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Differences in applied health physics problems and procedures between $sup 238$Pu and $sup 239$Pu

Conference ·
OSTI ID:4309077

From third Health Physics Society midyear topical symposium; Los Angeles, California, USA (29 Jan 1969). See CONF-690103P1. The major differences in applied health physics problems and procedures for work with /sup 238/Pu and /sup 239/Pu are compared. This comparison is based on 10 y experience with both isotopes at Mound Laboratory. Dose rates external to /sup 238/Pu glove boxes are higher than for /sup 239/Pu glove boxes and, in general, a more frequent dose rate surveillance program is required in /sup 238/Pu work areas. Greater health physics support for glove box maintenance operations is required in /sup 238/Pu work areas because the gloves and viewing windows deteriorate faster and must be changed more frequently than in /sup 239/Pu work areas. Contamination control procedures are more strict in /sup 238/Pu work areas than in /sup 239/Pu work areas. The differences in contamination control procedures for pass out operations, glove changes, viewing window changes, and maintenance on vacuum lines out of gloveboxes are discussed. (auth)

Research Organization:
Monsanto Research Corp., Miamisburg, OH
NSA Number:
NSA-29-030202
OSTI ID:
4309077
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English