[NHCOLL-L:5907] [RCAAM] radioactive minerals

[MELLIER Benoît]

Hi everyone,

A few years ago, while we began to make an inventory of our minerals collection, we decided to better manage our radioactive minerals because most of them were in exhibit cabinet. A french laboratory, specialized in handling radioactive artefacts, came and made a diagnostic. Every radioactive rock has been taken out of our exhibition gallery ; we placed them in a storeroom in 3 metallic drums as shown in the attached files and the tech-lab built a wall of brick made of lead. The lead box is empty but may contains some radioactive dust so we let it there.

Concerning the risks, beyond one meter there is no risk for us. There's a risk if you stay close to the drums more than 100 hours. Another risk is to consider : when a radioactive rock is stored in a closed bag or box, a gas named radon stores up in the packaging and when you open it there's a risk breathing this radioactive gas.

Hope it can help you.



Benoît



------------------------------

Benoît MELLIER

Gestion des collections

Muséum des sciences naturelles

41 place Imbach

49100 Angers

benoit.mellier(at)ville.angers.fr    tél. 02 41 05 48 53



www.angers.fr/museum/













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