THE BEHAVIOR OF RADIOACTIVE ISOTOPES IN A SEWER

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1962 · J. Proc. Inst. Sewage Purif.

OSTI ID:4641411

Mitchell, N T; Brendish, K R; Eden, G E

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., Journal Name: J. Proc. Inst. Sewage Purif.
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ABSORPTION
CHROMIUM 51
COBALT 60
FISSION PRODUCTS
GOLD 198
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HYDROLOGY
IODINE 131
MATHEMATICS
PERSONNEL
PHOSPHORUS 32
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOACTIVITY
RADIOISOTOPES
RESIDUES
SAFETY
SEALS
SODIUM 24
SOLUBILITY
STANDARDS
STORAGE
SULFUR 35
WASTE DISPOSAL