Characterization of long-lived radioactive dust in uranium mill operations

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1992 · American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15298669291360193· OSTI ID:7128940

Bigu, J; DuPort, P ^[1]

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1. Elliot Lake Laboratory, CANMET, Energy, Mines and Resources Canada, Ontario (Canada)

The characteristics of long-lived radioactive dust clouds generated in several mechanical and physiochemical operations in a uranium mill have been investigated. The study consisted of the determination of dust size distribution and of the size distribution of radionuclides associated with particulate matter in the size range less than 0.1 to 26 microns. Experiments were conducted by using two different types of cascade impactors operating at different sampling flow rates. Radionuclide identification was done by using alpha-spectrometry. Long- and short-lived radionuclides were identified in dust samples. The characteristics of the dust clouds depended on the mill operation, such as crushing (vibrating grizzly, jaw crusher, cone crusher); screening; ore transportation; grinding; acid leaching; counter-current decantation; yellow cake precipitation and drying; and yellow cake packaging. In addition, other dust and radioactivity measurements have been carried out.

• OSTI ID: 7128940
• Journal Information: American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal; (United States), Vol. 53:9; ISSN 0002-8894
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
URANIUM
RADIATION MONITORING
ALPHA SPECTROSCOPY
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
LEACHING
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
PARTICLE SIZE
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
SCREENING
URANIUM MINES
ACTINIDES
AIR POLLUTION
DISSOLUTION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
METALS
MINES
MONITORING
POLLUTION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SIZE
SPECTROSCOPY
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
540130* - Environment
Atmospheric- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)