EVALUATION OF THE RADIATION HAZARD FROM URANIUM GLAZES

Technical Report · Fri May 17 04:00:00 EDT 1963

OSTI ID:4697083

Magor, R C

An investigation was made of the radiation hazard from ceramic dishes coated with a glaze containing uranium. The surface beta dose-rate of the dishes was measured using commercial film badges and an extrapolation chamber, and was calculated from the surface beta activity of the dishes. The surface beta activity was determined, first, from the count-rate of the glaze at zero absorption, using a G-M tube calibrated at zero absorption, and, second, from the measurement of the Pa/sup 234/(UX/sub 2/) activity of the glaze, using a calibrated electroscope. The surface dose-rate was found to 17 mrad/hr through an absorption thickness of about 60 mg/sq cm using film badges, 15 mrad/hr through 3.4 mg/sq cm using an extrapolation chamber, and 12 mrad/hr through 7.0 mg/sq cm by calculation from the surface beta activity. The surface beta activity was found to be 1.4 x 10/sup -3/ and 1.7 x 10/sup -3/ uc/sq cm by the two methods. Results indicate that prolonged contact with ceramic dishes coated with a glaze containing uranium can result in a significant beta radiation dose, but the possibility of a significant beta radiation dose from the ingestion of the glaze is remote. (C.H.)

• Research Organization: Michigan. Univ., Ann Arbor. School of Public Health
• NSA Number: NSA-17-025481
• OSTI ID: 4697083
• Report Number(s): TID-18683
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ABSORPTION
BETA PARTICLES
CERAMICS
COATING
DOSEMETERS
ELECTRIC METERS
GEIGER-MUELLER COUNTERS
HEALTH AND SAFETY
IONIZATION CHAMBERS
MATHEMATICS
MEASURED VALUES
PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM
PROTACTINIUM 234
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOACTIVITY
STANDARDS
STOMACH
URANIUM COMPOUNDS