to laundry personnel and the public connected with the operation of a decontamination laundry. Laboratory clothing was separated into eight groups, ranging from only slight amounts to rather large amounts of contamination. The groups contained from nineteen to thirtyone coveralls each, with all of the garments in the same group containing about the same amount of radioactive contamination. Each group was washed as a separate batch. Air samples were taken at various breathing zones and at various times during the operation to determine the air-borne dust hazard. The waste water was assayed for actlvity, the dryer effluent was monitored and the equipment, building, etc., were checked for contamination during the laundry operation of the eight groups. The data show that the greatest hazard lies in the inhalation of airbonne radioactive dusts. Washwater, laundry equipment, surfaces and floors became contaminated. Clean clothes showed cross contamination if washed with even slightly contaminated clothing. The dryer effluent was invariably contaminated with radioactive lint. It was evident that below 1 to 2 mu c of contamination per garment, one could send radioactive clothing to a commercial laundry without hazard to the laundry operators or to the public. Higher levels can be handled safely by a commercial laundry if the loading and sorting operations are carefully managed. (auth)

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, N.Y.; U.S. Atomic Energy Commission New York
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-12-016907
• OSTI ID: 4307376
• Journal Information: Health Physics (England), Journal Name: Health Physics (England) Vol. Vol: 1; ISSN HLTPA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

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BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE