[NHCOLL-L:5908] Re: [RCAAM] radioactive minerals

[Audrey_Barnhart at nps.gov]

While you're at it, PLEASE see that your storage areas, particularly
basement storage areas, are regularly tested for radon.  It occurs
naturally in the substrate, higher in particular regions (
http://www.radon.com/radon/radon_map.html ).  We have learned the hard way,
that initial, post-construction tests do not indicate safe working
conditions.  Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and many of
us work in basement offices!

I know of another institution that found high radon concentrations in the
storage area.  Further tests showed that a storage case housing a large
vertebrate fossil was one of the primary sources for the high levels in the
room.

Work well,
Audrey
Audrey L. Barnhart
Curator
Fort Union Trading Post NHS
15550 Hwy 1804
Williston, ND  58801
(701)-572-9083


                                                                           
             MELLIER Benoît                                                
             <Benoit.Mellier at v                                             
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                                                                   Subject 
             03/16/2012 04:29          [NHCOLL-L:5907] [RCAAM] radioactive 
             AM                        minerals                            
                                                                           
                                                                           
             Please respond to                                             
             Benoit.Mellier at vi                                             
               lle.angers.fr                                               
                                                                           
                                                                           




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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